08-03-2024, 04:39 AM
Coleman did much more than just listen as the meeting continued, and was instead watching the reactions at the table. Questions came and went, reactions to Sydesh’s run-of-the-mouth, but otherwise most were quiet at the table. Though it was what wasn’t said that was speaking the most to him. As Captain Givens’ gave her best answers regarding Elias and Crawford, Damian continued to scan the room. There was a moment, as silence hung in the air, that Coleman caught Givens looking at him. In reaction, he gave a slight turn of his head, deciding not to add more to the current conversation; for the time being.
It was Grant who was the next one to speak up after Miller had her question answered, and both were thoughtful queries. Though it was Calleja that Damian’s eyes settled on next. Watching her shoulders rise and then fall, he tried not to react to seeing her steady her breathing. It was a good technique, especially with the entire galaxy upended; or so it felt like for them. Though he hadn’t ever been part of a change in command, it wasn’t completely unheard of. It was why there had been a change of command in the first place that rankled and left the air thick amongst those in the room.
Attention snapped to the words that Givens was speaking in answer to Miles, with one part in particular that happened to affect Damian more than he would care to admit, and certainly wouldn’t outwardly show.
“...There are pockets within the powers that be that feel that this ship has been corrupted from the top down and that there is no fixing it without dismantling it entirely…”
Oh yeah, ‘cause of course it is us who are corrupted. Burdened with the impossible, but still came out on top. They wanted us to fail. Hell, feels like someone in the brass wanted some of us to not be here anymore…
Managing to maintain his composure, Damian took his own steadied breath in response and swallowed his feelings on the matter. It wouldn’t help anyone to buck what was happening until he knew where all the cards were landing. Even then, Coleman questioned just how much politicking he could even do. Compared to Tyra, his list of high-up associates was rather thin. No, Damian realized the best thing he could do was to make sure that everything stayed copasetic.
"You all are capable and accomplished but you also have an amazing ability as individuals to do absolutely knuckleheaded things. And if I start to see that, I damn well will make changes if it's going to save the whole. Understood?"
Coleman bit his cheek to avoid the words that were just waiting to swan dive off the tip of his tongue. There wasn’t even an acknowledging nod that was ever present in his repertoire of responses either. Damian simply sat there, trying not to infect the room with his own feelings. Cass was not the enemy, that much he knew. And if she worked for the enemy, she likely didn’t even realize it.
"Alright… I think that's enough Q&A for the time being…”
At that, Damian did respond, sitting up just a little in his chair. Considering everything the crew had been through on the last mission, it had been a hell of a fight to get them the recognition they deserved. Thankfully, Cassandra had agreed to doling out the medals. It felt like it would serve a two-fold function. For the crew to see that Givens was recognizing efforts that had been incredible, and for the new Captain to also see just how truly talented a crew she had. It wouldn’t take the sting away from everything that had happened. However, he hoped it might be the beginning of efforts to build bridges.
Taking the two boxes that Givens had set aside for him to dole out, Coleman stood up from his chair and approached Grant. Handing one of the boxes over to Miles, Damian also extended his hand out too. Grant’s box had been slightly larger than the others, in order to accommodate its dual contents.
“Congratulations Lieutenant Grant,” Coleman smiled genuinely, making note that the solid pip would certainly fit him better for his current and continuing role, and the medal would look nice on a mantle.
“We wanted to personally make sure you got your recognition.”
When Damian had said ‘we’, he hadn’t been referring to Cass. It had been something that he and Tyra had discussed before she’d been placed on leave. It was that part, that he wanted Miles to know more than anything else.
With intentions conveyed, he moved on. Making his way over to Star, he handed her the smaller box, within which was also another solid pip. The same handshake and smile was also offered to her as he spoke.
“Good work Ensign Star.”
“Yeah. Welcome.”
He had heard Mara’s voice just as he finished up with Emily, and saw Calleja rising from her chair.
“Wish it was under better circumstances.”
Thankfully, Damian was near enough that it only took a solid couple strides to clear the distance. Putting himself directly in Mara’s way, he blocked the exit to the door. There was no smile on his face now as he looked at her. She’d been doing so well, had been so understanding up until that point, and now he realized the folly of his own mistake. It was the medals. Of course they were overly bitter, boldly the result of what had come before. And they were a reminder of why everything had been shaken up. Damian would worry about his misjudgement later, and instead stood before the amazonian woman.
“Have a seat Lieutenant Calleja,” Coleman's tone hinted at understanding, even though his face spoke without words that there’d be no discussion about the command, and it was a command.
“The meeting isn’t done yet.”
Coleman had worded it so it seemed like it was only a misunderstanding on Mara's part. He only hoped that she would listen to him without creating more of a scene, or being a knucklehead, as Cass had referenced. Everything was still very fluid, and it wouldn’t take much for even more things to change. That was something he didn’t want.
== tag Grant, Emily, and especially Mara ==
It was Grant who was the next one to speak up after Miller had her question answered, and both were thoughtful queries. Though it was Calleja that Damian’s eyes settled on next. Watching her shoulders rise and then fall, he tried not to react to seeing her steady her breathing. It was a good technique, especially with the entire galaxy upended; or so it felt like for them. Though he hadn’t ever been part of a change in command, it wasn’t completely unheard of. It was why there had been a change of command in the first place that rankled and left the air thick amongst those in the room.
Attention snapped to the words that Givens was speaking in answer to Miles, with one part in particular that happened to affect Damian more than he would care to admit, and certainly wouldn’t outwardly show.
“...There are pockets within the powers that be that feel that this ship has been corrupted from the top down and that there is no fixing it without dismantling it entirely…”
Oh yeah, ‘cause of course it is us who are corrupted. Burdened with the impossible, but still came out on top. They wanted us to fail. Hell, feels like someone in the brass wanted some of us to not be here anymore…
Managing to maintain his composure, Damian took his own steadied breath in response and swallowed his feelings on the matter. It wouldn’t help anyone to buck what was happening until he knew where all the cards were landing. Even then, Coleman questioned just how much politicking he could even do. Compared to Tyra, his list of high-up associates was rather thin. No, Damian realized the best thing he could do was to make sure that everything stayed copasetic.
"You all are capable and accomplished but you also have an amazing ability as individuals to do absolutely knuckleheaded things. And if I start to see that, I damn well will make changes if it's going to save the whole. Understood?"
Coleman bit his cheek to avoid the words that were just waiting to swan dive off the tip of his tongue. There wasn’t even an acknowledging nod that was ever present in his repertoire of responses either. Damian simply sat there, trying not to infect the room with his own feelings. Cass was not the enemy, that much he knew. And if she worked for the enemy, she likely didn’t even realize it.
"Alright… I think that's enough Q&A for the time being…”
At that, Damian did respond, sitting up just a little in his chair. Considering everything the crew had been through on the last mission, it had been a hell of a fight to get them the recognition they deserved. Thankfully, Cassandra had agreed to doling out the medals. It felt like it would serve a two-fold function. For the crew to see that Givens was recognizing efforts that had been incredible, and for the new Captain to also see just how truly talented a crew she had. It wouldn’t take the sting away from everything that had happened. However, he hoped it might be the beginning of efforts to build bridges.
Taking the two boxes that Givens had set aside for him to dole out, Coleman stood up from his chair and approached Grant. Handing one of the boxes over to Miles, Damian also extended his hand out too. Grant’s box had been slightly larger than the others, in order to accommodate its dual contents.
“Congratulations Lieutenant Grant,” Coleman smiled genuinely, making note that the solid pip would certainly fit him better for his current and continuing role, and the medal would look nice on a mantle.
“We wanted to personally make sure you got your recognition.”
When Damian had said ‘we’, he hadn’t been referring to Cass. It had been something that he and Tyra had discussed before she’d been placed on leave. It was that part, that he wanted Miles to know more than anything else.
With intentions conveyed, he moved on. Making his way over to Star, he handed her the smaller box, within which was also another solid pip. The same handshake and smile was also offered to her as he spoke.
“Good work Ensign Star.”
“Yeah. Welcome.”
He had heard Mara’s voice just as he finished up with Emily, and saw Calleja rising from her chair.
“Wish it was under better circumstances.”
Thankfully, Damian was near enough that it only took a solid couple strides to clear the distance. Putting himself directly in Mara’s way, he blocked the exit to the door. There was no smile on his face now as he looked at her. She’d been doing so well, had been so understanding up until that point, and now he realized the folly of his own mistake. It was the medals. Of course they were overly bitter, boldly the result of what had come before. And they were a reminder of why everything had been shaken up. Damian would worry about his misjudgement later, and instead stood before the amazonian woman.
“Have a seat Lieutenant Calleja,” Coleman's tone hinted at understanding, even though his face spoke without words that there’d be no discussion about the command, and it was a command.
“The meeting isn’t done yet.”
Coleman had worded it so it seemed like it was only a misunderstanding on Mara's part. He only hoped that she would listen to him without creating more of a scene, or being a knucklehead, as Cass had referenced. Everything was still very fluid, and it wouldn’t take much for even more things to change. That was something he didn’t want.
== tag Grant, Emily, and especially Mara ==