[ USS Rapier - CO's Ready Room ]
Natalia was in a mild state of panic, something which didn't happen very often. While she was perfectly calm and level-headed during battle situations, administration was the one thing that pushed her close to the edge. She had forgotten how much of a CO's job was exactly that... administration. The Rapier not in the best of states. The little ship's repairs were almost done courtesy of the efficient shipyard and the installation of the Erassian stealth plating was getting done faster than anticipated (mainly thanks to the small size of the ship), but she had been tasked along with the Chimera for Operation Magna at the last minute, which meant she had a crew shortage, especially since only a third of the crew remained after the rest perished during the last mission. And the latest order from Task Force had just reassigned the XO of the Rapier, leaving another key shortage.
The chime to the ready room door sounded and the subject of 1TF's latest reassignment order stepped inside. "You wanted to see me, captain?" Lieutenant Dacour said after Natalia called her inside. She was going to have to get used to that mode of address... 'captain'.
"Please take a seat," Natalia nodded, her tone serious. "I'm afraid it's not good news. Not for me at least, I'm not sure how you'll feel about it. You're being reassigned?"
"Reassigned?" Pazla frowned. "I don't understand, Commander."
"It's not my choice," Natalia said, sliding the padd containing her orders to Pazla across the desk. "Task Force requires some assistance in dealing with the Klingons at Padassa, and since you have experience in that area, you're being assigned to diplomatic duty, effective immediately."
"Hmm," was all Pazla said as she studied the orders. They were clear as daylight, no two ways about them.
"If it's any consolation, I've been told this assignment is crucial. Relations with the Klingons are very sensitive at this point and it seems that Starfleet wants officers who have experience in dealing with Klingons there to make sure everything goes smoothly," Natalia explained.
"When there are Klingons involved, nothing ever goes smoothly," Pazla quipped, then realised she perhaps being a bit too informal. "I'm sorry, Commander. It's just unexpected."
Natalia spread her hands. "If it were up to me you'd stay right where you are. I was looking forward to working with you again."
"So was I, captain," Pazla replied.
"That's all, then. You're dismissed, Lieutenant Dacour," Natalia said. "You better get packing; you leave with Commander Ohmsford in a few hours."
"Aye, ma'am," Pazla said as she got up and left the ready room.
Natalia watched her former XO leave and tried not to think about the mild headache was slowly forming at her temples. Where the hell was she going to get a new XO in six hours when she was still having trouble filling the rest of the ship with crew.
[ End Log ]
Commander Natalia Trzetrzelewska
Commanding Officer
USS Rapier NCC 61582
[NPC by Bren]