Just One More Thing

Posted on Sun May 12th, 2019 @ 7:29am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor]

Mission: Episode 1: Hell is a four letter word
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD2
1377 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Lovejoy stood outside Lalor's Ready Room. They had heard from her lover who was openly hostile to them and their questions but than the whole ship was suffering from a severe case of attitude which he didn't understand at all. They had a job to do and were doing it. He checked his appearance and rang the chime. Now it was time to hear what Lalor had to say about this whole sordid affair. It should prove interesting to say the least.

"Come!" came the call from inside the room. The doors opened to reveal the ready room.

The room was starfleet issue basically, but for the two very low couches in the corner around, an antique table. On it was a small sphere with swirls of blue and gold. And it was flanked by two fat white candles. Captain Lalor's personal touches.

The captain herself was behind the desk, alone in the ready room, reading reports.

At the command of Come, Garrett entered to room. his eyes quickly taking in the contents before settling on Captain Phoenix Lalor who sitting behind her desk reading reports. He walked to the front of the desk and spoke, "I hope I'm not bothering you Captain." In reality he didn't care if he was or not. He had a job to do and he was damn sure going to do it.

She gave him a pleasant smile. "Of course not Commander, I was just finishing up on approving my science teams investigation into the planet we just left." She turned the screen off. "What can I assist you with?" This man, unlike his companion, was more of an enigma.

"Thank you." He answered crisply. He gestured at the chair in front of her desk, "May I?" He inquired. He had no intention of assuming anything. This was going to be done the right way.

"Please." Phoenix nodded.

He nodded and settled into the chair, getting comfortable. Once he was he pulled out a PaDD. "Just a few questions Captain. Shouldn't take long."

"of course. Ask away Commander." Phoenix was sure she was not going to good.

He didn't even look at his PaDD as he asked the first question. "We talked to Master Chief Waters earlier and he has confirmed that the two of you are in a relationship. How long have you been in this relationship Captain?"

"Nearly 2 and a half years." She replied. "We began our relationship when I was chief of Operations and in the Andromeda Galaxy. It was casual to begin with, but it was permanent by the time we returned."

He made no comment on her answer just moved to his next question. "The fact that you are an officer and he enlisted doesn't bother you?"

She gave a half shrug. "He is not in my direct chain of command. All disciplinary acts are handled by his direct command and the Executive officer, as well as his reviews and promotions." She leaned back in her chair. "And when we were in the Andromeda galaxy, seemed like it was rather silly to worry about rank when each day was a survival fight."

"But you aren't in the Andromeda Galaxy any longer Captain. Survival is no longer an everyday fight to quote you. So why has this relationship been allowed to continue?"

She raised an elegant eyebrow but let her lips curve. "Did you know Commander, I had no aspirations to be captain of this ship? I came back and assumed, without any regret that I would be replaced as CO and resume my old role as Chief of Operations. I knew not what Admiral Sharr had planned, nor did I expect to even be given Executive Officer. When they introduced me to Gary Taylor, I assumed he was going to outrank me, and that another captain would be assigned. In fact I was quite happy to hand it all over to someone else. Being captain of this ship? Not in my plan or my view. But it is my job. I do it well. And my personal life, such as it is, has never affected my job or the ability to do it. Ken and I are in love, we are lovers and we do not intend to stop that. I have spoken with my superiors about it, and as long as he remains outside the direct line of report to me, which as he is enlisted, the only way that would be if he was to become chief of the boat, then everything is fine. And, should we formalize our relationship with what humans term as marriage, then, the situation might be different."

A smile graced his features at her answer but it was a cold, impersonal smile that never reached his eyes. "You may think me cruel, heartless Captain that isn't so. I have no comment about you and Master Chief Waters being in love. My concern is how this ship functions, how the command team functions. That the chain of command functions as it is suppose to. Have you not ever thought you are compromised Captain? That those who want to hurt, destroy you or learn the secrets of this ship would use the Master Chief to do so?"

"Yes, and they could quite as easily use my sister or my best friend against me. Everyone has those weaknesses Commander. Even the Commodore. She has family who can be used against her, she is happily married after all. She has a husband, children and siblings. Life is like that. Its messy. But I do my job. I work well with my command staff. Without Commander Taylor I would be lost ten times over. He has been a great Executive Officer and has, in the past two years, become a reliable source of wisdom and support. I knew when I took the post, i would be watched. I was not even 26 when I became captain. I am looking down the barrel of my 28th birthday and I can say that the past two years have given me more experience then I ever thought I would get."

"Yes, yes Captain. " Lovejoy replied hastily. However the Commodore does not sit in the center seat of the jewel of the fleet with the latest in Federation technology at her fingertips. You do and she isn't the topic of this discussion you are." He paused and commented, "Yes, the redoubtable Commander Taylor." but said nothing further on him. He looked across the desk at Phoenix. "Captain, I don't have the authority to tell you to end this relationship nor if I did would I be inclined to. However I will say, I think you are playing a dangerous game that could destroy your career." He held up his hand to stop any comeback. "Not by me or the even the Commodore but by other dark forces that are out there."

"If we live in fear Commander then that is no life at all." Phoenix said softly. "I face each day, and I do not fear the future."

"Thank you Captain. I believe I have all I need. If there is nothing else I'll take my leave of you." He said rising from the chair. He headed for the door, stopped and turned to look back at her. " As we humans say, they only thing we have to fear is fear itself." He paused, considering what he wanted to say next. "I admire your convictions Captain. I truly do. I just hope they don't come back to cause you harm."

She stood as he did. "I am sure if they do, you will not be the first to say as humans put it 'I told you so' Commander"

"I think that is a very safe assumption Captain. In fact I'm sure of it." He replied as he walked to the door.

"Commander, enjoy your time on the Elysium. I am sure it will be eyeopening for you." Phoenix said as he exited her office. She sat and rolled her eyes to the ceiling when the doors closed behind him. "Llie n'vanima ar' lle atara lanneina." She muttered to the room, in her native tongue.

OFF

Captain Phoenix Lalor
Commanding Officer
USS Elysium

Commander Garrett Lovejoy
Adjunct to Commodore Mountbatten.