Chapter
Captain Picard, Commander Riker, and Counselor Troi were going over the applications for the new Enterprise-E's staff. They were in a conference room at Star Fleet Command, overlooking the bay, as the Enterprise-E wasn't ready yet. It was a nice room, with a nice cherry conference table and high-backed crimson cushioned chairs on rollers.
"Number One, why are all these names blocked out," Picard asked.
"Mister Worf suggested that we make our initial choice without seeing the names, Captain," Riker replied, putting down the PADD he'd been reading. "He thought it would make a more objective analyst."
"Which one did he recommend?" Picard asked.
"Number five, sir," Riker said, handing him the record.
"Hmmmm, Excellent tactical ratings, a little small, but with modern weapons, that can be an advantage," Picard reviewed. "That time between promotions is a little close, she's probably a little green."
"Her reviews from her Commanding Officers are excellent," Riker remarked.
"Her record indicates that she tends toward the obsessive, and has no experience with personal failure," Troi said, checking her PADD.
"A mildly obsessive Security Chief is usually an asset," Picard commented. "But the never having a personal failure, that worries me."
"She's a fairly new officer," Riker remarked, stroking his beard. "I expect that some time as Security Chief would solve that problem."
"So you're recommending number five?" Picard said.
"I'm certainly not taking number three," Riker said.
"Why," Picard said, pulling up the record, "Oh I see. That one would have problems serving with Data and Geordi. Counselor, do you have any recommendations?"
"One and four would not fit well with our current staff, in my opinion, although four may be able to surprise me," Troi said, looking at the Captain. "Two might be a good match, and five would fit in well."
"I think we'll go with number five, number one," Picard replied, putting down the PADD. "I wish I could find a post for Marrissa as easy. She wants to try something different instead of helming the ship. I have to admit that she's due for another post, but I just can't find a good one."
Meanwhile, Riker had pulled up the name of candidate number five. "Captain, you can stop looking," he said. "She's number five."
"I think I'll have to have a long talk with Marrissa," Picard said. "She really should be doing things behind my back."
"Does this mean we have to start over?" Riker asked.
"No," Picard said. "I promised myself that I'd never let my personal feeling interfere with personnel decisions, and I intend to keep to that."
...
Author's Note:
This is one of the many abandoned how does Marrissa become chief of security scenes. I eventually decided to go an entirely different route than this in Worlds in Collusion.