Appointments: Helm

Posted on Sun Mar 16th, 2025 @ 6:41am by Lieutenant Micheal Taggart & Captain M'Raz

1,005 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Resistance is Necessary
Location: Captain's Ready Room | Deck 1 | USS Jane Addams
Timeline: MD002 -

With the away team back and the Jane Addams leaving Sol System, it felt as though Raz had a few moments to breathe. He had reviewed the reports from the away team and, after some mental wrestling over a strong cup of coffee, came to a decision. Lacking a yeoman at present, Raz did the appointments himself, sending them out to the three individuals recommended to assume department head responsibilities based on their performance on the away team, their records, and the current needs of the Jane Addams.

Upon receiving the order to report in, Micheal hurried up to the bridge, from the Shuttlebay, and was pressing the door chime for the Captain's ready room a couple moments later.

Sitting at his desk, one paw wrapped around his coffee mug, Raz called out, "Enter." As the door opened, he looked up from the report he had been reading. "Lieutenant Taggart, please come in, have a seat."

Micheal did as instructed, his senses still a bit dulled by the recent shock, so he couldn't read the room as normal. He sat down as he spoke. "Thank you, Sir. Again, thank you for taking me onto your crew. It is helping me work through my grief."

Shock, horror, grief. Threads that were running through practically every conversation on the ship these days. "I understand," Raz said. "I think we're all working through this in one form or another. Did you have family on Earth?"

Micheal nodded numbly. When he spoke, his pain was evident. "My mother was on Earth, last I spoke to her. My father, twin s-sister...and little brother...all died...when the Borg attacked. Both my father's and sister's ships were the first ones destroyed, when the Borg attacked Saturn. My little brother died, when his ship was destroyed during the attempted counter-attack from Starfleet." His eyes took on a far off, hollow look. "I felt them all die, Sir. It was as if someone had cleaved my soul apart."

"I understand grief," Raz said. "Everyone on this ship is feeling it to one degree or another but to be Betazoid and survive that attack. That's a whole other level." Hearing what the lieutenant had gone through, how deeply personal it was for him, changed things for Raz. He needed a Chief but maybe not this particular individual. "Have you spoken to a counselor?"

As soon as the question was asked, Micheal's eyes regained their focus and turned towards the large officer. "Permission to speak freely, Sir?"

"Permission granted," Raz said. He lifted his mug and took a long sip, waiting while the Lieutenant gathered his thoughts.

"While I am currently suffering a great mental strain right now, I can detect doubt and worry from you. You needn't worry about me doing my job well, Sir. I'm the best damn pilot out here. I can do the job assigned to me, Captain." His words, though forceful, were still tempered with clear respect for the senior officer.

Years upon years of life on Cait, little of it good, had taught Raz control and he called upon that now. Quieting his thoughts against the Betazoid officer in front of him. "Doubt, perhaps," Raz said, "but worry? No, I wouldn't say that. You didn't answer my question though. Have you spoken to a counselor?"

Micheal grew silent, realizing he may have put his foot in his mouth. "Apologies, Captain." A soft sigh released from him as he continued. "No Sir, not yet."

Raz nodded. "Before ... yesterday ... I would have recommended leave and counseling. Not active duty." He let out a soft rush of air, sounding like a cross between a sigh and a growl, as he lifted his shoulders slightly. "But now? We don't have that option. I need a Chief to manage Flight Operations and you're the best candidate ... but not, if you're unable to cope."

Micheal looked into the Captain's eyes, grit and determination coming off of himself as he replied. "I'm your man, Sir. I can do the job."

"Alright," Raz said though there was a touch of reluctance underlying his agreement. "We'll give it a try but I'm going to insist that you see a counselor. " He gentled his tone somewhat because he really did understand to a degree what the man was feeling. "Some things, you can't tough your way through. They need to be talked about."

Micheal was quiet for a beat, then nodded. "When we reach a spot where we can take a breath, Sir, I give you my word that I will do what needs to be done to properly decompress."

"Don't forget. Liars don't get far with me," Raz said. "Alright. Lieutenant Micheal Taggart, you are hereby confirmed in the position of Chief of Flight Operations, and are accorded all the rights and privileges that go with that position."

"Lieutenant Micheal Taggart," the computer responded, "is now Chief of Flight Operations for the USS Jane Addams."

"Speak to Operations about getting yourself quarters on Deck 2 and welcome to my senior staff," Raz said, "and welcome to the Jane Addams."

A look of renewed hope and reenergized pride shone in the young Betazoid's face. He stood and snapped to attention. "Thank you, Sir!" He said smartly. "I will keep my word to you, Sir. You will get the best I have!" He relaxed slightly, looking down into the older officer's eyes. "Thank you for giving me a chance, Captain!"

A Caitian smile, a bit subtle, a little harder to notice, flitted across Raz's face and there was a gentleness about his pale gray eyes that had been missing of late. "You're dismissed, Lieutenant."

Micheal snapped to attention, then turned and moved smartly out of the ready room. His next stops, were to both Medical, so he could get his initial physical, then to Ops, to get his cabin assignment. After that, he'd return to the bridge, to take his post at Helm.

~OFF~

Captain M'Raz
Commanding Officer
USS Jane Addams

Lieutenant Micheal Taggart
Chief Flight Officer
USS Jane Addams

 

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