The Promotion of Solida
RP Scenario played by Sanek and Allahweh as Solida
It wasn't even 8:00 AM, and Solida was already working on getting some of her personal effects from her office aboard the Alan Shepard situated in her new office on K7.
Fleet Chief Medical Officer? Am I REALLY ready for this?
Despite the air of confidence she presented to Sanek, her mind was still filled somewhat with doubt. She had worked her way slowly up to her previous posting as the ship's CMO, and even then she was somewhat worried about the position. The difference was that she had the advantage of learning the duties before hand - as one should - and thus, she believed, was able to perform her duties as best as could be expected once she took the position.
Yet, this was different, and in many ways, rather unexpected. She had not been given the chance to work more closely with Dr. Davin Felth during her tenure there, and though he currently, as she understood, was serving as the Institute's President, he had a lot of experience as the fleet's CMO. Of course, she had other reasons for wishing to meet with him and enjoy some conversations with him, but that was now neither here nor there.
Sanek had, of course, gone out on a limb to recommend her for such a posting, whether he realized it or not. In some ways, she felt that his recommendation of her for this position and for a promotion, though "logical," represented a conflict of interest. But, she did take comfort in the fact that Fleet Admiral Felth or Fleet Admiral Quinn could easily have nixed the recommendation, but both of them seemed to support her as the logical choice. That had to mean something.
Solida had honestly never expected to achieve the rank of captain, for generally she thought of it more as the rank reserved for masters of a large vessel than for someone who simply healed the sick and wounded. Yet, she knew there was a difference, of course, but the thought had never crossed her mind. Was she really "captain" material?
The room was still rather dark, dimly-lit only by the one light she activated upon entering it. As she sat quietly at her desk, she looked at the pair of flowers that she had received, on separate occasions, from Sanek during trips to Risa. Some may have seen them as small, insignificant flowers and thus would have seen the gesture as such, but she knew different. For him to understand that she had an appreciation for beauty - and in fact that he, whether he admitted it openly or not, had such an appreciation - was HUGE.
In the dim reflection cast by the vase holding the flowers, she looked at her collar and the three commander pips affixed thereon. By the end of the day, the pips would have a new friend. Was she really ready for this?
Sanek strode down the corridor, which was devoid of personnel for the most part. He considered the events of today briefly as he walked, and how it would affect his life... and especially the life of Solida herself. Change was a necessary part of life, and as such this change would benefit them both... even in ways neither of them expected.
A few moments later, he stood in front of Doctor Solida T'yra's stateroom door. Newly starched, his dress uniform was creased and pristine as regulations expected. He touched the door chime, and waited.
"Enter," her voice said, soft, as if in a state of quiet reflection.
Yet, upon seeing Sanek enter the room, she hopped right out of her seat and thrust her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
"Oh, Sanek...I can't believe this is happening. I'm just so nervous! Is that normal?"
His eyebrow raised, Sanek - in the privacy of her office - returned her embrace.
"It is my understanding that such emotional responsiveness is generally typical when such change is impending amongst more emotional races," he responded. He looked carefully down at her for a moment before he continued. "You may not see past the emotion at this moment; however, you are certainly skilled and more than capable to fulfill this position and it's impending responsibilities. As such, your nervousness, as you call it, is illogical, Solida."
He paused for a moment more.
"In any event," he began, "I will be there for you whenever you have need."
"Oh...I know, Sanek, and you know that I will be there for anything you need in your new role with the Sixteenth...I guess it's just that I never imagined that I would attain this rank or position. I am glad that someone has faith in my skills, however, and I don't intend to let anyone down."
She paused and looked at the pair of flowers in the vase on her desk.
"I just hope these new roles of ours give us the time we wished for to fulfill our personal desires..."
"It is not in your nature to fall short of your duties or responsibilities, regardless of their context," Sanek said. He watched her as she looked over at the desk, and he followed her gaze, noticing the two Muktuk plants he had given her.
Stepping away from the door, he moved to the desk and looked at them both for a moment. Then, reaching out, he lightly touched one with his finger. It gave off a light, subdued chime as the flowers swayed. The chiming continued, softly, and slowly waned as he turned back to her, the gentle swaying ceasing.
"I am certain that it shall, Solida," he responded.
"Right...I know you're right," she said, shaking her head and watching him interact with the flowers.
"So, did you stop by to see my new office here, or did you have something in mind to do this morning, Admiral?"
"My reason for this intrusion was to see you, of course," he responded. "Also to assure that you were prepared for today's ceremonies." He stepped closer to her and gazed at her for a moment. "Perhaps, if you are famished, we can break our fast, if you are so inclined."
"Maybe enjoying a light meal would help get my mind off of al this stress," she said. "Any preference on where we go?"
"Negative," Sanek responded. "I will allow you to choose our destination."
Solida nodded then as they exited the new office and made their way out into the hallway.
"I'm not too familiar with this station, but I think I saw a little cafe down on the main level when I was walking through there last time. That should be good as far as breakfast is concerned," she said.
They began making their way to the lift.
"Captain...I still can't believe it."
Sanek looked at her for a long moment.
"It is logical that your career has led you to this path," he stated. "You are an exemplary officer. With your excellent record as a Medical Assistant, and then Chief Medical Officer aboard a vessel, for your path to have led elsewhere would be illogical." Pausing for a moment, he turned to face her a bit more.
"In any event, official protocol states the rank of Commander for a ship's Chief Medical Officer," he continued, "however; with an advancement to a Staff level position, advancement in rank was required." He gauged her reaction for a moment.
"Furthermore, may I remind you, doctor, that you are the most qualified for the position."
As they entered the lift, she specified their destination and the lift went on its way. She looked at Sanek, and she knew that he was right in everything that he said. It was still, however, rather difficult for her to wrap her mind around it.
"I suppose so. Perhaps it will take the ceremony in order for this to all become real to me," she said with a light sigh and a shrug.
Sanek nodded.
"That is a possibility," he conceded. "However, I have known you for some time, Solida; you have always displayed an ability to adjust that exceeds normal expectations." He turned to face her directly.
"And," he continued, "in any event, I am available whenever you may require me for anything that you may need."
As Sanek finished speaking, the lift reached the main floor of the station and the doors hissed open. As it was still early in the day, activity was at a minimum, consisting mainly of people to and from their various work stations, or perhaps ending their early-morning shifts. Life aboard a station was very similar to that aboard a ship, and most of the shift rules applied.
She led the way across the floor of the main promenade and down a hallway that contained various vendors, merchants, ware-peddlers, stores, and little places to eat, and she stopped for a moment at one of the peddlers.
Solida bent down for a moment and picked up a bobble-headed Vulcan figure - one that seemed to look like the late-Ambassador Spock. It caused her to giggle. She gave the woman working the stand the appropriate amount of credits, and then handed the figure to Sanek.
"There you go - I think he's rather cute, don't you?"
Sanek gazed at the object in his hand. He found it somewhat vulgar... and that it bore the appearance of Ambassador Spock, or seemed to, was rather insulting. He looked back up at Solida.
"I fail to understand the nature of this device," he stated, somewhat curious despite himself, and raised his eyebrow.
Solida could sense Sanek's confusion and slight apprehension, but it made her all the more giddy.
Putting up her hand for a moment, as if to stop him, she said, "Now, I know what you're thinking. Yeah, it is kind of rude to personify the late-ambassador as a child's toy...But, what can I say? I thought it was cute, and it just reminds me of you, and how you are slowly coming to understand the 'humor of emotional beings.'"
"I am to understand that you mean it as a gift," he said, questioningly. He still was not certain he understood the nature of the gesture, specifically in regards to the object itself, but since he didn't wish to insult Solida, he decided to forgo continuous queries and accept the gift.
"My thanks," he said.
He glanced at the woman working behind the counter, and noticed she was desperately trying to hide the fact that she was laughing. He understood he was the object of the laughter, but the reasons why escaped him. Involuntarily, his eyebrow raised.
Solida nodded.
"Yes, a gift. Perhaps a representation of your budding appreciation for humor," she said, now winking at the woman, "Despite how faint it still is."
She offered her own thanks to the vendor and now they stood before the cafe which she planned for them to eat at. She now looked at Sanek, raising her own eyebrow in amusement.
Standing next to her outside the cafe, he glanced once again at the device she'd purchased for him. He gently shook the object and watched the cartoonish head of Ambassador Spock wobble back and forth, perplexed that such a device would bring someone such mirth.
He glanced back up at her and saw her eyebrow raised. As he was unsure what she expected of him next, he raised his own eyebrow.
"Perhaps," he responded.
As they entered the small cafe, they were immediately greeted by someone that she assumed was the host, who politely took them over to a table in a quiet corner and presented them with small PADDs containing the various food specialties that were prepared fresh there.
"Can I get either of you something to drink?"
Solida looked at Sanek, and then up at the host.
"Orange Juice would be just fine, thank you."
"If I may, a glass of water," Sanek responded. He turned to the PADD and began to peruse the menu items.
"Anything catching your interest?"
"I believe a bowl of Plomeek soup will suffice," he stated. He set the PADD aside and watched her for a moment, leaning forward and folding his hands carefully in front of him.
"Does the menu offer a selection to your taste at the moment?" he asked.
Solida nodded, and before she could answer, the waiter had returned with their beverages, asking if they had decided on what they wanted.
"I believe I will have two eggs, over easy, toast, and two strips of bacon, please," she said, happy to get a real breakfast for a change.
She looked at Sanek, waiting for him to order.
"If I may, I will order Plomeek soup, as well as a plate of Kreila."
The waiter acknowledge their order, and then left to fulfill it.
"Kreila? I'm not sure I am familiar with that?"
Sanek took a drink of water before he replied.
"It is a type of flatbread," he said. "You may not recall; we had it for lunch on Vulcan during our time there. It is rather bland next to most other Vulcan foods."
"Ah, yes, I do. I suppose I had simply forgotten the actual name for it, for which I apologize."
She sipped her orange juice and leaned forward, gazing at Sanek for a moment.
"If sharing a breakfast together each morning can become standard procedure, I think I will come to like my new position," she said with a wink.
He was about to respond that no apology was necessary when Solida commented about breakfast. It was something he had not given though to previously; with the last several days getting situated at K-7, the promotion, the assignment adjustment, and preparing for Solida's own transition, such possible projections for the future had not entered his mind. He analyzed the scenario for a moment.
"That can be easily arranged if such would be your desire," he responded, gazing back at her. "In truth, I find that such an arrangement would be agreeable."
Solida blushed for a moment.
"Well, it would make me very happy - I won't lie about that..."
The breakfast ended up going as she would have expected. The food arrived after about fifteen minutes of waiting, and they enjoyed a quiet meal discussing matters of their new assignments within the Sixteenth as well as things of a more personal nature. Solida was happy to have a job that meant she could spend more time with Sanek, as selfish as that might have been, and she now, more than ever, couldn't help but look towards the future and wonder what the Fates had in store for them - a matter which she brought up to Sanek once more.
It wasn't that she wanted to rush into anything - as she had made clear all that time ago - but she did want to reinforce the idea that she wanted to enjoy their time together, but was still looking towards the future.
As their meal drew to its inevitable close, she looked at Sanek, wondering what his day had in store for him...
As they ate their morning meal, Sanek was not surprised that Solida brought up the future. She often became introspective when she had a great deal on her mind, and considering the upcoming ceremony, it was of little surprise that such a topic would be touched upon. In truth, that topic in particular was one he himself found a desire to discuss with her often; however, he was careful to allow her to bring the subject up herself first.
The meal itself was typical Vulcan fare, likely somewhat overpowering to the non-Vulcan palette aside from the Kreila flatbread. Sanek ate slowly and carefully, setting a small piece of Kreila aside when it dropped off his fork onto the table. He finished with another glass of water, and noting Solida's look, set the glass down.
"I have cleared my schedule due to today's ceremony," he stated. "As Chief of Staff to the fleet, my presence is, of course, required."
As they walked out of the cafe, having finished their meal, Solida wondered what they might be able to spend the rest of the day doing. Sure, she could have spent some time setting up her new office as she had been doing when Sanek first came to see her, but this was a special day, and with Sanek free from his duties, she wanted to spend it with him.
"I picked our dining location, so it's only fair that you pick what we do next," she said with a subtle wink.
RP Scenario ended - no further posts