Casual Chat - Gary

Posted on Tue May 26th, 2026 @ 9:51am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Interlude
Location: Commodore's Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Elysium
881 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

The Ready Room doors slid shut behind Gary, and the Commodore glanced up from her desk with an easy, familiar smile.

“Hey… come in.”

She rose from her chair and moved away from the desk toward the small sitting area by the viewport, already reaching for the carafe.

“Tea? Coffee?”

Without waiting for ceremony, she poured one for herself and set another cup within his reach before settling into the chair opposite.

“This isn’t anything formal—I just wanted a few minutes.”

Cradling the cup in her hands, she studied him briefly—not as a subordinate, but as her XO.

“How are you doing with everything… and how’s the ship really feeling from your side of things?”

Gary returned the smile but made no comment simply followed Phoenix into the small sitting area. He settled into the chair facing her. he didn't reach for the cup on the table before him either.

After a moment he answered her question. "I'm alright. Like you, like everyone else on board. I'm coping. To say that I am taking it one day at a time sounds cliche but it is true. It also helps to keep from feeling overwhelmed and wanting to throw your hands up in dismay. " He reached for the cup and took a sip. "Hmmm good." He noted before going on. "The ship and crew are ... coping." He said after a moment. "They have endured a lot and they know the journey isn't finished. They are tired however but by and large they remain positive. This last battle strengthen their resolve to get home, not to say there weren't a few anxious moments along the way."

"And what if we cannot get home?" Phoenix asked softly. "What if this is where we will need to remain?"

Gary again didn't rush an answer. He thought of what he wanted to say, the message he wanted Phoenix to know. "Let's not put the cart before the horse." He answered and went on, "However if it comes that we can't get home, than we will face it together as a crew as a family and we'll make a decision by taking everything into consideration and make the appropriate decision.. You aren't alone Phoenix. Don't isolate yourself from the crew or your family. You are the commanding officer of the Elysium for a reason and that reason is because you have the strength to weather the storm, You showed that when you got home from the Andromeda Galaxy. You will do it now." He finished.

"I do hope your confidence turns into reality. But we need to consider it might not happen. Voyager was lucky, We were lucky in Andromeda. We may have used all our luck." Phoenix said. "Have you walked to decks recently?"

" I don't believe we have. However, sometimes we need to make our own luck." Gary replied. "No, I have not walked the decks recently. I'm guessing you have. have you noticed something with the crew?"

"Rumours, nothing more. I am going to suggest that all senior staff spend time just walking the decks to be seen and to speak with the junior and enlisted crew a bit more. We need to be seen not hidden away." Phoenix said softly.

Gary picked up on that. "Rumors? Rumors concerning what and enough to be concerned with?" He asked before adding, "Good idea, I can do that and let the crew see me as well."

"Rumours that can kill a command team" Phoenix said "Rumours that we do not care, that we know more than we say, that this is all some big plot by the commanding officers. I am not wanting to be put out an airlock Gary so we need to be seen"

Gary shook his head and his eyes narrowed at what Phoenix told him. "I wish I knew how these rumors get started. For once they start they spread like wildfire and now we need to deal with it and correct the damage done. Like you, I don't want to be out an airlock. I'll definitely make a tour below decks."

"They start from perceived lack of communication and visibility." Phoenix said softly. "When we were in Andromeda, it was hard enough. I had to be, Co, XO and Chief of Operations on a daily basis. Here we have a full command team and we need to make sure they are visible and in some cases, being heard."

"And you did it all and got the ship and crew home. A remarkable accomplishment." Gary replied, "Here as you stated, we have a full command team and we need to make the most of that by walking the ship and not only talking to the crew but listening to their concerns any issues they have. As you mentioned earlier about proception, We need to be perceived as accessible and approachable. Not aloof or unreachable."

Phoenix nodded. "So please encourage the others as well to do the same."

Gary inclined his head in agreement, "I will strongly suggest to the others to get out and be seen among the crew. To talk and listen to what they are saying. We need to stay unified. A divided crew will collapse in on itself." he finished soberly.

Phoenix nodded. "Thank you."