O'Brian nodded, pausing to formulate an answer for Flameheart
A good question Lieutenant Commander. I'm afraid the answer really rather depends on who you are talking about. Much of how you are to compose yourself will be covered in your Royal Family training, and yes, this is mandatory for all of you. All you need to know right now, is that when we are working with Queen Carina herself, I expect you to be the absolute best of the Armed Forces. It may be showy, but we take pride in being specially chosen to defend Her here.
Noticing Elliot fiddling with his datapad, O'Brian began the unlock process. It would take a couple minutes to open to them, but to start it now meant she could give them their first assignments, and arrange that training
Commander Y'Berg. Your reputation does precede you.. You are not expected to handle any green pilots, as Harlow's officers are hand selected, however I do expect you to set an example for the other fleets. This might mean you needing to reign in your tongue a little
She smiled, but it was clearly forced
No more questions? No? Excellent.
Firing up her own datapad, it threw up a slide on the main view screen
Here is our schedule for the next couple weeks. All four of you will be attending Royal Family etiquette training before the end of the week. You should see yourselves booked in back here on Friday at 1100 hours. We also have a training exercise set for Thursday at 1400 hours. You will be joining me on the simulation deck for a combat exercise, I'd like to evaluate you in ground combat. We may be navy, but I expect you all to be ready to deploy at a moments notice. The rest of the week will be taken by your standard schedule. Commander Fire, Lieutenant Commander Elliot, I have you assigned to bridge duties. You'll be operating alongside myself. Commander Y'Berg and Lieutenant Commander Flameheart, you are assigned to patrol duty. I specifically want you to look at our defences on Planet Cambridge and Planet New London, and evaluate any supposed weaknesses. For this operation, you will fall under the command of Captain Jay Gowers. I expect your report by the end of the week.
Any questions about your assigned duties? Consider this your first open forum.
-Ground combat, eh? Just come to the bar, call me mum some nasty names, and i'll show ya what can I do -she smiled, then said: -I can tell ya exactly how f*cked up the defenses are, right now, or gimme three hours to get the general idea how i'd reorganize them. Also about ground combat -she glanced around searching for the biggest guy in the room -Tatami doesn't counts for sh*te, but on live environment, i could make 'ol Sid to eat a barstool.
Putting the datapad down, Elliot heard the verbiage that exited Y'berg's mouth and concluded that she was more akin to a drunkard with a drawl and that the Lieutenant Commander was at the top of her career with that kind of behaviour. When she finally spoke her piece, he placed his datapad down and finally spoke.
While you have the charisma and pose of an elephant inside a porcelain shop, I am certain even a green bean marine would put you down solidly... Lieutenant Commander.
With that said, he turned to the Admiral and asked.
Admiral, shouldn't we also evaluate possible attacking factions first? Corsairs, pirate gangs, gauls, even our friendly local eco-terrorists? Only with a list of dangers we can act upon it on our defenses.
-Would you like to put that theory to test, Lieutenant Commander? -Pria said on her coldest voice, along with a stare so acidic, it was a smaller miracle that the desk's paint could withstand it, and turned to O'brian: Permission to speak freely? -As the admiral nodded, she slapped her Commander's badge on the desk, turned back towards Elliot and continued in the grave cold voice: -You don't like my style, I get it. But never, EVER question my intelligence, or ability to command, because I've earned my rank, unlike some. Are we perfectly clear, Lieutenant Commander? -Pria gave Elliot another of those acidic stares, then looked at Eva and with her eyes said: -He already f*cked up. She took a deep breath -And when you'll want infromation about all those idiots, ask me for firsthand experience. -She was sure that O'brian will shout her head off for that, but she didn't cared. She was only 19, after all.
The corners of O'Brians mouth twitched upward momentarily
I will not tell you how to write a report Commander. At your rank I would expect you to know how to report, plus I wish to evaluate your skills... Unless of course you wish me to hold your hand?
She straightened in her chair, clasping her hands before her
Yes, this is a test Lieutenant Commander. I wish to see what you will cover in a report. If I am to trust you as my command staff I must trust you in all things.
She wondered if it was wise to allow Y'Berg to speak. The Commander had a reputation for running her mouth, but O'Brian knew it was best to experience these things first hand. She paused listening, then, her voice low and cold, far more terrifying than any shouting or screaming commanding officer
Commander, it is not our ability to shout the loudest that makes us a good leader. On my ship you will respect your fellow officer, superior or not. A good commander will lead by example. If you cannot, then perhaps you have not truly earned that rank you claim you worked so hard for. Consider this warning commander, and do not give me pause to reconsider my leniency. I expect a letter explaining the importance of respecting your fellow officer, at any level of command, by the end of the month. I hope you will take your findings on board.
She now addressed the whole table. Her voice was not as cold now, but it was still low, conveying the gravitas in her words
I too have faced challenges and hurdles from my colleagues in my career. My road to the top of the Armed Forces was met with it's own dissenting voices. It is important we keep our dignity, and face those voices strong faced. Succumbing to our anger aids no-one, and serves only to make fools of us all.
She checked the time on her datapad, standing
I make the time 10:52. You are to return to your postings as discussed previously. Dismissed.
Very well. Sid said once he listened everything the Admiral told and ignoring other "inapposited", rude behaviours of the other colleagues. I'm very sorry for the late and for not having proposed some other questions but it looked like it was all clear for me. Waiting the other officers to get out with them he stood up and went near the exit door. Thank you for the report, Admiral.