War of Adjustments

[Alexander Zier 0]

"War of Adjustments"

a LeftEar and Alexander log

 

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Alex sat with his feet up on his couch in the Counselor's Office, reading through new personnel files and Excalibur's ship logs. He rubbed his eyes and sighed. As boring as they were, they were necessary sufferings in his job. He let his thoughts wander, and was therefore sufficiently surprised when he heard his door chime ring.

 

Left Ear JoNs stood in the corridor outside the counselors office, somewhere between annoyed and curious; the meeting request from the senior ships counselor had been on her to do list, but the new promoted Caitian exec was still getting used to the whole operation.

 

Alex focused his thoughts on his visitor, and jumped to his feet as he realized who it was. "Come in!" He straightened his jacket as the door whooshed open.

 

The feline commander entered the office, red jacket in contrast to her brown fur. "Counselor? I am here regarding your meeting request?"

 

Alex nodded. "With good timing too, Commander - I always enjoy an interruption to paperwork."

 

The felinoid moved with an easy stride into the office area, regarding Zier. "So? Is this regarding crew analysis reports or some such?" One ear quirked back out of curiosity.

 

Zier motioned for the Executive Officer to take a seat across from him at his desk, and sat down himself. "Yes, some such like that...as boring as it is." He handed over a PADD with a list of crew.

 

JoNs took the offered Padd, as well as the offered guest chair in front of the desk and sat down, deftly perusing the contents scrolling by on the screen from years of practice. after a moment, the senior feline officer turned her attention back to Zier. "Okay, so give me the rundown of what exactly I am looking at here."

 

Zier looked at her. "It's a list of crew I've compiled, that I believe should be watched closely, or with more regard, because of prior conflicts, or cultural differences." He paused. "As Counselor and XO, we're pretty much the middlemen between the Captain and crew, so I want to keep you clued in to the mood of the crew as best I can."

 

"That is fine, policing and running interference with regard to any potential conflicts I can do. Is there anyone specifically you'd like me to talk to though?" The feline continued reading, until she came to a couple of familier names. "Whoa, wait a minute here - myself and Lieutenant Commander Segami? Look, Counselor, he tends to be fast and loose with rule interpretation, and I tend to follow the rules to the letter, thats all there is too it. It's inevitable that the two of us will clash, doesnt mean we can't do our respective jobs and work together."

 

Zier smiled. "I'm glad you two can work things out. And I knew you are, but the attention-getter was too good to pass up Commander." He looked her in the eye. "Anything you want to talk about?"

 

JoNs got up from her chair and placed her paws flat on the desk top, considering Zier. "Was this a plan to get me here to your office for a session, Counselor?"

 

"Not at all Commander, " he reasoned in a calming voice, "I'm just curious by nature."

 

The brown Caitian exec stared at Zier, taking in his tone and body language, and then reseated herself. "Fine - let me give you the short version of my psych file Counselor. My brother was killed during a pirate attack, as such, I have some latent issues. I dislike pirates, smugglers, and anyone of that kind. In addition? I tend to be rather strict with regard to my personal outlook and duties."

 

Zier regarded her, then looked down at his desk. "The short version indeed." He smiled. "Being strict all the time doesn't usually turn out to be more productive in the long run Commander..."

 

"I promise not to shoot anyone out the airlock." "And I am sure that as I further settle into the XO position, my methods will adapt as well. Such is the nature of the exec position, balancing this and that as a go between among the crew and the captain, isn't this correct? Does that satsify you Mister Zier?"

 

Zier chuckled. "Yes Commander, but I wasn't looking to be satisfied, just to get some answers to the questions I had. Such is the nature of the Counslor's position."

 

Left Ear decided to change tactics, and put a gentle paw up. "That's fine Mister Zier. I mean no harm - what are your questions?"

 

Alex smiled. "They've already been answered Commander. I read personnel files and duly note them, but I like to learn first-hand what my fellow crewmates are like. I don't just want to be "The Counselor" to everyone, and be avoided. I'm supposed to be everyone's best friend, and lead the Morale Committee." He looked at LeftEar. "I just wanted you to know that."

 

A pause. "....and I just sideswiped that morale committee, and you, didn't I Counselor?" She had the grace to look a bit embarrased.

 

He shrugged. "I wouldn't say sideswiped Commander, I'm sure you have a lot on your mind."

 

The feline commander took a small bit of her uniform top, tugged at it, and then released it. "Aye, this new color does tend to keep me very busy, and there will also be some adjustment....but I will take what you told me to heart Counselor."

 

Alex nodded. "That's all I ask Commander." He looked at her and smiled. "Just keep in mind that I'm here if you want to talk, or bounce ideas off of someone. I promise I won't even act like a shrink when you do." He chuckled.

 

At that, a genuine purr of laughter erupted from Left Ear, her dark green eyes sparkling with mirth. "...that is a deal Mister Zier." With that, the Cait stood back up and offered a paw to the man. "Truce?"

 

Zier stood with her and took her paw, a grin on his face. "I wasn't even aware we'd been fighting a war...."