<USS Avalon> An Update and An Order

An Update and An Order
By Captain Keith Ketchum and Junior Lieutenant Caine Reilly McKinsely
 
Caine was reading over the PADD she had put together for the captain, dealing 
with the investigation while riding up the turbo lift to Deck 2.  The lift 
stopped and she stepped out.  She walked up to his office door and rang his 
chime.
 
Keith sat quietly in his office, looking at the box on the desk.  He knew it 
would be another week before he had arranged to see Tess and possibly his own 
father.  He couldn't keep his mind on the PADD that he was reading.  Upon 
hearing the chime, “Enter.”
 
"Good afternoon sir," she said as she walked in and smiled at Captain 
Ketchum.  "How are you doing today?"
 
"Ah, Lieutenant today is a good day."  He smiled.  Seeing her with a PADD, 
"You must be bringing me news from the Investigation front."
 
She laughed lightly, "That’s an interesting way to put it sir, but yes, I am 
bringing you the information I have."  Walking forward, she took the pleasure 
of taking the seat in front of Captain Ketchum's desk.  "This has all the 
information I have collected and the interviews I have done."  She handed the 
PADD 
to him.
 
"Forgive my manners, Lieutenant."  He took the offered PADD.  He briefly 
skimmed the material, "This is all?  There appear to be a couple of interviews 
that have not been completed, correct?"
 
"Unfortunately that is true; I am still waiting on Ensign Mehdi Idrys.  I 
need to speak to him still but he has not answered my request for an 
interview."  
Caine felt bad for complaining to the captain like that, but he did ask her 
and it was only right she answer.

 
Keith nodded, "I understand the predicament.  You are forced to not complete 
your duty that I requested of you."  He knew there was only one thing to do.  
Keith reached over and tapped the comm, "Ensign Mehdi Idrys, to prevent 
further delay into an already lengthened investigation, you are hereby ordered 
to 
meet with Lieutenant McKinsely at a mutually agreeable time within the next 
week.  That is all", and he closed the comm.
 
"Thank you for doing that sir, it should help me out so much."  Caine hoped 
that now this investigation would be ended fast.  "Do you want me to go into 
any more detail about the investigation?"
 
"That is not needed at this time, Lieutenant.  I hope this will assist you in 
completing the task.  I will await your final report soon."  Keith smiled, he 
secretly hoped the inquiry would be over, and ship functionality would return 
to normal.
 
"I hope so as well sir; there is one thing that I do wish to ask you about 
sir, if that is alright?"  Caine more then wanted this investigation to be over 
for a more selfish reason then the captain.
 
"By all means, Lieutenant, if I can't be available to answer your inquiries, 
then how can I ask the crew to be?"  Keith smiled at her.
 
"That is true sir," she smiled slightly.  "Well the thing is sir; a lot of 
the crew are worried and stressed about this thing with Javan and Skyler.  No 
matter the outcome of this investigation sir, how do we deal with relaxing the 
crew and getting rid of the tension between the two commanders?"
 
"Interesting question.   I know that whatever the outcome, the tension 
between Commander Skyler and Commander Sierra will remain.  Personal feelings 
have 
come into play here; ones that I cannot just order about.  I have planned a 
shoreleave on Risa, when this current mission is over, to let the crew be a 
little more relaxed.  And I am willing to take suggestions on their well-being, 
as 
you are the Counselor."
 
Caine thought for a moment, "some shore leave would be great for the crew and 
Risa is the perfect place for that.  I'm just very worried about continued 
tension between the commanders and how it will affect the crew later on."
 
"Unfortunately they are adults, even though sometimes they don't act like it. 
  They will have to work through that themselves."
 
"True, thank you though sir."  She was still going to try to think of a way 
to get those two to work out their problems and she figured that since she was 
Javan's Imzadi, maybe she could talk him into doing something about it.  "I 
had one other question for you sir, if that is alright."
 
"Of course."
 
"I was unsure if in this investigation, once it is finished and you have all 
the information, if you wanted me to, for lack of a better word, counsel you 
in your decision of what is to happen to both commanders.  I'm afraid I am not 
totally clear on my job description in this field sir."  Caine hated to admit 
ignorance in something but she had to this time and Caine knew the captain 
would understand.
 
"I appreciate your forth-right on the matter, but once you have provided me 
the information, if I need a counsel on the decision or punishment, then I 
shall of course inquire on your services."  He hoped that didn't sound too 
harsh.  
But he was worried that Skyler felt that Caine's services as Investigator 
were hindered with bias.
 
Caine nodded in complete understanding.  "Okay sir, I was just unsure of my 
full duty here, but that does make a lot of sense.  It is one thing for me to 
investigate, another to counsel you on your decision, because depending on the 
outcome, it would appear that my relationship with Commander Sierra had 
effected my judgment and I don't want to seem biased or anything like that in 
front 
of the crew or you sir.  I think your idea of working it is that best, thank 
you, Sir.”
 
"Anything further, Lieutenant?"
 
"No sir, I believe that is it, I am sorry for taking so much of you time 
today."
 
"Not at all, Lieutenant, my office is always open."
 
"Thank you sir.  If there is nothing else then I would be on my way, there is 
a swimming program on the holodeck I have been dying to check out, if that is 
alright sir."  Caine was still smiling, the little bit of time she had spent 
with the captain was all she needed to be completely sure that he was a 
wonderful captain and worthy of everyone's respect.
 
"Of course, dismissed, and enjoy."
 
"Thank you sir and I hope you have a wonderful day yourself."  Caine stood 
and walked happily out of the room, glad to have the meeting over and happy to 
know that everything was coming to a close soon.
 
He nodded as she left, knowing he could trust her talents, and provide him 
with the much needed information.

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