Sins of the Mother - Part II

Posted on Thu Jul 10, 2025 @ 9:54am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Edited on on Thu Jul 10, 2025 @ 9:58am

1,322 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Things Past
Location: USS Ranger
Timeline: Three Years Ago

[PREVIOUSLY]

T'mpest paused, raising an eyebrow. "That I do not know, but I can see mother doing that." She shook her head. "She is mostly harmless."

[CONTINUED]

"Mostly being the operative word," Curtis agreed. Deciding to move on, he said, "Tell me about working with John Gifford?"

She paused. That was definitely old history. "There is little to say. We worked together. He was a competent intelligence officer; however, we had different ways of doing things. But there were lessons in that, too."

Changing the subject, T'mpest raised an eyebrow. "What brought you to work for the Inspector General?"

Stopping the feed, he'd been scrolling with an eye flicker, Curtis looked at the Captain and said, "Bad luck?" Smiling wryly, he said, "Or maybe it's not what you know all the time but who you know. Admiral Shy was my boss aboard the Longbow. With my family background in small ship handling, I was posted to system patrol craft and cutters. Longbow was a Cutter and her first command. The Admiral had just gotten her flag when I went through Command school and she saw the name on a class roster."

His smile slid to a wry grin at that as he continued, "The last name kinda sticks out, ma'am. So, she plucked me as her senior aide. I'm about due for an XO spot or something though. I miss space."

She nodded in sympathy. "I understand the feeling. I do not believe I am suited to a permanent desk job myself. I like being in command of a science ship. At least until I decide I want to spend some time working as a scientist." One side of her mouth tipped up in a half smile. "I have become friends with another scientist who goes between working for Starfleet and working as an archaeologist for Federation Sciences because she wants to do both. It also keeps her from being considered for a command position, which may be one of the reasons she does it."

"Those are the dangers when one goes to Command school, Captain," Curtis said with mock seriousness. "Line officers and staff officers. Stay a staff officer and you can lead a department, but it keeps you out of the center chair. That center chair is seductive though..."

T'mpest looked around her ready room. "Yes, it is. As long as you have the autonomy to explore."

"Deep space missions are getting rarer, even if there is always more to explore," Curtis commented. "And the more capable you are, the more duties they want to take on, which can keep you from toddling off into the unknown. Seduction and vicious circles. Ahh the life of an Admiral."

"Which is why I like being a captain," she countered. "I have a ship, a sector of space to explore, and just enough paperwork to keep me grounded."

"And then there is the need to allow junior officers who have proven themselves a chance at that seat. And experienced captains who won't give them up. Probably not many commands, but the example it sets? And its effect on morale?" Curtis was parroting his Admirals words now, but there was a point that needed to be looked at.

And seeing how a senior captain would answer something like that was interesting.

"There is also something to be said for the security of having a seasoned captain when you find yourselves in an unusual situation," she replied casually. "And, if you look at my record, you will see that the Ranger has been in tight situations. I agree that there is a need to give younger captains a chance at command, but I also do not see a need to push them into command. There needs to be balance between the two."

With his best poker face, Curtis said. "I think I understand, Captain. So, what you're saying is only seasoned Captains can handle a sticky situation? How could a junior officer that's probably served under a few captains, cope?"

"That is not what I meant at all." In trying to be succinct, T'mpest only managed to be unclear. "There are no black and white answers because each situation and each commander is different. There are times and situations where a seasoned captain is best. I mentioned the Ranger as an example only. There are also times when a captain has become too set in their ways, or a first officer who is clearly ready for command. In those cases, change is best."

Drilling down slightly, Curtis kept his tone respectful and questioning, "Ships Captains are powers unto themselves, ma'am. How many will know or even acknowledge they're too set in their ways and step down before they tarnish their legends and possibly ruin their junior officers’ careers through the loyalty they built up brick by brick. Couldn't it be argued that an offer of gaining their flag could preempt an unpleasant situation and even benefit the fleet?"

"At times, this can be true. But it can also put someone who is too set in their ways in a position of authority over an enterprising young captain, can it not? Is that not one reason why we have psychological assessments and review boards?" She raised an eyebrow, enjoying the back and forth on an academic level. "The chief medical officer and counselor are empowered to remove a captain from duty if they are doing anything to put their crew in unnecessary danger."

"The Admiralty is a mirror of the Federation. It's an imperfect system to be sure," Curtis acknowledged. "But it's better than other forms of bureaucracy and government. So, it's the bear we have to face." "As to the medical officers and counselors being empowered, yes they can. But they'd best be very sure of themselves. Like having a headstrong Admiral abusing their authority." Smiling, he said "I think it's an even better statement that promoting the right people and having them accept the job can help forestall that."

She couldn't help smiling at that. "I admit you have a point. It is a fine balance as to who should be in the center chair and who should be behind a desk. But in the end, one can always say no."

"One can always say no, Captain. And I very well may feel the same if I ever get a chance at a Command. However, the devil’s advocate, and Admiral's Aide in me has to comment that if you're unwilling to be a part of the process, using the talent and training you've accumulated, then it's hard to complain about said process when you don't like what others do."

She liked Thibideaux. Admiral Shy definitely had the right person for the job. "Also true. I like to think I help train up first officers and send them off to their own commands. Perhaps, one day, I will decide to put down roots and accept a promotion to earth, but today is not that day."

"So, I'll mark you down as a definite maybe. Let them court you, Captain," Curtis said as he packed away his kit and shut down his links, blinking rapidly three times to signal the computer. "I'll ensure Admiral Shy knows where your mind is at." Glancing about, he said, "I imagine you're busy so I can leave you to your rat killing, as the marines say. Anything for me, ma'am?"

"Nothing at this time. Good luck, Commander Thibideaux. Perhaps our paths will cross in the future." T'mpest wouldn't mind that. Of all the people she'd spoken with from Fleet, he was the most amenable.

Nodding, Curtis stood. Straightened and said, "By your leave then." Assuming he already had it, Curtis turned on his heel and exited stage left.

A joint post by:

Lieutenant Commander Curtis Thibideaux
(then) Flag Aide to Admiral Teresa Shy,
Fleet Inspector General

Captain T’mpest Michaels
Commander
USS Ranger

 

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