Posted by Lieutenant Commander Charles Tenkiller (Chief of Security) in CoS Office - Let’s Call It ‘Sensitivity Training’ (Tag XO, OPS)

Posted by Civilian Aedan Teller (Owner/CEO of OMAP Industries) in CoS Office - Let’s Call It ‘Sensitivity Training’ (Tag XO, OPS)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Charles Tenkiller (Chief of Security) in CoS Office - Let’s Call It ‘Sensitivity Training’ (Tag XO, OPS)
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
SNIP
It was an hour before he had told the OPs chief to be there in his office. Tenkiller activated the comms and said =^= Security Chief to XO. Ma’am, need ya in my office asap. Thank you. =^= and he sat back and drummed his fingers on the desk.

Tenkiller, CoS

Jessica tapped her comm badge getting up from her desk. =/\= Do I need to run or can I get there with a jaunty saunter =/\= Jessica asked heading towards the door. Her comment showed the laid back nature of the command crew when they were not on red alert. Tenkiller probably would have just site to site transported her there if it was actually an emergency. Luckily her response was almost as short as the trip to his office. Palming the door lock, Jessica waited after hearing the trills announce her for Tenkiller to let her in.

Lt. Commander Jessica Teller XO

The office was organized and efficient, as one would expect, but the personal items inside were unique. On shelves around the room were items most would be unfamiliar with past the basics: Various pieces of leather decorated with paint and beads. Feathers of some large bird. A hide drum. Pictures of people who shared the complexion of the man seated at the desk as the doors opened… a weathered reddish-brown skin and deep black hair and dark brown eyes. A large skull of some black-horned animal hung high on the wall behind the desk. Below it, in a transparent case, was a large hide-like shirt with intricate bead-work and adorned with feathers on the shoulders. A beaded necklace hung around the neck. On a shelf next to the door sat an odd-angled club and some kind of axe-like tool. Unlike the rest of the items, these seemed to be both easily accessible… and well cared for and used.

Tenkiller stood and placed his hands behind his back. “Thanks for comin’ Commander.” he said, his Oklahoma accent giving a slight drawl to his words. He took a seat as she did and began.

“Seems we had a bit of a… ‘verbal mishap’… last night in the Mess between our CSO and the Ops Chief. A… well…” and he looked uncomfortable for a second and then set his hands flat on the desk. “Ya know what, I’m just gonna call it like it is. Ops Chief called the CSO a ‘Rommie’. And yeah, that’s what he said. I was sittin’ right there when he opened his mouth. And you and I both know that is at the best of times a bit on the racist side. But here?” and he pointed out the window in the direction of the now shattered planets. “Now? Ma’am, I’m tellin’ ya… that ain’t right on so many levels. I told Lieutenant JG Brako to meet you and I here to discuss it, but figured you and I should be on the same page before he arrives.”

Tenkiller, CoS

Jessica sat and tried to keep her expression neutral inside her head however all she think was ah pluck a duck. Jessica hated these conversations so there was only one thing to do. Sure it could be seen as the chicken way out but there was also the old saying rank had it’s privileges. Tapping her comm badge she called the one person in the room that wasn’t here and probably had a litnay of ways to handle this. =/\=Lt. Harland please come to Lt Commander Tenkillers office =/\= She said.

=/\=If one of my kids took something just put it on Aedan’s tab, he owes me…=/\= Nathan said with a frustrated grunt as Mara slipped from his grasp as her half-naked body went streaking from the room.

“No bath!” she shouted and screamed as she ran past Molly, who seemed completely oblivious of her cousin’s antics.

=/\=On second thought ma’am you can take them all.=/\= Nathan said as Molly looked at him with a confused look as Nathan scowled.

“You get to be on baby cousin duty, good luck…” Nathan said as he placed Mara’s shirt he had removed into Molly’s chest as he got up as he found his uniform jacket draped over a chair in the kitchen as he put it on.

“That’s not fair… I was going to the beach with Hannah and Steven… you know I had been planning this trip for weeks.” Molly said with a look of sheer panic as she seemed to realize she wasn’t going to be able to leave on time if Nathan was gone.

“It’s only going to be a little bit, Aunt Chloe will be home soon and relive you… and if you’re good I’ll consider the fact that you are going to one of Aedan’s beaches and were told by Chloe and I that was a no go… don’t act like you don’t know why I am talking about.” Nathan said with a wink as he grabbed an apple from the table as he left the quarters.

Looking at Tenkiller, Jessica shrugged. “Counselors eat sleep and breath this stuff. If Harland comes in here though and suggests a twenty-hour course on equity training I may forget my southern manners.”

Lt. Commander Jessica Teller XO

Tenkiller smiled and said “If that’s the suggestion, I got an airlock right next door. Ain’t nobody gonna know a thing.”

Tenkiller, CoS

OOC: bump .. can’t lose this! <G> .. Gene

Ten minutes passed before Nathan paged the door, waiting to find out just what was going on. He realized halfway to the office, he never once asked what they needed. Chance to get away from children could do wonders for a parent’s morale.

Harland, CNS

The sound of the door pinging made Jessica jump up like a jack in the box. “I got that.” She hated meetings like this regardless of the name: Courageous conversation, Avoiding honorable avoidance, critical conversations, Eliminating conversations. In her experience, it should be called a screamversation or silenversation because topics like this tended to resolve into how was the loudest or someone tuning you out. No matter the name it was all the same and generally penned by someone from Nathan’s division. Back home in Texas your grandma generally dealt with a breach in etiquette reminding you to treat others as you wanted to be treated yourself however Nana’s lectures never came with a certificate or found manual to follow along with. Since Nathan’s department was the ones who came up with the fancy terms and slide shows, he was just the man to give his two cents.

The other benefit was Nathan was easy on the eyes and had a smolder to his voice and manner. While Stienhold Benjamin was an absolutely lovely counselor, the man’s voice created a narcoleptic effect on Jessica. When you coupled that with Stienhold’s habit of calling out someone’s name three times to ensure they were on the roster if they did not respond fast enough, Teller....Teller....Teller....Jessica avoided him at all costs when possible.

“Nathan,” Jessica opened the door and made a sweeping gesture with her arm into the room. “You were just the man I wanted to see. Can I get you coffee,” she instantly went into hostess mode. Many people found it odd she would bring snacks and drinks to someone in her office or this case Tenkiller’s office but she had the rank were most wouldn’t ask what she was doing. Jessica had learned long ago however at he debutante ball just how surreptitious having something in your hands could be. A well-placed sip of your drink could hide a shocked expression, retain a poker face, or save one from blurting out something they might regret later.

Jessica Teller

Bump

Nathan eyed the room, he was gathering information as he did as he took in the details. He had a habit of absorbing and learning from people and his surroundings and he smiled softly at Jessica. “Coffee is fine Commander,” Nathan said with a deep breath as he took a step in, unsure exactly what they needed him for as he looked around with curious glances at the room and the people in it. “And maybe some answers as to what is needed of me might help as well,” Nathan said as he nodded over at Tenkiller.

Nathan Harland, CNS

Jessica got Nathan’s coffee light but sweet. At least that is how she thought it was taken after several conversations with Chloe. Taking a seat she looked at Tenkiller and Harland.

“I don’t want to get into a huge discussion before Lt. Brako arrives but a comment was made to the CSO and the COS has brought it to our attention.” Pausing in her explanation she looked over at Tenkiller.

“Did Toveka make an official report, I have zero doubts he called her a Rommie if you heard it but I am going to say I think she should be a part of this conversation. I am also going to say, deferring to your judgement,” she motioned to Harland, “this maybe something you handle in your office with him instead of it feeling like Brako versus the entire senior staff.”

Jessica trusted Tenkiller implicitly but this meeting seemed weird to her on some level. Tenkiller couldn’t expect to see or to learn how the incident ended. Jessica would never play it out especially in front of another officer.

Teller. XO

“Thank you.” Nathan said as he took the drink as he looked down at the cup. “You have been talking to Chloe again…” he sighed as he knew the one time he ordered that super sugary sweet cup from the Starmall was going to bite him in the butt. It wasn’t his typical drink by any stretch.

Tenkiller said “The CSO didn’t make a formal complaint. Doubt she would. Doesn’t seem the type. And quite frankly, I wasn’t bringing in the Operations Chief to discuss the matter, but to formally reprimand him.” His Oklahoma accent lent a sense of informality to his words, but his face was quite serious as he looked at the Counselor. “No offence, Counselor. But calling a fellow officer a knowingly racist and derogatory name wasn’t cause for a therapy session in my book.” He then spoke to both officers again.

“I might agree with you on that, but I do have to ask what position of it is yours to reprimand someone not if your department?” queried Nathan as he pondered if he had ever heard some other department head trying to give a formal reprimand to another department head.

“Seems the steps we have taking here by bringing in the XO and she bringing e in per her discretion means your dog in this fight is over.” Nathan suggested as he wondered if there was more.

From his knowledge Nikko was from Sigma Iotia and they had a different behavior and mindset than others. That was sometimes the problem with Starfleet when people tried to assert their own values on another species. Things didn’t always line up and match when you tried to do that.

“I dont know the man, so I dont really have a dog in this fight. But the fact that he said that. To her face. While she was in uniform. In a public setting. In this of all places.” and he gestured out the window in the general direction of the shattered former home worlds of the Romulans, “That…” and he looked down a bit and shook his head before looking back up, “… that’s just pure-dee outta line. And warrants a bit more than a cup’a tea and some gentle questions about his feelers.”

Tenkiller, CoS

“First, I never do tea my god maybe I need you in a session if you think I want tea.” Nathan said with an appalled look at the whole idea.

“Second, we are not dealing with apples to apples here. Romulan, Cardassians, Sigma Iotians, Klingons, Tellarites… they all have slightly different values and meanings behind their words. Finding out intent from Nikko, finding out if the CSO was offended, these are all things we have to determine. You can’t apply your human values to non-human races. That is why Starfleet tries to embrace and learn from various cultures and civilizations… and that is the only way to find an understanding when we are involving other species and cultures.” Nathan said as he looked over at Jessica, unsure which way she wanted to go but knowing that this wasn’t something simple either.

Nathan Harland, CNS

OCC: Made a few post adjustments per request. Darn, autocorrect on phones lol. ~Kate

Half the reason Jessica brought in Harland was to see him in action so to speak. Counseling by its very nature was a profession where everything happened behind closed doors and reports were sketchy. No one would unload personal issues if they knew the counselor was going to run to the XO and say Bob Jones is a crackpot or Melanie Franklin is only stable on her meds. Reports came back Bob Jones needs several more sessions before I can ascertain his ability to return to duty. Most Counselors were too lovey squishy for Jessica’s taste but Nathan seemed to blend the open-mindedness all counselors needed with a dose of a different perspective.

“I agree with Harland in the fact that imposing one group’s ideals on another is tricky. While you and I might find the term Rommie offensive, to others it holds no more malice than referring to us as the Feds. While we never require our female officers dealing with Ferengi diplomats to strip naked, we can’t due to respect of their culture force the Ferengi woman to dress because it offends our officers. Betazoids arrange marriages. Lieutenant Konral Vander is from Betazed and chose not to marry within his own race but that was something that went against his culture and tradition. We might look at him and independent and making a good choice, ” she stressed the word, “but we have Minatarans that fill out a form, and basically swiping left gets you a martial partner. We say they are crazy because they are assigned a spouse but is our system any better traipsing around the galaxy for sometimes years at a time looking for the moon and stars to align and place Mr. or Mrs. Right in our path. Heck, I was on a ship where the CO put a Selay and Antican together. That resulted in a court marshal that got the CO in trouble for not understanding the nuances of a species.”

“Personally I think I have to agree with the counselor that intent is far more important than a single word. If there was malice behind the words that is far different than if it was a misspoken word. I also have to say that any disciplinary action will be dealt with at the command level and the results of any action will remain with the command team the person in question,” Jessica stated in a firm tone. “Regardless of the situation, it is about respect in the end. How can we expect to get it if we don’t give it.”

Lt. Commander Jessica Teller XO

Tenkiller shook his head. “So let me give you a bit more specifics. The three of us were seated eating. The Ops Chief made a comment about the unique nature of the CSO and my names, and asked about origins. The Lieutenant replied, and I quote, “I am Romulan.” to which the Ops Chief immediately replied “So you’re a Rommy, big deal.” and the CSO immediately excused herself and left… and she weren’t happy. Now, I don’t really know about the two of you, but when somebody that ain’t human tells me they are… whatever they are… I’m pretty sure it’s common protocol and standard politeness to refer to them as that name.” and he looked at the Counselor. “And as far as him not being in my department? I’m a Lieutenant Commander in Star Fleet. A junior officer insulted another junior officer. This ain’t got nothing to do with departments, but every thing to do with proper conduct. And before you both go getting all up in the air about ‘different species have different standards’ you need to realize that I served with Tellarite officers and even they knew better than to use words like that. And their whole civilization is based on insults and sideways comments. And yes, that term may not be an insult where he comes from… but he ain’t there now, is he? And all of us have to mind ourselves so he should to. As Star Fleet officers, we are supposed to be held to a higher standard of conduct and behavior. Or do I need to wait till he calls me something particularly colorful to deal with this myself?” Tenkiller wasn’t happy. This insult, meant or not, was still an insult. And it needed to be addressed.

Tenkiller, CoS

“You could wait, see what happens… but that’s not the point here. Starfleet makes concessions of members that join our ranks. A Zaldan is infuriated by courtesy, might attack you if you say sorry or are polite to them, see it as a sign of weakness… yet we have them in Starfleet. Starfleet learns to adapt to other worlds and understand their meanings. Sigma Iotians are not human, they do not have the same values as us. They were influenced by our culture, but they are not us. Understanding their intent would be like any other race we allow into Starfleet.” Nathan said as he stared down the man as he wondered where this might be coming from. It seemed very bigoted to assume the worst out of someone and not taking a chance to learn what they meant and understand their culture and background.

“You may not like it, but we do have different protocols for almost every race that is a member of Starfleet, adjustments to allow anyone to join and serve, we must follow those protocols and do due diligence to understand all sides first before making any blanket judgment on someone,” Nathan said, not really feeling like Tenkiller was going to be very open-minded to try and learn the differences of other cultures right seemed just as ironic as him wanting to reprimand Nikko. “It is the least we can do, and it’s the right thing to understand all angels first before passing any judgment.”

Nathan Harland, CNS

“But you are ignoring the fact that in those concessions we allow for, we also expect concessions in return. A Zaldan gets infuriated by courtesy, sure. But they are expected to handle it in civilized manner while in uniform. Tellarites will belittle and insult your intelligence, but in uniform they tone that way down. You’re real quick to make excuses for his behaviour there, Counselor. But I ain’t hearing one peep about the other involved party. You gonna sit there and tell me his social rules are more important than hers? Or mine? Why do we have to make concessions to respect his customs when others ain’t getting the same in return? Makes little to no sense. And we do expect all member races to take such things into account. So I’ll ask ya to think on that and then we can come up with next steps. But if you’re gonna sit here and keep defending the man without offering the same defense and understanding to the one he insulted? Well…” and he pointed behind the man, “.... there’s the door.”

Tenkiller, CoS

“I said from the get go we needed to bring her in and find her point of view and understand what she wanted. Someone has to find balance if all we do though is attack one side. Besides the XO invited me, so I don’t think it really matters who’s office we are in” Nathan said, not particularly phased by any brahs bravado Tenkiller might think he possessed here in this moment.

Nathan Harlan’s , CNS