Self Doubts

Posted on Mon Mar 4th, 2024 @ 5:34pm by Lieutenant Jackson Walker & Captain Thomas Chandler

1,062 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Rebirth
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: 76024.1 (APR 20, 2401 0852] Four days after Federation day.

Walker unloaded his stuff into his quarters and immediately. He was a duel major at the academy for Forensic Sciences/Investigation and Tactical Engineering. When he got assigned to Enterprise, it was assumed that he had only gotten the post out of favoritism. He, like other Walkers, was only in competition with himself and his family. His Sister was an expert in Androids and Synthezoids and much smarter than him, so he had to work harder. He had graduated with honors. He was certified in every Security Specialty and this was his First Department Head position. He approached the Ready Room.

Tom was still getting his ready room together. All the work and the clatter going on outside as the refit was going. He really didn't want to add too many things to it just yet. "Enter!" he called out.

Walker came into the room. He offered up the padd with his transfer orders. He looked like his father, only the ridges on his head were hardly noticeable. "Sir, reporting for duty as assigned."

"Good morning Lieutenant Walker," Chandler said after looking up and recognizing the new Chief of Security. "Welcome aboard,"

"I'm going to be candid, Sir." Walker looked at him. "This is the Flagship of the Fleet. Did I earn this post on merit or my name?"

Tom nodded and he looked at the young officer. "Mister Walker I'll be equally as candid. We just had a huge chunk of the fleet taken out by a Borg surprise attack. The truth is that most of the people who were supposed to be in senior positions on this ship were killed. So in the last few days on my way here I've had to look over so many files that it would have blinded others. I can guarantee that you are the best candidate for the position that is currently available. However, if you don't want it, I can go to my second choice. But if that's the case please let me know now since we're starting a refit that they estimate will take about a year and I want all my senior staff assigned during that refit so they can be up to speed when the Enterprise relaunches."

Walker looked at him, "I absolutely want the post. I just wanted to read your facial tics while I asked you if I got this post based on me or my name. Thank you for being honest with me. I will do this job to the best of my ability, Sir." He wasn't right out of the academy and had fought the Borg. His eyes were bright with determination and pride. "I just had to know, Sir. I was in the thick of it in this last round of Borg. I know we were pushed thin. I also know someone can be pretty on paper and be top of their class and still be shite."

"This is true." Tom said. "I was on my way here. So fortunately much of my former crew missed it and thus never got taken over. But they still are going through the de-assimilation process. It's good to have you aboard Lieutenant."

"To be blunt, it was a shit show. In a period of less than thirty seconds, I became the boss. Then I had to go after my former Team Lead. The infection moved fast."

Tom nodded. "That matches with everything I've read," he told him. "Fortunately Admiral Crusher has figured it out and soon, they'll have the entire fleet back up and ready to go."

"Absolutely. I'll tell you. It wasn't bad enough to see Friends Die or be Assimilated. I had to open up the Walker Family Bible. It is not a religious book. It is generations of Security Tactics and Toys not necessarily approved by Starfleet. I'm not the First Walker to serve on an Enterprise. One Served under Pike and Kirk in The Security Department. The Program was written by Spock himself. Any time you open the program, it shows you a video. You have to sit through the video every time or you can't access the files. Grandpa set it to a video of my father dancing in parachute pants. I had to watch the video several times during the war to make toys."

Tom nodded. "I'm a Starfleet brat myself. In fact, the Chandlers have served all the way back since the Battle of Britain." he told him as he reflected on the family history. "Anyway don't let me get in your way, I'm sure you still have to arrange for quarters and start looking into the planned specs for the refit."

"I'm going to meet with my team and find out who needs to learn how to install a force field emitter. I saw several that needed to be installed from my quarters to here. As far as setting up my quarters. Not much to set up. A holo picture album, an axe, and a sword. Not much travels with me. My mother is apparently sending a tote that will be here eventually. You know how moms are."

"Don't worry too much about the emitter right now, it might have been removed as a result of damage from the battle. If it's still missing before we launch in a year then you can complain." Tom said with a smile.

Walker laughed, "They appeared to be staged out for installation. I just figured I would volunteer my team. They are just doing patrols and PT anyway."

"Yeah everything is just starting, so there's a bit of chaos. I'm trying to catch up on the paperwork myself." the Captain told his new Chief Tactical officer. "Oh yeah I know there's going to be a massive overhaul in the saucer. Something about adding two new prototype Antiproton beam cannons." the Captain added.

"I've been reading up on them. Starfleet gives you more access to read on new tech when you are a Department Head now.". He grinned. "Those sound fun to play with."

"If they work. Testing in a lab is one thing, testing in actual combat conditions is another. Anyway I'll let you get on with what you need to do. Once again welcome aboard." Chandler said as he stood up and extended his hand to his new Security Chief.

Walker shook his hand and went to set up his office.

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