New Management

Posted on 23 Jun 2026 @ 3:42pm by Captain Harvey Geisler & Thomas Barnes

1,287 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Acceleration
Location: Talons
Timeline: February 2, 2391

Life as a Commanding Officer always seemed glamorous until real life proved that it wasn’t. Captains were expected to survive on their own, without guidance for most issues, unless there was something absolutely pressing that one had to maintain vigilance over. At the same time, they were expected to report every decision, no matter how big or how small, to Starfleet Command.

Harvey Geisler, who’d just spent the last six month quietly atoning for his supposed missteps as the Black Hawk’s commander, knew all too well that any glamour was worth less than water vapor. Less than twenty-four hours before his booted feet marched along the corridor, Starfleet (namely one Admiral Zachary O’Connell) found the Captain deserving of a new Executive Officer, one with a background in security and seemingly making a career as an XO.

The move did not sit well with Harvey, and a sudden trip to New Risa with Joey had made substantial efforts to help him move past the surprise appointment.

At least until Harvey learned the truth. Or at least, what information had been withheld from him.

Commander Madelina Barnes had not arrived to the Black Hawk alone.

Harvey wasn’t sure what was more surprising. The fact that the new XO was married, or that the man she’d married had also been assigned to the Black Hawk, not as a crew member, but as a civilian liaison.

Starfleet. Assigned a civilian. To a bar.

The Captain still had a hard time grasping this concept. And it wasn’t Commander Barnes who’d revealed this information. No, it was a priority requisition for certain supplies and material from New Risa. One that the resort administrator was thrilled to fill, and declaring that all of the favors he owed the Captain were now fulfilled.

That certainly was not the best way to wake up during a slow morning on New Risa and ruin the brief tryst.

And it was certainly no surprise that this civilian was a former Starfleet officer. And a non-commissioned officer at that.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas Barnes. Well, former Senior Chief Petty Officer. Now Civilian Affairs Liaison Thomas Barnes, the new face of the Talons lounge who was having Captain Harvey Geisler personally deliver a selection of exotic wines, spirits, and fruits to the Black Hawk.

Each of Harvey’s steps down the corridor would have reverberated were it not for the carpet stretching down the deck. The swoosh of the doors to Talons opening was just as quiet, but were not as deafening as the silence that greeted the Captain as he stepped inside. Talons was one of the few places on the ship that was not open all day. The ship had enough lounges and recreational rooms that were. But Talons always had a particular window it was open. One would suspect its exclusivity would inspire crowds when its doors were open, but Harvey rarely attempted to verify such a claim. The venue was not meant to open for half an hour, and already its newest operator was already inside prepping the facility.

Tom Barnes looked up from arranging the glassware behind the bar to see the unannounced visitor. He was far from surprised to see that the Captain had arrived, especially as Harvey had been off the ship when he had arrived with Maddy.

“My apologies, Captain,” the civilian greeted. For a moment, Tom flinched, almost about to snap to attention as any non-commissioned officer would do, especially on first sight. And it was in this moment that Tom was painfully reminded that he was no longer in the service, no matter his true proximity to it. “I figured getting the lay of the land was a good idea before you and I met.”

“And to put in a request to New Risa without the consult of our quartermaster and his commander.” Harvey’s eyes narrowed. “An action that’s unexpected from a senior non-comm.”

“Ex,” Tom corrected. He lifted a bottle of Alderbaran whiskey to the top of the bar and uncorked it. “Ex non-comm.”

“Retired.”

“Forced out.” Tom sniffed the contents of the bottle before tilting it slightly to plant a drop of the liquid on his finger. He licked it, only to frown. “2372. Not a good vintage. No wonder they call this the albatross.”

Harvey raised an eyebrow. “Is this what I’m to expect?” he asked, wondering about the cause of the banter.

“Poor vintages on the Federation Barge of the Damned?” Tom echoed, continuing with this own train of thought. “Only if you wish to honor Romulan humor. That’s why I put in a req with New Risa. Your ship may have a reputation, but your crew doesn’t need to drink it.”

Harvey could not disagree. So far, this conversation alone was enough to find ways to flip the script on the narrative forced on his ship by circumstances.

“Let’s be real with each other, Captain,” Tom declared, corking the bottle. “I don’t want to be here. I wanted to still be in uniform and galavant around the stars. But I’m perfectly happy following Maddy and her career. And you, you’ve been usurped by command many times, even now. You want to be here, but not under their rules. And Maddy, well, I want to see her as a Captain, but that’s up to her. I want her to survive your command, Captain. And if that means focusing on your crew’s morale, then that’s the best job for a former Ops Chief latinum can’t buy.”

Harvey chuckled. “I guarantee no one’s safety, no matter how hard we try. And given your recent assignment… yes, I reviewed your dossier… it’s hard to say which is more dangerous.”

Tom placed the bottle below the bar before putting both hands back where Harvey could see them. His own eyes narrowed to match Geisler’s laser-focused gaze. “You and I both know, Captain, the dangers of extraterrestrial manipulation. I’ve skimmed the ship’s mission briefings… the redacted versions, of course. You and your crew are resourceful, and I appreciate your ability to rescue crew members who are not in control of themselves. I would expect you offer us both the same courtesy.”

Tom then stretched his hands wide, indicating the room around them. “I plan to turn Talons into a safe haven, not from you or the albatross, but from the dangers of the unknown. The problem with your crew isn’t what they accomplish, it’s the self-identity they lost along the way.” He lowered his left arm, but stretched his right towards the Captain. “Even you, sir. Even you deserve to be your best self. That’s how reputation gets turned around. Let me help you and your crew, Captain. From a voice that understands hardship.”

Harvey stood still for a moment, evaluating the man’s words, actions, and even the outstretched arm that sought a connection. Ultimately he said, “No more unsanctioned or unauthorized requests. You can’t help when you give authorities reason to cash in favors they owe this ship.”

Tom chuckled, and kept his hand outstretched. “Fair.”

The Captain accepted the hand, only to release it after a full and firm shake. “I want to see your recreational plan on my desk before we depart. Not for approval, but for awareness. You can help, but trust must be earned.”

A smile creeped onto Tom’s face. “Of course, sir. Thank you, Captain.”

With no further words, Harvey nodded and vacated the facility.

Alone behind the bar, Tom exhaled. “So that’s the albatross,” he remarked. “Great bird help us all.”

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