(no subject)

[pain_train]

Who: Wrath
Broadcast: video to everyone
Action: Iskaulit, interfaith center (feel free to treat the action as a mingle)
When: broadcast is current, action happens the next day

[Wrath, all uniformed up and serious. Anyone who's seen it before will recognize this as her "in command" face, though she mercifully looks less pissed-off than she ever has before in this mode. More... thoughtful.]

This is a message aimed at the ship captains and first mates in the fleet, but I don't think it's a bad idea for other people to hear it. I'm Wrath, now captain of the Windrose.

This place is... weird, because we're given officer titles without an actual command structure in place, and without a legal code, oath, or universal moral authority over us. As someone who was a military officer for... I guess over twenty years, I find that really difficult.

It's pretty obvious that the intention for these ranks to be hollow, and for that to be a source of stress and drama that will entertain the audience. But captain is only an empty title if you let it be. And while we don't have any kind of unified mission or directive, there's one part of being an officer that can and should always apply: we take care of the people under our command.

I know a lot of you have gotten these arbitrary ranks without wanting them or having civilian or military command experience. I think it'd be helpful if we talked. I've got experience I can share, and I know other people do as well. And maybe together, we can come up with some ideas that will make everyone's lives better.

Stefan's said he doesn't mind if we borrow the meeting space in the Interfaith Center on the Iskaulit. This isn't for religious reasons, but because it's a nice space with plenty of chairs and hot drinks and stuff. If you want to participate in this discussion, let's get together tomorrow afternoon while we're still drifting, get to know each other, and talk.

Wrath out.


[Wrath doesn't really have expectations as such for people showing up, but she's made sure to get together some refreshments (tea and coffee-esque beverages, juice, and water) and some vegetarian snacks.

The space is set up to be friendly and welcoming, for people to talk in groups large or small, rather than as some kind of lecture thing. She's serious about wanting to keep it informal for now.

To hopefully keep the atmosphere relaxed even if she's in a more focused, serious mindset, Jellybean and Officer Snuggles are wandering around and will be happy to have attention from anyone.]

Comments

[beathach]

[he still doesn't think he's much of a captain, but he still comes over for the meeting; it's important, and while he doesn't think he has much to add experience-wise, he will be listening intently.

And take notes, because that's what he does. Old habits die hard]

[universal_charm]

I hadn't realized you'd been promoted, Hank.

_{[ Kirk smiled at the other man, recalling their conversations of genetics in the library. He quite liked him, and from what he understood Hank was friends with Winn as well, which was points in his favor even if he had not already liked him. ]}

Congratulations.

[beathach]

Hah - thanks, Jim.

[he offers him a hand to shake, both in greeting and because it's been a while since they last spoke] I was promoted a while ago, but I don't really bring it up much. I'm not captain material, honestly.

[universal_charm]

_{[ He takes it and gives a firm shake before relaxing, clearly at ease here and not taking to very seriously. ]}

Well, that's all right. I don't think it's really a requirement here, but so long as you're not outright ignoring what duties you can fulfill, then you're doing an all right job.

_{[ Not exactly right to hold everyone to, say, Star Fleet standards. ]}

[beathach]

Mm, I do what I can when I can. Not that there's much, but - mostly I just get teased about it.

[still, months later]

[universal_charm]

_{[ He chuckled. ]}

Well, I suppose it can't be helped. But like I said - so long as you're doing what you can, you're doing a good job here.

Personally, I think that if everyone comes we should try and set up defensive aid strategies - share some insight. How we deal with our individual ships is our own business.

[beathach]

That's all I really can do. I take it seriously, even if I'm not cut out for it.

[he tilts his head, eyebrows furrowing curiously] Defensive aid?

[universal_charm]

Like if the Fleet comes under attack. You can consider each ship a separate unit within the Fleet - so what happens if one gets attacked? How do the rest of us respond to the situation? Having those types of things hammered out reduces reaction time, which will save lives.

[beathach]

Ah - yeah, that makes sense. [he rubs at the side of his neck, nose wrinkling in thought] Has that ever happened here?

[pain_train]

Hank! I'm really glad that you came. I know you want to be a good captain, so that's great. I think we can all do a lot more than we have been so far.

[beathach]

I hope we can, too. Though I would've came over regardless to hear what everyone has to say.

[pain_train]

I think sharing experiences will be a good thing.

And I'm hoping that we can find some points of agreement between everyone or at least most of the captains.

[beathach]

I have very little experience to share, unless someone wants to hear about how often I get teased.

I don't think that would be too hard - we're all on the same page when it comes to protecting our ships, aren't we? I think everyone takes it with some level of seriousness.

[pain_train]

Teasing is a very important part of morale and unit cohesion as long as it's not insubordinate.

I'm hoping so! And there's definitely stuff we can all do to make life easier for our crewmen.

[beathach]

Oh, it's incredibly insubordinate. Terribly so.

[he's absolutely joking. He doesn't mind the teasing, even if it had only served to add to the panic when he had first been promoted]

Mm, there really is. It'll be interesting to see how the other ships work together, too.

[pain_train]

If we can come up with some standard agreements between some of the ships, that would be a big step. But that's probably like a step further than things should be in an informal setting right now.

[beathach]

It couldn't hurt to have a plan in place, just in case. I'd rather be prepared for the worst and never have to use it, than not be prepared at all.

[namisan]

Hello again. [She remembers Hank from the party and grins up at him from her seat, hands wrapped around a mug of coffee.]

[beathach]

[he blinks down at her before he returns the smile, even offering her a little wave]

Hi again. I didn't know you were a captain.

[namisan]

I'm not sure I really qualify. As far as I know, the Atroma just drew my name out of a hat, but we get by. I figured it couldn't hurt to see how others do it, huh?

[beathach]

No, it couldn't hurt. I'm in the same boat as you - our captain left, and for some reason they promoted me.

[namisan]

That's exactly my story. But hey, if your ship hasn't blown up yet, you've gotta be doing something right. Right?

[beathach]

If there's any explosions on my ship, we make sure to keep them controlled and isolated to the lab.

[he says it with a grin like it's a joke, but - no. He's totally serious]

[namisan]

...mad scientist on board?

[She's only half kidding.]

[beathach]

Two of them.

[look at this straight face]