05-26-2026, 03:01 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-26-2026, 03:03 AM by Sovar.
Edit Reason: added an Oxford comma!
)
== Launch Timeline ==
The accepted hand, and the shake that went with it, did not outwardly provide Sovar any information about the Captain; except that perhaps she was guarding her feelings. It was when Crawford took the PADD from him that he gleaned something more. Sovar had seen her brow rise, and calculated that she had much more in common with Vulcans than she might realize. Perhaps not perceptible to many others but he also clocked her pause with his so-called ‘list’. It was, in his estimation, not a good sign.
“Oh yes, it's purely ornamental. You'll find that the Artemis is practically pacifistic in nature.”
Without hesitation Sovar turned his face to fully square up with Crawford’s and replied just as dryly,
“Perhaps, then, I should inform the crew?”
Captain Crawford’s retort to his comment on the weapons was, as Sovar decided, sarcastic and very obviously a humorous fabrication. While he had not had the clearance initially to find out much about the Artemis, the Admiralty seemed keen to ensure that there was clarity about his potential future transfer. When an initial request for more information was granted to Sovar, he pressed further and was given an even greater amount of access to the exploits, and follies, of the USS Artemis. If there was a mission, it was rare that it didn’t have some sort of altercation or firefight in the After Action Reports. One in particular that he recalled, had the First Officer fire upon his own crewmember.
As she continued to speak, he realized that his attempt at a joke had fallen flat. The Captain mentioned Cera Morgan, not by name but by position; and he knew her by reputation. Sovar had no doubt Morgan would be able to make arrangements. It was well known within Fleet Logistics that if you wanted something particular and specific, perhaps even rare or questionably obtainable, Morgan could get it. Though in hindsight, if Crawford hadn't taken the request as a joke, Sovar suspected she may have found it puerile.
Everything else that Captain Crawford then said spoke volumes to the tension he had noted when entering the Ready Room. A tension Sovar knew he’d be unable to fully dissipate. Obviously politics were at play, as the gleeful dispensation of historical data by the Admiralty previously informed him. Captain Crawford’s careful phrasing only served to acknowledge the possibility of such a tug of war.
“There was no inconvenience, Captain,” he took up the chair that she had motioned him to.
“I was aware that I would be given a Command position, and was prepared for last minute assignments. I did not, however, know I would be assigned to the Artemis. Only that it was an option, and one that I could not pass upon.”
Sitting straight up in the chair, he was briefly uncertain of just what to tell Captain Crawford about himself. Aside from his very first posting on the Susquehanna, all other Captains had thoroughly vetted his dossier. Did she want his full career history? Or was this about ‘getting to know him’ as Human Captains were so fond of doing?
“Half-Vulcan and half-Edo, I graduated from both the Vulcan Science Academy and Star Fleet Academy; Astrophysics from the former, then Security and Tactical from the latter. I have served aboard the Susquehanna, Biko, and Endeavour with commendations for my service on all three. I also enjoy long walks on the beach…”
He paused for effect.
“...particularly if there is a bonfire to appreciate at the end.”
Sovar let the last part linger with little but a raised brow.
“If I may, Captain, I would like to… ‘clear the air’, to avoid any misunderstandings. It is obvious that there is some tension. I suspect the Admiralty to be behind that. I can assure you that I am not here as a mole or informer. To the contrary, I intend to perform my duties as a First Officer faithfully. That is, to serve the Artemis, her crew, and you, with diligence and discretion. For as long, or short, a time as required.”
== taggity! ==
The accepted hand, and the shake that went with it, did not outwardly provide Sovar any information about the Captain; except that perhaps she was guarding her feelings. It was when Crawford took the PADD from him that he gleaned something more. Sovar had seen her brow rise, and calculated that she had much more in common with Vulcans than she might realize. Perhaps not perceptible to many others but he also clocked her pause with his so-called ‘list’. It was, in his estimation, not a good sign.
“Oh yes, it's purely ornamental. You'll find that the Artemis is practically pacifistic in nature.”
Without hesitation Sovar turned his face to fully square up with Crawford’s and replied just as dryly,
“Perhaps, then, I should inform the crew?”
Captain Crawford’s retort to his comment on the weapons was, as Sovar decided, sarcastic and very obviously a humorous fabrication. While he had not had the clearance initially to find out much about the Artemis, the Admiralty seemed keen to ensure that there was clarity about his potential future transfer. When an initial request for more information was granted to Sovar, he pressed further and was given an even greater amount of access to the exploits, and follies, of the USS Artemis. If there was a mission, it was rare that it didn’t have some sort of altercation or firefight in the After Action Reports. One in particular that he recalled, had the First Officer fire upon his own crewmember.
As she continued to speak, he realized that his attempt at a joke had fallen flat. The Captain mentioned Cera Morgan, not by name but by position; and he knew her by reputation. Sovar had no doubt Morgan would be able to make arrangements. It was well known within Fleet Logistics that if you wanted something particular and specific, perhaps even rare or questionably obtainable, Morgan could get it. Though in hindsight, if Crawford hadn't taken the request as a joke, Sovar suspected she may have found it puerile.
Everything else that Captain Crawford then said spoke volumes to the tension he had noted when entering the Ready Room. A tension Sovar knew he’d be unable to fully dissipate. Obviously politics were at play, as the gleeful dispensation of historical data by the Admiralty previously informed him. Captain Crawford’s careful phrasing only served to acknowledge the possibility of such a tug of war.
“There was no inconvenience, Captain,” he took up the chair that she had motioned him to.
“I was aware that I would be given a Command position, and was prepared for last minute assignments. I did not, however, know I would be assigned to the Artemis. Only that it was an option, and one that I could not pass upon.”
Sitting straight up in the chair, he was briefly uncertain of just what to tell Captain Crawford about himself. Aside from his very first posting on the Susquehanna, all other Captains had thoroughly vetted his dossier. Did she want his full career history? Or was this about ‘getting to know him’ as Human Captains were so fond of doing?
“Half-Vulcan and half-Edo, I graduated from both the Vulcan Science Academy and Star Fleet Academy; Astrophysics from the former, then Security and Tactical from the latter. I have served aboard the Susquehanna, Biko, and Endeavour with commendations for my service on all three. I also enjoy long walks on the beach…”
He paused for effect.
“...particularly if there is a bonfire to appreciate at the end.”
Sovar let the last part linger with little but a raised brow.
“If I may, Captain, I would like to… ‘clear the air’, to avoid any misunderstandings. It is obvious that there is some tension. I suspect the Admiralty to be behind that. I can assure you that I am not here as a mole or informer. To the contrary, I intend to perform my duties as a First Officer faithfully. That is, to serve the Artemis, her crew, and you, with diligence and discretion. For as long, or short, a time as required.”
== taggity! ==