"Not forgotten"

Posted on Wed Sep 1st, 2021 @ 4:38pm by Lieutenant Tate Sullivan Ph.D. & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Diplomatic office, USS Elysium
Timeline: Just after Gary's demotion
2230 words - 4.5 OF Standard Post Measure

To say the change of command came out of nowhere was, in Tate's opinion, a bit like saying earth was flat. Sullivan still didn't quite understand why the change a
had needed to take place in the first place, or how it happened so rapidly, but it wouldn't do her any good to dwell. Her job was to help the rest of the crew adjust to these changes and to make sure things continued smoothly despite the potential harmful impact on morale.

Sullivan was thinking about the entire crew, of course, but in truth, she was also thinking of one particular person Who had to be equally shaken up by these changes. Tate had helped to see him through a particularly difficult time in his life already, and she didn't mind admitting she liked him professionally and was eager to provide whatever support she could.

It didn't take her long to find the diplomatic offices aboard. Now she just needed to see if he was up to taking visitors. She rang the chime and waited.

Gary sat in new office. The office of the Chief Diplomatic Officer and quietly steamed at his transfer. Carrington had come aboard and in one swift moment changed the entire command structure of the ship. Garrett Lovejoy was the new XO and while Gary didn't have anything against Garrett, he had no starship experience. Then Arri had been removed as second officer and replaced by Lt. Whavi. He shook his head the crew was on edge with the news of Phoenix's arrest on treason and Carrington comes in and shakes them up even more and morale plummets.

He was roused from his thoughts by the sound of his chime announcing he had a visitor. Curious, he called out "Enter" As he sat up straighter in his chair and waited to see who came through the door.

As they always did, the doors hissed open at the sound of the occupant's voice. This time around, they revealed Tate Sullivan, offering a wan smile. She wasn't going to offer pity or make too much of a fuss, and yet, he had allowed himself to be vulnerable around her many times before, and Sullivan didn't feel compelled to pretend he wasn't struggling inside. "Fancy seeing you here."

Gary's eyes widened and a smile came to his face as Tate came into the office. He genuinely liked Tate and she had sure helped him through a difficult time after an away mission gone horribly wrong. His smile grew even larger at her statement. "Did you get lost too?" He asked even as he gestured for her to take a seat. "I keep asking the computer to direct me to my office and I always end up here." He bantered hiding his true feelings though he was sure Tate could see right through him. "Would you like something from the replicator Tate?"

Sullivan chuckled as she entered the office and took a seat opposite Gary. "I'm good, unless the replicator wouldn't mind replicating some admiral pips so I can make the proper changes to the chain of command." More seriously, she added, "How are you doing?" She knew she didn't need to tell him she was asking about more than his daily routine or his general health.

"That's not a bad idea Tate." Gary said chuckling. "I wish it could be that easy." He commented before looking at her over the desk. "I'm coping Tate. I think that's the best way to put it. I think most of the crew is coping with this situation." He turned her question back on her. "How are you doing Tate? This change in command especially under the circumstances it occurred has to have given rise to the number of crew you and the other counselors are seeing."

Tate knew Gary well enough by now to know he didn't avoid her questions, but he always managed to inquire about her own thoughts and feelings in the process. She knew this was just who he was and was not an attempt at deflection. " I'd say the predominant feeling is confusion," Sullivan answered with a nod. "All of us are trained to respect the chain of command and to follow orders, but in this case, the lack of transparency and the implication that we've been led by criminals all this time just doesn't sit well. Of course, for the younger more impulsive members of the crew, the predominant feeling is anger that so many senior officers, including yourself were treated with such disrespect." Sullivan paused, then added, "I realize in the grand scheme of things, this change in position for you isn't the end of the universe and you feel and obligation set a positive example by taking this in stride, but it's just you and me here now. If you want to let go of some of that pressure, I'm here."


Gary listened as Tate gave her opinion on the general feeling of the crew. "I'd say that you are spot on with that observation Tate." He leaned back in his chair, "This whole affair just doesn't feel right. Phoenix just up and disappears and we get the story she's been arrested on charges of treason and being held in a secret location. You don't need to be an intelligence agent to know that story doesn't wash. " He leaned forward and looked at her, "Oh, the disrespect is the least of it Tate. Captain Carrington has her reasons for demoting me and having Commander Lovejoy as her XO. She's trying and succeeding to distance herself from who was close to Phoenix. Me, Arri and she's completely with her rights to make these changes. What hurts is not knowing what is going on. Not being in the loop so to speak. As if all my years as an officer mean nothing. No explanation, no nothing. At least Lia still retains her position."

Tate was not someone especially close to Phoenix, which under normal circumstances would feel awkward considering she was responsible for keeping her finger on the pulse of what was going on with the crew, and yet, she didn't feel especially connected to Phoenix. Then again, in this circumstance, it seemed to be an advantage not to be considered part of the inner circle. Like Gary she had a ton of questions, but she was mindful that her goal was to check on Gary. Like any good XO make sure his needs weren't going to be overlooked. she knew he was prepared to put his own well-being aside to focus on the bigger picture, but as someone who cared about him, she wanted to make sure his needs weren't overlooked. " how does she feel about all of this? Your… Change in position?"

Gary smiled at her, "To put it mildly, she isn't happy Tate, not in the slightest. She has been far more vocal about it than I have. I've had to caution her of being so outspoken. I don't want a repeat of her first meeting with Carrington when Carrington confined her to quarters for several hours. I'm thrilled she is so fiercely loyal to me but I don't want her to commit career suicide." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I can fight my own battles. If I ruin a career it's my career." He shook his head, "I know Lia has strong feelings and opinions on this whole affair. I just wish she would show a little more tact and excuse me for saying this diplomacy. I know she's trying to find out what is going on just as I am but there is just no information out there about Phoenix. At least no credible information."

As she already knew, none of this made any sense. She wanted to inquire about what they had found out so far on the down low, but continuing to be mindful her first priority was to provide support for Gary, she focused on some thing he said. "It's good you can see her behavior as an indication of her loyalty, not as an indication she doesn't believe you can fight your own battles. If she does commit career suicide, however, that will never be your fault. Do you believe that?" The counselor was sensitive to the fact that Gary was vulnerable to blaming himself for situations outside his control. At least that had been his inclination after being traumatized by torture.

Gary didn't rush an answer. That would have been an insult to Tate and she would see right through it. When he did answer it was thought out. "Oh, Lia is intensely loyal Tate, I know that. But sometimes she has blinders on when it comes to her own good or the good of her career. So in answer to your question, I'm working on accepting if Lia does something incredibly stupid and shoots her career down the drain, it isn't my fault. However it is hard." He admitted honestly. "Because it's over something that happened to me. Otherwise she wouldn't be as worked up as she is."

"Some situations reveal character, they don't create it," Tate offered. "I have no doubt Lia is loyal and cares for you a great deal, but that doesn't make you responsible for how she feels or how she chooses to react to those feelings." Sullivan smiled and then added, "You may be second in command here most of the time, but last I checked, that didn't give you the power to control the ship or the people in it. Even so, try not to mistake a lack of control for a lack of competence, value, or even power. You have a lot of people in your corner and that will never change no matter what your title or rank is."

Gary nodded. What Tate said made sense and he was glad to have such a friend that could distance herself from a situation and still offer helpful advice. "You make good sense Tate, I'll try my best to keep the proper perspective on all this but it isn't easy. Your words of support as well as keen insight are greatly appreciated Tate as is your friendship. It means a lot to me as well as knowing I have people in my corner." He smiled at her, "Lets me know that I am not all alone."

Sullivan smiled. She knew Gary was being sincere and not just telling her what she wanted to hear. "None of us are, not even the Captain, no matter how far away from us she is right now. The same is true of Lia. I think it's important to hold her accountable for her reactions, but I'm not indifferent to what she's been through either. I'll reach out to her. I don't want her to think she's in more trouble and I can't be sure she won't shoot me down, but I want her to know I'm in her corner too."


"I appreciate it Tate. Lia comes across as strong and independent and to a large extent she. However she is also vulnerable and she needs to know there are others out there supporting her. That she isn't alone. Just like you aren't alone. You know you can come to me for anything." Gary told her for Tate wasn't just a counselor she was his friend and it was important to him that she knew that.

Tate wasn't accustomed to accepting the support she usually offered it to others, but nevertheless, she appreciated Gary's warmth and friendship. Living on a starship meant balancing many different roles and that didn't mean Tate gave up her own needs for care and understanding. "I do know that, thank you," she replied sincerely with a bow of her head. "I will get out of your hair for now, sir, but please let me know if you need anything. I think you're right, we'll all be leaning on each other even more than usual for the foreseeable future."

"Tate, you are never in my hair. I look forward to seeing you and I wish I saw more of you. I enjoy our talks. You have helped me a great deal. I just want to say thank you for your compassion and caring. Your a good counselor and a better friend." Gary finished sincerely. He gave her a mock stern look when he said the next. "What's this sir business? I thought we had been through this, you can call me Gary. Remember?" A smile coming to his face as he finished and sat back in his chair.

Tate's smile widened and her cheeks flushed slightly red. Holding up her hands she offered, "Of course, Gary," she added deliberately. "I appreciate your kind words and your gratitude. I know you understand we don't under Starfleet for the praise, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't nice to hear it sometimes. Now, I'm afraid I really must be going before my head gets too big to fit through the door," she added with a chuckle. Sullivan wasn't used to being complemented, but she meant what she said. Recent career progress had sometimes left her wondering what the future held.

Before taking her leave, Sullivan offered, "I promise not to be a stranger, but remember to do the same. If you need me, I am only a comm away."