A Shift Change

Posted on 23 Oct 2024 @ 1:13am by 1st Lieutenant Gavin Ross Dr. & Captain Jasmine Somers FCapt

2,092 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 01 Captive State Part 2 (Incidentals)
Location: USS Themistocles/CRR
Timeline: Current

[ON]

In the Captain's Ready Room on the Themistocles Jasmine received a request from Lieutenant T'Kara, she wanted to swap roles and she explained why and understanding Jasmine had to do her duty, she tapped her Commbadge.

=/\= Captain Somers to Lieutenant Ross, report to the CRR Immediately =/\= Somers begun.

- Marine Country -

Ross was in Marine country, playing a game of cards with 2nd Lieutenant Ramos. Ross was one of the few Marines who were extreme newbies. Gavin was new except that he had been in Starfleet Medical School for over 12 years of study, practicum, and off-world assignments before he was ever assigned to a Marine unit on the USS Themistocles.

A sucker in his mouth, the white handle prodding out the left of his lip as he sucked the cherry stick.

“Alright. It's been too long watching you in agony…” Gavin grinned as he laid his spread across the metal table in the locker rooms. “Straight Flush!” “Read them—a five-card spread. We gots… 8,9,10, J, Q, and Ace.”

Before Ramos could place down his cards, Doc Ross heard his name over his com. Surprised to hear from the Captain herself, he immediately stood up and replied.

=/\= 2nd Lieutenant Ross here. On my way, Captain Somers =/\=

With that, he raised a brow at Ramos. “Looser cleans up!” He winked jokingly as Gavin strode off.

- CRR -

Chiming the outside door to the Captain’s Ready Room, Gavin had only been here at one point in his short past, when he first reported for duty. He heard many good things about the long Family line of Somers who had served in the Marines and some he was sure in the regular Officers.

"Enter Lieutenant Ross," Somers said as she pulled up his file.

Gavin entered just through the doors of Captain Somer's Ready Room. Ross ensured he was clean and had a sharp cut to his uniform. Seeing the Fleet Captain behind her desk reading, he gave a sharp, crisp, one-off salute in respect to his commanding officer. “2nd Lieutenant Ross reporting as ordered, Captain.”

He rested his eyes briefly to take in the fantastic regimental flag livery behind Somer's desk.

"At ease Lieutenant Ross, you will pull something" Jasmine said and looked up with a smile "Please have a seat, I have a feeling that you will be needing it, as something has changed and due to her Vulcan nature Lieutenant T'Kara is not being too forthcoming" the Captain said and waited till Ross was sitting.

He held a neutral face and sat, not allowing himself to get too comfortable.

“T’Kara.” Gavin first had to remember who that was. Then he remembered that the Officer was the Chief of Medical. He had only met briefly since they all had been busy, Gavin in Marine Country prepping for missions and his medical kits.

“Is there something I can help with, Captain?” Gavin queried across her desk. She looked like most pictures he had seen, with the same character, demeanour, and humour, if dry he had heard.

"Not help no, but with agreement from Lieutenant T'Kara I will be switching you both around you will become the Chief Medical Officer and her Deputy, she is okay with this, but that leaves me with one small problem," Somers said.

An explosion went off inside of his head. 'Wait. What?' Gavin had been through numerous years in Starfleet Medical School, station placements for intensive surgical units. He even had experienced many planetary humanitarian missions within far-off sectors in the name of the Federation.

While Gavin was completing his Federation Medical Journal studies, he now would have access as the Chief of Sickbay to conclude his work.

“Fleet Captain Somers.” Ross recognized not only his superior but also his Marine commanding superior. “I will not let you down, Ma’am.” He has a flash of responsibility in his eyes and the readiness to assume the position. “It would be an honour to serve the Tomcat crew.”

*Smiling to hide the confusion that the problem comment went over his head* "The problem I have is T'Kara is a Lieutenant JG, you are a second Lieutenant and thus equal to an Ensign, and I cannot have an Ensign commanding a senior officer" Somers said pulling out a small box from her desk draw. "Lieutenant Ross, kindly stand if you will" Somers said standing and walking over to the Rifle Officer.

Lieutenant Ross stood at attention, his expression shifting from uncertainty to a more composed demeanour as Somers approached. The air in the room felt charged with unspoken tension. Somers's tone was firm yet measured.

Gavin stood as straight as he had ever held a request in his career. ‘Oh man… Oh man…’ He did his best to articulate what was happening, his eyes laser to the Fleet Captain's green eyes.

Jasmine removed the Bronze Second Lieutenants Bar, opened the box and pulled out a silver First Lieutenants Bar "Congratulations First Lieutenant Ross, I know the promotion is earlier than one expects in their career, but it is the only way to keep the balance in the command structure. So now you are equal in rank to Lieutenant T'Kara" she said as she finished pinning the bar to his shirt, she stepped back and held out her hand.

Gavin proudly grasped hold firmly, clasping tight and shaking his superior's hand in understanding.

Ross was awe-struck. He was so surprised. He felt the rush of the new promotion yet recognized he had much to learn in his Chief position as First Lieutenant Marine Doctor.

Ross remains composed yet appreciative, cool, calm, and soothing in his speaking. He was ready for his Medical Career advancement.

“Captain Somers, I continue to be cordial, reciprocal, and respectful of my medical colleagues in the Med Department. Both Starfleet and Marine.” Gavin stated.

*Nodding* She then went over to her desk, pulled out a shot glass and a bottle of authentic Brandy, poured a glass, and offered it to the newly minted officer.

"Go ahead you have my permission and will not be punished for it, looks like you need a stiff drink" the Captain said with a friendly smile.

Gavin didn't want to seem eager, yet he wouldn't pass up a drink with his Superior. "Thank you. I need a hard drink right now." He joked.

The Captain poured herself a shot and like Ross knocked it back and put the glass down. "Now, you need to get your Department sorted out, your clearances and permissions have been upgraded to that of a Department Head, Lieutenant T'Kara will also retain her current clearences, but you Lieutenant will need to take stock of your new department and adjust accordingly," the Captain said.

“I understand. Lieutenant T’Kara has done a fine job so far in Sickbay. How does one re-organize over a Vulcan’s organization and logical standards of procedures, rules…” Ross, if anything, would probably be looking at tweaking a few things, but nothing too significant.

“There are a few methods I would change up, including preparing available meds. One Doctor has a mindset of a disease process whereas another Doctor has a mindset based on logic and numbers.” Gavin offered his thoughts on what to change.

“Captain.” He felt relaxed a bit. “When was your first assignment as Captain? Has it always been the Tomcat?” Gavin was curious since he had the fleet captain at her casual and thought he would learn about her, the leader of their fine crew.

*wipes her mouth* "The Tomcat was my first Command, over seventeen years ago, I was but a Marine Major who had set in motion the wheels that would reignite the 95th Rifles, a command offer came up I accepted and had to change departments, and do not think I did not make mistakes commanding a ship was a lot different to commanding a regiment. have you met my Cousin Lieutenant Colonel Alexandria Somers? You might not have been with us long enough to do so, but she currently is staying on Starbase 51 with her husband and kids, she has also had a fast track up the ranks and considering how she started it is a miracle she is at the rank she is now" Jasmine said trying to deflect from her.

Gavin leaned back, absorbing the weight of her words. “I’ve heard whispers about your achievements. It sounds like you’re following in some impressive footsteps,” he replied, a grin forming. “But it must have been quite the transition for you, from a Major in the Marines to a ship captain. I can’t imagine the learning curve.”

"Learning curve, you say! My dear Mr Ross, the curve was so steep that I barely held on with my fingers most of the time. I am still learning to this day, but I have also had a large crew turnover these past seventeen years and some losses along the way, so if you are feeling a bit out of your depth with the quick elevation, then I know how you feel.
" she said.

“Seems to me you’ve done more than just rise to the occasion—you’ve thrived,” he remarked, his respect for her deepening.

“And the fact that you still keep in touch with family like Alexandria speaks volumes about the kind of leader you are. It’s not just about rank but also loyalty and support.”

“We’re all part of something bigger than ourselves, whether it’s a ship, a regiment, or a family. The bonds we forge—those define our journey,” Gavin intoned, shifting the focus back to Somers, genuine curiosity lighting his tone.

*Looks at him as she tilts her head to the left with a raised right eyebrow* "Indeed Lieutenant, indeed ironically and currently in this sector of space alone exist three members of the Somers clan six if you include my cousin's kids and her husband, we have us a literal dynasty hehe" the Captain laughed lightly then sobered up "right, enough of that, there is work to be done and if I keep the new CMO from his duties my First Officer will tear me a new one for interrupting his mission, again Lieutenant congratulations, one thing work on a way to refine a skeletal scan and detection of Terran Universe signatures deep in the bone marrow" she added.

"Pardon?" Gavin blinked.

"Terran universe signatures." Gav furrowed thinking through the systematic practice methods employed in countless years of Starfleet Medical Sciences Academy.

"I can do advanced bioassay and lifeform analysis with the sickbay main computer. The comparator/analysis subsection contains a theoretical framework of sensor analysis, which can be adapted to environmental scans." Gav breathed. "But it would be interesting to work out nonetheless. What is the target of scanning, inter-vessel tomographic, and micrographic scans?" Scans within the Themistocles.

"Work up a viable method and initially target the Themistocles, then if there are any refinements to do, get them done, and then when we get the ship back, apply them to the Tomcat and share your findings and method with SB51," The Captain said,

Gavin swallowed thoughtfully, tilting his head as he placed his empty tumbler firmly into his right hand, cradling the glass as he contemplated his response. “Certainly, Fleet Captain. You shall receive a preliminary report at the earliest opportunity,” he assured her, acknowledging her request with a tone of professionalism.

Drafting reports did not displease him; it consumed much of his role. Much of his work involved managing digitized paperwork, human resources, and aspects of medical science and laboratory functions. Ross excelled in providing direction and leadership within Starfleet's medical division and the Marines.

With that, the Doctor got up to his feet, feeling more relaxed now than when he had first entered through the doors. It certainly was not the authentic Brandy. It had more kick than he had thought. He grinned. “It was a pleasure, Fleet Captain.” Ross blushed.

"Welcome Gavin, you are dismissed," she said with a smile and watched him leave her Ready Room, when he had gone she sighed sat back down and returned the bottle to the bottom drawer recycled the shot glasses and replicated some new ones and they were placed in the same drawer as the Brandy.

[OFF]

 

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