<USS Avalon> Up the Chain

Up the Chain..  At Least Temporarily
by Captain Keith Ketchum and  Junior Lieutenant Ffej Harak
 
Sitting in his office,  looking over a few items that make it to his desk  
Keith recalled something  from before they left Betazed. 
 
Leaning over to the comm,  "Mr. Harak to the Captain's ready room, please."
 
Taps comm badge. "Harak  here, On my way Sir."  Crinkles brow in mild 
confusion, I don't think I  did anything wrong... hope I'm not being 
reprimanded.  
Chuckling softly  to himself.  Exits quarters, heading to nearest turbolift.


Waiting patiently, he  stood and walked over to a couch and sat, a much more 
comfortable locale. 


After a brief ride,  steps off lift and walks over to the ready room.  Taking 
a moment to adjust  uniform, thumbs the chime to announce arrival.
 
"Enter", and the doors  part.
 
Steps through the door.  "You wanted to see me Captain?"
 
"Ah, come have a seat,  Mr. Harak, in one of the cushy chairs I had ordered." 
 Motioning to the  chairs across from him.
 
Moves over to the offered chair,  glancing about the room, instantly noting 
all objects that have the potential to  be used as weapons.  Catches himself in 
midst of habit formed from years of  training, closes eyes and grimaces. 
"Thank you sir."  

"I bet you're  wondering why I called you here."  Carefully watching the 
young  Lieutenant.   
 
Slowly nods agreement to the  statement. "Yes sir, I am."  

"Well, I will get right  to it.  I need your professional expertise in a 
couple matters.  With  Commander Marksbury off ship for a while, I need you to 
take over at Tactical  and overseeing the Special Ops team, as needed."
 
Blinks astonishment  briefly. "Me? sir?  Surely their must be someone else 
with seniority, or  more experience."
 
"Well, If you don't want,  I am sure I can note that on your record and find 
someone else."
 
"It's not that I don't want it. I'd love the opportunity sir.   I just don't 
want my in-experience to hinder the task at hand." 
 
"You state you have  in-experience, but one way to get it is to just right in 
and do  it."
 
Smiles faintly.  "That is the  only truth that Starfleet has failed to grasp 
sadly.  The theory they  teach, doesn't always apply to the situations at 
hand.  One of the things  they need to do is require internment for one year on 
a 
ship." Leaning back into  the chair.  "Permission to speak freely sir?"  

Keith nodded, "Of  course."
 
"Why me?"
 
"As I said, with  Commander Marksbury off ship, you are the logical next in 
line for that  department.  Because as the Captain of this ship, I want you 
there.   And because, I said so."  He smiled.
 
"Theory dictates, in this  situation... that my hands are tied and to just 
follow orders."  Smirks  softly. "Very well sir.  I'll do my best."  

"I'm sure you'll do just  fine.  If you are still unsure of yourself, and 
further training, might I  recommend holodeck tactical battle drills, as that 
is 
where I'll need you the  most."
 
Nods. "Any particular  training sessions I should focus on? or just 
generalized tactics?"
 
Keith thinks for a  moment, "Maquis.  And then general."  Tapping a couple 
things into a  PADD, handing it to Ffej, "Try the Ketchum-Tactical, at Level 3, 
 
specify Maquis, and that should do it."  He chuckled, "If you want  something 
with a kick, try Level 17  It'll throw everything at you,  Cardassians, 
Romulans, Klingons, Breen, Gorn, and a couple rogue Starfleet  vessels.  I 
don't 
expect you to pass that one, just enough of a stress  test, as they come from 
everywhere."
 
Accepting the PADD, nodding slowly.   "Sure... I'll start from dead and work 
my way to mortally  wounded."  

"You'll do fine, Lieutenant, I'm sure of it."  

Sitting forward, glancing  down at the data on the PADD. "If that is all sir, 
I'll get started on this  simulations."
 
"That is all, have at  it."
 
Nods again as he stands  and exits the room.
 
Keith watches him leave,  hoping he made the right choice.

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