03-10-2025, 05:14 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-10-2025, 05:15 PM by Peter Jensen.)
Peter was definitely caught off guard by the changing circumstances of the mission. Not only was this a First Contact mission - which would be his second of his career - but he was going to lead the "practical" aspect of it.
Not that he didn't feel he could, of course. He was nervous, sure, but that was the hallmark of a good officer, he thought. Nerves before important missions - and there were few missions more important than first contact - were important to make sure everyone was at their best.
No, his apprehension didn't spike until she assigned him his crew. Chetstone as pilot. Alden as tactical officer. The others were at least trained in the roles they were assigned, but assigning a security officer as tactical struck him as a mistake, and a potentially big one.
He wasn't going to go out and say such, of course. And he tried to remind himself of the famous Worf, who had started as a security officer, but turned into quite the tactical officer in his own right.
And trying to ignore the voice in the back of his mind which reminded him that when Worf went on to tactical, he was quite a bit further in his career than a Middie fresh out of the Academy.
Peter was happy that his back was turned as he'd headed over to a nearby console to send a message to Sickbay to kindly attend the meeting they'd been called to, please, and thank you, because that allowed him to close his eyes and take a deep breath so that his feelings on this matter wouldn't show. He took that moment, and then turned back to take his place again.
When the Trill started speaking, however, Peter found himself wishing he'd stop. His fist ever so tightly clenched when the suit started disrespecting his crew in front of them. Had the Captain not been here, he would have had choice words for the man, more than before, even, but she was. So he held his tongue.
Alden, however, did not, and Peter had to force himself to not chuckle loudly. The kid had balls, that much was certain. And oh, how it must have bothered the suit to be spoken to like that by a Midshipman. Peter was almost gleeful as he noticed Art's reaction, and he read it well. It was definitely both a reproach and "I have your back" at the same time, and he approved wholeheartedly.
He would have done the same as COS.
I suddenly like Midshipman Alden a lot more than a few minutes ago.
When Jadaris spoke up, Peter could have kissed him, if he had been inclined that way, and if he wasn't already in a committed relationship with one of his subordinates. His thoughts mirrored Jadaris'. They simply didn't have enough information to go on to draw any kind of conclusion.
And on that subject...
"Cdr. Jadaris brings up excellent points", he said, looking at the not-so-diplomatic diplomat. Until now, the apperance he'd likely given was one of a man who had listened and taken in all of the perspectives being offered before offering his own. "We don't really know enough about them to make a lot of conclusions of any kind, do we? Also, I will also thank you to note the fact that the crew will not be exclusively junior officers. Unless, of course, you consider the First Officer junior too?", he said pointedly, then continued before the man could respond:
"Another question, on the same line of thought as Cdr. Jadaris: Is there any indication as to whether or not the race is ceremonial, or meant as an actual challenge? I mean are we expected to do our best to win the race, or are we expected to treat it as a Roman triumph and keep ourselves behind the Wairarans? Any taboos to avoid? Any bit of confirmed information would be helpful"
He didn't expect there to be much, of course, given the nature of the mission, but even a little bit, he would gladly take.
First Contact-missions were risky enough by their very nature. Going in there more blind than necessary was an idea he did not relish.
Not that he didn't feel he could, of course. He was nervous, sure, but that was the hallmark of a good officer, he thought. Nerves before important missions - and there were few missions more important than first contact - were important to make sure everyone was at their best.
No, his apprehension didn't spike until she assigned him his crew. Chetstone as pilot. Alden as tactical officer. The others were at least trained in the roles they were assigned, but assigning a security officer as tactical struck him as a mistake, and a potentially big one.
He wasn't going to go out and say such, of course. And he tried to remind himself of the famous Worf, who had started as a security officer, but turned into quite the tactical officer in his own right.
And trying to ignore the voice in the back of his mind which reminded him that when Worf went on to tactical, he was quite a bit further in his career than a Middie fresh out of the Academy.
Peter was happy that his back was turned as he'd headed over to a nearby console to send a message to Sickbay to kindly attend the meeting they'd been called to, please, and thank you, because that allowed him to close his eyes and take a deep breath so that his feelings on this matter wouldn't show. He took that moment, and then turned back to take his place again.
When the Trill started speaking, however, Peter found himself wishing he'd stop. His fist ever so tightly clenched when the suit started disrespecting his crew in front of them. Had the Captain not been here, he would have had choice words for the man, more than before, even, but she was. So he held his tongue.
Alden, however, did not, and Peter had to force himself to not chuckle loudly. The kid had balls, that much was certain. And oh, how it must have bothered the suit to be spoken to like that by a Midshipman. Peter was almost gleeful as he noticed Art's reaction, and he read it well. It was definitely both a reproach and "I have your back" at the same time, and he approved wholeheartedly.
He would have done the same as COS.
I suddenly like Midshipman Alden a lot more than a few minutes ago.
When Jadaris spoke up, Peter could have kissed him, if he had been inclined that way, and if he wasn't already in a committed relationship with one of his subordinates. His thoughts mirrored Jadaris'. They simply didn't have enough information to go on to draw any kind of conclusion.
And on that subject...
"Cdr. Jadaris brings up excellent points", he said, looking at the not-so-diplomatic diplomat. Until now, the apperance he'd likely given was one of a man who had listened and taken in all of the perspectives being offered before offering his own. "We don't really know enough about them to make a lot of conclusions of any kind, do we? Also, I will also thank you to note the fact that the crew will not be exclusively junior officers. Unless, of course, you consider the First Officer junior too?", he said pointedly, then continued before the man could respond:
"Another question, on the same line of thought as Cdr. Jadaris: Is there any indication as to whether or not the race is ceremonial, or meant as an actual challenge? I mean are we expected to do our best to win the race, or are we expected to treat it as a Roman triumph and keep ourselves behind the Wairarans? Any taboos to avoid? Any bit of confirmed information would be helpful"
He didn't expect there to be much, of course, given the nature of the mission, but even a little bit, he would gladly take.
First Contact-missions were risky enough by their very nature. Going in there more blind than necessary was an idea he did not relish.