The New Boss

Posted on Wed Feb 8th, 2023 @ 11:56am by Captain Wilkan Targaryen & Lieutenant Taylor Haines

1,688 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Starbase 12, Command Deck
Timeline: 2431-03-12, 09:30

When Taylor stepped out of the turbolift onto the command deck, he was quite amazed. It was three times as large as the command center at the Marktil 5 station. He had to work hard on not looking like a first-year cadet.

“Is it always this busy?”, Taylor asked Rejak as he followed him to a door.

“This is a slow day”, the Andorian replied, cocking his head slightly, as he rang the chime.

"Enter," the voice of Admiral Willian Targareyn said from the opposite side of the door.

Had it been onboard a starship the Admiral's Day Cabin would probably have been used as a Residential Apartment. Consisting of three chambers, the Cabin opened to a large work area where Admiral Willian Targaryen was sitting working on the computer terminal. A series of knickknacks were scattered around the area while a large model of the Enterprise sat below the window behind him. The adjacent compartment had a large table and an informal seating area where the Admiral could meet with guests. A closed door led to a small bedroom and bath.

The Admiral looked up from his desk at the officer who had just walked in, "Can I help you, Lieutenant?"

Although he knew intellectually he shouldn't be, Taylor was amazed by the size of the work area. His living quarters on the research station was half the size of the current room. He wondered what they would be like here.

"Yes, sir", Taylor said, snapping to at the sound of the Admiral's voice. "I'm Lieutenant Taylor Haines. Petty Officer Rejak informed me that you wanted me to come right here once I hit the deck before doing anything else."

He extended his orders padd to the Admiral.

The Admiral rose and accepted the PADD from the Lieutenant. He glanced at the information on the display quickly, "Ah yes, you're the candidate for the vacant Chief of Security position here on the station." He had not seen the Lieutenant's file, having assigned the review of candidates to Galatea. Typing on the screen the Enterprise flew passed the window behind him.

"Tell me of your qualifications, Lieutenant. Why are you interested in serving on DS12?"

"Sir, my qualifications are standard Starfleet training and ten years of experience", Taylor replied. "While stationed at Marktil 5, I did my job well and did get promoted up to security chief."

Although he didn't want to talk about the next part, but he had to in this particular case.

"My team's constant preparations and drills, combined with bravery under fire, saved 20 people of a 75 person research station when attacked by an overwhelming force", Taylor continued in a subdued tone.

He shifted a little uncomfortably before speaking again, "As to why am I interested in serving here, to be honest when one gets mauled and looses body parts, one tends to focus on things other than one's next assignment. I was given this assignment by personnel. Normally I would have complained about being 'volun-told', rather than working with personnel, but this time I was ok at not having to make one more decision during my rehab. I am good at what I do, but I don't constantly look for the next high profile assignment, such as this one. I am a simple man."

"Every Commanding Officer, from the CO of a small ship all the way up to an Admiral in command of a Starbase, will tell you that their command is special," The Admiral said as he set aside the datapad. "When I tell you that my command is special compared to the rest it is not a lie," he tapped a control, "and now you have the clearance level to know what I'm about to tell you. Deep Space 12 has been constructed to serve as the emergency command center for the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet in the event that Earth is knocked out. This Station features full command and control functions for Starfleet, extensive starship support facilities, and even working offices for a Federation in Exile."

Willian leaned forward, "So, do you think that your experience has prepared you to be the last line of defense for the Federation?"

"Absolutely not sir", Taylor replied with a serious look. "I think anyone would be lying if they said yes. What it has prepared me for is applying concepts for it and learning what is needed to be that last line of defense as well as being able to rely on my peers to help me with the task. You can't take on a task this big alone."

The Commanding Officer tossed the PADD on the top of the desk and turned toward the window. Rising, he walked over and stared out at the ships on patrol. The Enterprise was in orbit of the station, followed perfectly parallel by the Uhura and the Georgiou. "Regrettably, Lieutenant, we are frequently alone out here. This station is meant to be isolated for a reason." He pointed, "See that ship out there? That's the Federation Flagship. Starfleet put it here on orbit because they were afraid morale would be impacted should something happen to it and as a backup for the Federation's ideals should the government fall. Our patrol craft are named in honor of Starfleet Officers who have served with distinction. It's a pretty big task."

"Admiral, I do completely understand and embrace what you are saying", Taylor replied. "With respect, you asked me a question and I answered truthfully. My last assignment was at a small research station with 175 individuals. 25 of those were Security personnel.

Basic security training by design at the Academy teaches just that, the basics. Department head training is designed to train individuals lead and manage up to 100 personnel. Basic command training prepares those who are to become Lieutenant Commander and above to command approximately 300 people. Full command training gets you up to be able to command a starship. Captain's training is largely on the job from what I've been told. I imagine that's why your XO holds the rank of Captain and the responsibilities that come with that."

He paused and then said, "You asked me if you thought I was prepared to be the last line of defense and I answered truthfully. I don't know who you annoyed at command to get me, but if I were in your shoes, I'd find whoever in personnel thought a Lieutenant would be able to command a team of this size and send them back to training. If this station is indeed the last line, you need the best. You got shafted. I'm not the best, yet!"

Willian laughed, "Well you certainly have one of the best answers I've ever heard. Usually people throw themselves at me, claiming that no one else could do this job as well as they could. My last Security Chief had been with me for well over five years even, the one before that a decade. You do have some big shoes to fill, Lieutenant." Targaryen handed over the datapad, "Your transfer is approved to serve as Chief of Security here on Deep Space 12, commanding a Security contingent of over 1,500 people. I think you may be the first Lieutenant to obtain such a distinction."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence sir", Taylor responded. "I will do my best sir. Just don't say I didn't warn you. I am sure the former Security Chief did a fine job being here for 5 year, but is there anything that needs to be changed or were there anythings that you need accomplished that they didn't get to?"

"Security became a bit lax recently," Willian answered with more than a little irritation evident in his voice. "This Project isn't a Starfleet one, it was created by the Federation Council at the direction of the President himself. That took my crew and I away from the front lines of exploration and, for some of them, led to some annoyance and questioning. The problem is that this station is a key installation and we can't afford any slips. Following an incident that occurred on the station he chose to transfer to another assignment at Starbase 80."

"I can see that there could be problems", Taylor said. "You could use about 500 more security officers. So, what was the incident if you don't mind me asking?"

He noticed the irritation and preferred not to be the target of it.

Willian nodded, "One of our officers, who is here by the grace of God himself, was the target of a Nausicaan Bounty Hunter." Willian spoke succinctly. "I'm not in the habit of allowing my personnel to be hunted by a Bounty Hunter, let alone on what's essentially a floating Federation Headquarters." He sent the information to a datapad, "In fact, your first assignment, is to speak with the victim and then the Bounty Hunter."

Taylor nodded and said, "I'll get to the bottom of this sir. The one thing that bothers me already is that this bounty hunter failed, so there will be more at some point. As long as I can get a warrant to investigate everything about this individual, I would like some leeway in investigating beyond the bounty hunter. After all, bounty hunters don't work for free."

Now came time for the hard part of his job, where most Security Officers decided to withdraw from the role because of concerns at the level of authority that the Admiral had. Typing on the datapad he handed it to the new Security Chief, "Your authorization, Lieutenant."

"Thank you, Admiral", Taylor replied. "I believe this will be helpful in getting to the bottom of things a little quicker. This out of the way, is there anything else I should be aware of?"

"A million little things, Lieutenant," Willian answered, "far too many to go over in a single meeting. For now, get settled in and see to the investigation into the bounty hunter, please. We can start discussion on other topics later."

"Yes, sir", Taylor replied. "I'll get right on it."

With the implied dismissal, Taylor left the Admiral's office and headed to his quarters.

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