06-21-2026, 08:07 PM
The subtle brow twitch on Crawford’s face did not escape Sovar’s notice. All he could do was assume that his attempt at levity had clearly not made the mark. Though he didn’t immediately blame his prowess at humour. It was plausible that Crawford was under a great deal of stress, and she simply did not appreciate his attempts at the current juncture. That was quickly combated when she hummed and replied about his bonfire comment with a reference to a libation.
Was she also utilizing levity in response to me?
After attempting to assuage her that he had no ulterior motives, Sovar watched as Captain Crawford seemed to mull over his words. Studying her features, and measuring the silence that followed, it seemed there was significant contemplation going on, which worried him. The tension that had been in the room gathered and felt oppressive, growing, the longer Crawford waited to speak.
Having served on other ships, with Captains who had wildly varying personalities, Crawford was the first one that gave him a sense of unease. Sovar had to remind himself of her lengthy career. Crawford had lifetimes of experience that some Captains would never achieve, and indeed some Admirals did not have. There was plenty for him to learn from her while serving aboard Artemis, if he managed to survive whatever tumultuous waters he had now found himself in.
"I have recently found myself to be a pawn in a game that I have not desire to be a part of but alas, I have little say in it. Much like, I'm afraid, you won't either if your assignment to this ship is just another move in this ridiculous admiralty-led chess game."
There it is. A truth that should set me free is a truth that turns sour in the ear.
So there was a game, or at least Captain Crawford believed there to be. Sovar had not known her for long, but he had spent a great deal of time studying her career. If anyone in the fleet had razor sharp instincts honed through multiple conflicts and years of service, it would be her. So Sovar had to believe, to some degree, that she was telling the truth.
No Admiral had approached him directly and told him to spy on Crawford and company. It had been odd that he was so easily granted access to nearly whatever file he wanted, which had ended up being extensive. However, as Sovar recalled his interactions with Fleet Command, none of the discussions bore any sign of warning that his installation as First Officer was a calculated move. If it was a chess game, Sovar had probably been the pawn at the board’s edge; they had not expected Crawford to pick him.
As Crawford folded her hands on the desk and turned her hard gaze toward him, Sovar met the look with a stoic ease. Being uncomfortably honest was a trait he had seen from Vulcans all his life, and he wondered internally if Crawford would appreciate him thinking of her in such a fashion. Ultimately, whatever would come next, Sovar knew it would be a harsh truth.
"I won't hold that against you but I also don't trust you.”
A slight puff of air from his nose was all that he allowed to show his passing disappointment. The feeling would not linger for long, as Sovar would do as his duty required. Yet starting off without the trust of someone he would be working with closely with for even a mission, did hurt. It was momentary. Sovar reminded himself of everything he had considered previously; Crawford was operating on years of instinct, and an obvious deep belief of conspiratorial posturing against her from the Admiralty. If he didn’t start with trust from Captain Crawford, it only meant that Sovar would have to earn it. It was as simple as that.
Crawford continued, offering up some solace that she clearly didn’t want to make Sovar miserable in his role. Something he was appreciative of. It was his first Command position, and navigating that would be task enough without adding more pressure from above. However, it was clear that the course set would be turbulent at best, as both he and Crawford would be navigating whatever politics had been set upon them. If Sovar could not make a friend of Crawford, then he was resolute in being her ally; a pawn who reached the end of the board could be powerful indeed.
"With that out in the open, do you have any questions before we begin our respective launch duties?"
Sovar pondered for a moment, as there were a great many things that he could ask about, particularly given the recent revelations. Politics, the state of crew morale, or any number of sensitive personal questions about herself specifically. However, there was only one question that for some reason seemed to stand out beyond the rest, and it was very un-Vulcan of him.
“Neat, or on the rocks?”
He paused for just a moment to give space for Crawford to reply, before finding his way to his feet.
“I believe I understand the current situation, Captain. I will endeavour to earn your trust, should it be attainable. Otherwise, I will do my duty with competency and diligence. If you prefer, I can handle the majority of the tasks required of us prior to launch. It would be an excellent learning opportunity for me, and I need less sleep than the average human.”
Sovar stood at ease in front of Crawford’s desk, waiting to be dismissed.
“If that is all, Captain?”
== tag! ==
Was she also utilizing levity in response to me?
After attempting to assuage her that he had no ulterior motives, Sovar watched as Captain Crawford seemed to mull over his words. Studying her features, and measuring the silence that followed, it seemed there was significant contemplation going on, which worried him. The tension that had been in the room gathered and felt oppressive, growing, the longer Crawford waited to speak.
Having served on other ships, with Captains who had wildly varying personalities, Crawford was the first one that gave him a sense of unease. Sovar had to remind himself of her lengthy career. Crawford had lifetimes of experience that some Captains would never achieve, and indeed some Admirals did not have. There was plenty for him to learn from her while serving aboard Artemis, if he managed to survive whatever tumultuous waters he had now found himself in.
"I have recently found myself to be a pawn in a game that I have not desire to be a part of but alas, I have little say in it. Much like, I'm afraid, you won't either if your assignment to this ship is just another move in this ridiculous admiralty-led chess game."
There it is. A truth that should set me free is a truth that turns sour in the ear.
So there was a game, or at least Captain Crawford believed there to be. Sovar had not known her for long, but he had spent a great deal of time studying her career. If anyone in the fleet had razor sharp instincts honed through multiple conflicts and years of service, it would be her. So Sovar had to believe, to some degree, that she was telling the truth.
No Admiral had approached him directly and told him to spy on Crawford and company. It had been odd that he was so easily granted access to nearly whatever file he wanted, which had ended up being extensive. However, as Sovar recalled his interactions with Fleet Command, none of the discussions bore any sign of warning that his installation as First Officer was a calculated move. If it was a chess game, Sovar had probably been the pawn at the board’s edge; they had not expected Crawford to pick him.
As Crawford folded her hands on the desk and turned her hard gaze toward him, Sovar met the look with a stoic ease. Being uncomfortably honest was a trait he had seen from Vulcans all his life, and he wondered internally if Crawford would appreciate him thinking of her in such a fashion. Ultimately, whatever would come next, Sovar knew it would be a harsh truth.
"I won't hold that against you but I also don't trust you.”
A slight puff of air from his nose was all that he allowed to show his passing disappointment. The feeling would not linger for long, as Sovar would do as his duty required. Yet starting off without the trust of someone he would be working with closely with for even a mission, did hurt. It was momentary. Sovar reminded himself of everything he had considered previously; Crawford was operating on years of instinct, and an obvious deep belief of conspiratorial posturing against her from the Admiralty. If he didn’t start with trust from Captain Crawford, it only meant that Sovar would have to earn it. It was as simple as that.
Crawford continued, offering up some solace that she clearly didn’t want to make Sovar miserable in his role. Something he was appreciative of. It was his first Command position, and navigating that would be task enough without adding more pressure from above. However, it was clear that the course set would be turbulent at best, as both he and Crawford would be navigating whatever politics had been set upon them. If Sovar could not make a friend of Crawford, then he was resolute in being her ally; a pawn who reached the end of the board could be powerful indeed.
"With that out in the open, do you have any questions before we begin our respective launch duties?"
Sovar pondered for a moment, as there were a great many things that he could ask about, particularly given the recent revelations. Politics, the state of crew morale, or any number of sensitive personal questions about herself specifically. However, there was only one question that for some reason seemed to stand out beyond the rest, and it was very un-Vulcan of him.
“Neat, or on the rocks?”
He paused for just a moment to give space for Crawford to reply, before finding his way to his feet.
“I believe I understand the current situation, Captain. I will endeavour to earn your trust, should it be attainable. Otherwise, I will do my duty with competency and diligence. If you prefer, I can handle the majority of the tasks required of us prior to launch. It would be an excellent learning opportunity for me, and I need less sleep than the average human.”
Sovar stood at ease in front of Crawford’s desk, waiting to be dismissed.
“If that is all, Captain?”
== tag! ==