EXETERRPG: (1 - 2012) CSO Lieutenant Erin Cortez & Science Officer Ensign JG Henry Parker

[Jaclyn Smith]

Mission: A new day dawns

Day: 1

Stardate: 2446.01.28



(USS Exeter - Astrometrics Lab - CSO Lieutenant Erin Cortez & Science
Officer Ensign JG Henry Parker - 2012)



“That’s it?” He asked loudly and obnoxiously.



Looking towards the voice, Erin kept her face neutral. Anyone who knew her
well would have known she was seething inside. "Yes, Ensign."



“Well, then it’s an honor and a privilege to have you as a senior officer.
And it’s an honor and a privilege to be serving on the Exeter.” He was
being sincere, but he had a way of speaking that would make anyone doubt
his sincerity.



"That's good to hear." Erin replied in a flat voice. ~oh heck no. You don't
speak to a senior officer in that tone.~ She thought to herself. ~I'll give
you the benefit of the doubt as I did call you here on downtime~



“Too many people have been moping around lately. Weak.” He mused aloud.
“This is Starfleet! If you’re not up for adventure you can leave with
Michaels! That's what I say! I can’t wait to get back to the stars.”



Erin looked at the rest of her staff and took a deep breath. "Okay, that’s
enough! All of you are dismissed. Ensign Parker, stay where you are."



Henry did as he was told. He waved at the officers as they walked out.
Especially those giving him dirty looks.



Erin watched the rest of her staff leave and then turned to face Ensign
Parker, her face stern, "Firstly, I'll allow the attitude to a certain
extent. I did call you in on downtime."



Henry nodded, and was about to speak but Erin held up her hand to interrupt
him, "Not done yet. Secondly, you are entitled to have your own views and
thoughts. Everyone is. However there is a time and a place to express them
and this was not the time or the place."



“Respectfully, ma’am, I don’t think I said anything that was out of place.
I only meant to express…”



"Well, how would you think it would look when someone says that if you are
not up for the adventure, leave. You have no idea why she left. And no, I
am not about to tell you either."



“What I meant was…”



"What did you want to express exactly? Tell me here and now because, and
I'll be honest, I couldn't tell."



“What I was saying is,” he said, getting defensive, “too many people are
acting like precious little snowflakes when there’s work to be done.
Starfleet is tough, bad things happen, I know. I was out fighting dozens of
my own comrades a month ago. Hurt my leg too, and had to fight through it.
But that’s it, I had the fight! Too many people these days don’t have the
fight, is what I mean.”



"There it is. Okay,..." Erin paused as she sat down, "... we all did that.
I had to knock out two security officers, helped perform field surgery on a
good friend and took down the Empress with two others. Do I have the fight?
I don't seem like I do in everyday life. Point I am making is don't judge a
book by it cover. Don’t assume because you have the fight others don't. We
all did things the last few weeks we have to deal with. Some will be able
to. Others won't. There is no shame in holding your hands up and saying I
can't deal."



“Why are you making this about you?” Henry looked puzzled. “I wasn’t
talking about you. I was talking about in general. People are weak these
days. But if it hurts your feelings…”



"I was not… okay stop right there. Ensign, do you know what anyone else in
this team had to do? Do you know, for example, that Ensign Howard had to
knock out his own Fiancé? Did you know that Ensign Grey had to take out
three of his closest friends? No. You didn't. My point is don't make
assumptions. Don't think people are weak because, in truth, you don’t know
anything about them."



Henry was getting tired of the argument, and rather than ramp up the fight
he started to back down. “Well, maybe. I dunno. It’s just how I see things.”



"And again, that's your …"



“I have a right to an opinion.”



"Yes you do. I'm just asking you to consider your audience and the time and
place is all. What you said may have been seen as demoralising."



“Demoralizing?”



"Just think about that."



“Yes, ma’am.” He said. He was ready to get back to the gym, and began to
leave.



"Ensign… Henry, wait. "



He stopped. “Yes?”



"I'm sorry if it was a bit strong. You are a good man and a good scientist.
You could make a great officer if you can just be a bit more aware of how
things can come across to people."



He nodded. ~Or maybe people could be a bit more aware of me and not get so
offended.~ He thought. “Thank you.” He said, and left.



(Reply any)

(Posted by Jackie and Tim)
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