Posted by Commander Brad Walker (Chief Of Staff/Second Officer) in Sickbay - The New Face (Tag CMO / ACMO)
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Sinclair waited for her to go and when the door slid closed he looked at Walker. “She seems… dedicated.” he said with a small chuckle.

Sinclair, XO

“She’s a Godsend,” Brad said. “She went on some sort of highly-classified assignment for about six months, long enough for Medical to assign a replacement ACMO, I swear I haven’t gotten less done in a decade. Highly organized, highly intelligent, imminently capable in multiple fields. This office, or one like it, will be hers much sooner than she thinks.”

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

Sinclair nodded and said “Her name was mentioned more than once in my briefings prior to my departure. As was yours, Doctor. You have some fans in Command Medical, that is for certain.” He paused for a moment and leaned back a little. “So tell me how you feel about balancing the Chief of Staff and Second Officer responsibilities? Is it manageable?”

Sinclair, XO

“It is, though I probably don’t spend as much time on it as I probably should,” Brad admitted. “I don’t spend hardly any time in the Command Center, for example. Basically just enough to maintain Command certification, even though I figured out ten years ago that red really isn’t my color.”

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

Sinclair cocked his head to the side slightly and said “Well, do you want to remain in the role? I mean, it does carry with it some responsibilities that are pretty specific. I don’t know if that has been done here in the past… but I feel that if someone is to have the duty of Second Officer, the duty should be taken as seriously as any other.” and he smiled at Walker. “And no, I ‘m not trying to run you ragged or take away anything from you. I simply want to make sure you are able to do the best job you can.”

Sinclair, XO

Brad stiffened up despite the reassuring words and smile. “The responsibilities of a Second Officer are well-proscribed, true,” he began, “but the Ogawa and other Medical ships are somewhat different from the main Fleet’s frigates and cruisers. I’m not expected to stand a full Command watch, though I do need to maintain Command certification in case something does happen to you or the Captain. Most of the 2O duties here align with my main Chief of Staff position, since the Medical department makes up such a substantial part of the ship’s complement.”

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

Sinclair nodded slightly and said “Of course. And I am confident in yiur ability to balance the needs and requirements of both duties, Commander. In fact t, the documented history of the roles and responsibilities of a Second Officer often fall in line with the ship’s medical officer. All I am saying is that you will probably have a few more Bridge shifts than you have in the past, and I do not want you to think it is a reflection or indication of my assessment of your abilities. But the ship has experienced a large and sudden change in leadership. Having you on the Bridge in your role as Second will give the crew a sense of stability. And it help ease the transition.”

Sinclair, XO

Brad did his best to avoid pulling a face, but a slight grimace did escape. “I suppose I can read a report as easily in that chair as this one,” he allowed. “And it’s not like this is half the ship away if there is something that requires my personal attention.”

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

Sinclair nodded while catching the face that was made. “The joys of Command. We can’t just be one thing. We have to wear a few hats… and most of them simultaneously.” and he grinned slightly. “Rhe best We can hope for is the higher upside got our sizes correct.”

Sinclair, XO

Brad snorted. “Highly unlikely, I haven’t had even a metaphorical hat that’s fitted me properly since I graduated the Academy.”

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

Royal shrugged with a smile. “Star Fleet is nothing if not consistent.” and he laughed softly. “I’ll see what I can do for you. Although of all the titles I have held, I don’t think ‘haberdasher’ has been one.”

Sinclair, XO

“Hat-making is millinery, not haberdashery,” Brad said, off-handed, hoping he didn’t sound too pedantic. “The various jobs involved in making an outfit sound like a company,” he mused. “Milliner, Haberdasher and Cobbler, Outfitting the Fleet since 2153.”

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

“True, but I don’t make the hats… I just get to put them on heads.” Sinclair said with a chuckle. “Well, I think I have taken up enough of your time with an informal meeting. Doctor. But I do appreciate the conversation. I will send you a meeting request for a more ‘official’ time in the next few days once I can get settled into the office.” and he stood up and held out his hand to Walker. “It’s been a pleasure, Doctor. I look forward to working with you.”

Sinclair, XO

Brad took it and gave the polite two pumps before disengaging. “I look forward to it as well. Take your time settling in, and don’t try to do too much at once,” he advised.

Cmdr. Dr. Brad Walker
Chief of Staff

“You sound like my last CO.” Sinclair said with a grin and he waved and walked out the door. He found Dr. Bonner and thanked her for her time before walking out of sickbay and towards the lifts.

Sinclair, XO