Converstion

Posted on Sat Aug 31st, 2024 @ 2:55am by Cadet Freshman Grade Cerese Gemini (Kelea-Salik) & Captain Gary Taylor & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Commodore's Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Elysium
Timeline: MD1 - Middayish
1778 words - 3.6 OF Standard Post Measure

(IC)

Cerese stood looking at herself in the mirror making sure she looked presentable to meet the Commodore of the Elysium. If she was to offer her experience to serve aboard the ship she wanted to make a good impression. She smiled as she made her way out to Gary. “I hope I’m going to make a good impression to your Commodore, I would like to be able to be a part of your crew.”

Gary gave her an encouraging smile. "You will be fine. Be yourself, talk about what you have to offer the crew and ship. Play to your strengths. You have a lot to offer the crew. You been here in this part of space for a long time. You have the experience we don't. Phoenix, the Commodore values honesty, not that you would lie. But lying is a sure way to get into her doghouse and not get out." Gary smiled again, "I think the Commodore is going to be impressed with you and like what you have to offer."

“I certainly hope so” Cerese smiled. “I intend to prove to Commodore Lalor-Richardson that she can use my expertise, I’ll do whatever I can to help you get home.”

"You don't have to prove anything Cerese, you aren't on trial. Just tout your experience and what your specialties are. How you can help this crew. Be yourself. The Commodore can see a phony a mile away." Gary replied with a smile of his own.

Cerese nodded. “I'll do that, thank you.”

~ Ready Room - a few minutes later ~

Standing in Phoenix’s Ready Room Cerese offered a polite smile as she introduced herself. “I’m Cerese Gemini, I came aboard your ship along with the other survivors your crew saved. Gary...Captain Taylor tells me that my skills could be of use to you and your crew.”

Gary spoke from Cerese's side, "Commodore, I think Cerese would make a good addition to the science department and Lieutenant Holv with both the skills and knowledge she possesses."

Phoenix raised an eyebrow at the two of them. This newcomer was... different. They had a native on the ship already and they had not been put in any fleet position, so what was so special about this one? And then there was the woman's use of Gary's first name, which was a bit ... different, but then different cultures, she reminded herself. "How so Captain?" she asked calmly to Gary. "How will she help the Lieutenant and the Science Team?"

Gary took the question in stride. After all it was Phoenix's job to ask questions of newcomers especially a newcomer who wished to become member of the Elysium crew. "Commodore, Cerese is a scientist, a biotechnologist, a botanist. She knows plants. She can help us in identifying harmful ones and ones we can use as food, in meals or even, if need be, as medicine. She can help Holv and the department in expanding their knowledge of plants and other fauna in this system and their attributes."

“My people are chosen and trained from a young age for their future careers. The Varese are empathic and part of that empathic gift is the ability to heal others, but it comes with a price as any injury healed is taken on by the empath healing it. We heal fast but not fast enough sometimes. As for my skills, if I can help you and your crew then I’d like to do that, from what Captain Taylor has shown me of your Starfleet, the training we do on Varese is comparable.”

But was it? Phoenix was all for being friendly but she was not 100% sure about giving this woman a position within the crew. Even Teevs was kept in a civilian role. And she seemed to have convinced Gary rather quickly.

"Yet you are not Starfleet. You are a guest on our ship." The Commodore replied, her tone even. "And we have other guests, none of whom we have granted such... access."

“I’m not asking for access Commodore, I haven’t asked for anything. I simply offer my specialities to you.” Cerese offered a brief smile. “I don’t mind being a civilian specialist if you have such positions, it’s better than sitting around twiddling my fingers when I could be doing something.”

Gary listened as Cerese modified her request to being a civilian specialist." I think Cerese's expertise and knowledge in the area of fauna and flora could be beneficial to us Commodore."

Phoenix looked at Cerese and said "Would you mind waiting outside please."

“Of course Commodore” Cerese nodded and stood up, nodding to Gary she walked out of the office leaving them alone.

When the door closed Phoenix gave Gary a direct look. "Are you sleeping with her?" she asked flatly.

Gary could have made a joke, he didn't. he could have gotten mad, he didn't. What he did do was look Phoenix straight in the eye and tell her flatly and firmly. "No, I am not."

"Well it sure seems like this is something different. I do not remember you taking Teevs' side like this." Phoenix said calmly.

Gary nodded at Phoenix's statement. "I suppose it looks that way but I'm not taking her side, more like advocating for her as is part of my duty as First Officer." He stated and then went on to explain his statement. "I wanted Teevs to fit in and become part of the crew and he is. His knowledge of space and the races is in invaluable. I want the same for Cerese. The difference is Teevs wasn't alone, he had his daughter and a career. Cerese was rescued from slavers; she has a twin sister somewhere. She is trying to find herself. Point is, she is alone, looking for a way to fit in, help and become part of the crew. I think like Teevs she has a lot to offer the crew."

"While that might be true, why should we trust her to be a member of our science team?" Phoenix asked. "We know nothing really about her."

"We're the Federation we take the tired, the poor, the wretched and the downtrodden. We have new people on the ship that we've rescued that we know absolutely nothing about except for the Cardassian and we've extended at least minimum amount of trust to them. Granted none have asked to be a member of the crew, which I think is a point in Cerese's favor. Not to mention she would be a cadet, so there is plenty of supervision on her in case things don't work out." Gary replied evenly.

"We are out here alone and what is to stop her from using what she learned and running off to her people or the Slavers and betraying us?" Phoenix was not liking this suddenly accepting of people. "And the Cardassian is causing enough headaches."

Gary nodded, "True enough and a valid point Phoenix and the answer is absolutely nothing. So, when are we telling all these people we rescued that we're off loading them the first chance we get?" Gary questioned a thin smile on his lips.

She glared at him. "You know perfectly well there is a difference between guest and inviting an unknown to join our crew." The normally blue eyes were going frosty.

Gary was nonplused by Phoenix's glare or her tone. "Of course, I do, and Cerese has made a request to join our crew has a cadet and go to the Academy, where she will supervised every step of the way and should she graduate, she will be supervised in the science department We're not giving her the keys to the car and letting her go off alone."

Phoenix wanted to curse but with the Erisian lexicon now in the UT she could no longer swear at him and others and say it was nothing bad. So she threw up her hands. "Fine on your head be it." She said. "Take her to the academy."

Gary gave a curt, short nod. "As you wish Commodore. I'll take responsibility for Cerese. Do you wish to call her back in an inform her of your decision or do you wish me to tell her?"

"She is your responsibility Captain. You are the one sponsoring the new cadet." Phoenix replied. "You can"

Gary suppressed a sigh at Phoenix's answer. "As you wish Commodore, I can certainly give her the news and also tell her what we expect from her." He answered evenly and smoothly.

Outside Cerese was sensing the emotion in the room, it was obvious her involvement wasn’t liked very much by the Commodore. She hoped to earn the other woman’s trust in time.

Inside the cabin, Gary faced Phoenix, "With your permission Commodore I will inform Cerese of the news."

Phoenix nodded. "Dismissed and love to your daughter"

Gary nodded and turned for the door. He stopped and turned nack to Phoenix. "Thank you Phoenix, LL will love hearing that. You know you can come by and see her anytime you want."

"I will keep that in mind" She said and picked up a PADD. "Good Luck."

Gary nods as he turns and leaves Phoenix's ready Room. He sees Cerese standing anxiously a few feet away. He approaches her, stops and looks at her before saying. "Welcome to the Elysium, cadet Cerese." A broad smile splitting his face.

“Seriously!?” Cerese gave Gary a warm smile. “From what I was feeling from in there I thought it would be bad news.”

Gary's smile grew brighter. "Seriously." He replied. "The Commodore agreed to your request to enroll in the academy as a cadet and take the prescribed courses."

Cerese smiled. “I’ll have to say thank you, once she’s had chance to cool down. I won’t let your faith in me go to waste, that much I promise you. So you have an academy aboard ship?”

Gary shook his head, "Cerese, you don't have anything to prove to me. I have every confidence in that you will succeed. Yes, we have an academy right here on the Elysium."

“Wonderful, in that case I can’t wait to start!” Cerese smiled enthusiastically She was looking forward to starting a new life aboard the Elysium.

"I think that is a great attitude Cerese, keep that outlook and you will have no problem handling the academy." Gary replied pleased with Cerese's upbeat attitude.

“I won’t let you down, that’s a promise” Cerese smiled warmly. She just hoped she could prove to Commodore Lalor that her intentions were good ones.