Episode 3: Whose Life Is Dearer – Part 8
Eighteen hours from Hetemit IX
La'an's second entered the security department's operations room and said, "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes. We're a go for spotting practice and an overwatch tomorrow on Hetemit IX." Enterprise's new chief called up a three-dimensional rendering of the abandoned colony and pointed at a south-westerly location. "I thought here."
John scrutinized the map. "Yeah, concur. Alright, I'll get the teams organized." He claimed a workstation in order to assemble the roster and issue their equipment requisitions.
"Can we …" La'an's words got stuck. She hesitated. Swallowed. Cleared her throat. Began again. "Can we speak privately?"
"It's your dime," he said with a smile while typing.
"Excuse me?"
John was still adjusting to his new boss' style: literal, succinct, close to the vest. That she held others at arm's length. He stopped working and gave her his full attention. "Of course. How can I help?"
She glanced around the area then headed for a small conference space. He followed. Once the doors closed, La'an circled the table before claiming a chair at its far end. Her posture was stiff, her shoulders and back in tight alignment.
He leaned against the wall and tucked hands under his arms, crossing them over his chest. This was a casual gesture rather than annoyance telegraphed through body language. "Shoot."
"I have a …" She shifted in her chair. "This is a mistake."
"Obviously there's something important on your mind." He waited then gently prodded when she didn't continue, "Go on."
"It's … a personal question. Out of bounds." La'an's hands rested on the table, her palms flat, her fingers stretched and rigid.
John took a seat. "Let me judge if what you want to know is off limits."
"Alright. You've served on Enterprise for years. Were Commander Isak Bengsston's second, his natural replacement." She pierced him with an unblinking stare and bluntly asked, "So why don't you have my job?"
"Oh. That." John chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "Not out of bounds at all. Didn't want it. Too much admin, not enough securitying …"
Her first thought was the assumption, I'm Pike's second choice … or lower. This was immediately followed by a feeling of disappointment.
John continued, "And those early morning briefings? Nah. Mornings are for coffee and biscuits and gravy. Unless, of course, the reward for that barely past dawn meeting is having it over breakfast made by the Captain. Then definitely don't miss the waffles. And take seconds." He rubbed his chin. "And thirds to save for the next day or a midnight snack." A pause. "Your predecessor usually delivered his update during an early morning run. Be on the lookout for that and have your excuse ready. Any other tips I can offer?"
She muttered, "So you turned down the post when Pike approached you."
John straightened. When he spoke, the tenor was assertive, forceful, drawing a line not to be breached. "That's Captain Pike." His voice softened, edging back to its typical cheery tone. "And he didn't offer me the chiefdom."
"Ah. Okay." La'an stuttered. "Guess I should say sorry."
"Thanks, but unnecessary, like I said, I didn't want it."
She looked away, eyes roaming the room.
John waited, granting time without filling in the silence. When the atmosphere turned awkward, he queried, "Where'd you come up?"
Her eyes returned to his. "On the Joyson. Under Captain Townsend and Chief Guzman."
"Both good officers. Spent six months there myself. Every minute of it on border patrol, I think they volunteer for those assignments. Ninety-nine percent of which is mind-numbing boredom, cause no exploring, one percent of which is sheer terror. And a very military atmosphere on board. Enterprise must feel like a different planet."
She nodded. "Try galaxy."
He grinned and pretended to doff a hat, "Well, don't let our small-town charm fool you, ma'am."
"Meaning?"
"Hmmm." John tilted his head, spending a moment regarding her, deciding. "You'll work it out."
"May I? Ask another possibly inappropriate question? Meaning I may be putting you on the spot," La'an clarified. Her shoulders had relaxed into a more comfortable position.
"I think we've established I'm not shy with my opinions," John replied. "So let up on the reins."
"What?"
He grinned again. "You'll get used to the equestrian references. For some unknown or maybe not so unknown reason, they're infectious. Ask away."
La'an reached for a stylus left behind by another. She tapped it against the table. "How would Commander Bengsston have handled a breach of protocol occurring during an away mission and resulting in an injury?"
"He'd consider the circumstances. And the crewperson involved." John held her gaze. "But I don't think you're asking me about a hypothetical situation."
"I'm not," La'an admitted.
"Fair enough," he replied. "Once any danger from the injury had passed, Isak would have huffed and puffed at our erring Lieutenant and then let the matter go without further escalation or permanent reprimand." In answer to La'an's skeptical expression John added, "Her mistake was minor, the consequences happened to be serious. Isak is a big believer in not conflating the latter in a way that overemphasizes the former."
He chuckled. "And if anyone in the security department had erred in a similar way, Isak'd have chewed their arse so hard they'd have been vertical for a week. Then taken them out for a pint."
La'an lifted her chin as if declaring victory.
John tilted his head back and his expression turned incredulous. "Are you one of those wankers who think family shouldn't serve on the same ship when one member is a senior officer? I truly believed they were all armchair warriors spouting from the safety of their living rooms unsubstantiated judgments pulled out of their arses. The ones who believe we in the fleet spend all our time fighting aliens. Those amping up on the drama of selflessly letting your lover die in order to save literally everyone else, including the bad guys. Ones who have no concept of what life is like when lived aboard a ship in deep space."
"Married officers serving together can set up a difficult conundrum, particularly when their ranks are vastly unequal," La'an pointed out. "And you just confirmed standards are relaxed for some crew."
"Not because of who they are sleeping with. And not relaxed, applied appropriately according to background, training, and profession," John replied. "Security personnel are rightly held to a higher standard for security protocols. Just as a medic is held to a higher professional level in their field. Or an interpreter in her work," he argued.
"Still, you can appreciate the quagmire I am in?" La'an countered.
John nodded. "Yes … and no. You're new here. I apologize for my earlier outburst, and the colorful language. I respect you have reasons for your opinions. And can assure you, you are not treading quicksand. That's not how things work on this ship. If you are feeling uncomfortable about anything, you can take it to the Captain. He'll listen fairly. He may not agree, but he will listen. And does change his mind. Ditto for Number One."
La'an pursed her lips. "My concerns are valid. And my duty is to the safety of this crew. If the worst happens, if his back is against the wall … what … or who will Captain Pike choose?"
"You mean whose life is dearer to him?" John asked. He was now leaning forward, hands and lower arms resting on the table.
"I'm not criticizing the choice he would make, it's obvious, the same one we'd all make," La'an said. Her voice softened to barely a whisper. "Loved ones are irreplaceable. It's right, and natural to think of them first, to save them before others." She shook her head as if trying to dismiss something. "I'm questioning if rules should prevent a commander being placed in such a situation. I say yes."
John frowned and raised an eyebrow. "You're assuming a lot about what Captain Pike or, for that matter, what anyone in his position would do. Why did you take this posting then? If you're intention is separating them, getting Aalin transferred, well, if you managed it, the result is depriving the fleet of one of it's most senior and accomplished leaders. Captain Pike will walk away without a second thought, without a backwards glance. Yes, he is ambitious, and this career of service is important to him, but he is committed to his wife."
"You just made my point for me," La'an said.
John didn't miss the hint of sadness in her eyes. "No. I'm talking about picking between love and job, love and identity. Not deciding who among his crew lives or dies." He offered her an empathetic smile, thinking, I'm sorry you lost someone. But he would not voice this sympathy on a guess, nor unless she freely told her own story.
He continued, "No one knows how they will face such a soul-wrenching choice until the moment is upon them. If it does happen, I trust Captain Pike will meet it head on and with his eyes open, remembering everyone is cherished by someone. Can we truly ask anything more of him?"
"My aim is to prevent anyone facing those decisions," La'an said, her tone was passionate. "And I took this assignment because … it's the flagship. Who wouldn't seize the opportunity with all you've seen and done? And there is much to admire the about this crew and Captain Pike."
"But you are starting from a place of not trusting him," John noted.
La'an inhaled and exhaled twice before speaking. "Implicit trust is hard for me. I'm … not capable of bestowing it quickly or easily."
John acknowledged her admission with a slight nod then stood. " He started to leave but turned back. "You never asked why Captain Pike didn't offer me your job."
"I didn't want to pry," she replied.
"He knew the answer. And thus prevented an entry in my record declining a promotion which could limit future options for rank elevations and advancements." John paused then said before exiting the conference room, "Think on that."
