=/\= Captain's Ready Room =/\=
Athena took a deep breath, this was the last evaluation that she or Mimi had to do and she figured that the department head should do it, and pushed the chime. She waited for the inevitable "enter" and went in upon hearing it.
Rojac didn't bother looking up as the doors slid aside to let the petitioner in. He was reading up on the targeting sensor diagnostic, and was not very pleased with the results from the shakedown test.
"Sir," Athena started and waited until the captain looked up from the padd he was reviewing, "I've waited as long as I could knowing that you must be very busy; but I must give you your evaluation now." She stood by a chair waiting to see if he had the time for the brain picking now or not.
"Damn." Rojac said, sliding open a drawer and placing the padd inside to clear his desk. "I thought you had forgotten." He pressed a button on the side of his desk, and the images on the desktop faded into blackness. "Oh well." He smiled. "Let's get down to business, Athena. Would you like a drink from the replicator?"
"A glass of water. And forgetting to do an evaluation isn't likely; especially when my boss ordered me to make sure that everyone was completed
Rojac swiveled his chair toward the cubby where the device manufactured the requested beverages. He retrieved them and swiveled back toward the desk. "Where shall we begin, counselor?"
"How about how the crew and seem to be performing," she asked.
"The senior staff is performing just fine." Rojac said, taking time to recline into a more comfortable position in the soft leather of his chair. "Though I'm worried about the high levels of new recruits. Forty-five percent of our crew has never seen battle before, they're fresh out of SSF training and the academy. I know you learn a lot at the academy, but nothing truly prepares one for true battle."
Rojac sighed. "Do you know what I mean, Athena?"
"Probably more so than I'd like to admit to," she responded taking a sip of water afterwards. "Are you concerned that the Chimera would be passed over for important assignments because of all the new recruits or just that they will freeze when you need them to perform at their best?"
"More the latter than the former. With the Chimera being the Commodore's former command and the flagship of the taskforce, I do not think we will be given posh assignments." Rojac replied. "Because we needed a new ship, and its been six months since the start of the war, all of the experienced personnel have already been reassigned to the front lines. I had to fight to maintain much of the senior staff."
Athena nodded and remained silent for a moment or two longer then suggested, "What about giving the crew a drill.... one preferably that only the senior staff knows about so that you can see how your much younger crew will react?"
"I suppose its a possibility. But it would have to wait until after the shakedown cruise is completed." Rojac replied. "But that's another matter. Am I fit for duty, Counselor?"
"Did you have any doubts," she asked not really answering the question.
"Isn't it healthy to have doubts, Commander? To keep one grounded to reality?" He smirked slightly. "What's your next question?"
"Yes its normal and healthy to have some doubts... except perhaps when talking about your own sanity." She paused and smiled waiting just a little longer than necessary to see if he would squirm under the scrutiny. She took a swallow of her water while still keeping the eye to eye contact; and then said, "Actually, I've watched you in action and Find you quite competent for duty and I'd like to thank you for your help with security.... not that a good strip search couldn't be fun, but I wasn't in the mood just then."
Rojac had to laugh. "You always did tend to gravitate to the security officers. First Cortez, now Viktor." He chuckled some more. "At least Viktor hasn't held you at spear point acting like a caveman... yet anyways."
Athena raised an eyebrow but didn't indicate one way or the other whether Viktor had any caveman tendencies or not.
"Back to that incident with security, Athena." Rojac said, his face taking a more serious expression. "It appears that their concern was legitimate. The Judge Advocate department put a standing order to restrict your access voicing classified security concerns."
"So, I'm assigned to a ship that according to security concerns I shouldn't know about or any mission that might come along?"
"You'll have to take up specific questions with Major Varis on UNITY, but for the time being I've granted you pardon and have overridden the lockouts aboard the Chimera. You can access the ship's data, but your communications off ship will more than likely be strictly monitored. And their restricting your access to only Chimera personnel files."
"Perhaps I should step aside and let my Junior officer take over. If personnel files are all I'll have access to than I most likely won't be very helpful during any missions," She paused and thought about how she wanted to word what was to come next. "Perhaps a vow of silence would be a smart move," is what she finally decided on.
"Don't worry too much, Commander." Rojac consoled her. "They're probably still a little edgy about your relationship with Viktor. Though, I think the state department would be ecstatic to have a close tie with a high Erassian official..." He cut himself off. "Ah, it's not my job. My job is here on this ship." He paused. "Is there anything else, counselor?"
"No, Nothing else," she stated, but the look on her face clearly showed that she was thinking about something. {Apparently my job is to be no where} Athena thought as she stood up. "Thank you for your time, I'll review the last reports and send you a report on the mental status of the crew," She ended formally.
"I will see you soon, Commander. You are dismissed."
[End Log]
Captain Cropa Rojac
Commanding Officer
Commander Athena Wellington
Chief Counsellor
USS Chimera NCC 96899-C
