Have I done something wrong

Posted on Wed Jan 29th, 2020 @ 10:02pm by High Commissioner Jasmine Haynes & Captain Nathan Bishop
Edited on on Wed Jan 29th, 2020 @ 11:52pm

1,197 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Genesis
Location: XO Ready Room
Timeline: 2430-01-03, 11:00

Jasmine had been festering, since the meeting. She wanted some answers, and new she needed to follow the chain of command in order to get some answers. "Lieutenant Commander Jasmine Haynes, reporting as ordered Sir, and I would like to say, thank you for agreeing to see me sir." Jasmine said, as she stood at the position of attention, in Commander Bishop's ready room.

"Of course Commander, please have a seat." Bishop replied pleasantly as he waited for the Security chief to be seated.

"Thank you sir." Jasmine said, as she quickly had a seat. Keeping her posture stiff and vertical. She wanted to make a good impression. Even though she had only one question on her mind, she wanted to show, she was a proper officer. Which made it really confusing, on why. Why was she passed over?

"Would you like something from the replicator Commander?" Bishop asked noting Jasmine's stiff posture. almost rigid. Something was definitely bothering her. Time to find out though he had a good idea he knew what it was.

"Appreciate the offer, but I am good sir." Jasmine said. She was trying to get past all the pleasantries, so they could get to the real reason why she was here. She wondered if the first officer knew.

Bishop nodded, "Very well Commander. As you wish." He sat down behind the desk and looked at the Security/Tactical Chief. "You can drop the sir and Commander while we're here. May I call you Jasmine?"

"Of Course." Jasmine said, resisting the urge to say sir. "What shall I call you?" Jasmine asked, waiting for a response. She assumed Bishop or his first name Nathan. But until she heard him say which, she was not going to make the mistake of choosing incorrectly. She always aired on the side of caution.

He smiled at her answer. "Very good as to what you can call me I think Nathan works. Keep everything on a first name basis. Not so rigid and formal." He smiled at her, "Now that we have that out of the way. Just what can I do for you Jasmine?" He suspected he knew but he didn't want say just on the off chance he was wrong.

"I am not sure how to ask this Nathan, without sounding self absorb." Jasmine started off. Then she went on. "Why was Commander O'Sullivan chosen over me and the rest of the department heads on this ship for First Officer role on the USS Spock?" She started to say. "Makes me wonder. I cant speak for the other department heads but for me, makes me wonder what I am doing wrong to be passed over by my subordinate." Jasmine pointed out. She felt hurt by the Admiral's choice.

"I think you did a very good job asking it Jasmine. I can understand your confusion and your disappointment. I can only offer my own take as the Admiral did not take me into his confidence in making the selections. I don't think you've done anything wrong. I believe it's more of the Admiral wants his senior staff to be officers he is comfortable with both personally and professionally. He respects your judgment and your professionalism Jasmine. In choosing Commander O'Sullivan to be Captain Hawkins First Officer I think the Admiral feels they counter balance each other. Are a better fit. The same holds true for the other departments that weren't chosen. I repeat you did nothing wrong. It was the Admiral personal decision."

"Thank you." Jasmine said, knowing to keep her damn mouth shut. She wanted to scream, but that would be uncalled for, and rude to do. She sat in the chair, with a blank stare on her face. How was she suppose to respond to that. There was not much to say, in response to that. Basically in her eyes, the Admiral chose her subordinate, because he liked the chemistry between there. So much for merit and hard work and dedication. She thought to herself.

Bishop wasn't stupid he could see that Jasmine was mad and to be honest he didn't blame her. "Jasmine." He said, "You can speak your mind. It goes no further than here. Your upset and I can understand that. However, don't let this eat at you. Your better than that and I think I can safely say you aren't alone in your disappointment."

"I appreciate that, I do. This is something that me and a punching bag and some time will have to work out. I appreciate your honesty." Jasmine said, trying to be very diplomatic. It was hard too, after being told the only reason you were not chosen is because Paddy gets along better with Hawkins. That was a hard one to stomach.

"Jasmine. May I suggest something? Go to the Admiral ask him. Everything I've said is what I think the Admiral thought when making his decision. I could be dead wrong. I repeat don't let this eat at you. This is a Plum posting. The flagship of the Federation. I think you can take some solace in that."

"I might take you up on that suggestion Nathan." Jasmine said, trying to recollect her thoughts. "Yes you are correct, this is a plum assignment and I am honored to be here. Just a big shock, to be overlooked. Now with that said, I honored to serve the President. A big step for me." Or so she thought. But at the moment, it might have stunted her growth as a Starfleet Officer.

"Good. I think it would benefit you greatly and give you the actual reason the Admiral made the decision he did. Not to mention you let him know just how disappointed you are in this decision."

"I appreciate your time Nathan, thanks for listening to me." Jasmine said, as she wanted to leave. She was not sure what else to discuss. She was always by the book type of officer, and not really big on small talk, well not during working hours.

"I'll listen to you for as long as you want Jasmine. My door is always open." He could see that Jasmine wanted to leave. "Just one thing more, don't let this eat at you. Your better than this. Continue to do your job and I guarantee you'll get another opportunity."

"Yes sir." Jasmine said, getting a little defensive, but trying to hide it with professionalism. "Permission to be dismissed?" Jasmine asked, as she snapped to the position of attention. She needed time to process this all. She knew deep down, he was right, but at the moment the cut was still to new.

Bishop could sense Jasmine's irritation and had no desire to fan the flames higher. "Yes Jasmine, your dismissed." He answered almost wearily. He desperately hoped he had gotten through to the Security chief and he hoped she would go to the Admiral so she could hear from him why she had not been selected as XO for the Spock.

Jasmine left the room, she was now ready to go. Nathan had given her a lot to think about. And she was grateful for that. The scene starts to fade away.

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