"Advisement"

[OdileCondacin 0]

Day stood at the door to her office, monitoring Condacin's progress through the NNC. As she made for the door to exit, Day called to her, "Lieutenant. My office, please."

 

"Ah. Colonel." Odile acknowledged and nodded cordially, approaching the required office swiftly.

 

She waited for Condacin to enter the office, then sat behind her desk, at the same time motioning the Xenexian woman to a chair. "Computer... once again, enact privacy protocols," she said, and gave her authorization. "Now, then, I believe you had a problem?"

 

"Yes. With junior lieutenant Driscol." she replied, neutrally. "Blatant and public insubordination."

 

Day wasn't too amused. "The kind you're familiar with, having done it yourself?"

 

Oh, was this how it was to proceed? How lovely. "My past transgressions are immaterial, Sir." Her voice went carefully icy. "What matters is the here and now."

 

"Oh, I see.. isn't that a little like the Klingon calling the Romulan war-like? Do you have any idea what caused the incident? Attempting to be objective, why did he do it?" Day inquired.

 

"Frankly, Sir, he was telling me how to do my job. When I didn't handle a matter in the way he preferred, he kept pushing and pushing until he finally resorted to a verbal attack."

 

Day raised an eyebrow, "I see. And were you doing your job, Sin? I know this change hasn't been easy for you, becoming an officer and all. Regardless of his actions, and understand that I will handle that matter in a bit, was he warranted in his concern?" She was going for 'calm voice of concern', though with the headache, it may not have quite achieved that aim.

 

"No, Ma'am, he was not," the Xenexian remarked, coolly. "I've been doing my job. Now, I admit that perhaps I wasn't bubbly, but I certainly wasn't rude. He had what he thought was news, and since I had quite a bit on my plate at the moment, I told him to put it in a report for me. I'm not the first chief to do that."

 

Paradox nodded, then immediately regretted the action. She tried hard to keep the wince from her face. "What do you want done?"

 

"I'd like some kind of heavy reprimand in his file." Odile lifted a hand. "Before you tell me it's not fair to judge someone based on one incident, this was major, Sir. We're talking some major attitude issues that manifest themself on the job." Her voice softened. "Gods, Day, you can't even say that about me."

 

"Well, I won't say you don't have attitude issues, but generally you keep them in private. I'm just trying to understand if something specific brought this on... He seems a bit overeagar at times. But to go to out and out insubordination.. that doesn't seem to match his file.."

 

"Personal issues?"

 

Day shrugged, "I don't know... but I think it's worth finding out. Don't get me wrong, Odile, it does not excuse his behavior, but let's try to keep this from escalating, okay?"

 

"He's temporarily relieved. I won't be vengeful, Sir -- it's not my particular style. Not with issues such as this, anyway," the Xenexian quickly amended. "But unless he tries anything further, no more should come of it. Perhaps he needs a counselor?"

 

"Don't we all? I'll speak to him, O'd'yl. In the meantime, why don't you take some time off?"

 

"I'd prefer not, Sir," she said, stiffly. It's easier for me to sort through things when I keep busy and routine-oriented." Odile paused. "Oh yes, that reminds me. Shadow mentioned you'd had some sort of problem? A bit ago? Something to do with power exchange. Perhaps I'm prying, but... I was a little worried."

 

"I'm fine. Just a little problem we had to resolve. So, fine, stick to the job... for now. I'll let you know after I've talked to Lt. Driscol."

 

"Aye, Sir." Odile started to stand, then retook her seat. "One other, brief thing, Colonel?" Day raised an eyebrow. "I know Colonel Harper mentioned she'd speak with you. Did you reach a conclusion about the Selshan, Noleph, yet? Whether or not to return him?"

 

"Yes, we have. Will that be all?"

 

Odile glanced away, her face distant, then rubbed her forehead tiredly. "I see, Sir," she replied, monotonously. "That's all, then, Sir."

 

Day nodded, "I'm sorry, Lt.. But the safety of the ship is on the line. We can't risk that."

 

O'd'yl's jaw visibly tightened, and her eyes were hard when she finally met Day's again. "Am I dismissed, Colonel?"

 

Day sighed, then nodded, "You are dismissed."

 

Odile gave a nod of reply, but paused when she reached the door. "Off the record, Sir?"

 

"Yes?"

 

"You and Harper -- you're making a terrible mistake."

 

"I'm sorry you feel that way. But we have to look after the best interests of the crew, not the desires of one person."

 

"Of course, Sir." Her expression was hollow. "But be careful, Sir? Try not to get in the habit of being responsible for the death of individuals too often." Condacin's eyes darkened. "Ghosts do tend to accrue, Colonel, and whether or not you believe they'll be waiting for you in the afterlife, as I do... they'll be on your conscience until you die. Blood stains, whether or not they come from your own hands, or if you sign the order to have someone killed, are very, very difficult to wipe off." She nodded briskly, and exited the X.O.'s office. "Good day, Colonel," she replied as she left.