Chief to Chief

Posted on Sat Oct 14th, 2023 @ 11:57am by Commander Kyle Reece & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor

Mission: Season 6: Episode 3: Far From Home
Location: USS Elysium, Security Chief's Office
Timeline: MD 5 / 0900 HOURS
2876 words - 5.8 OF Standard Post Measure

The morning after speaking with S'hib, Kyle was sitting in the office that was currently his. He still had more questions to answer before he could get his investigation into the attack on Ensign Miraj truly going forward. After finishing his notes on what S'hib had said, and his thoughts on such, he sent two of his security guards to escort Lieutenant Commander Taylor, from her brig cell to him, hopeful that they could have a professional conversation in this office, as opposed to an interrogation room or her cell.

When the guards arrived at Lia's cell, they carried out their duties with quiet professionalism, escorting their former boss to the office that Commander Kyle Reece now occupied. When they reached the office, one of them rang the door chime. From inside, a muffled "Come!" was heard. The doors slid open and the large frame of Elysium's first Security Chief could be seen standing behind the desk. "Lieutenant Commander Taylor, please come in and have a seat. We have much to discuss." Kyle's deep baritone voice seemed to hold no ill-judgment towards Lia as he spoke.

Lia stood looking at Kyle, "Commander Reece, I suppose we do. Limits have to be set, and so this is your time to set those limits."

Shaking his head, Kyle gestured to the empty seat that was positioned in front of her, now currently his, desk. "You already know the limits that have been placed upon you, Lia, if I may call you by your first name?"

Nodding, Lia made her way to the seat offered to her. "Those limits were imposed by the Commodore, no doubt you also have a set of limits which you wish to enforce." Her eye's never left Kyle's face as she spoke, "As my superior, you have rules which you expect your staff to adhere to. It is those limits to which I refer, or am I simply to revert to an admin role only?"

Once Lia sat down, Kyle moved over to the replicator. "Before I answer your question, would you care for anything?"

"I would like a coffee please Commander, things are a little restricted in the brig." Taylor didn't smile or give off any friendly signs whatever. Truth to tell, she wasn't feeling friendly at all.

Kyle nodded once, then turned to the replicator. After ordering a coffee as Lia had in the past. He then ordered his usual, raktajino, extra strong. Once both beverages were ready, he picked them up and turned to Lia, handing hers to her first, then he moved to sit behind the desk. "Before we begin, aside from your earlier query, do you have any questions for me? I know we haven't served together long, so please, feel free during this meeting."

Taylor nodded. "With the present restrictions placed on me, just what will my duties consist of? Investigation of criminal offenses won't figure highly will it?" She sipped her coffee and closed her eye's, just for a moment her anger and resentment slipped away and normality returned to her soul and mind. But reality quickly intruded, and she opened her eye's and looked around the office. "Can I at least talk to S'hib? I need to apologise to him, as his Chief I let him down and he must feel betrayed."

Kyle nodded silently, thinking to himself that those were the correct questions to ask at this time. After taking a sip of his coffee, he placed the mug down and looked Lia directly in the eyes as he replied. "To your first two questions, there will be limits, yes. While you are in the brig, itself, you will be refreshing yourself on the rules of law and the proper treatment of suspects. Granted, as your incarnation is only for a short time, the refresher courses will be accelerated. Once I am confident that you have reacquainted yourself properly, then you will be given new duties."

He slid a PADD over to her as he continued. "When that time comes, you will begin doing the work of a senior security officer again. While you will be performing any investigations that may arise, as far as the Ensign Miraj case, you will only be in an observer's position. I may ask for any information that you may have discovered, but you will not be on that case. Do I make myself clear?" As he spoke, his tone remained both professional and friendly, with bits of understanding of her situation mixed in.

Lia looked at the PADD, "Yes sir, I understand." The words stuck in her throat, she knew the rules probably better than most. Why did they think this kind of treatment would bring her back inline? "Any information I had is in the file 'Miraj 1' sir, I had it down to three suspects. Anish Talin, Eric Kyler, and Ran Thy'shino, I even think they each aided each other in the run up to the attack. But you probably know all this already."

Nodding slightly, Kyle replied. "While I haven't read your notes yet, Mister S'hib has given both me and Captain Taylor similar information when we spoke to him yesterday." He sat back in the chair and considered Lia for a moment. He let out a soft sigh through his nose, before continuing.

"On a personal note, Lia, I can understand the reasons for why you did what you did." His tone had softened some as he spoke. "Or, I might've done something more drastic." He shrugged and gave her a grim grin. "Those of us who have served in the Security field tend to be much more protective of our crewmates than others of the crew. It's our training and the mindset that said training creates." He took a breath, then added, "And as for you speaking to S'hib, of course you can. If you'd like, after we are finished here, I'll escort you down myself."

This was unexpected, was he trying to win her over? "Thank you sir, but you may have to take my escort with you. They get a bit offended if you simply walk off with one of their prisoners." It was a poor attempt at humour, Lia hadn't done that for some time. She looked at Kyle, "How's he handling it? If I know S'hib, he's not exactly approachable is he?"

Kyle grinned at the joke. "Well then, it's a good thing that I'm currently their boss." He chuckled softly, then leaned forward on the desk, his tone turning a bit more serious. "And I mean that, Lia. I'm only their boss right now. I have no desire to permanently replace you as Security Chief. From what I've read, aside from this one instance, you are an outstanding security officer. If you prove that you have learned from your misstep, then I will stand by you when you speak to the Commodore to request your old rank and position back." There was honesty in his words that even a non-telepath could pick up on.

"As for S'hib," Kyle replied with a quick exhale, "he seems to be feeling this event quite strongly, as would be expected. Although, I'm sure he would appreciate if you came to talk to him."

Lia glanced around her old office, "I know I screwed up, I let it get to me. I really wanted to nail the S.O.B, but that'll never happen now." She sipped the remains of her coffee, "Watch your arse sir, not only do I want my department back. But yes the rank AND my deputy returned, he didn't deserve to be punished for me dropping the ball." She gave Kyle a small grin, just so he knew she meant well and not as a threat.

Kyle returned the grin as he nodded. "I would expect nothing less, Lia. You and S'hib are one of the best Security teams I've seem in a very long time. You two remind me of myself and my old buddy Mott Rixx. He was my assistant chief, back during our cadet cruise. I haven't had a working partner as competent as he is since." He took a breath, then continued.

"While you are temporarily out of the chief slot, S'hib still retains his assistant position. As for you, until the Commodore reinstates you, you will also hold an assistant position. I am looking forward to working with both of you."

"I see, oh one other thing sir. Chief Warrant Officer Carol Dolton, its taken sometime to bring her into the fold. Her record isn't great and she can be a bit of a fire cracker, but she's by the book. And she's a combat vet with command experience, which is part of the problem with her attitude." Lia now put herself on the line for Carol, "If you could see your way to give her some lee way, I would be grateful. She needs the break, she's good at what she does sir."

Kyle considered the request for a few beats, then nodded. "So long as she does the right thing, she'll have no issues from me." He took another sip of his coffee, then asked, "Do you have any further questions for me?"

"Not at this time sir, but if I think of any I will ask once I resume my duties." Lia began to rise, the interview must now be over or so she thought.

"Hold on," he said gently, indicating that she should stay seated. "Just because you don't have any questions for me, doesn't mean I don't have any for you." He waited for Lia to sit back down before continuing.

Lia sat back down, "Sorry, I didn't think you'd want to ask me anything. It feels like everyone has been talking at me, and not to me. With respect sir."

Kyle nodded in understanding. "Many of my crewmates on the Nimitz treated me the same leading up to my court martial. Believe me when I say, I understand where you are right now." He paused for a bit, seeming to study Aurelia's face with his piercing eyes.

"Tell me about who Aurelia Taylor is," he began. "Not the officer, but the person. Who am I going to be leading and serving alongside with?"

Taylor looked about somewhat confused, "I don't like being called Aurelia, it has bad memories attached. I go by Lia, if we ever become close friends, I may explain the reason." She sat and thought, "I'm married and have what some call an unhealthy addiction to Japanese anime. I enjoy Japanese culture and some of their food. Ayuki, who died on an away mission, taught me to be a Star Fleet Officer. She took a washout and made me what I am, now I'm attempting the same with Carol Dolton.

My husband puts up with my one wish, to have a child of my own. The CMO is involved as well, and my latest problem was forgetting I was a Security Officer and basically going rogue." Lia stopped and looked at Kyle, did he want more or should she stop?

Kyle nodded as he listened. "My apologies, Lia it is. I hope we can become good friends. So long as you are straight with me, I will always give you the same respect. I am of the mindset that once I make friends with someone, it tends to be a friendship to the end. However, if someone wrongs me, it is nigh impossible for them to get back in my good graces."

"I too am a fan of the Japanese culture. Though more on the weapons and martial arts side." He took another sip of his coffee before continuing. My family has been in starfleet, dating all the way back to the very beginning, with my sixth level great grandmother being on the NX-02 Columbia. I am the oldest of four, Lieutenant Nicholas Reece, over in Intel is my younger twin by a few minutes, Sergeant Liam Reece, down in the Marine unit is our baby brother, and my baby sister, Alexandria is the brains of the group, as she is currently attending Oxford University, studying to be a lawyer and diplomat."

"I too have always wanted children, and just recently, adopted two orphans, Zhavna and her younger brother, Jassirc. While we are still settling in with each other, i already know that i would not only give my life to protect them, i would kill any who try to harm them, without a seconds hesitation." He took a breath before continuing.

"We all make mistakes, Lia. What's important is that we learn from them and don't repeat them." He paused a beat begore asking, "Do you feel you are learning from yours?"

"We, that is Captain Taylor and myself, are adopting one of the orphans. Once I'm released we're going to pick her up." Lia smiled as she thought of little Lia, her ears and mind suddenly perked up at the mention of Japanese weapons. "You any good with a Katana? I own one but can only go up against holo opponents, taking on a live one would be a change." Lia now looked Kyle face on, "Mistakes prove we're Human, I dropped the ball and other people will suffer for that. If you don't learn your no good as an operative, seven years in intelligence taught me that."

Taylor now dropped her head, "Seven years in the field, I lost one partner and a lot of dignity. But I never dropped the ball like this, maybe I'm getting stale being on a ship."

Kyle smiled softly at the news of the upcoming adoption. "That's great news, Lia! Congratulations, to both of you!" He paused to consider something, then said, "While I can't promise anything, giving the current state of the crew, I'll ask the Commodore if, given what you just told me, she would be willing to modify your punishment, to allow you and your husband to start giving that little baby as normal a beginning as possible."

He took a breath before continuing. "As far as the katana, while I am no master, I have trained with several traditional Japanese weapons since I was younger. I am especially training in throwing weapons." He exposed the underside of his forearms, revealing the sheaths holding his throwing darts. "These in particular, I've been training with since I could walk. My Grampy gave them to me. They've been in my family gorgeous several generations."

After lowering his sleeves back down, he continued. "I would enjoy sparring with you, when we both have available time." Taking another sip of his coffee, he continued. "I wouldn't say you got stale. We have been hit by several severe crisis during the past year. Anyone could make a mistake following that mental overload."

"Ayuki was a master at the Katana, she drilled it into me that the Katana is one with the swordsman." A single tear ran down Lia's cheek, "Sorry sir, Ayuki was a close friend. Her loss hit me hard when she died, I was attached to NCC 71805 USS Endeavour as an engineer. The XO didn't like me and so tried to wash me out, Ayuki stepped in and here I am." She wiped the tear away, "Lia Taylor 101, sir."

As Kyle nodded, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an actual handkerchief. Seeing Lia tearing up, he could feel her pain. He had certainly lost many he had cared about over the years. Reaching across the table, he handed her the handkerchief. "Thank you for sharing that with me. You honor me with your trust."

Lia took the handkerchief and dried her eyes, "Thank you sir, I guess trust has to start somewhere. I won't lie, I find this hard to handle but I want my reputation restored and my department made trustworthy again." She returned the handkerchief, "With due respect sir, I want you gone. And I intend to move hell and high water to achieve that goal, but you as a person I have no quarrel with or malice towards. Sir."

After taking the handkerchief back, Kyle grinned slightly. "Believe me when I say, I'm hopeful that this current will only be a brief one. As far as moving hell and the oceans, all you'll need do is prove to the Commodore that, not only have you learned from your mistake, but you also will never do something like it again." Taking a breath, he nodded to himself. "Now, before you return to your cell, and if he is amicable to it, would you care to go see Mister S'hib now, as we discussed earlier?"

Standing up, Lia nodded. "Thank you sir, I think Mr. S'hib requires a swift reminder that he's needed and required to carry out his duty. I may be able to do that for him, providing he'll see me."

Kyle nodded, then led Lia out of the chief's office. He informed the brig escort to stand down for now, that he would take responsibility for Lia and get her back to her cell later.

Once that was done, the room senior security officers left the department and made their way to the home of Naxea and S'hib.

~OFF~