Assuming Command (Backpost)

Posted on 16 Mar 2014 @ 11:27pm by Lieutenant Commander Jason DeVries & Commodore Harvey Geisler

675 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Echoes
Location: USS Black Hawk, Flight Deck
Timeline: January 2, 2388 || 1315 hours

Mere minutes had passed since they recovered the cargo shuttlecraft carrying one member of the Research Team. Harvey had come down to the Flight Deck to personally observe her transfer to sickbay. He was encouraged by the medical team's swift response and left them alone to stabilize the woman's vitals.

Harvey did, after all, have something more pressing to attend to.

For the last week, he had been somewhat content with Starfleet dictating who his command crew would be. It was an odd bunch to be sure, but the most recent event pushed him over the edge.

That's why, right now, he stood with arms crossed at the rear hatch of the shuttlecraft that had just returned from the surface. Inside was his now former Executive Officer, recalled by Starfleet for a special assignment.

It seemed the entire Flight Deck could detect Harvey's growing rage and made quick work to make themselves scarce. Or at least in hiding to quietly observe what was about to take place.

Jason was just stepping out of the shuttlecraft when he saw his now ex-CO standing just outside with a look akin to pure annoyance on his face and his arms folded across his chest. He almost hesitated to ask the man what was wrong but he figured that would be a bad idea. With a slightly Vulcan-like raised eyebrow he walked up to the man. "Everything alright, sir?" he asked, afraid he might be asking the wrong question.

"You must be very important," Harvey declared as his eyes narrowed. "Starfleet sent a ship out here just for you to whisk you off without a clear reason why."

Harvey took one step forward and took a close look at his former XO. "I've put up with Starfleet when they sent me a handful of officers that they thought were too volitale or obnoxious for regular service. I put up with Starfleet fifteen years ago, forcing me in a red uniform and removing me from a medical lab.

"Those I accepted. Snatching away this ship's best asset when I have four missing members of a research team and not one, but two missing crewmembers... That's not something I can let happen."

Jason fought the urge to take a step back as the other man moved towards him with such an angry look on his face but after he started talking he became both genuinely perplexed and also happy. "I can't say as I'd blame you, sir, even though I don't pretend to know exactly what's going on." he said, and then with a small smirk, "And thank you for the compliment. For my own part I'd rather not leave either, I did request this posting. So what, if anything, can we do to fix this situation?" he added.

Harvey studied the smirk on the man's face for a full minute, permitting rage and reason to debate in his mind. "This is my ship, Commander. Starfleet wants to interfere, fine, but on my terms. Officially, you're not my XO. But you're still not off my ship."

He glanced over his shoulder to see the medical team approach. "I'll convince your transport that I'll drop you at the rendezvous when this is through. Get back down there, take over security, and bring our people home."

Jason snapped to attention, wiping the smirk off his face. "I apologize if I was flippant, sir. I will get those people back, I promise that." he said, turning back to get in the craft he'd just disembarked from. Just as he was about to close the door he turned back, "And I'm glad you want me around enough to put up a fight. I had hoped to get to stay for a while." he added.

Harvey, arms still folded as he watched the medical team board the shuttle and the hatch close. "I hope you stay too," he murmured though no one would hear him.

And he didn't think Jason was flippant in the slightest.

JP Between

Commander H. Geisler

&

Lt. Commander J. DeVries

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