An Unexpected Choice

Posted on Fri Apr 26th, 2024 @ 3:40pm by Captain Taiga Aisaka & Lieutenant Jesse Leon

1,646 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Starship Graveyard
Location: Deck 1 - Ready Room
Timeline: After "The Aisaka Alliance"

ON:

Train. Recon. Regroup. Report.

Train. Recon. Regroup. Report.

Train. Recon. Regroup. Report.

The routine had been the same day in and day out since the Tokyo had crashed on this desolate planet. Without their Chief, the Security department had fallen into a pattern of structure and routine like fine, mechanical clockwork. They maintained their training schedule in squads, performed reconnaissance around the crash site, executed away missions like a fun field trip to an old Borg Cube, came back together for scheduled recreation, then wrote their reports on the day's activities. It was just what they knew to do.

Jesse Leon had found himself in a sudden position of leadership. He had been a shift leader before the crash, one of the Assistant Chiefs. He ran his team with good humor and careful organization, he approached the role as he did everything in life - calm, casual, but concise. The Chief had seen potential in him. The other Assistant Chiefs had not; they didn't appreciate his friendliness and relaxed attitude.

Before the crash, this had been a point of respectful contention. After the crash, he had been sharing leadership with the other Assistant Chiefs in what had been a quietly tense situation. Jesse had just kept to his routine, kept fulfilling his role, and kept trying to maintain some lightheartedness in the team. He had organized game nights, training challenges, and a particularly competitive contest for the best tent set-up. It was just Jesse being Jesse.

When the invitation came for Jesse to meet with Captain Aisaka, he was perplexed. He wondered if he had done something wrong. If one of the Assistant Chiefs had made a complaint. If he was being relieved of duty. He didn't know what to think. For once, some nerves had broken into his usually calm demeanor.

It was with this trepidation that he pushed the chime on the Captain's Ready Room door.

"Come in," the voice of Captain Aisaka called.

Putting on that big trademark smile, Jesse bowed his head as the door swished open and he took a step into the Captain's Ready Room.

"Captain," He said, eyes raising up to find hers, "Jesse Leon, as you requested."

"Ah yes," Taiga said as she set aside the PADD she was reading. She hadn't really spoken to the lieutenant before, but she observed just how tall he was. "Would you care for tea?"

"Not especially," Jesse replied honestly, that sheepish grin still slapped upon his face, "I was on recon out there - " He tilted his head towards the port window and the endless desert looming outside, "just before and I think I've had about enough hot temperatures for one day."

"Oh good." Taiga said. "Quite simply it's far too hot for hot drinks on this planet. I offered because it's the formality." She reached down under her desk and pulled up a small ice cooler. "Luckily, I have a stash of homemade lemonade." She gave him a small smirk. "Just don't tell my husband that I swiped this," she popped open the cooler and pulled out a ice frosted flask.

"Now you're talking." Jesse slapped his hands together gleefully.

Taiga poured out two glasses completely with ice from the bottom of the cooler. She slid one across the desk towards the lieutenant. "So, tell me about the security department. How's everyone doing? I know its been hard since we lost Lieutenant Zakrin."

Jesse held the glass to his lips and slowly savored the cold refreshing drink. Not only did he relish the cool beverage after a long day in the heat; but it gave him the opportunity to carefully consider his answer. Jesse was no liar, he'd tell the truth as always, but he wasn't quite sure why the Captain was asking him alone about this.

"Functional." Jesse answered after a pause. "Myself and the other Assistant Chiefs have maintained the patrol roster, training, all compliance checks are up to date still." His eyes flickered for a moment, he had to choose his words. Finally he put on a smile. "We're getting through it."

The Captain nodded as she took a sip of her lemonade, the cool refreshing taste was a nice welcome change. "Well, I know it's been a while, but as you know we've been rather busy. We've been looking at candidates to take on the role as Chief of Security and Tactical." She paused forva moment and picked up the PADD she was reading earlier.

"We've spoken to a range of the staff in the department and they all sing high praise of you. Your record is cleaner than a well polished daisy, and you've been doing some excellent work." She tapped on the PADD again. "I've also noticed you have developed your own style when it comes to leading your people. I like that."

She placed the PADD down. "Tell me Lieutenant, do you see yourself as Chief of Security one day?"

Jesse had been mid-sip of the lemonade when the Captain's question bombarded into his brain and caused a parade of fireworks to explode. As such, he swallowed a little too quickly and began to cough as the mixture of air and liquid choked down his throat.

"Oh excuse me." He stuttered, covering his mouth. "I.. me?" He couldn't help but smile now, "Are you sure?"

Taiga nodded. "Yes. We've decided to offer you that position, if you want it?"

"I do." Jesse said quickly, "Of course, I would be honored, Captain. But I thought..." He sighed, "That 'own style' that I have? The other squad leaders think it's a little too friendly for the department. Not disciplined enough. Are you sure you don't want one of them?"

"You run your department how you want. The others may have more qualifications and experience on paper. But you have the interpersonal skills. That's more important, especially when you command a department such as Security. I used to be a Security Officer before I went into Command. I know a good officer when I see one," she told him before she took another sip of her lemonade.

The heat in Jesse's cheek was starting to rival the heat outside. He bowed his head solemnly. "I thank you, Captain. I will ensure the department can flourish once again."

"Good. Then from this moment you're the new Chief of Security and Tactical on this ship. Congratulations," she said as she shifted a little forward and held out a hand. It seemed hard for her to lean properly over the desk due to her condition, but she held out the hand regardless.

Jesse quickly closed the distance and reached out his long arm to shake the Captain's hand, "Aye, sir. Thank you for the opportunity."

Standing up straight again, he took a breath and he felt a wave of giddiness wash over him. "Uh so, when is the next senior staff meeting?"

"Monday and Thursday Mornings, Alpha shift," Taiga replied. "Welcome to the senior staff. Oh, is there anything you need before you leave? I do believe you're now eligible for larger quarters, Lieutenant Nezuko should be able to help you with that."

Jesse nodded slowly, "If it's okay, I'd like to stay bunkered with my crew for now. We've got a kind of camp situation going and my squad is in the lead for best tent." He frowned, worried that was an overshare. "Just... until we're off planet again, of course."

Taiga shrugged. "Your choice," she replied. "Is there anything else you wish to ask?"

"We have squad assignments for the envoy away missions already arranged," Jesse answered, his mind snapping to their mission at hand, "Every envoy will be covered by a solid team of Security. Unless there are particular species you think we should take a step back with? The Romulans, in particular, may not appreciate a show of numbers?"

"Probably not, but since I'm inviting them here I want Security to be tight with them. I've learnt to never underestimate the Romulans," she replied. "Out of all the crews we're attempting to form an alliance with, the Romulans are likely to be the most dangerous."

"Agreed. I intend to re-assign my squad, my current squad that is, and I to handle the Romulan delegation watch." Jesse answered, "My crew are hawks, they will watch the Romulan's every breath. But they won't over-react either, they will give the envoys enough space to negotiate without being overtly domineering."

"I know it was the right choice to choose you for this job," Taiga replied giving him a soft smile. She finished the rest of the lemonade. "If there isn't anything else, I'll let you get back to work." She said.

"Aye, sir," Jesse nodded with a smile, "Lots to do!" He said eagerly.

Taiga's comm badge chirped. "Taiga! Did you take that lemonade I made? I know you're pregnant and everything, but I was saving that!" The voice of her husband Ryuuji said from her badge, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Jesse looked down to the half-finished lemonade in his hand, blinking back at the Captain. He quickly downed the rest of the stolen goods in one gulp and placed the glass on the edge of her desk. "I will deny everything." He said with a nervous laugh.

Taiga laughed as well. "That's OK, so will I." She hastily slid her empty glass under her desk and the sound of it 'disappearing' into a drawer could be heard. "Feel free to take it with you." She told him with a smile. "By all means dismissed."

With a nod, Jesse left the Ready Room. He wasn't sure but he was fairly certain he felt himself floating down the corridor and into the turbo lift.

Posting by:

Captain Taiga Aisaka
Commanding Officer
USS Tokyo

Lieutenant Jesse Leon
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Tokyo

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