Moved from the old forum, RP involving senior staff of the U.S.S. Kvaedis, namely Dev, Katriel and Skyler.
I'll denote who posted what!
Skyler wrote:
((Closed RP- the Kvaedis's Senior Staff discussion on 'what do we do with a drunken sailor aggressive Andorian'.))
SCENE: The Captain's ready room, early morning the day after the incident, the usual Senior Staff Meeting. The setting is casual, given lack of space. The Kvaedis's department heads make use of the couch, with Skyler in the sole armchair. A new face has been added to the mix, to the discomfort of some- Katriel Sedai, ships' counselor.
The past month alone has seen two changes to a space that had been devoid of any personal touches on the part of its acting captain. Above and behind them, on the wall, is a mounted fifteen-inch algae sucking fish trophy, with the inscription 'First Officer Pentorious of the U.S.S. Kvaedis, nobly laid to rest on Stardate ####, with dignity. Our dignity.'
As the story goes, during a rough wargames match under the watch of the Tellarite Ikidre, the Kvaedis had a stuttering power connection with its gravity generators. Emergency power systems locked all doors open, and a few fish from the ready room tank drifted to the bridge. When Dev corrected the power issue during the simulated combat, Djokovic was assaulted with this particular fish from above.
The second 'touch' is a sickly looking prickler plant on Skyler's desk- pruned, cleaned, and transplanted to a sturdier pot. To Dev and Katriel, it's familiar...and it's probably one of the excuses for why Chassy looks sleepless and on edge.
She sets her PADD aside, hands folding demurely in her lap as she addresses her senior staff. “Let's..uh. Skip the usual..review, and just get on with the main topic. I..don't think any of us will focus properly on routine until, uh, we do.”
“No doubt you've already..been..informed, but. During their beta shift yesterday, Ensign Shellar assaulted Lieutenant Evans....with...a laser torch. Evans is recovering in the spacedock's sickbay, but the injury sustained was, uhm...severe. Ensign Shellar is in holding, also on the spacedock, and not permitted visitors aside from...myself and Counselor Sedai.”
The young woman inhales, blood-shot eyes closing in a prolonged blink. She opens them with an abrupt sigh. “I...realize that this is..probably not protocol, but..I'd..like to open discussion on possible resolutions in Ensign Shellar's discipline- Er...don't..mistake me. He will be turned over to the appropriate authorities...but...we will have considerable influence on his sentencing."
"Counselor Sedai, I'm sorry to have asked you to speak with him last night again, and then call you back this morning, but...I'd like your insights.”
Katriel wrote:
The counselor looks, perhaps at most, a little weary. If she was up all night as well, it isn't as obvious.
"The last I spoke with the Ensign, he was still in a fairly unsettled state of mind, I would say perhaps even borderline hysterical. He was thinking of nothing but his guilt. I believe his remorse is entirely genuine and feel that the trauma of this event will have serious repercussions on his psyche.
"I recognize that there are legitimate concerns about Shellar's continuance on this ship, even if his temperament should undergo metamorphosis. The question is whether or not we believe that his relationship with the majority of the remaining crew is solid enough that his peers would be able to forgive him and work with him to move past it."
Katriel pauses for a moment, then lifts her hands in a sort of regretful gesture. "On the other hand, I believe that it is also true that if he were ... transferred elsewhere, the remaining crew would understand the reasons and eventually come to terms with it."
"The last I spoke with the Ensign, he was still in a fairly unsettled state of mind, I would say perhaps even borderline hysterical. He was thinking of nothing but his guilt. I believe his remorse is entirely genuine and feel that the trauma of this event will have serious repercussions on his psyche.
"I recognize that there are legitimate concerns about Shellar's continuance on this ship, even if his temperament should undergo metamorphosis. The question is whether or not we believe that his relationship with the majority of the remaining crew is solid enough that his peers would be able to forgive him and work with him to move past it."
Katriel pauses for a moment, then lifts her hands in a sort of regretful gesture. "On the other hand, I believe that it is also true that if he were ... transferred elsewhere, the remaining crew would understand the reasons and eventually come to terms with it."
Skyler wrote:
As the counselor speaks, Skyler's fingers beat out a changing tattoo on the armchair. Not out of impatience or ingratitude for the woman's insight, but purely as a side-effect of her furrowed contemplation. She nods to Katriel's closing, looking outwardly, for the most part, composed.
"..thank you..counselor."
Inwardly, as most of those present could deduce given their familiarity with the acting captain and her habit towards taciturnity when distressed, she was no doubt struggling to keep her emotional opinion at bay. Rhythmic fingers cease as she forces the discussion onward.
"Chief Jodahn...if..you will, give me...a..." Skyler contends with her wording choices- trying not to pin blame or give others the opportunity to, "...full evaluation..of Ensign Shellar's performance..thus far, please."
"..thank you..counselor."
Inwardly, as most of those present could deduce given their familiarity with the acting captain and her habit towards taciturnity when distressed, she was no doubt struggling to keep her emotional opinion at bay. Rhythmic fingers cease as she forces the discussion onward.
"Chief Jodahn...if..you will, give me...a..." Skyler contends with her wording choices- trying not to pin blame or give others the opportunity to, "...full evaluation..of Ensign Shellar's performance..thus far, please."
Dev wrote:
"Shellar's what we used to call, what captains used to call an ensign-sized admiral. Very ... very proud, very intent on getting people to see his way. He'd get upset whenever I made critical remarks of his work, as though I were insulting him personally. Not like I made many, rully, but ... it's sort of odd the way some of the crew looked up to that. Admired him for it, akshully ... especially the human crew. Like maybe they wished they were brash enough to stand up like that, er ... uh ..."
Dev trails off a bit, perhaps due to the increasingly narrow stare being fired at him from Djokovic across the room.
"Right, that wasn't rully yer question, um. His performance. Overall, he's a great engineer with a lot of drive, not afraid to take some risks ... well, when he thought they'd make him look good. Um. Really good memory for numbers. Very details-oriented, almost a perfectionist. Maybe not the most efficient officer, for all his obsessive tendencies, but he's ... he's pretty capable when properly focused. Honestly, not much different from Evans, rully. Um."
It isn't until Dev stops talking that he realizes what an awkward place that is to leave it. And yet he's stopped, and there it is.
Dev trails off a bit, perhaps due to the increasingly narrow stare being fired at him from Djokovic across the room.
"Right, that wasn't rully yer question, um. His performance. Overall, he's a great engineer with a lot of drive, not afraid to take some risks ... well, when he thought they'd make him look good. Um. Really good memory for numbers. Very details-oriented, almost a perfectionist. Maybe not the most efficient officer, for all his obsessive tendencies, but he's ... he's pretty capable when properly focused. Honestly, not much different from Evans, rully. Um."
It isn't until Dev stops talking that he realizes what an awkward place that is to leave it. And yet he's stopped, and there it is.
Skyler wrote:
The obviousness of Djokovic's impatience bolsters Skyler's own as the Eminian/Vendikan mix rambled around the question. That, and the information he imparted was news to her. Unpleasant news. Even amid her tiny collection of fifty people, there were danger signs in unexpected places. She frowns at the wall, following a sleepy thread of thought that barely registers the actual review when Dev gets to it.
His insight wasn't a surprise-- she'd never worked with Shellar closely, but she'd caught the tail end of one of Chief Cutter's infamous evaluation rants. Dev's assessment matched up, sans some color.
The blundering end goes unnoticed by the captain, but Doctor Rezadi presents Dev with a kindly, if rueful, smile as the security chief, Bacus, snorts: “Guess he just couldn't endure through two of himself.”
Djokovic, after an evaluating glance to Skyler's silence, shifts an extinguishing stare on the unjoined Trill-- who lifts his hands apologetically. The older human then leans forward, elbows crooked out as he put hands on his thighs. “Captain.”
That doesn't quite jerk Skyler out of her thoughts, but it pulls her close enough that she reacts when he repeats it: “Captain, if y'could clarify, what are the possibilities we're lookin' at here, for Shellar? After talkin' with that J.A.G. Officer.”
Skyler straightens out, hiding her embarrassment for her elsewhere attention by clearing her throat. “Ah..worst case, he...is..sentenced to a penal colony. Which...would be a...waste, given Starfleet's situation.” She's silent a moment- a scrunch to her brow indicating it to be a Skyler-Thought-Process-Time-Out.
Djokovic swallows down a sigh, kicking an ankle up across as knee as they're left waiting. One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi...
“...Chief Jodahn,” And there it is, time out over: “Could-..or would you..in good faith to..your own opinion..be able to recommend leniency..in light of his capabilities?”
Her first officer drops his leg and tenses, looking intently at the Trill woman with a meaning she doesn't seem to pick up on. She continues:
“..and, uhm, likewise, Counselor Sedai, as of..now, would you be willing to, based on your..provisional evaluation of..uhm, be able...to do the same?”
“Only...uhm, if...you can do so with..good conscience, both of you.” She emphasizes, taking in a muted sigh and lowering her stare to the floor in the interest of 'no pressure'.
His insight wasn't a surprise-- she'd never worked with Shellar closely, but she'd caught the tail end of one of Chief Cutter's infamous evaluation rants. Dev's assessment matched up, sans some color.
The blundering end goes unnoticed by the captain, but Doctor Rezadi presents Dev with a kindly, if rueful, smile as the security chief, Bacus, snorts: “Guess he just couldn't endure through two of himself.”
Djokovic, after an evaluating glance to Skyler's silence, shifts an extinguishing stare on the unjoined Trill-- who lifts his hands apologetically. The older human then leans forward, elbows crooked out as he put hands on his thighs. “Captain.”
That doesn't quite jerk Skyler out of her thoughts, but it pulls her close enough that she reacts when he repeats it: “Captain, if y'could clarify, what are the possibilities we're lookin' at here, for Shellar? After talkin' with that J.A.G. Officer.”
Skyler straightens out, hiding her embarrassment for her elsewhere attention by clearing her throat. “Ah..worst case, he...is..sentenced to a penal colony. Which...would be a...waste, given Starfleet's situation.” She's silent a moment- a scrunch to her brow indicating it to be a Skyler-Thought-Process-Time-Out.
Djokovic swallows down a sigh, kicking an ankle up across as knee as they're left waiting. One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi...
“...Chief Jodahn,” And there it is, time out over: “Could-..or would you..in good faith to..your own opinion..be able to recommend leniency..in light of his capabilities?”
Her first officer drops his leg and tenses, looking intently at the Trill woman with a meaning she doesn't seem to pick up on. She continues:
“..and, uhm, likewise, Counselor Sedai, as of..now, would you be willing to, based on your..provisional evaluation of..uhm, be able...to do the same?”
“Only...uhm, if...you can do so with..good conscience, both of you.” She emphasizes, taking in a muted sigh and lowering her stare to the floor in the interest of 'no pressure'.
Dev wrote:
An attentive tilt of the head from Dr. Sedai cues Dev to respond first. He sighs and rubs at the back of his neck.
"Wull since yer askin' for an opinion ... nah, I don' recommend leniency. No one's given me any reason to. Sure I feel bad, an' so's everybody, but ... ... Y'know, he did what he did, and he admitted it. Fact that he's been on this crew since whenever ... and that he's remorseful 'bout it ... doesn't change anything."
"Wull since yer askin' for an opinion ... nah, I don' recommend leniency. No one's given me any reason to. Sure I feel bad, an' so's everybody, but ... ... Y'know, he did what he did, and he admitted it. Fact that he's been on this crew since whenever ... and that he's remorseful 'bout it ... doesn't change anything."
Katriel wrote:
"I'm inclined to agree," the counselor appends. "My guess is that the Ensign will receive some amount of leniency as it is, due to the fact that this is a first time offense. But there is not a great deal of reason to ask for more. Even after counseling and incarceration, there's a perceivable emotional risk to the crew at large, by having Shellar continue aboard the Kvaedis, whereas the morale risk is negligible if he's permanently dismissed.
"For Shellar himself, he may rue the fact that he is no longer welcome aboard the Kvaedis, but in truth, it is probably better even for him if he later starts afresh with peers who are not privy to his history."
"For Shellar himself, he may rue the fact that he is no longer welcome aboard the Kvaedis, but in truth, it is probably better even for him if he later starts afresh with peers who are not privy to his history."
Skyler wrote:
At the end of their opining, Skyler nods with an ambiguousness born from steeled preparation, and takes another few seconds to collect her thoughts. Longer, this time, with concerned looks from Rezadi and well-veiled impatience from Djokovic. At the end of it, she nods to the ex-asteroid miner.
Impatience expelled in one terse motion, he hunches forward again and launches into speech, a hand turned upwards as he speaks: "The Captain an' I both agree that Shellar can't stay on the Kvaedis."
He waits to let that settle in. Between Rezadi and Bacus, there doesn't seem to be any contention. Skyler just listens, lips pursed.
"It's likely he's not gunna be able to serve on any Starfleet vessel, even if he manages to keep rank. There's a possibility though, if he's not dismissed completely, that he could get assigned to a starbase...if he gets enough brass an' cozy letters t' back him up." The man leans back against his seat, clapping both hands to his thighs.
"This is my opinion now... I'm not sayin' we should overlook what he's done or push to get it all forgotten and forgiven, but I don't think it's right to send him off to a penal colony for the rest of his days. The man made a mistake, a big damned mistake by lettin' his temper get the better of him- one that none of us woulda made, but that's why he's an ensign. Ensigns get vetted, reviewed, an' put where they'll do their best. Lobbyin' for a starbase appointment fits with that, an' there folks can keep an eye on him. It works with what the Counselor's saying, too...though maybe not so much with what Chief Jodahn seems to think."
Rough palms flip up in a shrugged gesture to the center of the room, initiating an open floor discussion.
Impatience expelled in one terse motion, he hunches forward again and launches into speech, a hand turned upwards as he speaks: "The Captain an' I both agree that Shellar can't stay on the Kvaedis."
He waits to let that settle in. Between Rezadi and Bacus, there doesn't seem to be any contention. Skyler just listens, lips pursed.
"It's likely he's not gunna be able to serve on any Starfleet vessel, even if he manages to keep rank. There's a possibility though, if he's not dismissed completely, that he could get assigned to a starbase...if he gets enough brass an' cozy letters t' back him up." The man leans back against his seat, clapping both hands to his thighs.
"This is my opinion now... I'm not sayin' we should overlook what he's done or push to get it all forgotten and forgiven, but I don't think it's right to send him off to a penal colony for the rest of his days. The man made a mistake, a big damned mistake by lettin' his temper get the better of him- one that none of us woulda made, but that's why he's an ensign. Ensigns get vetted, reviewed, an' put where they'll do their best. Lobbyin' for a starbase appointment fits with that, an' there folks can keep an eye on him. It works with what the Counselor's saying, too...though maybe not so much with what Chief Jodahn seems to think."
Rough palms flip up in a shrugged gesture to the center of the room, initiating an open floor discussion.
Dev wrote:
Dev's face contorts comically as he rubs at an eyebrow.
"Sorry, but uh ... why would we be lobbying? He'll get due process an' all. Hones'ly, I'm a little confused why we're having this discussion at all."
"Sorry, but uh ... why would we be lobbying? He'll get due process an' all. Hones'ly, I'm a little confused why we're having this discussion at all."
Katriel wrote:
Katriel shifts in her seat, but she generally keeps her expression nicely schooled.
"It's not altogether uncommon for a tribunal to request a summary of service, or even opinions on what disciplinary action should be taken. I suspect that no matter what we say here, Ensign Shellar will need to serve at least six months worth of incarceration for aggravated assault, with a weapon no less!, coupled with counseling and anger management. It's an unfortunate blemish on his permanent record, but it'd set a poor precedent if we attempt an unorthodox plea for leniency without extremely good reason."
"It's not altogether uncommon for a tribunal to request a summary of service, or even opinions on what disciplinary action should be taken. I suspect that no matter what we say here, Ensign Shellar will need to serve at least six months worth of incarceration for aggravated assault, with a weapon no less!, coupled with counseling and anger management. It's an unfortunate blemish on his permanent record, but it'd set a poor precedent if we attempt an unorthodox plea for leniency without extremely good reason."
Skyler wrote:
"Poor precedent?" The note of incredulity in Djokovic's voice warranted a sudden shift of attention on Skyler's part. The man bounces the heel of his boot against the carpet. "You're worried about precedent? He's part of this crew. Even if he tried t' off Evans, he didn't, and he's still--"
"Djokovic..." The sternness in Skyler's tone is discredited with hesitation at reprimanding the older man, especially over a point she was inclined to agree with. "..that's...thank you, for your opinions, all of you. The matter is now, uhm. Closed. As for..other...non-negotiable topics.."
Skyler pauses, for her own sake as well at her first officer's. He moderates himself in the few seconds given, and she continues, "I'll be, uhm, instituting a ship-wide uniform regulation. I'll post the...specifics, by beta shift. Everyone will have... three days in which to comply. Before we, uhm, move on to..our usual agenda..does anyone have..anything else to bring up?"
"Djokovic..." The sternness in Skyler's tone is discredited with hesitation at reprimanding the older man, especially over a point she was inclined to agree with. "..that's...thank you, for your opinions, all of you. The matter is now, uhm. Closed. As for..other...non-negotiable topics.."
Skyler pauses, for her own sake as well at her first officer's. He moderates himself in the few seconds given, and she continues, "I'll be, uhm, instituting a ship-wide uniform regulation. I'll post the...specifics, by beta shift. Everyone will have... three days in which to comply. Before we, uhm, move on to..our usual agenda..does anyone have..anything else to bring up?"
Katriel wrote:
Katriel's impassive glance had flickered to Djokovic at his outburst, but she refocuses on Skyler when the question is asked. "Captain, permission to inquire on the previous topic."
For a long moment, Skyler looks like she's going to refuse the request, but she eventually gives a reluctant nod. Katriel takes a breath.
"Perhaps I have misinterpreted the misgivings that the bridge staff are having in regards to this entire tragedy. The focus on achieving leniency for Ensign Shellar made me believe that the staff was interested in petitioning the tribunal to overlook his actions entirely, but both of you have acknowledged that it would be unwise for him to return to the Kvaedis.
"Is your concern, then, that Ensign Shellar will not receive a fair hearing, for one reason or another? Do you believe it probable that he will receive a sentencing that you, as a commanding Starfleet officer, abjectly disagree with?"
For a long moment, Skyler looks like she's going to refuse the request, but she eventually gives a reluctant nod. Katriel takes a breath.
"Perhaps I have misinterpreted the misgivings that the bridge staff are having in regards to this entire tragedy. The focus on achieving leniency for Ensign Shellar made me believe that the staff was interested in petitioning the tribunal to overlook his actions entirely, but both of you have acknowledged that it would be unwise for him to return to the Kvaedis.
"Is your concern, then, that Ensign Shellar will not receive a fair hearing, for one reason or another? Do you believe it probable that he will receive a sentencing that you, as a commanding Starfleet officer, abjectly disagree with?"
Skyler wrote:
"My concern is that a decent man's going to get locked up for life!"
The man's volume hike gives Skyler inclination to cut the discussion prematurely, drawing herself up to interrupt. Aware of this, Djokovic heads her off by forcing himself to slouch back into his chair in faux-relaxation, continuing with a much more even tone:
"If you get told 'this man tried killin' his co-worker', of course you're goin' to say he deserves whatever punishment the tribunal shells out...But if you start hearin' about how he's hard workin', attentive, an' staggered with remorse, you might think twice about throwin' him down on a penal colony. I'm just tryin' to make sure they hear that second part. Shellar's head and heart is in the right place. He's Starfleet. Just his temper sometimes forgets it."
The man's volume hike gives Skyler inclination to cut the discussion prematurely, drawing herself up to interrupt. Aware of this, Djokovic heads her off by forcing himself to slouch back into his chair in faux-relaxation, continuing with a much more even tone:
"If you get told 'this man tried killin' his co-worker', of course you're goin' to say he deserves whatever punishment the tribunal shells out...But if you start hearin' about how he's hard workin', attentive, an' staggered with remorse, you might think twice about throwin' him down on a penal colony. I'm just tryin' to make sure they hear that second part. Shellar's head and heart is in the right place. He's Starfleet. Just his temper sometimes forgets it."
Katriel wrote:
The counselor nods her understanding.
"I agree. If this is what your concern is, then I would be completely amenable to providing either verbal testimony at the hearing or a written evaluation for the tribunal's review, whichever would be more effective. I am certain that an honest review of the Ensign's psychological profile will help mitigate an overly harsh sentence, at least on my end."
"I agree. If this is what your concern is, then I would be completely amenable to providing either verbal testimony at the hearing or a written evaluation for the tribunal's review, whichever would be more effective. I am certain that an honest review of the Ensign's psychological profile will help mitigate an overly harsh sentence, at least on my end."
Skyler wrote:
Both Captain and First Officer unlaxed at the offer, Djokovic more visibly so as he fires off a half-sided grin at the counselor. "That'd be appreciated, thanks." His attention then rounds on Dev with unspoken petition- which Skyler cuts off before it becomes less so.
"Thank you, counselor...I'll, uhm, be attending the tribunal in person, time willing...Your person, or your evaluation...will...be welcome company. Now, ah, shall we proceed with the...with the other matters."
"Thank you, counselor...I'll, uhm, be attending the tribunal in person, time willing...Your person, or your evaluation...will...be welcome company. Now, ah, shall we proceed with the...with the other matters."