USS Dark Fire (IC)

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.1325

Yito Seja:​

Squinting one eye as the other lifted Yito scowled. Her disciplinary reports were becoming commonly published?

“It was not an error, you interrupted my work while I was still inside the console. And since you crawled in afterI was completed with that part, you prevented the replacement of the cover. Your logic is flawed.”

“If you will excuse me, you are in my way. Unless you plan on replacing the hatch cover?” She asked, irritated.

Reeves:​

“Have you been rated for the HUD system? It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to familiarize yourself with the basic system. And a Plasma Cannon is definitely an excessive use of force. A phaser rifle may be more prudent, less aggressive, and less antagonistic.”

Listening to the Doctors response to his query Reeves looked at the Captain. “Excuse me, this is a matter I need to deal with. Urgently.”

“Dark Fire inform the Doctor I’m on my way.” He added. A couple minutes later he was outside the Doctor’s office tapping the buzzer. The perks of being the Commander gave him priority use of the turbo lifts. And site to site transport.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

To be frank, Xiana didn’t expect an early visit, given how occupied people of the commander’s rank were as of late. She saved her work, removed her glasses, and instructed for her doors to open.

She got on her feet, beginning to speak after the entrance shut. “Good afternoon. What seems to be the problem? Is everything alright?” The rapidness had caught her a bit off guard. She took some steps towards the center of the room and stood patiently, hoping for something mundane rather than tumulative. Then again, the context indicated otherwise.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.1330

Reeves:

“I apologize for the suddenness of my arrival but I’m seeking to alleviate the conflict as quickly as possible, and amicably.”

Sighing he pinched the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes for a moment and refocused. “The Captain and I have both spoken with Mr. Araiza on separate occasions. However, I feel that we have made missteps, and had miscommunication, in handling his situation.”

“Part of this problem is that neither of us, to my knowledge, has ever consulted with you on how best to resolve the situation and aid in his return to duty, with a reduction in his hostilities and disrespectful nature towards other crew and staff.”

“As such I am here now in an attempt to reach out to you for guidance in resolving the situation. Do you have any advice? Other than chastisement for my neglect in not seeking you out earlier.”

“I acknowledge my skills as Commander of this Vessel and an Officer of Starfleet are capable, and that my interpersonal skills are… lacking.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Quietly, she was grateful it wasn’t a life or death matter, but Xiana understood the gravity. She had to answer in a way that didn’t give away any specifics she knew. An opinion without examples. Being helpful would have to be vague.

Her hands tucked lightly in her coat. “I don’t blame either of you for not asking for my input. My duties with the Captain and yourself are suggestive rather than decisive.”

She took a moment to select her words. “His… social carelessness is undeniable, and in such a rigid environment I understand it’s more sensitive than he registers. He’s very defiant and oppositional. He’s a creative, and creative types struggle with traditional work dynamics as-is. I think a starting point is realizing that this type of behavior is more based on his expectations rather than doing so out of spite.”

“People, humans at least, normally develop hyperindependent perspectives and hostile reactions as defense mechanisms. They’re habits born out of feeling unsafe, whether physically or emotionally. Physically it can manifest as flinching, trying to appear bigger, yelling, backing up. Emotionally it can manifest as shutting others down, being too passive, isolating oneself, sarcasm.”

“Now, this doesn’t mean any of these defense mechanisms are excused if they affect others,” Xiana clarified, moving her head slightly to emphasize the point. “He is a grown man and a relevant figure in his field that demands professionalism. But it’s helpful in trying to understand how to deal with him.”

“You’re not going to change him with one conversation, much less a threat,” she spoke. “People aren’t so easy to mold, especially when their beliefs are rooted in first-hand experiences. I heard of your latest mission. I think it was a good idea to include him in a group setting tied to work. He cares profoundly for the people he sees as his equals, whether he’s prepared to admit it or not. Unfortunately, he seems to define ‘equals’ as anyone outside, well…” The woman made a circle with her right palm, angled towards the commander, as if saying, people of your status.

“Reminding him of productive links from good behavior would be what I would do. He works to help others, not just to answer to people. He’s respectful so others feel seen, not just to bow to a title.”

She hesitated for a second. “He takes death very personally, so making him realize that good behavior will yield better safety could spare some trouble. As well as emphasizing that you’re on equal footing. Highlighting that titles are more so responsibility labels than social or personal entitlement. Shifting interpretations. Are you understanding what I’m saying?”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Lt Doji Fay

“You may replace the cover, I have other technicians to inspect. Good day” Lt Fay said with no emotion and walked away.

Captain Hora
Captain Hora’s inspection of the EV suit inventory ended the moment she spotted the Federation Combat Environmental Suit. Her eyes lit up.

“Oh, this is perfect,” she murmured, already imagining herself in it.

The specs were impressive: 43.2% reduction in physical and kinetic damage, 5% reduction in all energy damage, 43.2% radiation resistance, and 21.6% toxic protection. Add in reaction thrusters, short‑range spacejump capability up to 45 meters, and blindingly bright EV lights, and it was practically begging to be worn into danger.

There was, however, one problem.

“I might need to adjust the suit to fit my figure,” she said to herself, hands on her hips as she eyed the armor plating. Then she spoke to the ship's AI. “Dark Fire, prepare two Federation Combat Environmental Suits. One tailored to me—and it needs to show off my figure. The other fitted for Lieutenant Sol. And i want the color to be white. We are the good guys after all.”

“Captain,” Dark Fire replied, sounding like a machine trying very hard to be patient, “the suits are designed for protection. The armor does not allow for a form‑fitting silhouette. Alterations will degrade defensive integrity.”

“I understand. Do it anyway. Mold the chest armor so my chest is comfortable.”

A beat of silence. Then: “Yes, Captain. That would be alot of adjusting. Do you wish the suit to accommodate Lieutenant Sol’s tail?”

“Yes,” Hora said, firm and unbothered. “And stop trying to talk me out of this. We need armor for the next away mission, and I want us to look good. Understand?”

“…Yes, Captain,” Dark Fire answered, resigned to her aesthetic priorities overpowering its engineering ones.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.1330

Reeves:​

“We should be blamed for not asking your input. Both knew you had insight into his thoughts, emotions, and mental processes. We should have consulted with you before having any meeting with him.”

“After all, we are not simply logic, but intuition and emotion. We are not gears or cogs in a machine, but individuals with wants and needs of our own.”

“As for Rank and Title, it is a recognition of duty, and achievement, and an obligation to do more. Just as A doctor or Nurse have titles, it is a recognition of specific achievements and abilities.”

“But I believe I understand what you are intending. He is still in pain and emotional conflict over a great trauma that occurred in his past, and has not yet learned to accept and cope with it. So he reacts without intending to.”

“I will recommend that he continue his sessions with you on at least a weekly basis, but he will be allowed to return to duty.”

***

Yito:​

“The day is neither good not bad. It’s just a day.” Yito replied as she replaced the cover. “Asshole.” she added once he was far enough away, and under her breath.

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

“He requested a session per week indefinitely, so don’t concern yourself with his continuation of counseling being penciled in,” she offered with a half smile. “I haven’t concluded whether he’s in pursuit of great change or just likes to hear the sound of his own voice, but only time will tell.” The man kept himself fit, but surely his vocal cords were the most exercised fragment of himself.

“I would like to remind you not to treat his return to duty as a reward, rather as an ultimatum. Opinions on what happened aside, final opportunities should be carried out,” Xiana added. “Trauma and our past don't excuse our unpleasant behavior.”

“Is there anything else I can help you with?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870611.1335

Reeves:​

“Thank you, Doctor, but no I believe that will be all.” Cmdr. Reeves replied as he turned to the door. “We’ll be arriving at a new system in the morning. From what we’ve determined it’s occupied, and they maybe aggressive. Your office and quarters are closer to the hull than L’Sa’s Lab and the primary medical facilities. You may be needed to help calm the injured if we get into combat.”

“A squad of MACO will also be assigned to the location to defend the injured.”

***

Heading back to the Bridge he gave his report to the Captain. Seeing the displat for the Combat Suits he raised an eyebrow,but didn’t comment on it.

“My recommendation is that Mr. Araiza be returned to duty, but assigned to the Bridge Port Weapons Officer position until such time as he’s proven himself capable of returning to his normal duties.”

“This will allow him to not feel useless, since he isn’t, but also allow us to have direct observation of his behavior and mannerisms.”​

 

[milkmaiden38]

Hora
Captain Hora’s tone carried that mix of command presence and Orion lusty-naughtiness, that always made the Commander sit a little straighter.

“That sounds like a good idea. I’d like to discuss it with him—but first, he needs to reply to my letter,” she said, clearly still irritated about the Araiza situation. "In the meantime we have an away mission to preper for"

“I have a slight complication with the Federation Combat Environmental Suits. Lieutenant Sol doesn’t think he needs one.” She lifted a hand, ticking off each objection. “He says the helmet hides his fearsome teeth—he’s right. He says the suit slows him down—also right. And finally, he says he looks stupid with his tail covered.”

Hora sighed, exasperated but not defeated. “I don’t think that’s true. Dark Fire did a good job. The suit is form‑fitting. Lt. Sol claims it looks like he has an arm growing out of his butt, but I think it clearly looks like a tail.”

She leaned forward, eyes narrowing with the seriousness of someone discussing tactical doctrine rather than alien fashion.

“What do you think, Commander? Tail… or arm‑butt?”