Change of Command

Posted on Wed Feb 17th, 2021 @ 6:42pm by Captain Dirk Taggart & Major Naomi Sylan Griffiths & Admiral Cordelia Rochelli

[ON]

Captain Dirk Taggart entered the Ready Room with Major Griffiths, the moment was etched into his memory. This was the last time he would enter this room as an unassigned officer. From this moment forward this ship and her crew were his responsibility. Their lives, successes, and failures were about to become his responsibility.

There was a moment of silence before Cordelia motioned that Taggart should take the Captain's chair, opting to stand herself. "I trust your trip was without difficulties," she finally said quietly as she looked across the desk at him.

Dirk took his seat, and watched the Admiral, "It was without difficulty, the new technology from the Dalacari is most impressive."

Looking at her new Captain "If I may Sir, why was Captain Kamar arrested? As the First Officer, I would like to know, the learned Admiral was too coy to give a reason sorry, not coy flat out refused, but I have already had questions asking why, one was from his wife the other from our Chief Intelligence Officer, obviously I had to say I had no idea but hoped we would find out" Griffith's asked head tilted slightly to the left as she looked at the Admiral fully now and with a non-confrontational expression but directed her question to her new commander.

"Major Griffiths, I do not want to overstep the Admiral, but as this question was addressed to me I will respond. I cannot comment officially due to the fact there is an ongoing investigation. I can say unofficially that Starfleet felt there was a loss of confidence in his leadership. The Admiral may expound on this more if she wishes, but that is what I was told when I received the orders," Dirk replied solemnly.

Her faced drooped a little "Understood Captain" she said and then looked at the Admiral "the Crew will want to know something Admiral, as will I, just enough to ease their queries and any suspicions they may have" She said.

Cordelia looked toward Griffiths, raising one eyebrow slightly. "Major, it is not your job to demand answers," she cautioned quietly. "You have information sufficient enough to do your job, as does this crew. If, however, you don't feel able to do your job sufficiently, then, by all means, say so. No one is irreplaceable." There was a warning tone in her voice as she finished speaking.

Dirk sensed the mounting tension between the women and spoke calmly, "Major, the Captain was removed because there was a loss of confidence in his ability to command a starship as I said a minute ago. Per Starfleet regulations, the Admiral nor myself can reveal anything more. Honestly, that is all I know, you know how the fleet is with their red tape. Despite what has happened previously, I am now the Captain of this vessel. My first order of business is to issue a 48-hour shore leave pass to Tabula Rasa. This will give me the time I need to get caught up to speed here. We will then get underway and I will begin departmental inspections to begin meeting the crew. Do you have any suggestions, Major?"

"No Sir" she responded and comically harrumphed "thank you for what you told me, Captain" She looked at the Admiral "apologies Admiral, you remind me of the old days, you would think someone with my experience would accept that then as now we are being told what we need to know to get the job done. I am worried that the crew are going to think the worst and I am worried how Captain Kamar's wife will react" she pauses and then asks an honest question "Admiral will you be telling the Captain's Wife more than the rest of us? Just asking now as I accept what little I know but she may need to be reassured and we have no Counsellor on the ship so someone is going to need to talk to Commander Sky-Kamar" she said accepted the fact that she knows only what she has been told, but she was concerned for the Captain's Wife.

"I have already spoken to Commander Sky-Kamar," Cordelia replied. "Unfortunately not even she is exempt from Starfleet security restrictions. As far as your Counselor goes, I have had Lieutenant Hart assigned to Pennsylvania. She will be coming across from the Astraea shortly."

"Very well Admiral, I am just happy that we are finally getting a new Counsellor, I liked the old one, she was good, but hey times change and so must we," Griffith's said letting the matter drop, it would be no use in arguing with the Admiral anyway a Klingon would be more cooperative, but only if you won a challenge against them, still this was Starfleet and not the Klingon Defence Force and she accepted how things were regardless of her thoughts and feelings, duty was duty.

"Admiral I believe Pennsylvania's original mission was to continue to scout and map things here in the Delta Quadrant. Based on the orders I have read, I believe we are to continue this mission?" Dirk said inquisitively.

"The orders for Pennsylvania have not changed," Cordelia replied with a nod toward Taggart. "Now, is there anything else we need to cover? I suspect your crew are quite eager to make your acquaintance Captain."

"No Admiral, I believe that I have everything in hand, and under control." Dirk said evenly. His voice hid the mountain of emotion he felt as the weight of his responsibility settled onto his shoulders.

[OFF]

Captain Dirk Taggart
Commanding Officer
USS Pennsylvania

Major NS Griffiths
First Officer