Meeting the XO

Posted on Mon Jun 13th, 2022 @ 2:38am by Captain Samuel Woolheater & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 5: Episode 4: Reef
Location: Uss Elysium - Deck 32 - Marine County
Timeline: MD01 - 0400
Tags: XO, Workout, Fighter Wing
2732 words - 5.5 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

Lieutenant Woolheater was still sorting through his desk when he had a feeling like he was being watched. Scientists, neurologists called this the "nonconscious visual system". That is to say - the feeling you are being watched. Samuel looked up from the desk to see a man standing there with Commander's pips. He recognized the Executive Officer, Commander Gary Taylor.

"XO?" he asked and got to his feet. Standing at attention, "How may I help you sir?"

Gary waved the man back down, a smile on his face. " Easy Lieutenant, have a seat. Actually. I have been remiss in not meeting you sooner and I apologize for that. So, I am here to correct that. Gary Taylor at your service, is there anything I can do for you? How are you finding the Elysium?"

Sam was gobsmacked. Yeah. Gobsmacked is the right word and it showed on his face. If there was a way to short-circuit a human face; this was it. The ship's XO or for that matter, Captain's never come down to see Marines. Unless there's trouble.

~Oh. Shit!~ Sam thought. All of this happened in a flash and all he managed to get out was, "Ahh...nahh...sssss....nothing for me sir." Taylor told him to relax and so Sam went to parade rest automatically. He wondered how much trouble he was in. How much could the repairs to a junker like the Molvarre's Dawn cost? And how in the hell could an invoice have already been processed? Marines can't get a a crate of terlit paper processed and delivered that fast. He swallowed and forgot the last thing he said. So what came out sounded even worse, "Duhhh...so, so, so what can I do for you sir?" Sam's inner voice criticized him, ~Smooth. You sound so sophisticated.~

Gary chuckled softly at the lieutenant's obvious nervousness which instantly put him on alert that the lieutenant was worried about more than him visiting but perhaps finding something out. He decided to test that theory. Walking over to a chair he sat down. "Sit down Lieutenant before you fall down and as what you can do for me, I think you know the answer to that. Don't you?" Gary finished his eyes on Sam, never wavering.

Sam was frozen. His eyes locked with the ship's XO. This was definitely not how he expected his first day to go. He swallowed. Took a seat in the chair and said, "I can explain. Sir. It wasn't my fault! I got on the ship they told me too. We were already underway to Starbase 201 when my PCS orders caught up to us."

Gary listened as Sam began his story. *This should prove to be interesting* Gary thought to himself all while maintaining a neutral expression on his face as the words spilled from Sam's mouth in a torrent. "I see." He remarked carefully neutral. "Please go on with your ah explanation. I am most eager to hear what transpired next."

The XO was unflappable. Sam could not read him at all. He continued, "Well, sir, I had to get here. I asked....a lot of people...on the Front Royal to help. Lend me a shuttle, lend me a pilot, drop me off. Nothing. Skipper would not stop nor turn around. I went through SFMC chain when I learned it was their screw up. So...y'know...that's when I came up with...the plan." Sam's inner voice said, ~Oh? So now its a plan?~

"Well, not my plan. Exactly" he said. Feeling like he was in quick sand and sinking. Where is a distraction when you need one? he thought to himself.

"Indeed, you did have to get here." Gary agreed. "It sounds like you were in quite the quandy. Your superiors screw up your transportation and you have an unsympathetic captain unable or unwilling to help you out. That is most unfortunate. You were left to your own devices. So, this is where you came up with your plan?" Even as Gary asked the question his inner voice was saying. * This is going to be good. I can't wait to see how he explains it.*

"Exactly! You get me sir. And, I worked my ass off, pardon my Klingon sir, I worked my ass off with my spotter on Titan to get my recertification. We both worked hard and we got in the top percentile. So, getting promoted and then assigned to Elysium was like...I mean is like the reward y'know? And I wasn't going to get SNAFU'd out of it by a clerical error." He took a breath. The XO was unreadable. ~Note to self - don't get into any card games with the XO.~ Sam swallowed, the air hung deathly still.

"There was only one person who was like my advocate XO. A pilot..." he couldn't remember her name. In his mind's eye he saw Emily tapping her foot, decidedly irritated that he couldn't remember the name of the pilot who came up with what we're now calling 'The Plan'. He could hear Emily's voice, 'Birthday's, holidays, anniversaries, weddings...use a calendar Sam?!' he remembered her saying. He made up her name, "Lisa....pilot Lisa proposed that we could use...y'know...that. And that way the ship didn't have to stop, or turn around and no shuttle craft were needed. And...well...it worked." He swallowed. "Mostly?"

Gary leaned back in his chair as Sam continued with rambling story though it did seem to pick up steam as it drew near the conclusion. "So, the pilot Lisa, decided to help you, saw the terrible plight you were in and was the exact opposite of the ship's captain, sympathetic to your needs. I am curious though, what did you have to promise her to help you? After all as you said, the Elysium is the pride of the fleet for both Starfleet and Marines. Did you promise a pilot's position?" Gary pressed but not hard. He shook his head keeping up his charade, "Mostly? Did you say mostly Lieutenant?" Gary gave an exasperated sight, "I think you need to rethink what you just said.''

He looked at the marine, "Before you continue to regale me with your story. Have you told the Colonel this? If so, what was her reaction to your um antics?"

He stopped and looked at the XO most curiously indeed. Like a German Shepherd cocks his head to one side, "Wait. What? Naw, oh hell's no. Not if I can help it XO." Then it started to dawn on him. "But, you....you're here about the um...the torpedo thing...yeah?"

Gary stared impassively at Sam for several long seconds before he leaned back and let out a long sigh. "I have heard some wild stories but yours ranks right at the top. A qword to the wise, do not tell the Colonel of your little escapade."

~Damn!~, Sam thought. He did a facepalm. "No, oh hell no. I don't plan on telling the Colonel until I'm on my deathbed. I don't suppose we could just, y'know, hit reset? Like this never happened?"

Only now did Gary allow a smile to appear on his face. "I don't believe I would tell her even on my death bed but it's your decision. As for hitting reset and pretending this never happened...." He shrugged his shoulders, "Sure, fine with me. She'll never hear about this from me."

Now Sam relaxed. He sat back in the chair, looked up at the ceiling and said, "WHEW!!!! Oh man. You got me XO. You got me good!" Sam put his head in his hands and laughed. The laugh he had been needing all day. He looked at Taylor who as smiling and Sam said, "You enjoyed that?!"

Gary shook his head and smiled at Sam's reaction, "I enjoyed it immensely Lieutenant, Most fun I've had in some time. A most interesting story and your reactions add to the flavor." Gary thrust his hand out. "Gary Taylor, a pleasure to meet you."

Taking the offered hand, he shook it with a firm grip. "Oh ye gods...its too early for this. This is my first shift you know. And now that I've confirmed my arrival to you. Oh god." Sam laughed again a belly laugh. "OK. Good. Well, welcome to Deck Thirty-Two. I'm just getting the desk cleared out as you can see. Sorting through the company and getting to put faces to names. I really am excited to be here. We, my spotter and I, marine named Mason Hall worked hard to qualify high enough to get the A-listed ships of the line. But neither of us thought we'd make the cut for a front line starship. Hall got transferred to the Diplomatic Corps Protection. He is a good spotter. Some shooter is going to luck out." Sam asked, "I've been reading some of the early reports that have been de-classed by Starfleet about the previous mission. I don't have words for what you all went through. But you all pulled it off."

"You can relax. You made it, no one is going to yank the rug out from under you and send you or Hall packing. Just remember what it took for you to get here and you both will do fine." Gary grew quiet as Sam mentioned the last mission. "It was a true team effort. Captain Lovejoy, did you meet him? He really held the crew together and we weren't the easiest to get along with. He took a lot of grief from us. He's transferred to Galaxy Station by the way. Captain Lalor she and her team really came through they nailed Highlaw and his network. Brought it all down around his ears." Gary looked across at Sam, "Thank you for the compliment."

Sam shook his head 'no', "I didn't get to see Captain Lovejoy before he left the ship. I got to see some of the damage done to Elysium while onboarding. I'm sure I'll see more before the damage repair teams are all done? Yeah I read about Highlaw. Some anyway. I have yet to meet the MXO? I figure he's busy or injured so I'll not press him. I know that he's been promoted into the psoition. A mustang as they are called."

"Captain Lovejoy proved to be a good captain. Highlaw was a disgrace to his uniform and oath," Gary said angrily. "You are referring to David Tonelly. A good man. He'll be a good officer. As for the damage, it will be repaired and someone looking at the ship will never know. However the crew knows and we'll never forget."

Sam nodded in agreement, "Yes sir. You're the 45th Tactical Wing Commander yeah? The 'Flying Tigers'? I read in the logs that the wing took out an Intrepid -class starship? That's no small potatoes. I served on the Manley and she was Intrepid-class. Can take a pounding those ships." As Sam was speaking a few reports came in on the computer. The LCARS interface lit up with "Incoming Transmission". "Excuse me one moment sir? A couple of the kids are expecting these." Sam acknowledged the receipt and the reports were downloaded to a nearby PaDD. He would review them later. He returned his attention to the XO. "Sorry XO, how does that work with the detachment? Are you air cover for whatever is needed or is your role limited to Starfleet OPS?"

Gary nodded, "I am indeed. Good group of pilots. Commander Vaii who is off ship at the moment is the squadron commander. She drives them hard but we get superior pilots. Wouldn't trade any one of them." He paused as Sam answered the transmissions. When he had finished he continued. "No apology is needed or necessary. I am intruding on you. I have flown air cover and not opposed to it. However because I am also XO for the ship I now mainly confine myself to Ops for the missions. I let Vaii and Captain Charles fly the missions."

"I'll meet them in due course I'm sure. I'd like to congratulate them on their fine work, from what I can tell, last mission op. Not intruding sir. Glad to have the opportunity to meet a member of the senior staff. Anything you can tell me about the Colonel that would help me settle in? I had occasion to meet her on Starbase One. I think I blew my first impressions. I might have to do some damage control when we meet. And, I wasn't forthcoming about my arrival. I kinda hope she never finds out."

"Help with the Colonel?" Gary repeated, "Sure, do your job. Naxea doesn't tolerate anything done half ass. If you don't know something tell her don't fake it and whatever you do, don't lie. She'll have your balls for breakfast if you do. Look, do your job to the best of your ability and everything else will take care of itself. That is the best damage control, "Oh, don't make excuses and don't apologize. As I said about your arrival. She won't hear about it from me. I leave it up to you if you want to tell her or not."

Sam nodded, "Well, I'm not going to lie about anything to her. But I won't volunteer if she doesn't ask. I'm hoping that the merchant will just file a claim with their maritime insurer and they'll be compensated for the damage and loss of the Tuleberry wine. I guess, in a way, I'm lucky the torpedo impacted them and not the hull of a Naussican freighter." Sam asked, "Is there anything that I can do for you sir? It's still pretty early? Is this your normal awake time?"

"First rule, don't volunteer... anything. As far as the merchant, don't get yourself all worked up. It will all be taken care of and hopefully the Colonel will be none the wiser." Gary shook his head, "No, nothing you can do for me as I said I wanted to come down and introduce myself. Oh, I'm an early riser, I like to get out and walk the ship while it's still relatively quiet. Then, I sometimes go to the gym to get in a little workout."

Sam said, "I'm on gamma shift for the foreseeable future Commander. I get off duty at 0800. If you want a workout buddy, I could use a workout after my duties. It'll help me work off the crap-ola from the day. You know? Then it's bedtime for me." A workout partner to help keep each other accountable would be good he thought.

"Certainly Lieutenant, that sounds like an excellent idea, I look forward to it." Gary answered, "A question though the workout won't get you over stimulated so you can't sleep, will it?"

Sam responded without hesitation, "Aww hell's nope! It'll help me decompress. I look forward to it. There is so much I can't control; but I can control that one tiny piece of my life. After a workout and a nice sonic shower? I'm a sleep like a dead body. Alright, well great XO. You good coming down here? Marines have the best toys anyhow. And the best workout gear. I'll see you...tomorrow? 0800?" he suggested.

"I'm good." Gary answered. "As for the best toys, that's a debate for another day. best workout gear possibly. In any event I will let you get back to your duties. I will see you tomorrow at 0800. Thank you for the conversation and story. " Gary answered as he exited the office.

Getting to his feet, "It is my pleasure Commander. Thank you for the visit. And thank you too for, y'know, not saying anything? I'll see you tomorrow at 0800. I'll meet you in the gym? Gimme a few minutes change? See you XO!" He watched the senior officer leave and couldn't believe his luck. Meeting the XO of a starship? And more than that - doing regular workout sessions? ~Cwaazy!~ Sam thought to himself. He was delighted and he would be off shift in just a few hours.


[OFF:]

Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
(signed off by Woolheater)

&

1st Lieutenant Samuel Woolheater
“Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas”
Division VI, MARDET 62nd Company "Spartans", 2nd Platoon CO
=/\= USS ELYSIUM - NCC-89000 =/\=

 

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