Second Chances

Posted on Sun May 29th, 2022 @ 6:10am by Commodore Jacob Kane & Lieutenant Myra Sh'rillil

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: USS Athena - Ready Room
Timeline: Sometime pre-shore leave
925 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Crew rotation and replacements were rarely enjoyable experiences. In-fleet transfers were common, of course, especially when a ship was due in dock for a respite and overhaul. Kane generally hated the administration involved, and typically delegated some of the responsibility to Commander Zora. On this occasion, however, one of the files he had been passed caught his eye. An Ensign from the USS Yerelak - someone who had crossed three separate departments in four years of service. It was unusual, and he was intrigued by the unusual.

That was part of the reason why he was keen to meet this transferee in person. Again, it was atypical that he met everyone that joined the ship personally - he wasn't that sort of sentimental officer - but for Myra Sh'rillil, he would make an exception.

An exception was a change to a rule. Rules that were meant to be followed. They made society function better, made projects completable, and made soaring through space a reality. It had been asked at Myra’s academy hearing, why she thought herself the exception. Why she should get to continue on with a career in Starfleet after breaking the rules. She had given the only answer she could. She could still do great things.

To this day, she wasn’t sure if she’d actually convinced someone of that fact, or if it had simply been her father’s doing. Whatever the case, she had vowed to prove them right in granting her this second chance. It hadn’t been easy. The last six years had been grueling, but here she stood, in front of another captain’s door, ready to try again. She could be worthy.

The andorian took a deep breath, ignoring the passing crewmembers behind her, and pushed the chime to the captain’s office.

"Yes. Ms Sh'rillil." Kane motioned the Andorian forwards as she entered. "Welcome to the USS Athena. I hope the transfer wasn't problematic." He leaned back in his chair, absently touching his beard as he usually did while thinking. "I was just reviewing your file; makes for some interesting reading. Would you like to explain any of it for yourself?"

Myra startled half way through standing at attention. Her antennae leaned forward slightly as she stared at her new captain for a moment. “Everything written in there is truth, Captain.” She leaned her head slightly to her left, a slight smile making its way to her lips. “Although I doubt it offers much in the way of entertainment, I hope it can at least point to my dedication sir.”

The ensign clasped her hands behind her back and took the time to take in her captain. She wondered why she was here precisely. If he had wanted her out, she simply wouldn't be here. Then again, she had absolutely no understanding of what went through a captain’s mind. “I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have sir.”

"Just one." He folded his fingers, staring intently at her. "Why. Why did you, and only you, admit to modifying that phaser?"

Myra bit her lip and stared at the man some more. One of her antennae dipped a little forward as the other seemed to curl slightly towards her head. Her stare left the captain and drilled a hole into the carpet. Still today the decision she had made all those years ago weighed on her shoulders, and its weight showed through.

Straightening herself, the andorian’s gaze met her captain’s once more. “A good commanding officer looks out for the well-being of the people working alongside and under them.” She paused for a moment as the half smile and relaxed demeanor reintroduced themselves into the conversations. “Sir.”

"No." He shook his head. That wasn't the answer. It was one answer, but it wasn't the one he had in mind. "Anyone can look out for their comrades." He smiled slightly. "You did it because it was the right thing to do. You owned that situation; mistakes were made, of course, but you owned that mistake. Accepted it. Learned from it."

He went to a small black box on his desk, opened it, and slid it forward. "An Ensign for four years. Three different departments. Lesser persons would have walked away." The box held a single gold pip. "You kept going. Kept striving, even when things weren't favourable. If you'd have been on my ship, this would have been on your collar much sooner...Lieutenant."

The andorian’s antennae parted sideways as surprise appeared on her features. “Huh!” She’d expected something. Hoped for better. But this was far beyond that. The smile crept back as her whole body leaned in slightly towards the box on the desk. “The river always knows its path.”

Her smile grew larger as she straightened herself. “I shall endeavor to prove myself worthy of the trust you place in me, Captain.” She bowed. “You have my most sincere gratitude for this opportunity.” Her left hand inched forward, but stopped. Despite the smile, her eyes indicated uncertainty.

"That's what it is, Lieutenant: an opportunity. I expect courage and determination in every one of my crew, and from what I can tell from a passing read of this file you have more than enough of that. Make the most of it," he concluded.

Myra nodded and grabbed the box from the captain’s desk. “Yes sir.” Flashing the captain a full smile she turned to exit, stopping for a brief moment before she did, nodded, then exited.