<USS Avalon> "All Friends on the Western Front"

 All Friends on the Western Front 

*by Commander Skyler, Lt. First Class Georgia Lewis, Ensigns Michaelson, 
Henderson and Davis and Sergeant Major Williams*

Sitting in her chair, with her eyes closed, Skyler heard the doors open. She 
took a wild guess and figured it was Sgt. Major Greg Williams and Ensign 
Vevay Davis. Lyta turned and winked at her new found friend. "Don't just 
stand there, come on in. We've got things to do and hopefully no place to 
go." *At least not this time.*

Greg offered Vevay another cheerful grin as he sat at the Science station. 
"So... what's the emergency, ma'am?"

Looking at the two new comers, Skyler was a little surprised to see the age 
difference, but that didn't matter at this point. "We need to establish a 
secondary station here, in case we are boarded by the Maquis. We are 
currently in the badlands, searching for some sort of temporal worm hole. 
Mr. Williams I need you to serve as my science officer, look for any signs 
of these wormholes and if possible, try and come up with a way of closing 
them down without letting the Maquis come through with weapons from the 
future. Ensign Davis, I need you to set up some sort of security perimeter 
around this secondary station. I don't want any unexpected guests."

"Please don't call me 'Mister' ma'am," Greg said with a sudden stiffness to 
his stance. "Mister is used to refer to junior officers. I'm neither junior 
nor am I an officer, I work for a living."

"Excuse me Sgt. Major Williams, but that is how I refer to all my officers, 
junior or otherwise. We are all working for a living, and I take offense 
that you think would think less of this crew, just because of their rank. 
Everyone here works just as hard as the next person. If that is a problem 
for you then perhaps I shall request another science officer."

"No problem, ma'am. But I will refer you to my previous statement: I am not 
an officer." Greg turned back to his work station, doing everything in his 
power to keep his temper in tact. "Actually, ma'am, if you would be so good 
as to consider calling another. If you truly believe that I have no respect 
for this crew then perhaps you would do better with another because, quite 
frankly, I find your attitude to someone of my rank and standing to be less 
than acceptable."

Skyler stood and faced the Sgt. Major. "Just how would you like me to regard 
you and your rank? I chose you for this assignment because of your 
background in science as well as the military. You may not be an officer, 
but as far as I am concerned, on this bridge, you are as much an officer as 
I am or Ensigns Michaelson, Henderson and Davis." Now her anger was rising 
and she was getting tired of the bullshit...

"If you would like to treat me as my rank befits, call me Sergeant Major, or 
Dr Williams or Greg but 'Mister' is not acceptable. Now, with all due 
respect, let me do my job and then you can get on with yours." Greg lifted 
his chin, waiting for the outburst or tirade, keeping his face and his 
thoughts blank. 

Skyler stood facing the science officer wanting to rip him a new one but 
thought better of it. "Dr. Williams, if you would be so kind as to take the 
position of Science Officer and look for any signs of wormhole activity it 
would be appreciated. Also if you wouldn't mind trying to come up with a way 
of shutting down these holes into the future so that the Maquis cannot come 
back through them." She turned trying to control her anger and looked at 
Ensign Davis. 'Is there something special I should be calling you instead of 
Miss or Mister? In case anyone is interested, the person sitting at helm is 
Ensign Michaelson, whom I refer to as Lyta, Tactical is Ensign Henderson, 
whom I refer to as John. You will also find that Lt. First Class Georgia 
Lewis is called Georgia by most and she calls me Ms. Skyler. Does anyone 
have a problem with that?"

Vevay did everything in her power to not giggle. "No, ma'am, call me 
anything you like." 

"Vevay if you would please work with John on setting up some kind of 
security measures I would appreciate it. As I said before I do not want any 
unexpected guests." John and Lyta were doing their best not to laugh. *
Unbelievable,* thought Skyler, *fucking unbelievable. We could be going back 
or forward into the future and he is worried about what I call him.* 

"Yes ma'am," Vevay said as she saluted and took up a position where she 
could see the whole Bridge. Greg stabbed at his console, glowering. He felt 
like she just didn't get it, like it was some kind of joke, but his mental 
shields were up so nothing was projected but whitewash.

Returning to her chair, Skyler sat down, ignoring the pounding coming from 
the Science console. "Lyta, are you still linked to Phillipa's helm controls 
and view screen?"

"Yes, I am and everything looks to be within the normal parameters. I will 
keep you apprised of any changes Ma'am." Lyta couldn't believe the way the 
new guy was acting. Skyler hadn't done anything inappropriate, in fact she 
liked the casualness of working with the Commander. It made things a lot 
smoother as far as she was concerned.

Rolling back and forth on her heals, Vevay watched everyone work, especially 
the Science officer. His fingers seemed to fly over the console, pausing 
every so often as his brow furrowed in brief thought only to burst with more 
activity a moment later. She wanted to break the silence, start up their 
cheerful banter again but an uncomfortable silence had settled over 
everyone.

An older black woman, in medical blues walked, spotting everyone she 
replied, "Sickbays tis alls ready Ms. Skyler. Well, lordy ifn it ain't Miss 
Lyta and Mr. John. I ain't seen ya'll in ages? Ya'll doin okay?" Lyta and 
John both looked at Georgia and smiled, "We're doing fine. Hear you are 
gonna be a Granny again. Congratulations."

*Oh God*, Vevay flinched, *more people*. She sank further and further into 
the background, wondering why the CMO hadn't been the one to inform the XO 
of Sick Bay's readiness. *Delegation*, she thought. Greg hadn't even looked 
up from his typing when the new comer had entered. *Wish I knew what he was 
doing, it looks so fascination. Swap ya*, she thought. Being canon fodder 
wasn't exactly her idea of a laugh, nor was watching over a Bridge full of 
people who seemed perfectly capable of looking after themselves. *I spy*, 
she thought, *with my little eye, something beginning with G!*

"Wells, I ain't ever been a Granny, seenin hows Ms. Skyler hasn't been 
blessed in that way." Looking around, she spotted the two new people and 
started to speak, when Lyta caught her eye. "Georgia, this Ensign Vevay 
Davis and Sgt. Major Williams. Vevay will be working Security with John 
while the Sgt. Major will be working at Science." Turning to look at the 
newcomers, Georgia replied with a smile, "Welcome. Is in charge of sickbay 
as the Chief is in the main sickbay. Ifn yous need sumtin, jest come find 
me." 

Turning the way she had come in, Georgia left. "Vevay, why don't you come 
over here and help me with the security measures." John smiled at her trying 
to ease the tension.

"Okay!" Vevay blurted out and then went bright red as she wandered over 
sheepishly. "S-security measures?"

"Don't worry, we'll work on it together and be done in a jiffy. The computer 
will do most of the work once we set it up." 

Lyta looked at Vevay, "We still gonna look at those lights over Alaska?" 
Skyler was glad for the banter as she still wasn't sure how to take Sgt. 
Major Williams.

"S-sure, a-anytime you l-like." *God, Vevay, you're suttering.* "S-so, what 
do we need to do?"

Greg finally lifted his head and smiled warmly at Vevay. "Breathe, Ensign, 
they're not going to eat you whole."

Giggling nervously, Vevay returned his smile and then gave her attention to 
John.

"Believe it or not Sgt. Major, I am not going to eat you whole either. 
Vevay, don't worry, I'm sure John and Lyta will be more than happy to help 
you with any questions. As I am sure the Sgt. Major will." Skyler wasn't 
sure what she had gotten herself into but it was too late now. She was not 
going to be captured again, no matter what.

"No, ma'am," Greg said coldly. He returned his gazed to Vevay before saying 
a little more warmly. "Any questions, anytime, love." Coughing 
self-consciously, he added, "Ensign."

"Thanks," Vevay winked at him, blushing again. "Just tell me where to stand 
and look menacing, I'm good at that, believe it or not." She laughed 
lightly, knowing she had the rabbit caught in headlights look at the moment.

She had to do something and she had to do it now. Standing up, Skyler turned 
to the science console. "Sgt. Major will you please join me outside? Lyta 
you have the bridge." Skyler walked outside and waited.

"Yes, ma'am." Standing sharply, Greg followed her out.

Vevay held her breath, hoping he wasn't in too much trouble. "He's a nice 
man, you know. Not the pompous NCO he's showing at the moment," she said to 
her companions.

"What can I do for you, ma'am?" Greg said, standing at perfect attention.

"First of all you can relax and if that means I have to say "At Ease." then 
so be it. I would really like to know what I have done to offend you and why 
you are instructing my crew as to what to do?" She stood there with her arms 
crossed, waiting. 

"Instructing your crew, ma'am?" Confusion played over his face as he 
remained at attention, choosing to ignore her first question since it was 
obvious from their prior conversation.

"I believe I said 'at ease', which if I am not mistaken, means you don't 
have to stand at attention. As for instructing my crew I mean, telling 
Ensign Davis how to behave. I am not the cruel heartless person you seem to 
think I am. We need to workout whatever discord there is between us or we 
will not be able to accomplish our mission effectively. So I ask again, 
explain to me how I have offended you?"

"Ma'am." Forcing himself to stand at ease, Greg managed to still appear at 
attention despite the difference in his stance. "You are a Commander and yet 
you appear to have very little or no understanding as to how NCOs operate. 
As your career seems to have worked perfectly successfully without it, I see 
no point in instructing you now. One thing I will say is this: know your 
crew, Commander and know when to call someone Doctor and when to call them 
Mister. Because believe me, there is a whole lot of difference."

"Lets get one thing straight Sgt. I know my crew and they know me and how I 
operate. I trust every single person in that room with my life and they 
trust me. You may not like the way I do things when I am in command and you 
may find Captain Ketchum a little different, but not too much. This ship has 
been through more trials than you will ever know. Since you seem to be the 
resident expert on how and when to call someone a certain name, please 
inform me. Also I am correct that this is your first mission aboard a ship?"

"You are correct, ma'am. Though my battle is experience is considerable, 
since I am a marine." *How fucking rude.* He kept all expression from his 
face, his mental walls in tact. "And when it comes to names, I would suggest 
you read crew profiles, ma'am."

*I can't believe this pompous ass trying to tell me how to do my job!* "You 
may have a battle experience, which will come in handy if and when we 
encounter the Maquis. As for reading crew profiles, I have. I know that this 
is Ensign Davis' first assignment on a Battle Bridge during a potential 
combat situation, which is why I placed her with Ensign Henderson. She does 
not need you telling her to smile or that no one will eat her alive. I did 
not just randomly pick names out of a hat for this assignment. If I didn't 
think certain qualifications were met then you or any one of the others 
would not be here. It is obvious that you don't like me or my style of 
command, unfortunately you are here and you will have to get used to it. If 
you do not think you are capable of doing the job under these conditions 
then tell me now. I am sure you worked hard to achieve your rank and that is 
honorable, but on this battle bridge rank doesn't mean crap. All that 
matters is that everyone does their job to the best of their ability. I 
started out on this ship as an ensign and worked my way up to CMO, 2nd 
officer and now XO. I may not be a marine but I do know what it means to 
work your ass off to achieve your rank. While we are on this mission, not 
only am I the XO but will be the acting CMO. Now, tell me now if you want 
out of this assignment and I will find a replacement." Skyler never took her 
eyes off of Sgt. Major Williams.

"That's a pretty little speech there, ma'am." Greg stepped back from her, 
desperately trying to keep the contempt off of his face. "I may only be a 
foolish NCO to you, ma'am, but the respect that I have earned by being who 
and what I am will not be overruled simply because of the way you run your 
shift. I was not telling the Ensign what to do and how to behave, I was 
merely being friendly. But I can see that friendliness is not something that 
is looked kindly upon between enlisted and commissioned officers. With that 
in mind, I will do my fucking job and keep the hell quiet. Is that 
acceptable to you, ma'am?"

*No that is not fucking acceptable!!* "Apparently you do not understand 
anything. Friendliness is welcomed in all forms. So you can keep your 
fucking attitude to yourself. I will respect you when you can act as if you 
deserve my respect. If I wanted to I could write you up on various counts 
but I choose not too. If I wanted a science officer who kept their fucking 
mouth shut I would've put a holo-emitter on the EMH." *I am about three or 
four minutes from tossing him in the brig or out a freakin' air lock...* 

"Yes ma'am." Greg saluted and stood back at attention. "May I return to my 
position or will you be requesting another Science officer?"

"You may return to your post, just remember that everyone has to work 
together as a team. Not as individuals. Dismissed." She watched as he 
returned to his station. Both Lyta and John turned as he walked back in. 
They immediately resumed their assigned posts.

The look of pure white fury on Greg's face made Vevay frown. Leaning down, 
she whispered to Lyta, "I thought you said that the Commander was really 
nice."

Lyta looked at Vevay and grinned. "She is, but he was being an asshole and 
that she will not stand for. Neither I nor John have a problem working for 
her, in fact we rather enjoy it. She gives us the autonomy to do what we 
think is best in a given situation. She will take our suggestions and mull 
them over and if they are sound ones she will use them. She has you working 
with John, because on a similar mission she was captured and beaten. She 
wants to make sure that doesn't happen again. Give her a chance and make up 
your own mind. Don't let anyone else influence you. If you don't agree with 
me, I will buy you another sundae you can mutilate." Lyta tried to stifle a 
giggle, although it was rather difficult.

Skyler walked back in and took her chair. "Anything new to report Lyta, John 
or Ensign Davis or Vevay, your choice."

"Call me V, sir." Winking at Lyta, Vevay resumed her position at the back of 
the Bridge. She hoped John could take care of all the necessary 
vocalisations and stuff, she really didn't want to speak again. Her whole 
being emitted waves of nervous terror. Finding herself shifting from foot to 
foot, Vevay clasped her hands behind her back and stared at the view screen. 
The phaser at her hip felt almost out of place, it had been so long since 
she'd worn one. *God, I hope I can do this...*

Taking a calming breath, Skyler looked at Vevay. "Okay, V it is then. I need 
you to hand out weapons to everyone, hopefully they won't be needed. Has 
John been of any help in setting up the security measures and do you have 
any questions for me? I know that this is our first time working together 
and I hope that it will be a good working relationship." 

Lyta looked at V and whispered, "See I told you so."

Taking one last glance at Greg, Vevay shook her head. "No questions, sir." 
She scampered away and grabbed enough phasers for everyone, her training 
kicking in. "Does everyone know how to use this? I know you've all been 
trained but when was the last refresher course that you took?"

Greg was the first to answer. "Three months ago, Ensign." Whilst she was 
blocking the Commander with her body, he winked at her, making her grin.

"Okay, everyone else?"

John and Lyta replied in unison, "Approximately 4 or 5 months ago." 

Skyler looked at her security officer with interest. "V, I make it a point 
to use the practice range as much as possible, but a refresher course 
wouldn't hurt. Please proceed."

"Well... err... this is highly irregular, but sure." Taking her own weapon 
out, she took it quickly to pieces. "This," she said, holding up a small 
rectangular object, "is the battery pack, it slots into the main unit like 
this." Her hands showed them how to reconstruct it with slow, deliberate 
movements. "When your battery is dead, the weapon will emit a small whining 
noise and a little red light will go on, like this." The noise that 
surrounded tham was not exactly unpleasant but it was certainly persistant. 
"I have issued you with replacement batteries should you need them."

Quickly removing the pack again, Vevay aimed the phaser. "You fire it like 
this. Please be careful what setting you have your personal phaser on. The 
Commanding Officer will intruct you what setting she requires. You change 
the settings like this." Re-attaching her battery, she slipped the phaser 
into its holster. "Please, don't play with them, they are not toys. Briefing 
over." 

Lyta looked at V and chuckled, "Yes Ma'am. No toys." John smiled back at V 
as well, hoping to give her some encouragement. "That was well done V, 
excellent indeed. Now how do you propose we keep the Maquis from entering 
this area of the ship? That includes the secondary sickbay as well."

"Transport inhibitors to back-up the shields then a member of Security 
posted at each doorway, at the turbolifts and each Jefferies Tube. 
Admittedly," Vevay grinned, "that's a little overkill."

"Nothing in this situation is overkill. If those Maquis manage to enter the 
wormhole into the future and bring back weapons, starfleet weapons from the 
future, we will need all the protection we can get. I think that you have 
made excellent decisions. John, please help V to implement those ideas. Lyta 
you have the bridge again, I am going to go check out the secondary 
sickbay." She walked past the Sgt. Major without saying a word or looking 
his way.

Whispering to John, Vevay said, "It also might be prudent to have a 
contingent of Security Officers in both Sick Bays, don't you think?"

John looked at V and grinned. "Hey, she put you in charge of security, so as 
far as the seconday sickbay goes it is your decision. She is trusting you 
and I think deservedly so. As for the main sickbay that is up to the 
Captain." 

"Oh God, I've over stepped," Vevay said with shock, shaking her head as she 
headed off to talk to people about getting more Security down there. 

Lyta looked at V, "Would you stop for a moment? You have done everything 
just fine. If you hadn't, she would have let you know. You know you are a 
good security officer so just relax and do your job. Just like the rest of 
us." She didn't know if V had heard her or not, she hoped so. She really did 
like V and wanted to be her friend. Hopefully, she would let her, for now, 
Lyta took one last look at John and returned to her console.

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