Breaking the News

Posted on Fri Apr 10th, 2020 @ 11:50am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Gary's Ready Room
Timeline: Before Departure, All Hands Prepare!
896 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary sat in his office and reviewed the PaDD before him. He allowed a smile to come to his face as he read the information it held. Samantha Justice had been accepted into the on board Academy the Elysium housed. She would be going in as a third year cadet due to her extensive experience in engineering. In addition and as an added surprise for Samantha he had wrangled a field commission for her, that of a petty officer second class with the proviso she helped other cadets in engineering classes and pulled an occasional duty shift. It would show Samantha that hard work and dedication was noticed and rewarded.

Now it was time to break the news to Samantha. He tapped his combadge, "Taylor to Justice, please report to my Ready Room."

=Coming, Sir.= Sami replied, walking out of the mess hall to the XO's ready room and hoping she hadn't messed up somehow and gotten in trouble. In under two minutes she was in front of his office and rang the chime, waiting nervously for him to answer.

Gary heard the chime and knew it must be Sami. He put on his best poker face and called out "Enter!" As he stood behind his desk and waited for Sami to come in.

Taylor's use of the word, 'Enter' instead of the more cordial 'Come in' sent Sami's mind into overdrive, trying to figure out what she had done to hack off the XO? She decided it had to be something Holt, who made his dislike for her obvious, had said about her, since she couldn't recall any recent infractions. She entered the office and came to attention, "You wanted to see me, Sir?" she managed, also succeeding in hiding her quaking voice.

"Sami. Yes, I did have a seat please." Gary replied noticing how nervous Sami was at being here. "Do you know why you are here Sami?" He asked as he sat down.

"No, sir." She replied honestly, he knew she was nervous, that was blood in the water for officers, "But, I know I only thought 'You nasty son of a bitch' at Lt. Holt and didn't actually say it, so I can't be in any trouble."

"Ah yes and off the record I agree with you. However that is not why you are here." He held up a PaDD. "This PaDD has your request and answer to join the Elysium Academy."

Sami stopped for a second and took a deep breath, preparing for the worst but fervently hoping for the best, "What does it say, Sir?" She asked, when she could speak again.

Gary held the PaDD in his hand and looked at it before looking back at Sami. "I think it's best if you see for yourself Sami. I want you to know I tried. I really tried." as he handed her the PaDD and waited for her reaction.

Sami scanned the PaDD quickly, it was everything she'd hoped for and more, "Wait, so I get to go to school and still work in engineering?" She asked, her joy obvious to all, "That's amazing, Commander! Thank you, so much!"

"You certainly do and did you notice your rank?" Gary asked, his face finally breaking into am ear to eat smile. "Congratulations Sami. You earned this." He told her sincerely.

"Wow, that is quite an upgrade." Sami smiled, "Thank you so much, Commander, your help in this is so appreciated."

Gary smiled and came around the desk, "You are most welcome Sami, I'm glad I could help you but this is because of your efforts and your hard work."

"Well, my mama always told me, 'Sami, you're going to have to work twice as hard to get noticed half as much.' And I took that to heart." She replied, hoping her mother's words didn't seem to harsh to someone who didn't know her, "That really helped me focus so I can get where I am."

"Sami, you have done amazing and i know you will continue to do amazing things. Get with Kara to work out a duty schedule around your classes." Gary informed her.

"Yes, Sir." Sami replied, happy that she'd be able to continue working in engineering, not wanting to put those relationships on hold for two years, "Again, thank you!"

"Keep it up Sami and you'll have your commission in no time. Until them Petty Officer Justice keep up the outstanding work."

"Of course, Sir." Sami smiled, turning to leave, she needed to talk to the Chief now, find out how much time she could still spend in her favorite place in the galaxy, the engine room.

Gary smiled at her, he was expecting great things from Sami. She had an amazing gift for engineering and it needed to be nurtured and cultivated so it could reach it's full potential. "Go Petty Officer." He said in mock annoyance. "Some of us have work to do."

"Already gone, sir." Sami called from the corridor, right before the door shut behind her, she needed to get her ducks in a row as it were.

Gary shook his head and sat down to tackle the pile of PaDDS on his desk. "Look out world, here comes Sami Justice."

And he was right, she was finally on her way, just like she'd always dreamed, and nothing was going to stop her.