Executive Officer
USS Scorpion (before repairs)
<USS Scorpion, San Francisco>
Kaile hunched over the console before her. From time to time she would glance up at the time. The last she heard they were deliberating on the Captain's fate but she knew the end result. Aaron had caused some major damage. Rubbing her tired eyes, she flopped into her chair on the bridge and crossed her legs. The schematics of what they were doing to the Scorpion was interesting. They were refitting everything.
"Who do you think our new captain is going to be?" Seungo's voice came from behind her.
Kaile whirled around. "Ensign. This ship has ghosts. Don't sneak up on me like that."
"My apologies."
"As for our new captain--I have no idea," Kaile took a breath and stretched her legs out before recrossing them. "It will be strange having a new captain."
"I know..." Seungo handed her a padd. "It's a final talley of all things Security. I am not sure what to do without K'Rish there and we never did have an asst."
Kaile nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I should dismiss the rest of the crew for shore leave. I mean who knows when they will be finished."
Seungo nodded. "Does that mean I'm off duty now?" he smirked at her.
"Yes. Take some time, Go. You deserve it," Kaile patted his shoulder.
When he nodded and exited, Kaile walked over to the Operations console and sent a shipwide message to all the crew.
"Attention All Crew," she wrote. "As you may know the vessel, USS Scorpion is under repair and our captain is otherwise, detained. Until further notice you are now on shore leave. Take some time to spend with those you love. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Commander Kaile Emmerson."
After sending the message, she looked around her, grabbed her padd and was on her way out when her comm badge chirped. Taking a breath she shook her head. She did say they could call but dang.
=/\=Admiral Sotah to Commander Emmerson=/\=
Well this is new. Kaile thought.
=/\=Go ahead Admiral=/\=
=/\=Please report to my office on board Starbase Omega. I on the fifteenth floor=/\=
Kaile made a face. =/\=Right away sir.=/\=
When the connection was cut, she stopped and looked at her reflection in a nearby wall. Her hair was a mess. Groaning, she stuck the padd between her knees, pulled her hair out from it's tight corn-row and finger combed it. She then re-braided it, wrapped the ends around and tucked them under to make a bun. Tugging her tunic in place. Turning on her heels she made her way from the Scorpion to the base.
The thought of why they were calling her ran through her mind. Did they think she did something wrong with what Aaron had done? The truth was Kaile felt guilty too. She knew if they wanted to press charges she wouldn't fight--but charges on what? Perhaps some dumb Good Samaritan law...
Ugh! She thought.
Taking the turbo lift up, she exited and glanced down at the padd in her hand. It said she should go left. With a deep breath, she lifted her chin and made her way to Admiral Sotag's office. When she was admitted, the admiral sat behind his desk and gazing out the window was a female Commodore. The woman had her hair tied up tightly in the back--her blonde locks had traces of white throughout. Her body looked strong but Kaile could tell she was older. Arching a brow, she stood at attention, waiting.
"At ease Commander," Sotag said motioning to a chair. "Please, have a seat."
Saying nothing, she sat down but her back never touched the chair. She sat on the edge of her chair, ankles crossed, padd in lap and waited.
"You may be wondering why we called you here," Sotag began. "And who this is. This, is Commodore Ashley Shain. We had a rather tough decision to make regarding the future of the USS Scorpion. Especially the way her last captain ended."
Kaile tilted her head.
"Whether or not Captain Golding is acquitted or convicted he can no longer command a starfleet vessel. Our alliances would not have it and we are not certain we can trust him."
"Would it not be up to a counselor to declare him fit or unfit?" Kaile questioned.
"That is correct, Commander," Commodore Shain finally spoke. Her voice was soft, almost like a mother. "But there is no way he could pass a mental evaluation. You know that, don't you?"
Kaile hung her head and pushed a breath out her mouth.
"The reason we called you here commander is to offer you a promotion--to command the USS Scorpion."
Her head snapped up, her eyes must have bulged for the Admiral exchanged a look at Commodore Shain. "Sir..."
Commodore Shian walked to sit beside Kaile. "We understand your hesitation. We understand your loyalty. But Commander you have shown courage in the face of danger. You've had to make decisions that tell us you are ready for this position. We would reather offer you this since your crew is accustomed to you and we did not want to have to make any more changes that was necessary for their healing."
"But Captain Golding..."
"Will have to retired after this," Admiral Sotag said, his irritation evident.
Kaile casted a glared in his direction. She rubbed a hand over her mouth and took a breath. "Can I have some time to think about this?"
The commodore nodded. "Yes, sure. This is a heavy decision. Would twenty four hours be enough?"
Kaile nodded.
"Very well," Commodore Shian said. "Dismissed."
Kaile nodded her head and exited the room.
***********
After the commander let the room, Commodore Shian walked back to the window and stared out.
"Did you really need to baby her, Commodore?" Admiral Sotag questioned, brows knitted.
"No...but she proved once more she is ready for this position," Commodore Shian spoke without looking back. "She has a loyalty to her captain even though she knows he can no longer command, still she will ask his permission."
"How do you know that?" Sotag frowned.
"She's a good woman and even better Starfleet officer, Sotag--she will ask his permission."
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