Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in The Advent of New Directives

Posted by Commander Shedda Mal’athar (Executive Officer) in The Advent of New Directives

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in The Advent of New Directives
Posted by… suppressed (10) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Cochrane’s eyebrows raised and he nodded slightly. “A solid goal. So let me say this up front. I do not intend for any XO I have to remain an XO. I want to see you move to the center chair. I will support that move as long as you do a good job… not… an exemplary job. Anything less and that chair is better suited for someone else. I’m not expecting perfection. But I am expecting intelligence. Compassion. Honesty. And Courage. Is that fair from your perspective?”

Cochrane, CO

Mal’athar didn’t hesitate. “It is, Captain. I’m not arrogant enough to say I won’t make mistakes, but I do learn from them. Experience is the ultimate teacher if you listen, but I will not hesitate to ask for help or advice if I need it. Cpt Sh’elle was fond of reminding us a hit to our ego is better than a hit to ship or crew.” Shedda sipped her drink briefly. She wasn’t afraid to ask for what she expected. “So in that vein if I am to achieve my goals and serve Manhattan to the best of my ability, I expect you will be critical but fair of my performance, to be part of a team, I learn best by observing and doing. So I imagine I may drive the departments crazy at times. Who better to learn from than the on board experts.” And now some hard truth, for her anyway, “I have had, and still struggle at times, with a chip on my shoulder that manifests in strange stubborn ways. I am aware of that, I didn’t get this far by leaving it there, and though I hope I am past that part of my youth, I would like to ask that you tell me to ‘can it’ if necessary.”

Mal’athar, XO

Cochrane looked at her and said “Okay… a chip about what, if I may ask?”

Cochrane, CO

It wasn’t common knowledge but it wasn’t something Shedda would lie about. “My mother. She is a very, very successful Syndicate Boss. She helps perpetuate the lies that Orion women are smarter and more capable than the men. She enslaves men and women, Orion and otherwise. She controls her entire existence through pheromones, s€%, drugs, and control of life essential necessities. She continues to promote the lie that women can only be powerful through those means. I despise her. I am aware of this and how it affects my motives, choices, and perspectives. I have matured through my career and I have managed to leave the anger behind, but I will always carry that with me. That chip makes me very critical of myself. I am very…driven to make sure that my actions, words, or behavior are not, even on accident, to reflect the way she would do things.”

Mal’athar, XO

Cochrane gave her an appraising look for a long moment and then said “Tell me Commander… have you read my file?”

Cochrane, CO

Mal’athar met his gaze, it didn’t make her uncomfortable but she did wonder what he saw when he appraised her. She knew she’d worked hard and earned this chance. Command wouldn’t have allowed her to be promoted if she hadn’t. The passing similarities of their familial situations was not lost to her, but she hadn’t known until after she’d submitted her name for the position. She’d wanted the opportunity no matter who the captain was. She gave a short nod, “I have, Cpt.”

Mal’athar, XO

“Then know that I understand your position with regards to your mother. And as we are supposed to be a team, then I will make you a promise. I won’t hold your mother against you, nor will I allow anyone else to as long as you are part of the Manhattan. I only ask for the same in return.”

Cochrane, CO

“Of course, Cpt, I am more than willing to make that promise.” Shedda was about to ask if the captain had any specific duties or tasks that he wanted her to take on in addition to the regular XO duties, but her curiosity got the better of her. “Sir, if it’s alright, I can’t help but ask. The ox is a beautiful piece, but I’m curious about the coat.”

Mal’athar, XO

Cochrane looked back over his shoulder and grinned. Looking back he said “A memento from your predecessor, actually. He wore that to a ball I held for the crew after our last mission. Promotions, awards, and the like. Dress code was silver and black… and he showed up in a 20th century Earth pimp coat and his now-wife in a dress most likely designed by said pimp.” and he laughed heartily and looked back at Shedda. “I gave him so much grief about it… in front of the crew, of course. As he left, he handed me a ‘parting gift’. And as he was far more than my Executive Officer, he was my friend… so… there it hangs. Next few days I’ll have it displayed in a case properly.”

Cochrane, CO

Shedda looked at the coat for a long moment, she could imagine said red dress, and the corners of her mouth twitched in a smile. “He would be an interesting person to know.” Anyone who had the gumption to wear that was someone she wouldn’t mind having a conversation with. Turning back to the conversation, Shedda wasn’t going to get another chance for this first meeting, “Do you have any specific duties or tasks that you want me to take on in addition to the regular XO duties?”

Mal’athar, XO

Cochrane nodded. “Yes, actually. I know your background is in the Sciences. I would like to see you coordinate with the CSO as a priority. This is a science vessel, and I am not a scientist. So I will be relying on you and Lieutenant Commander Naim to prioritize what we need to be looking at. I want a once a week meeting with you both to go over priorities and make sure we are being as efficient as we can be. Other than that, I want to have dinner with you tonight, just you and I informally. We need to know each other outside of a record file. I want us to understand who we are as individuals. Because I expect you and I to be the preeminent team on the ship. And I want you to be as comfortable speaking for me as I am for you. Agreed?”

Cochrane, CO

Shedda nodded; it was a good way to play to their strengths. “As my schedule is open when would work best for you to meet every week? Agreed, tonight what time? The mess or the lounge?”

Mal’athar, XO

Cochrane looked at his schedule and said “Ship’s calendar, every Tuesday from 0900 to 1100. My briefing with Command is at 1300, so that will give us all time to get on the same page. And the Mess, 1900 hours of that works for you?”

Cochrane, CO

Shedda took a micropadd out of the pocket of her uniform jacket and made note the day and time for the meeting and slipped the PaDD back in her pocket. “1900 will be fine. I doubt there will be a line at my door today.” Here she actually grinned slightly, “Right now the speculation and rumor is more interesting.”

Mal’athar, XO

Cochrane’s brow scowled slightly in confusion. “What speculation and rumor would that be, Commander?” he asked curiously.

Cochrane, CO

“About my more colorful and awkward escapades as a science officer. I’m sure the stories aren’t confined to the bridge crew. And I have yet to meet a crew that doesn’t speculate about a new officer on board, especially command staff. Eventually, someone much like the bridge crew out there, will get curious and want to know the real stories.”

Mal’athar, XO

Cochrane’s confused look intensified. “Commander… I don’t know what ever you are talking about. From my perspective, they simply introduced themselves and were the consummate professionals I have known them to be. Did you experience something else?” he asked.

Cochrane, CO

Shedda’s expression altered subtlety looking perplexed. She was aware Cochrane was poking fun and perhaps making another point. She wasn’t bothered by it. “Of course not. I was quite impressed with them. It was a long trip, nothing some fresh air and sunlight won’t fix. You and my predecessor have managed to build a crew unlike any other.”

Mal’athar XO