Kane / Keating

Posted on Mon Feb 1st, 2021 @ 7:23pm by Lieutenant Commander Finnley Keating VII & Commodore Jacob Kane

Mission: The Shadow of Arachne
Location: Kane's Office
Timeline: Post-Mission
707 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Kane thumbed his way through the workload manifest for the starbase dock crew. Their jaunt through the Badlands, the destruction of the Pico, and the excursion to what many in the crew had called 'Nightmare space' had left some significant marks on the ship. Indeed, it would be a few days before she was ready to return to the regular patrol routes.

With the loss of their Chief Engineer in the Pico detonation and Breen attack, he had a decision to make. Fortunately, it was one that was going to be easier than most.

Finnley headed towards the turbolift. Her fingers lightly tapped at her side indicating the nerves that had set in since she received the call to report to the Captain’s office. Although she hadn’t been given any information on why she had been summoned, her mind immediately thought of the worst-case scenarios. A Captain’s Mast for ejecting the ship’s warp cores in the middle of a crisis? A demotion maybe?

Approaching the office a few moments later, Finnley rang the chime. She then took a deep breath, collected her thoughts, and straightened her uniform before the doors swooshed open. “Lieutenant JG Keating reporting as ordered, sir.” Finnley walked in, ready to take whatever punishment she was certain she was due for.

"Come in, Lieutenant." Kane motioned her forward. "We've had quite the first few weeks on the job, haven't we Keating? Breen attacks, jaunts to strange nightmarish realms, misplaced warp cores..." He actually locked eyes with her at that last point. "For many young officers, that would certainly give them cause to question themselves and their abilities. And the value their commanding officer might place in them. Wouldn't you agree?"

“Yes, sir?” She replied, unsure of where this conversation was going. Guilt coursed through her as Kane had mentioned the “misplaced” warp cores. He wasn’t wrong in his last statement either. Finnley rarely questioned her abilities and usually exuded confidence, but now? Now, she wasn’t so sure. Not after what she had done.

"And then I witnessed my Assistant Chief Engineer overcome fear itself to make sure those warp cores were back where they belonged," he concluded. "Eventful indeed." He straightened his uniform, letting the moment hang. "I need a new Chief Engineer. Someone who knows the ship, knows the crew, and is capable of working competently under pressure. I'd say you passed that audition, wouldn't you?"

“Wait, what?” Finnley answered with a look of bewilderment. She was expecting a reprimand, at the least. Not this. “Um, sure…” She hesitated. A week ago, Finnley would have jumped at the opportunity without hesitation or fumbling for words. The past week, however, after having allowed herself to be deceived, caused her to doubt her own abilities.

“I mean...yes, sir.” She pushed past her self-doubt and finally resounded with a confident yes. Becoming a CEO had always been her dream. She would just have to learn to look beyond her mistake.

"You proved yourself, Lieutenant. Take a few days, get familiar with the idea. I have faith you'll agree that you're up to it," he nodded.

Finnley thought for a quick moment and pulled herself together after having been initially thrown off by the surprise. As she gathered her thoughts it became clear that this was what she had always worked for and it's what she always wanted. She wouldn't let one mistake throw her off her game and she knew that she was up to the task.

"I don't need a few days. I'm up to it," Finnley nodded confidently, "and thank you for the opportunity." She smiled, appreciative of the fact that Kane hadn't lost faith in her abilities.

He smiled, knowing her response was the perfect justification for his decision. "Co-ordinate with the drydock crew chief, see what you can help them with," he agreed. "But make sure you get that leave - that's a medical request for everyone on the crew, I can't help it."

"Understood," Finnley headed for the door with a slight bounce in her step which hadn't been present before. "Thank you, Captain," she had turned to express her appreciation before stepping into the hallway and onward to find the drydock crew chief.