Life on a Training Cruise - Part III
Posted on Fri Mar 8th, 2024 @ 10:47am by Lieutenant JG Damien Blackford
Mission:
MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Vanguard
Timeline: 2395
938 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure
After the simulation ended less than spectacularly, Commander Arleth instructed the four Cadets to meet him in his office to discuss their progress. Tensions flared between Damien and Jenkins about how the situation was handled. Both believe the other acted incorrectly, but only time will tell how Commander Arleth will see the situation.
Damien nervously fiddled with the hem of his jacket as he, Ellís and Korta all made their way towards the Commander’s office. None of them had said a word since leaving the Holodeck. This had been their first training simulation without a Training Officer present to guide them through it, and it hadn’t exactly gone well. Captured, nearly executed, and then opening fire wasn’t exactly how Damien had wanted the mission to go. And being in charge of the team, any mistakes made directly reflected on his ability to lead. And he was pretty sure Commander Arleth wasn’t going to give him a passing grade for this.
As they rounded the corner, Damien saw Jenkins already there, pacing the floor, his cap in his hand, wringing it like it was a cloth he was trying to dry out. When he saw the three of them approaching, he quickly straightened it out as best he could, and jammed it back on his head. Not that it did much good. He’d twisted and untwisted it so many times, it was creased all over and was so lopsided it looked like the slightest nudge would knock it off.
As they drew closer, the other three stopped a few feet away, none of them saying anything to each other. The tension was so thick, Damien could had used Korta’s d’k tahg to cut the air.
After a few seconds, the door slid open, and Commander Arleth’s voice called from inside, “Cadet’s, you can enter.”
There was a few seconds where none of them moved, before Damien finally tore his eyes away from Jenkins’, and stepped into the office, the other three quickly filing in behind him, the door sliding shut as the four Cadets lined up in front of the Commander’s desk.
As they stood to attention, Arleth put the PaDD he’d been examining back on the desk. “At ease Cadets.” He said, waving his hand, leaning back in his chair, letting out a soft sigh as he did. “Well.” He finally said, sitting up straight again, his eyes glancing between the four young Officers. “That certainly could have gone better, couldn’t it?” It wasn’t exactly framed as a question, more of a ‘You know you screwed up’ statement.
“Sir.” Damien eventually said, breaking the silence. “As team leader, I’d like to tak responsabilty for what happened in the simulation. I should have assessed the situation better, and had I given more precise commands, then perhaps the situation could have resolved itself differently.”
The Commander was silent as he examined Damien, leaning forward, interlocking his hands and resting them on the desk as he did. “Well,” He eventually said, “That took guts Cadet. You’re right about one thing, you were the team leader, but you gave your team orders, and they weren’t all followed.” As he said these words, his gaze briefly flickered over to Jenkins, who opened his mouth to respond, but was quickly cut off by the Commander holding his hand up. “Whether those orders were the correct orders is an entirely different conversation to be had. You are a team, and when your Commanding Officer gives you an order, you are expected to follow that order. We have regulations and protocols in place for a reason.” He sighed, leaning back in his chair again. “Listen, you all have the potential to be great Officers, you just need some... Fine tuning. And that’s where I come in. You’ve been assigned to this training cruise to give you the smoothing out you all need. And when this year is up... Well, we’ll see what’ll happen.”
“You’re all dismissed.” He said, waving his hand towards the door, indicating the conversion was over. “Take the evening, relax, go for a drink, do whatever it is you need to do to unwind. But be in briefing room 2 tomorrow morning at 0800 Hours.”
With that, he picked the PaDD back up, indicating he was done with them.
The four of them filed out of the room, stopping in the corridor as the door hissed shut behind them. “Well,” Ellís eventually said, “I suppose it could have gone a lot worse.”
“It could have gone a lot better as well.” Jenkins said darkly. “If I’d been in charge, this wouldn’t have happened in the first place.” And before anyone could react, he turned on his heel, and stalked down the corridor.
“Ignore him.” Korta said, grasping Damien’s shoulder. “You did a good job as a first time Commander. He is simply jealous that he was not picked.”
“Exactly.” Ellís said, lightly punching Damien’s arm. “Hey, me and Korta are gonna go for a drink later. Fancy joining us?” Damien smiled, but shook his head.
“Thanks, but I think I’m gonna have a quiet night in.”
“Well, you know where to find us.” She said, before the two of them turned around, heading down the corridor, leaving Damien standing alone. He ran a hand through his hair, replaying the events of the simulation over in his mind, before slowly heading back to his own quarters.
