For your own good
Posted on Sun Jun 29th, 2025 @ 7:38pm by Captain Daegan Baas & Commander Jerome Hunt Jr. & Lieutenant Liam O'Riley & Lieutenant JG Stevie Thomas [O'Riley]
Edited on on Sun Jun 29th, 2025 @ 7:40pm
1,856 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Sole Survivor
Location: Ready room
Timeline: MD 17 - 0700
[Ready Room]
They still had just under 24 hours before they arrived at Aseek's home world. Things were running much smoother than the ships rough start but wrinkles always pop up from time to time. Last night he and Hunt had discussed the request the had come in from Ops and a rumor that had reach even their ears. They had made the decision on the request but the rumor needed to be put to rest and if true...things might be taken the wrong way. So it was time to possible kill to birds with one stone.
Lifting his coffee as he glanced to his XO and tapped his commbadge. "Baas to Engineering."
Hearing the Captain, Liam tapped his comm "Lieutenant O'Riley, go ahead" he replied not sure why he was being called since things were running well in engineering.
"Chief, we need you and Lieutenant Thomas to report to the ready room."
[Main Engineering]
"On our way Captain" Liam replied then walked over to Stevie "Lieutenant the Captain wants to see the both of us in his Ready Room" he stated with some concern.
"I hope this isn't about what I think it is" Stevie replied not yet having had a chance to tell Liam about her recent conversation with her old mentor.
"I have no idea but I guess we're about to find out" as the two officers left the area.
[Ready Room]
Minutes later they arrived at the Captain's office; Liam palmed the door chime waiting to be recognized still not sure why Baas wanted to see both of them.
Glancing from the XO to the door as the chime sounded, "Enter".
He could see the puzzlement on their faces as greeted them; "Chief, Lieutenant...have a seat."
Both O'Riley and Thomas sat in the offered seats with Liam seeing the XO present as well thinking "Ok, this can't be good" waiting for the C.O. to commence.
Daegan smirked as an eyebrow twitched quickly. "Relax Chief. No ones getting keel hauled. At least not this time."
I wanted both of you her to address two issues. The first is that a proposal was made to realign a few positions. After Commander Hunt and I discussed everything, which included the second issue, we have decided implement that recommendation.
"The case was made that routine operation and oversight of various systems, to include the computers should fall under ship operations. While power, propulsion, ship's infrastructure, repair, etc. rightfully belong to engineering. During our discussions both the Commander and I had to admit to having seen seen a migration of Operations duties to Engineering over the years.
"That said, the overseeing of Computers & Holographic systems as well as personnel currently assigned to those duties will transferred to Operations and EPS management will fall to Engineering."
Listening intently O'Riley's mind started going is several different directions all at the same time "So to be clear....anything computer or holographic related throughout the ship will fall to operations including hardware as well as software and Lieutenant Thomas' team will now be under the Operations department; am I understanding you correctly."
Stevie listened to the conversations carefully since her and her team would be the ones effected by the proposed changes; thankfully Liam was on top of this.
They were getting closer to having to directly address the second issue of concern. Part of him had wish the addressing the first would take care of the second but he knew he was going to have to address both regardless.
"When it come to the computer that is going to be something where Operations and Engineering overlap. The various computer cores and other hardware with stay with Engineering. The software side, allocation of computer, other system resources," looking to Stevie, "and the personnel that manage those aspect with go to Ops.
"I will be completely honest with you. I had considered denying the proposed move, even with the solid case given by Lt. D'Sai. However, something else had also came to our attention that would nip any potential issues, if what we heard is true."
Thinking a moment " With respect Captain, the reason Star Fleet started having Specialists was primarily to administer and take care of the cores and the operating system contained within said cores" then Liam paused "Lieutenant Thomas, if I recall, was the one who adverted a potential negative situation with the OS upgrade a few months ago. If moving her and her team to Ops is your choice then I would highly recommend they continue to take care of the cores themselves since they have proven to be the most qualified to do so" O'Riley concluded as he was starting to have an idea of what was really behind this.
Speaking up next "Captain, Lieutenant O'Riley makes a valid point......the most qualified people aboard is my team of Specialists to administer the computer cores as well as the OS. If Lieutenant D'Sai wants Ops to handle systems software, as it appears he does, then fine. Also my secondary duties is an Engineering Officer; I would request to be relieved of that responsibility if I'm to be transferred to the Ops department" Thomas concluded.
Taking a breath he looked at the pair, well there was no bother beating around the bush anymore. His gaze started with the junior officer and traveled back and forth between them. "Don't misunderstand you have both been doing exemplary work and young lady you earned that promotion. Not only that, but as our Chief Engineer pointed out, Starfleet itself owes you a tremendous debt. As to the relinquishing of any duties in Engineering...that would be included in any departmental transfer. Though with there being many overlapping areas between Ops and Engineering your skills may be needed from time to time.
"It was your exemplary work that, at first, had me inclined to leave you were you are and let D'Sai build his own team. However, one he will need you experience and two...well before I bring that up I have to ask. Are the two of you in having a relationship, a personal relationship?"
[ And there is was....this is what's behind the Captain's final decision ] O'Riley thought to himself. Taking a breath "Yes Sir we are; we've been seeing one another on our off duty hours as we can" Liam confessed waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Commander Hunt raised an eyebrow as he turned his attention from them, back to the Captain. "He wondered if this revelation would play a role on the decision-making process here.:
Daegan wrinkled his chin as he nodded slowly. "Okay." He paused for a moment glancing to Hunt before returning to the pair. "Well it happens. People can't controlled who they care for...". Gesturing to the XO then to himself. "...both of our spouse still serve and on this ship. However we have made special arrangement in that regard to eliminate any potential problems.
"The adjustment of the duties was going to take place regardless and I would never dictate or prohibit a relationship between members of my crew. However a senior officer cannot be in direct supervisory control over someone they are involved with. No matter how even handed that oversight might be, the temptation, to possibility of problems arising both within the department as well as the relationship itself are to great..." Remember the problems that has arisen during his first assignment as Chief of Security, "...I know."
Looking to Hunt, "We will need to let D'Sai know that he will be picking a few people and additional responsibilities."
Jerome nodded in agreement. "Will get to it."
Returning his attention to the O'Riley and Thomas. "Keep in mind. This is not a disciplinary action. Nothing, other than a departmental transfer is going into anyone's records. And you both are free to pursue your relationship without the burden of having to worry about any interdepartmental...complications." Adding with touch of humor, "Or either of us having to dealing charges of favoritism coming from crew members who got their knickers in a twist."
O'Riley sat listening intently to what the Captain was explaining starting to feel better about the whole situation. Choosing his words carefully before speaking up " Captain Baas thank you for understanding the fact we are having a relationship, I don't think either of us saw it coming" as he glance to Stevie then back, " I know I didn't and like you said it does happen" Liam commented "As far as some of the departmental duties being somewhat shifted, it does make sense. That being said I'll be contacting Lieutenant D'Sai to setup a meeting so we have as smooth of a transition as possible; that is if you're ok with it."
Nodding approvingly, "By all means, just keep Commander Hunt and myself informed so we know what and who ends up where."
Now it was Thomas' s turn to speak up "I would like to echo what Lieutenant O'Riley has already stated; and no I hadn't planned on us happening either" Stevie stated with a smile "After we're dismissed I'll meet with my Specialists team and let them know of the impending changes; with the Chief's approval of course" she commented with a smile showing she was more than ok with the decisions.
"So how long has this relationship been going on?" Hunt inquired.
Liam looked to Stevie figuring he would let her answer; just safer that way. "A few months now when our duties allow it and we're free of course" she proudly replied with a smile "Long story short....I asked to share a table with the Lieutenant in a crowded lounge late one afternoon and as they say....the rest is history" as she glanced over to Liam seeing him grinning from ear to ear.
Jerome simply smiled and looked towards the Captain. "That tale sounds very familiar. We spend more time with other Starfleet personnel than anyone else. Its bound to happen at times."
"Agreed. Been there...more than once actually. But that is a story for another time. I'm happy to hear that both of you have found each other and now that," looking to Liam, "now you don't have anyone under another's command that removes more than one potential obstacle to your relationship."
Gesturing to Hunt. "Anything else?"
"I believe that covers everything for now," the XO spoke.
"Aright then, dismissed."
Rising Lieutenant O'Riley had mixed emotions about what had just transpired. On one hand Baas just made his job a whole lot easier, especially with a QSD equipped ship, by assigning much of the computer duties to Operations but on the other the reason Engineering picked up computers in the first place was due to the fact Operations let things slip through the cracks; time would tell.
Lieutenant Thomas was elated their relationship could now be out in the open and she would navigate being in the new department and her new Chief.
Captain Daegan Baas
CO
Commander Jerome Hunt
XO
Lieutenant Liam O'Riley
Chief Engineering Officer
Lieutenant J.G. Stevie Thomas [O'Riley]
Computer Systems Specialist
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