<<Bridge<<
Keir might have been the youngest member of the crew having only recently celebrated hir 20th birthday; but that was the burden and privilege of being Hermat. Having entered the Academy just before hir 4th birthday and spending time on active duty as an Engineering officer and twice now as a First officer; youth was not a burden for Keir.
Though there was no outward sign that this was more than a normal meeting between CO and FO, there seemed to be an undertone in the initial conversation which despite the legitimacy of what was said; it felt like there was a bigger reason.
And s/he thought it might be something outside of policy and procedure; and took the proffered seat, waiting...
The first question was a legitimate one and s/he addressed it. "I have ordered that an experienced Officer and an NCO be on duty at all times such that should there be any unforeseen issues they can act and also alert me. Ensign Singer and myself went over all relevant systems during my visit and both of us agreed that all showed no likelihood of failure, but we remain vigilant."
The next concern seemed a trifle forced but still relevant. There is more here, is he stalling?, thought Keir
"Security, Helm and Medical all appear to be well experienced and practiced in their duties and responsibilities so no issues there and clearly I do and will have a solid hold on Engineering. Ra'an is an experienced officer and clearly sufficiently skilled in her departmental skills, however she does lack Away team exposure, but this mission will hopefully be rectified that; so no, I am comfortable with your choices."
Keir mused; okay now he seems to be on edge. The Captain appeared nervous and even without hir superior olfactory senses it was all too evident.
The details spilled out of the Captain; and not in a nervous rush, but clearly he was on edge about the topic and sadly it was exactly what Keir had been privately concerned about. S/he had a relatively long-term relationship with hir wife and despite being on the same ship their departments rarely crossed; this however was an entirely different matter.
Hir time spent with Samantha had taught the relatively young officer a lot about reading people and as s/he listened the nervousness appeared to be muted as if he had made up his mind already that there was nothing amiss.
He is not entirely correct on that the First officer silently mused
Keeping hir tone of voice level Keir addressed hir superior, and with a level, measured tone suggested: "Why don't you take a seat Commander. You are almost looming over me and while I respect that you are highly invested in this topic I think I would prefer that you sit so we can have a measured discussion, can you do that for me?
Continuing; Keir met the Commander's eye and maintained that contact. S/he had learned that many of the other species’ s/he had served with sometimes felt threatened and were off guard when a predator; such as a Hermat held that gaze and s/he wanted to be sure that what he had said about this not being an issue was in fact something that he; himself did in fact; believe.
Assuming he does.
"Well,", there was a pause as the Second Officer regarded hir superior, and continued. "As I see this there are two different aspects to what you have just revealed to me and I will get to the one that I feel you are most concerned with, but we will address that one, next.
I will say that I believe that your stated interest in Lieutenant Ra'an could put you in the position where personnel other than myself could construe future actions and interactions with the Lieutenant were not entirely motivated by your professional judgement and infer from that a possible bias. And while I do NOT share that opinion; having read through your service record I do not think you would allow that to happen and that your orders and interactions with the Lieutenant would in fact be guided by the best interests of the ship and crew."
S/he paused..."However that might not be the opinion of others; both superior to you as well as those under your command. This situation has the potential to create inferences which might be difficult to dismiss and could impact your relationship with the crew and your superiors. As of now we do not know for certain who else might be aware of your relationship.
To that end it is my considered opinion that for the first mission you place the Lieutenant under my command. You could still issue orders to her, but they would pass through me and as such would be filtered in such a way to buffer that implied prejudice. Once we have had a mission completed, then I could discuss with you; at that time offer my professional opinion on this matter.
I am certain that you feel you can remain unbiased, but this is about perceived impressions; not factual ones. What do you think Commander?"
==Tag Ameen==
Keir might have been the youngest member of the crew having only recently celebrated hir 20th birthday; but that was the burden and privilege of being Hermat. Having entered the Academy just before hir 4th birthday and spending time on active duty as an Engineering officer and twice now as a First officer; youth was not a burden for Keir.
Though there was no outward sign that this was more than a normal meeting between CO and FO, there seemed to be an undertone in the initial conversation which despite the legitimacy of what was said; it felt like there was a bigger reason.
And s/he thought it might be something outside of policy and procedure; and took the proffered seat, waiting...
The first question was a legitimate one and s/he addressed it. "I have ordered that an experienced Officer and an NCO be on duty at all times such that should there be any unforeseen issues they can act and also alert me. Ensign Singer and myself went over all relevant systems during my visit and both of us agreed that all showed no likelihood of failure, but we remain vigilant."
The next concern seemed a trifle forced but still relevant. There is more here, is he stalling?, thought Keir
"Security, Helm and Medical all appear to be well experienced and practiced in their duties and responsibilities so no issues there and clearly I do and will have a solid hold on Engineering. Ra'an is an experienced officer and clearly sufficiently skilled in her departmental skills, however she does lack Away team exposure, but this mission will hopefully be rectified that; so no, I am comfortable with your choices."
Keir mused; okay now he seems to be on edge. The Captain appeared nervous and even without hir superior olfactory senses it was all too evident.
The details spilled out of the Captain; and not in a nervous rush, but clearly he was on edge about the topic and sadly it was exactly what Keir had been privately concerned about. S/he had a relatively long-term relationship with hir wife and despite being on the same ship their departments rarely crossed; this however was an entirely different matter.
Hir time spent with Samantha had taught the relatively young officer a lot about reading people and as s/he listened the nervousness appeared to be muted as if he had made up his mind already that there was nothing amiss.
He is not entirely correct on that the First officer silently mused
Keeping hir tone of voice level Keir addressed hir superior, and with a level, measured tone suggested: "Why don't you take a seat Commander. You are almost looming over me and while I respect that you are highly invested in this topic I think I would prefer that you sit so we can have a measured discussion, can you do that for me?
Continuing; Keir met the Commander's eye and maintained that contact. S/he had learned that many of the other species’ s/he had served with sometimes felt threatened and were off guard when a predator; such as a Hermat held that gaze and s/he wanted to be sure that what he had said about this not being an issue was in fact something that he; himself did in fact; believe.
Assuming he does.
"Well,", there was a pause as the Second Officer regarded hir superior, and continued. "As I see this there are two different aspects to what you have just revealed to me and I will get to the one that I feel you are most concerned with, but we will address that one, next.
I will say that I believe that your stated interest in Lieutenant Ra'an could put you in the position where personnel other than myself could construe future actions and interactions with the Lieutenant were not entirely motivated by your professional judgement and infer from that a possible bias. And while I do NOT share that opinion; having read through your service record I do not think you would allow that to happen and that your orders and interactions with the Lieutenant would in fact be guided by the best interests of the ship and crew."
S/he paused..."However that might not be the opinion of others; both superior to you as well as those under your command. This situation has the potential to create inferences which might be difficult to dismiss and could impact your relationship with the crew and your superiors. As of now we do not know for certain who else might be aware of your relationship.
To that end it is my considered opinion that for the first mission you place the Lieutenant under my command. You could still issue orders to her, but they would pass through me and as such would be filtered in such a way to buffer that implied prejudice. Once we have had a mission completed, then I could discuss with you; at that time offer my professional opinion on this matter.
I am certain that you feel you can remain unbiased, but this is about perceived impressions; not factual ones. What do you think Commander?"
==Tag Ameen==