Catch up with Kyle

Posted on Fri Feb 2nd, 2024 @ 9:03am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Commander Kyle Reece
Edited on on Fri Feb 2nd, 2024 @ 9:44am

Mission: Season 6: Episode 4: Memory Lane
Location: Commodore's Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Elysium
Timeline: MD6 - 11h00
1469 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Phoenix wanted to check in with each of her senior staff to see how they were getting on.

So, she made up a timetable and sent it out to the Senior staff, asking them to present themselves at a set time to her office for a one on one.

08h00 – Chief of Intelligence
09h00 – Marine CO
10h00 – Chief of Science
11h00 – Chief of Security/Tactical
12h00 – Chief of Medical
14h00 – Chief of Counseling
15h00 – Chief of Engineering
16h00 – Chief of Operations
17h00 – Chief of Flight Control
18h00 – Group Commander
19h00 – Chief Diplomat

Then she set up her office, ruthlessly moving her desk to the far corner of the room and shifted her couches closer to the window as she wanted this to be a relaxed meeting.

A few beats before the time of his appointment with the Commodore, Kyle stopped by both of his department stations on the bridge, he hadn't gotten around to merging them into one yet, as he didn't know what Lia's or S'hib's futures were.

After getting reports from both departments that everything, for the time being, was quiet, he made his way to the door they led into the Commodore's ready room. Reaching up, he pressedthe door chime, then waited.

Having finished up with her prior appointment, Phoenix called out from where she sat on the couch. "Come in Commander."

The door slid open for him to enter.

Once the door slid open, Kyle stepped inside. He immediately noticed the different layout of the room. "Tired of the old set-up, Ma'am?" He asked with a polite grin as he moved over and sat where she indicated.

"This is not a formal meeting, Commander. I am holding these meetings to check in on people and their teams and to see how everyone is going." Phoenix said.

Kyle nodded as he listened. "Well, from both of my departments, I can say that we are as ready as we can be for those damn slavers. Each one of my people are ready to do must be done, to keep Ely and her crew safe." After he finished speaking, it seemed as if there was more, but decided to keep it to himself.

"And their mental health?" Phoenix asked curiously. "It's hard being one of the front line teams."

Letting out a soft sigh, the veteran warrior replied honestly. "Truthfully, Ma'am? Though we've been here a while now, I d9nt think they've fully adjusted yet. And with Security, they're still at odds with the whole Lia and S'hib situation. Not to mention the fact that there's a violent individual out there." He was starting to take it as a personal failure that the individual who attacked the chief helm officer was still at large. "Added to that, the threat of those damn slavers..." he sighed and shook his head slightly. "We need a break, Ma'am. If we can't find a way home, then we at least need a nice, quiet, paradise world to spend some time on and properly recharge our batteries."

"Unfortunately Risa is some distance away," Phoenix replied. "And believe me, I agree, R&R would be great. We will try to find a hidden place for it."

At the joke about Risa, Kyle chuckled softly. "And I'm sure, when we get back, Risa will be inundated by Elysium survivors." He let out a short breath then continued. "Any port in the storm, however brief, would be beneficial, Ma'am."

Taking another breath, he added, "Of course, in the meantime, I know that my people will do their jobs whenever and for however long you tell them to. As will I, Commodore."

"I know. They were well chosen. Oh and when Lia's six months is up, i will require a report from you, and from counselors about her ability to resume her duties."

He nodded, then replied. "So far, aside from a couple rocky moments, she does seem to be getting back on the straight and narrow. As there still isn't a new Commandant at the Academy, I've been spending a few hours, every week, to go over how the training is going. Both she and S'hib have been scoring very well in their studies."

"I know, I am at a loss at how to fill that role. Any suggestions?"

Taking a few beats to consider his reply, Kyle finally responded. "Honestly, Ma'am? There isn't anyone else aboard who have the qualifications to fill the role. Heck, I barely meet the quota myself." He sighed softly and shook his head. "For now, I'll just have to fill in as I'm able. It helps that there aren't any full classes going at the moment. Perhaps, when Lia proves that she can run the department again, and is reinstated, I'll have more time to devote to it."

"Hmm hopefully." Phoenix nodded. "Let me know if there are any issues in the cadet space. I do not want things to go sideways there."

Nodding, the seasoned officer replied. "I will. Thankfully, we've got a great group of kids in the Academy. They've been douling double- and even triple-duty in helping around the ship. If I could, I'd give them all high honors when they graduate."

Phoenix tried, she really did, not to snort at that. She ducked her head. "Sorry. Not all second years are as good as you are saying."

"Normally I'd agree, Ma'am," Kyle replied with a grin. "Even I was a bit of a wild card during my second year. However," he added as he arched his right eyebrow briefly. "I also never had my home almost destroyed and lost a good chunk of the people I knew, or were getting to know, in one day. When we get home, this experience is going to end up churning out a very strong cadre of new officers."

"I bet you never attacked a civilian. Just because they are a civilian."

Arching an eyebrow, Kyle chuckled softly as he replied. "Heh, can't say as I have, Ma'am." He paused, then asked, "As your Chief of Security, is there something I should know?"

"No, it was sorted back on the iceball. I hope. But there is always going to be a clash of personalities around." she gave a slight smile.

Kyle chuckled softly. "Just know Ma'am, if there is a disturbance ... and you are the cause..." he shrugged sheepishly as he continued. "I would not be doing my job if I didn't put you in the brig."

Phoenix smirked. "The only disturbance I have made was enforcing the rules."

Kyle raised his hands in playful surrender. "I just ask that you keep it that way, Ma'am. I'd hate to have both you and your husband angry with me." He grinned, glad that he and Phoenix could talk so openly with one another.

"Oh and if you see a report about my husband loosing a tooth... he should have ducked when we were sparing."

Kyle covered his eyes with his hands, "I never saw anything." He playfully peeked between his fingers. "Just try to keep it to one tooth, though, Commodore." He grinned, remembering how he could sometimes loose control when sparring.

"I will" She replied with a smirk.

For the rest of their time, the two spoke of family, Kyle proudly discussing his two adopted children. Then he asked, "And yours? How are your twins and adopted daughter doing?"

'They are going well." Phoenix said softly. "The twins do not understand yet and Tristi has been through a lot she just seems to ignore it. She is in Counselling."

"Zhavna is a few years younger than Tristi, and the only female Orion on board. Perhaps Tristi might be interested in hanging out with her? You know," he put up air quotes as he continued. "Outsider to outsider?" He put his hands down and added, "Not that I see either of them as outsiders, mind you."

Phoenix smiled. "I think it would be great. I have heard that there will be Group counselling sessions for all children as well."

Kyle nodded. "Several, in fact. There's going to be one main one, then the group will be broken down into age blocks. Zhavna is in one, Jassirc is in another."

"I am sure that it will be beneficial." Phoenix said softly.

Kyle nodded again in agreement. Then he saw the chronometer and realized that it was almost time for the Commodore's next appointment. "Thank you for the chance to talk like this, Ma'am. It feels...almost normal. And that is something that this ship and crew need in abundance right now."

"Agreed. Thank you for making the time today Commander."

Standing, he reached across the way, offering his right hand to Phoenix. "Thank you for being the commanding officer that you are, Ma'am."

Phoenix shook his hand and saw him out.