Lunch at the OK Corral

[Admiral Atragon-9 0]

"It's just weird, y'know?"

 

A9 is sitting with his cousin, Ian Shoales, grabbing a quick lunch while awaiting the operations report from the USS Prometheus, one of the five support ships the Federation sent to Titan to join the Manticore in relief efforts.

 

"I know I'm from here and I know I still have some family ties back here :: motioning gently to Ian :: but what is this cult of personality I walked into?

 

:: Ian finishes his bite of food and gives his cousin a smirk :: "C'mon, Atty, did you really think you could just show up on Titan and no one would notice you?  No one would acknowledge the hometown boy makes good as a Starfleet Admiral?  No one would immediately gravitate to you for attention and direction??  Not a chance, bub."

 

"Heck, the Colony Committee has always had a soft spot for our family, why do you think I was given interim Governor after Chelton went down the gravity well to Mother Earth, in search of fame and fortune - or maybe just fortune.  That guy always had a personal agenda that ran in tandem with his colonial duties and people noticed.  They came to me to put a clean and shiny face on governing since they knew our family was crazy enough to want to help for the sake of helping.  I told them I still have my own business to run, so I could just be an interim chief.  So, they put me in place 2 months ago and then the ground starting to melt away last week and suddenly I'm in the middle of a family reunion.  Your career was watched by a lot of folks around here and then you drop in unexpected - but not unwanted."

 

:: A9 finishes inhaling his meal and checks his PADD to find out when they have to get back on the call with the Captains of the relief effort :: "Well now I'm feeling bad, like I'm a distraction or side show.  We just need to organize these ships and find out when Manticore is returning, to bolster our capacity.  Captain McFly and Admiral Sovak explained their theory on why they were staying with the lagrange point where the energy output was focused - the one that was right under the dome just a few days ago.  I hope they're right and I hope they can figure out how to keep that energy source from waiting for us to get back to it in another 10 days."

 

:: Ian sits back, finishing his drink and enjoying the relative calm before they head back into the command center ::  "I have faith in your crew, just like the people here have faith in you, borne out with how much you have organized in the past few days alone."  :: A9 tries to wave that off, but gets started down by Ian ::  I could not have done all this without you and we both know this still won't be enough if the seismic anomalies return.  Not only have you mobilized and inspired the people, you also - let's be honest - distract them from their woes with your persona, your sense of glamour and leadership" :: he raises his voice and speaks faster, to speak over any complaints or false modesty from A9 :: "Look, call it what you will, it has helped calm folks down and got them working for the common goals and not spinning in a panic, so it's a good 'Cult.'  But really, what I don't understand is where you fit on that ship of yours.  You're not the CO or XO any longer, you're just an... extra Admiral?  I'm sorry to be so blunt, but do they need you onboard?"

 

:: A9 moves from modesty to full blush and right into indignation in a matter of a few seconds :: "I am vital to the ship's... the uhmm, the morale?, no the efficiency... the, uhh "

 

:: Ian jumps in right away :: "Exactly - this is my question.  I'm sure you're important on your ship... or you were - hey if your cousin can't slap you with the truth, who can?  So here's the deal - I'm done with this job.  It is nothing I ever wanted to do and definitely not on a long-term basis.  The folks around here are loving you, what you stand for and how you get feldercarb done.  So, you do the math - and go talk to the Prometheus.  I have a meeting with the CO's of the Copernicus, Yellowstone, Melbourne and Drake.  They need a little more softening up before you come in for the 'kill'  Alright, cuz, lunchtime is over, let's get back to work.