Back in the saddle.

Posted on Fri Apr 3rd, 2020 @ 5:06am by Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Lieutenant JG Roger Moxton & Lieutenant Commander S'hib

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Security Office
Timeline: Shortly after S'hib being freed
1404 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

There he was, stood in front of his locker as if the last few weeks had never happened. He had been affected far more than he was letting on, hiding all his pain behind his alien features that many struggled to understand.

Was it supposed to be this hard he thought, to just... carry on like before? the question seemed to never really leave his mind despite the multitude of answers.

"Just a few hours..." He said to himself, reaching inside his locker for the comm badge he left before going to the surface with Naxea.

Roger Moxton now entered the locker room, "And who might you be?" He looked at S'hib and then nodded his head, "Oh aye I remember now, you're the dozy muckleheed that got caught by the Orion's". Moxton turned and opened his locker, "I'm Lieutenant JG Roger Moxton, your new Deputy Chief. And let's get one thing straight right now, when I give an order I expect it to be carried out". Closing his locker Roger headed for the office, he pushed the chair behind the desk back and sat down. He noted that S'hib just stood and stared, "What's up Lieutenant? Orion got yer tongue? Aye that's right I use this desk now, our Chief doesnae come here much any more".

S'hib stared at the comm badge for a moment, feeling the weight in his hand to make sure it was real before placing it on his uniform. "Just a few hours..." He repeated to himself before gently closing the locker with a deep exhale.

Upon walking into the office he ignored Moxton completely, turning his back to the man and staring at the duty shifts for the day. "Wonder how tays doing..." He said quietly, feeling the gaze of Moxton on the back of his skull.

Moxton continued to wait for S'hib to respond, when he didn't Moxton stood up and spoke again. "Earth to Lieutenant S'hib, I can see why you got captured now. Don't you answer a senior Officer when they address you?"

At this S'hib slowly turned, the silence between the two men made all the more apparent by the clicking of his hooves. "I'll take orders from you... when that desk belongs to you, not before," He snorted loudly, flicking a stubby hoofed digit across the room. "now go sit at YOUR desk and try not to open your mouth again." S'hib finished, turning back to the duty board with a slight twitch in his tail.

S'hib's response caught Moxton on the hop, but he recovered quickly. "Are you threatening a senior Officer? Man I didnae think you were that stupid, now listen and listen good. Our dear Commander has other things on her pretty little brain right now, so I'd be a whole lot more careful on how you talk to me". Roger moved around the desk and faced S'hib, "If the Captain obeys orders, either Holmes or Taylor will be moving. I'm hoping it's Holmes, because I'm starting to like it here".

Moxton's proclamation to usurp Commander Holmes position was the final straw on S'hibs back, His nostrils flared wide as straightened his back, towering over the man he had only just met but was already beginning to dislike very much.

"Whatever you think you know about Commander Holmes, and whatever demons you plan to tell the captain..." S'hib finished, leaning his long flat face against Moxtons forehead as a sign of utmost disrespect. "She is worth a hundred of you..." He said spitefully, snorting directly into Moxton's face before turning his back on the man, flicking him in the leg with his tail as he did so.

"Ok S'hib, just back off! Your very close to crossing the line". Moxton turned as the door to the office opened, Lia stood before them.

Lia had heard the raised voices as she had arrived and now stood glaring at the two men. "Somebody want to tell me what the hell is going on? S'hib? Moxton?" It was then she noticed that Moxton had been sat at her desk, "Do you use that desk often Mr. Moxton? As I believe it states very clearly on the name board, that it's my desk".

“Apparently Ma’am, he thinks it's his desk...” S’hib snorted, turning and coming to attention. “I disagreed with him on this matter and he began shouting at me.” S’hib added, keeping his posture rigid as he stared at the wall between them both.

Moxton went to reply, but Lia raised her hand and stopped him. "Mr. S'hib, are you telling me this Officer is being unreasonable?" She turned to Moxton before S'hib answered, "Mr. Moxton, do you want to tell me anything?"

Roger stared hard at S'hib, "This Officer refused to answer me, when I attempted to inform him who I was and he ignored me. I want him charged with being insubordinate, and threatening a senior Officer".

Looking at the floor, Lia shook her head, "Mr. Moxton, I know this Officer. And he has never been insubordinate nor has he threatened anyone, in fact I am under the impression his species looks badly on those who do threaten others". She now looked back at S'hib, "Well Lieutenant, the ball is in your court. As they say".

"I refused to answer him because while he was informing me of whom he was, he was also belittling me about my time as an Orion slave." S'hib replied without moving, choosing to remain at attention with his jaw held high. "However, when he decided to announce that the desk was his... I thought it would be best to correct Lieutenant Moxton, informing him that the desk is clearly marked as yours Ma'am." S'hib finished, wanting this conversation to be over as quickly as possible.

After all, this wasn't exactly how he imagined his first shift going, standing next to his Department head with his clenched fists shaking nervously behind his back.

"Mr. S'hib, relax will you, your going to sprain something if you remain like that". Lia gave S'hib a quick smile, she knew this all came about through his loyalty to her. She turned back to Moxton, "Well Mr. Moxton, you've heard what this Officer has said. What is your reply?"

Standing with his temper rising, Roger swallowed hard. "I was attempting to lighten the mood Commander, this Officer clearly has no sense of humour". He continued to breath heavy, "As for the desk, I did inform him that it was my desk. You no longer seem to work from here much anymore, so as your Deputy I took over the station".

Lia nodded as Moxton spoke, she now looked him in the eye's. "Point 1, being held captive as a slave is NOT something to make light of. I know, I have been in that position. Point 2, if you want a bloody desk I will indent for one. Just because I don't come here every day, doesn't mean I don't work from here. Point 3, if the pair of you can't resolve problems without resorting to threats. Perhaps we need a Department meeting to sort out those problems, with myself having the final word". She now turned to S'hib, "Lieutenant, I believe your duty has started. Your dismissed, no further action will be taken against you. And I want no further repeat of this unpleasant event, I will talk to you further later in your cabin". She now turned on Moxton, "You heard what I just said, that also applies to you. So unless you wish to see the Captain, I will consider the matter closed".

Roger simply nodded, "Yes Commander". Was all he said, but he had already decided to go to the Captain himself. The paperwork he found would now find it's way to the Captain, she would see just how untrustworthy this bloody female really was.

“Yes ma’am.” S’hib nodded, finally relaxing his posture and heading for the door, refusing to acknowledge Moxton as he left.

Lia now followed S'hib out of the door, in the back of her mind a thought began to form that Moxton needed to be watched. For the first time in her career, she didn't trust someone in her own department.

Commander Lia Holmes
Chief of Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium

Lieutenant JG Roger Moxton
Deputy Chief of Security/Tactical Officer
USS Elysium

Lieutenant JG S’hib
Security Officer
USS Elysium