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Settling things with Intel

Posted Feb. 17, 2023, 10:20 p.m. by Commander Shara Calloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) (Lindsay B)

Posted by Captain Sara Kiernan (Commanding Officer) in Settling things with Intel

Posted by Commander Shara Calloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Settling things with Intel

Posted by Captain Sara Kiernan (Commanding Officer) in Settling things with Intel
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“Absolutely.” Sara answered without hesitation. But her face said it wasn’t out of any eagerness to see Shara gone- she just knew it was the thing to do. “If it should come to that- I’ll make sure Nadine gets the truth. I understand- I do. I don’t have a spouse or any kids, but could I impose upon you to do the same for my parents? If I die… Starfleet may never correct the record about what happened here. I don’t want them to go on thinking- thinking that the third in a family legacy of officers, and the first to make Captain, betrayed everything she ever stood for. I have enough trouble thinking that myself.”

-Sara Kiernan

Shara nodded. “Done,” she said softly. “They will know that you acquitted yourself with all the honour and courage expected of a Starfleet captain.”

“Thank you.” Sara meant it sincerely.

She leaned in and offered a genuine smile. “You know I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got here, and while I’ve had a lot of higher ranking officers giving me orders, I’ve only ever had one captain before you. The thing that you both have in common is that you are trying your damnedest to hold fast to what you believe is right under circumstances that most other people would crumble under. For what it’s worth, I admired her greatly, and I admire you too, Sara.”

~Shara Calloway, CIO

Sara blushed a little. “I feel the same. I wasn’t sure what to think when Intel dropped an officer on us. I’ve had my time with your division, and it’s more than enough. As much as Agent Blue reminds me of those awful times, you never do. Don’t have the same… essence.”

-CO

Calloway smiled. “I know it’s hard to trust someone like Strickland. They are all about the mission, but I’ll let you in on a little secret. He was not only my daughter’s handler as you know, but he trained her for her assignment. Training that kept her alive long past the point when others would have given up. I know he’s very matter-of-fact, but that agent is a good man, Sara. I trust him with my life and you should too. Him and Pickelsimer, there’ not playing. But can you honeslty say you wish they were?”

~Shara Calloway, CIO

Sara chuckled. “He does have a name. Strickland. And to answer your question absolutely not, but it is a little grating… a lot grating that they keep so much from me. That mess in the cargo bay. That wouldn’t have happened if they kept me in the loop.” She paused and sipped her drink. “The crew can tell who’s running the show. The things I can’t answer, I can’t help with… it erodes the confidence in and authority of the Captain. Maybe it can’t be helped, but it doesn’t make it easier.”

-CO

Shara tapped a couple fingers on the desk and nodded, thinking through what their options were. “I’ve never led a crew, Sara, so I don’t know what it’s like. I’m used to small groups. But I do know that this isn’t your typical mission. Maybe the best way to move forward is to reset expectations, for yourself and of us for you. Much of this mission needs to be compartmentalized. That’s hard, I know. I really do. But instead of expecting them to drop information on you, maybe you need to go talk to them and find out what information you feel you really need to. The worse they can say is ‘no’, or ‘not yet’.”

“And… I’m going to say this because you need to hear it and you said I could be honest with you.” Calloway took a moment to think and then continued. “You don’t trust them. You don’t trust this mission. And it shows. The crew is following your lead, don’t you see? You don’t trust any of this, so why should they? It doesn’t matter if in principle you believe our goal is one worth achieving, because you radiate doubt. I get it. I’ve been there. But right now, if you truly want to run the show, show this tiny crew that you’re in it with myself, and Agent Blue, and Pikelsimer. And if you’re struggling to get there, create another captain persona and go all-in with her. Because we do need you. This mission will fail without you. Because this is your ship, and your crew.”

~Shara Calloway, CIO


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