Manifest Options
Posted on Fri Mar 28th, 2025 @ 8:42pm by Captain M'Raz & Lieutenant Commander Jason Reeves
1,808 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Resistance is Necessary
Location: Captain's Ready Room | Deck 1 | USS Jane Addams
Timeline: MD002 - 0430
Sitting across from Captain M'Raz, Jason Reeves sat on the other side of the desk with a list of his recommendations in hand, which he handed over. "I know there are going to be people who have been assigned to the Jane Addams longer and awaiting their turn. But here are my recommendations for the new department heads. They handled themselves very well on the away mission and their records speak for themselves."
"Why don't you give me your impressions," Raz said as he accepted the list but made no move to read it other than glance at the names. He was not surprised to see H'iri's name there; the universe, it seemed, had it out for him of late.
Jason noticed the expression on M'Raz face. "Guess I'll address the elephant in the room. Which is the only one on the list that I have concerns with. Lieutenant H'iri has good record and I have good impression, minus the obvious tension I witnessed between the two of you in the cargo bay. Clearly there is a history there. I don't need to know the details of the history. But I can tell that it bothered you. This is your ship and I will not go through with the recommendation if it puts you in a place of discomfort."
An expression flitted across his face, not easily read on a Caitian's features, so different than a human's, and it took Raz a moment to frame an answer; this was not a time in his life that he shared easily or at all with others. "I knew her once," he said finally, "long before Starfleet. It didn't end well but it was a long time ago. It won't be an issue."
The Commander opted not to push the issue. If Raz said, it wouldn't be an issue then he would take it as so. Unless a problem did come about, then he would address his concerns with his superior. "Lieutenant Elias McEntyre would be an excellent replacement for McKnight. I can see him falling in line with the current security department. Of course, I can see him making some changes. But nothing too different that how things are at the moment. Plus, I can see the people in the department adjusting to him."
Raz pulled the notes closer, scanning the information that Reeves had jotted down in his interview. "Nuisance," he said with a slight shake of his head, "not being able to call up his record. What about him impressed you specifically?"
"The man has combat experience which is a plus right now," Reeves answered. "Not to mention the man isn't afraid to think outside the box. We're going to need that within the next few days or weeks."
"I like your optimism," Raz said. Options were limited and the position needed to be filled. "Alright, I'll speak with him because you're right, we do need someone with combat experience. Who's next?"
"Meerah Preevor for the diplomatic officer position. Currently we don't have one, but she has the experience. Not sure how helpful a diplomat with be with these Borg. But we definitely are in need of one."
"Every Federation member world will be in a panic over this," Raz said, "and rightly so. It will take a miracle or two for me to convince them to take in refugees or provide resources. Diplomatic advice will come in handy."
"Never considered that," the first officer admitted.
"Next we have Micheal Taggart for Chief Flight Control Officer," the Commander mentioned. "Taggart is more experienced that anyone else we have on the ship."
"Betazoid," Raz grunted as he looked over his First Officer's notes. "The mental equivalent of someone barging into your room and rifling through your underwear while they say hello."
"I'm sure there is some kind of vow not to read people's mind," Jason mentioned as he thought about it briefly.
"And yet," Raz said, "never met a Betazoid yet that didn't start off by telling me what I was feeling or thinking."
"Touche," Jason replied. "I'll let you sleep on that one. We took a bit of a hit regarding the engineering department as they tried to make repairs during the battle. Had an offer from civilian Sakura Meng to fill a much-needed position as Computer Systems Specialist. "
Raz cocked his head and stared at his First Officer because that was one record he did know. "Now that," he said, "is leaving out a whole lot of information. Sakura Meng is more than just a 'civilian' and you know it."
"Fate has my ex-wife back on a ship with me, but living with me as well," he admitted. "But she insists on working and being of use and Sakura is great at her job. The issues between us have been more about my career overshadowing family in her opinion."
"Her insistence doesn't equate to a position on this ship," Raz said at once. "And I'm not convinced she'd be an asset. I'll have to give it some thought."
Jason simply threw his hands up in defense. "She made the suggestion, and I said that I would bring it to your attention. Odds are she isn't the only potential civilian with a useful skill on board."
"Tell you what," Raz said, "send her down to Lieutenant Kilz. It's his department, he can make the final call on that one."
"I'll send her down there."
"Also, the Cadets. You wanted one for your Yeoman, but that is typically reserved for Enlisted personnel. Unless you just wanted some Cadet to get some experience seeing what you do on a daily basis. But will these kids get a commission or offered an enlisted position while earning the opportunity to be an officer at some point?"
"I didn't say I wanted a cadet as a yeoman," Raz said. "I'd rather the cadets continued their schooling, while they are on board at least, and I don't know how long that will be. What I said was, I wanted a yeoman ... if there was a candidate. It's not necessary. I can do well on my own. Always have."
"My mistake." Going through the PADD, he quickly pulled up a list of names. The Commander then handed the PADD over to Raz which consisted of three candidates.
"Probably be easier just to do things myself," Raz grumbled as he pulled the list over.
"One of these three people will be spending a lot of time with you."
Raz lifted his gaze from the list long enough to look at his first officer. Caitian faces didn't move in the same way that humans did but the emotions were conveyed through a combination of eye movements, grunts, growls and purrs and occasionally, as now, a sigh that rumbled deep in his chest.
"It's a hard position to fill and that's my fault," Raz said. "Finding someone that I can work with for longer than a minute ... I think Starfleet personnel gave up a long time ago. Send whomever you think will work the best, regardless of position, I'll adjust."
The Commander looked back at the list. "I know that you are not too fond of civilians. But I am thinking outside the box again. Micheał Lipinski the guy from the Risian Luxury Starcruiser Furnada. The guy deals in hospitality and knows how to work with people and cater to their needs."
Raz grunted in response. "Sounds like he'd be a better fit in Diplomacy. I'll give him a week, if he doesn't work out, you can transfer him to Preevor's department." Raz paused for a moment. "He'll have to be sworn in as a crewman and trained in rudimentary procedures. Can you see to that?"
"I can handle that, but with that said. Please give the poor guy a real shot and not make it too difficult on him."
Raz slanted a look at his First Officer and issued a 'hmmm' that was more growl than grunt as his response. He had had a good crew and while replacements were necessary, too many new faces all at once made his fur itch.
"And last of all recommendations for Chief Science Officer," Reeves spoke as he handed another PADD to the Captain. "Lieutenant Michael Harris another brought on board via escape pod. His record, especially regarding temporal mechanics is impressive. Spoke with him briefly."
"Alright, I'll set up an appointment with him, we'll see how it goes," Raz said. "Learning what we can about these ... Borg ... will require someone good. Better than good."
"My thoughts exactly," the Commander agreed. "If only we could get a hold of one. But that conversation is for another day. So where are we off to?"
"We've got a rendezvous with the other ships that fled the system," Raz said. "Someplace out of the way where hopefully we can regroup and collectively figure out the next steps. Personally, I have a couple of ideas about places we can search for information but before that, we have to find a place for the refugees. Somewhere safe."
"Figured the Federation Council would be working on where to drop off the refugees. Migrating folks to other worlds is bigger than Starfleet."
"And hopefully, safer for them," Raz said, "At least for now anyway. I don't see this ending any time soon. They'll solidify their position in Sol but after that, they'll move on to their next objective."
The Commander nodded in agreement. After Earth, the Cube had made its way to Luna and began the same invasion process there. At this point the Jane Addams were leaving the system with various other ships fleeing as well. Whether they be Starfleet, civilian transports and even those civilians who were lucky enough to own or had acquired a shuttle. "Anything else you need from me Sir?"
"No, nothing," Raz said. "You're dismissed. It's going to be a long day, I think." Once his first officer was gone, Raz's gaze returned to his monitor where the ship's scans showed a real-time view of the system though it lacked the detail they would have had if they could have connected with Starfleet. The Borg Cube had taken up a point between Earth and its moon with regular traffic going out of and coming back to the cube.
Earth had seven orbital platforms, now in enemy hands, and once the Borg had Utopia Planitia and there was nothing to indicate they wouldn't be successful, they would have a solid base with which to take over the Federation. He yawned widely, his claws extended from his outstretched paws, and rose to his feet. Time for more coffee, he thought. A lot more.
OOC: Done will post this upon returning from the away team mission.
Captain M'Raz
Commanding Officer
USS Jane Addams
and
Lt. Commander Jason Reeves
Executive Officer
USS Jane Addams
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