trans_9 | Command Staff Meeting!

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Command Staff Meeting!

Cybil Bennett had contacted Chief, Lyta, Nathan, Billy, Allen, Doc McCoy, and Superman for the Senior Staff meeting. Captain Kirk, Captain Picard, and Elfangor were invited to be part of it.

There'd be a general meeting after all this to make sure everyone was okay with the regime change, but, well, they had some real captains here now. Might as well take advantage of it.

The only non-senior staff member here, down where they were having the meeting in the Vatican in the city was Jaime Reyes, who was currently shielding them via a blue bubble from Stacy's sensors. They were weak in the City, but you never knew.

"Don't mind the blue bubble, folks, or the armor. Jaime here is just making extra sure Stacy doesn't listen in."

She folds her hands behind her back. "I think introductions are in order, first. Elfangor, you're the only one I haven't been formerly introduced to. I'm Cybil Bennett, a police officer from Brahm's, West Virginia, and as of right now, acting captain, though I'd like to see that change."

She looks to one of the others to introduce themselves.

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"Lyta's not alone, I don't know either of the Captains," the Chief says. "However, I do know you're officers. Not officers from my side of the fence, but I know when I meet someone who's been around longer than I have. Captain Picard has. If you want to talk years, I can tell you I've been leading ops for around twenty." Longer than that, actually, but that would reveal he's had his rank since age eight.

The Spartan's been quietly mulling this over. He likes the natural order of the chain of command, he's used to getting orders from ranks higher up and following them. Still, he has the usual Spartan wariness for unknown officers. The others' confidence, especially Cybil's, does make it a bit easier for him to get around that though. He finds himself, fleetingly, wishing for Captain Keyes. He reminds himself forcibly that Keyes, and even his daughter, are long dead and shoves the thought down.

"All due respect, if you asked me to place a vote now I'd put mine with Captain Picard. And I'd also vouch for Captain Bennet to remain on the command staff if she wishes, she's gotten us through a lot already above and beyond what you'd expect from a police officer from Earth."

"No offense meant, Ma'am," he adds to Cybil. "Either way, everybody just remember this isn't about being the big dog. What matters is what we can do to get us the hell off this ship and back where we belong as soon as we can. I have a human race that needs me."

< I am only a bit familiar with Captain Kirk. > Elfangor said. He'd seen the series a few times. It was highly inaccurate by his universe standards, but alternate places where those people and species existed? That was highly possible and believable with all he had been through. < He is a good captain, but action seems more of what he's suited to, and at the present situation, subtly may be more important to avoid any rash incidents. If those who know of Captain Picard believe he is more suited for such a situation, then I have no grounds to argue with lacking information. > He, personally, rather liked Kirk. He seemed the type of Captain he could get along with, since Elfangor had a tendency to go forward without hesitation when he decided something, but he had to keep the situation in mind.

They were on a ship and were being lied to. Perhaps the species was just very paranoid and secretive. Or perhaps they had evil intentions. Either way, acting too quickly might become a problem.

< And I would be willing to help with command, once I have familiarized myself with the situation a bit more. > Because he still had that feeling of having to help, as soon as he knew what he was doing.

"I can certainly vouch for Captain Kirk. His exploits were required reading in Starfleet Academy, and without him by my side on a very important occasion, my entire crew would be dead. Regardless of who becomes commanding officer in place of Captain Bennet, I certainly have no problems with either decision." Picard turned to Kirk, offering his hand to the much younger (older?) man.

"I don't want to step on any toes, here, Captain," he offered.

"Well, that's certainly flattering. I only ever did what I thought was necessary for the Federation and what was right. Glad to know that Starfleet thinks I'm worthy of study," Kirk looks a bit amused. He was aware he and the Enterprise were becoming famous (or infamous, depending on who you asked), but he had never expected that he would be studied by future Academy graduates. Picard's next few words made him pause.

"Let me guess... something that's going to happen in my future?" He tilts his head curiously and then accepts the hand graciously, with a smile and a firm shake, "No problem at all, Captain. Apparently, we both command the Enterprise and if you've carried on in our tradition, well, you're probably the best man for the job. She's a good ship and she has good captains."

He nodded firmly, "I'm more than willing to be your First Officer for as long a it takes to get us off of this ship and back to our proper times."

Time to sort all this out and cut to the chase. B-b-b-breakdown.

She holds up her hand to speak, making it clear she has a lot to say.

"Here's how I think we should do this," says Cybil decisively. "I think at the crew meeting, we make it clear there's going to be a change in the command structure, and as long as there are no extreme complaints, for a time, Captain Picard should shadow me as I brief him on all ongoing issues and he meets the crew and is familiarized with them and their abilities. I'm not handing anything over until he's up on the crew, their needs, the problems on board, and what everyone can do. I want the crew to see him so much they're comfortable with him."

"I'd prefer the captains to be in the upper ranks. Kirk should be Commander--Chief, you've been amazing, but trust me on this, we should have these captains at the top. We've been winging it, but these guys just have a broader range of experience with this sort of thing, and experience with both war and more peaceful contact with other species. These men are used to commanding soldiers like yourself and know how to use abilities like yours for the sake of the crew."

Which...no offense Chief, but your range of experience is more in killing other species for survival.

"They also have experience with getting people of different species to get along, which is a problem we have on the crew rather than off it."

"I'd like Kirk to shadow you to learn your duties while Picard is shadowing me. I would, however, like you to stay in charge of on-board security, Chief."

Because his range of experience is killing other species for survival.

She looks to Picard. "I'd like it to stay that way, if possible, Jean-Luc. As long as Chief can serve. This man is an incredible soldier, and I think of everyone on this ship that he knows best how to keep the crew safe. Superman is also used to dealing with threats like we've faced so far. He and Superman should work together on coordinating defense against on-ship threats, just as I foresee both working together on training."

Chief handles security, Superman helps, Superman handles training, Chief helps. The two should coordinate their efforts together, since both things are so interconnected.

"I also think the same rules should be in place about leadership. Since this is a civilian crew, and they did not willingly enter an organization where they knew they'd serve as subordinate to a captain, we do allow them a vote in their leaders and that is something I'd like to keep, especially after talking to Brainiac 5, one of the crew members, about his Legion, which votes in its leaders. 2/3 majority votes a captain out."

"They didn't get to choose to be here, they didn't get to choose to be subordinate to someone--I do think, as long as it's not a time of emergency--that they have the right to choose who holds their lives in their hands. There are enough reasonable people here to make sure there are reasonable people in charge, and there are plenty here that have the expertise to lead--we have several captains in this room after all."

She gestures to Elfangor. "Elfangor, a captain himself, according to Ax will join Chief and I at the Lt. Commander position. Ax described his exploits to me. the Lt. Commanders will deal more intensively with the crew, just as the I tend to delegate to them as captain. It should keep anyone alarmed by the captain change reassured."

She goes on, "After this, I think we shouldn't play musical captains unless Picard here needs to step down for his own reasons, like I did for my own, or is voted out by the crew--which would likely be for a command mistake I doubt we'll see happen. I do think you should choose your own commanding officers, Jean-Luc, but for now, at least, unless you see any glaring faults in my selections, I do ask you to try to keep it as is and make any changes by promotion or demotion for specific actions. The crew needs to know that we're organized. They need to be able to have faith in us. I want to present this as something that we hope is a one-time change--finally some actual starship captains are on the starship."

"Are all the current senior officers amenable to this? And are the new officers amenable to this?"

Kirk listens quietly and then nods slowly, "While I have to say that I approve for the most part, I'm not so sure I can agree with you on voting. Whether they like it or not, we are in what could end up being a life or death situation. Now, while Captain Picard and myself have the most experience with this sort of thing, I thing it's natural that we do take leadership positions. However... this is not a democracy, nor do I think it should be. While they may be civilians, this is the kind of situation where questioning orders could lead to the injuries or deaths of our crewmembers. For the duration, that's what we are - crew. We're the crew of a starship, going where none of us have ever gone before."

He pauses to look around at the assembled command staff, "I understand that many of you are civilians, that many of us - all of us, in fact, didn't sign up for this. But if we're going to get out of here, if we're going to find a way back to our homes, then we need to work as a team, as a unit. And having the option of voting out your commanders just doesn't seem like a good idea. I believe - if my history is up to snuff - that they tried something similar for a while in the old Soviet Union, back on Earth for a short period. Whole units would disobey commmands, ignore orders, because they didn't like them. I don't want that sort of thing happening here. Not when it could mean death or eternal imprisonment for all of us. And while it could be argued that we do this in times of peace, of relative calm... I think the whole affair of voting would be detrimental to crew morale and cohesion."

He pauses and then nods again, "I do agree with everything else you've said, Miss Bennet. But this is something of a military operation and I believe it needs to be run along those lines."

Cybil shakes her head.

"The problem is, in a normal society--at least democratic ones like many of us are from--civilians get to have at least some say in military matters by deciding their political leaders. They vote in their representatives to the legislative bodies that decide whether or not a society goes to war. It may be a small say, but it's still a say. I don't think individuals should be able to do this during a time of emergency. Whoever is captain is captain. Mutiny should have consequences--and we need to decide them. Disobeying orders should have consequences, since this is a life-threatening situation."

She takes a deep breath.

"But a life-threatning situation does not make this a military operation. With all due respect, you need soldiers and officers for that, and the majority of the people here are not soldiers. Their allegiance is tentative, and based in respect for who's leading. Without giving them at least some choice, you will get many of them asking 'well, who put you in charge?' If they have at least some choice? Then the crew did. I'm open to suggestions for a better system for voting, such as having leaders serve terms, or having a system in place to prevent frivolous replacement of leadership, but the crew needs and deserves some say in who leads them. To tie this many people together--for some of them to even be willing to listen the only way to do that is make them feel as if they are being listened to. The only other option is military punishment, and Captain--there are individuals here that could bend you in half like a pretzel if they felt like it. Telling them 'because we said so' isn't going to work for some of them."

She goes on. "And just as easily as this could be considered a military situation, the superheroes here could tell you that it could be considered a superhero situation, as this is their bread and butter, too. And the way they seem to work, as described by those I've spoken to here, is by voting their leaders in during stable times, and everyone obeying the leader during times of crisis. It works for them, and while it may be different from what you're used to in Starfleet, it's been working for us so far."

The Chief nods slowly. "I'll stand with Captain Bennet's motion. I'm willing to stand down as Commander after an observation period," he says.

"This isn't a military situation, it's a survival one," the Chief continues. "We are not a proper crew, or even a cohesive unit. We're trying, and we might get close, but with numbers like these it's probably never going to be absolute."

"Most of us don't know each other and are basing our trust on what we've witnessed for ourselves. Any attempt to hold clear, unquestioned command over uninducted strangers is going to go over like paper armor. These men and women are primarily civilian, and those of us that aren't mostly do not share a common allegiance anyway."

"For my part, I belong to the United Nations Space Command. I owe my alliance to them, and them alone. No one else technically has any authority over me unless I decide to give it to them. I'm with this crew because I trust them because of what I have already gone through with them, and I know I can't do this alone."

"I'm willing to follow an officer with more experience than I have, especially with integrating a crew like this. I'm not saying we have to have a full crew vote on every measure we take, that's flatly impractical. But I am saying that having any one man or woman expect everyone to follow them without question is equally impractical. If we're giving orders in the field, they should be followed because the crew members trust their officers. And how do you get the crew to trust their officers? This isn't an organized military, we have no High Command to say "make it so." The best everyone here has is their own experience, and whether we like it or not they will make choices based on that experience."

"I've had military experience as well. But I volunteered. Everybody on here was drafted into it. Plus as Chief put it, we're still figuring out each other and we have new people waking up pretty regularly. This is probably one of the only other times we'll have to make a change like this. But anybody who wants to have a vote or say should."

Nathan added, "If you want some boning up on campaign tips, come talk to me. I ran an efficient one not that long ago."

Lyta had been, for the time being, standing back and listening to the debate as it flowed back and forth. But when she finally stepped into the fray, it was evident by her expression that she felt what she had to say was important.

"With all due respect, Cybil, it's not working as well as you think it is. I'm all for democracy and electing leaders but Mr. Kirk--excuse me, Captain Kirk--has a point: If we can just 'vote out' the person we put in charge, what's to stop members of the crew from just deciding to pick and choose which orders they will or will not follow? Those superheroes you're so fond of have already twice made what are effectively command-level decisions--ones that had or could have easily had a detrimental effect on those of us who are not as powerful as they are--without consulting anyone else. Or, apparently, even feeling that they had to."

She continued. "And, after I talked with Brainiac 5, I was left with the distinct impression that, whether I or anyone else liked it or not, as long as they deemed it justifiable they would keep doing it. If we're going to have rules, they're going to have to apply to everyone or not at all. Which means that even the people who could twist us into pretzels are going to have to follow the rules, too, whether they like it or not. I'm just a civilian, but I've been on military installations before. I think having a single, uniform command to work to get us out of here and organize to protect ourselves from this ship and each other is the best way for all of us to survive this.

"Not only does letting the crew 'vote out' the captain severely weaken that but, with all due respect, it's a little disingenuous, too. We asked these two--" She motioned to Captains Picard and Kirk. "--to take command. They didn't ask us for it. You said they were trustworthy and that they were qualified and I believe you. But what's the point in putting them in command if we're going to reserve the right to demote them if we don't like some of the tough decisions they'll have to make?

"I say that if we want to vote on the captain then we only do it once. One election. People who think they might be good at it can toss their name into the hat and the whole crew votes. Whoever wins is captain. We don't get to go back for a re-do so everyone better make sure that whoever they vote for is someone they were willing to live with. And, we just say that, by voting, you agree to follow the orders of the person who is elected Captain and anyone else he or she appoints as an officer."

"Excuse me, but I have something to say."

This should probably be Superman's place of rebuttal, but he has something to say here.

"But...no."

He's a teenager, what?

"I'm sorry, but..."

He makes a face.

"If I had just listened to people telling me to listen to them, to trust them, there'd be mind control drugs in the water and Earth would be well on the way to being enslaved by aliens right now. We have to trust strangers here. If we put someone in charge and it seems to me that okay, they're looking out for everyone at first, but maybe the pressures of it are causing them to lose it, or maybe they weren't as competent as I thought, or maybe someone else would have a better handle on things."

He goes on. "Or maybe the person voted in permanently dies, and someone else moves up in rank to captain. Maybe they're not a good fit for the job, even if they were a good lieutenant or something."

Jaime shakes his head.

"For all you're about how bad we are at making decisions or whatever, lady, I'm still the one standing here holding this shield around us so Stacy can't just screw us over. I'm still the one that's working out a way to get us home and have been all this time, to the point of being 5 Violations short of Punishment, and closer to getting us out of here than anyone. And I did it during all the time that you've all been busy arguing over who's in charge, because you couldn't get your--your heads out of your butts and get it out of the way to get things done. And I'm still the one that'll be first in line to risk my neck to save yours if another giant bug-monster shows up."

"On my part, it wouldn't be a frivolous decision, and I would not challenge a leader during an emergency situation, especially if that was a rule not to. I wouldn't even challenge a leader and try to get something put to vote unless I thought someone was really, really screwing up. Look, choose terms of time for service, or designate certain times the only times people can vote, like if everything is calm, make the vote more extreme than two-thirds majority, so it's very hard to vote a captain out, make up rules for it or something, so it doesn't get in the way, so it's only for if it gets really bad. I don't think we'd ever even have to worry about it, because Captain Picard here will probably do a good job. But I like having that choice anyway."

"I don't care about power, I don't care about orders or command--I care about making sure my mother doesn't lose me for real after a year of thinking I was dead, I care about the people on the ship, and if you guys put something in place where someone gets to be leader forever, even if they're getting people killed by making stupid decisions--and I mean genuinely stupid ones, not bad luck ones or "they couldn't have known" ones--I can tell you up front, yes, I'd stop listening. It wouldn't be out of ego, it'd be because people were dying because someone was being dumb."

"I know I'm not really command staff, I know I don't have a say or whatever, but I have what I can do, and while I can't take it away because I couldn't stop helping and still live with myself, whatever you decide, I want to remind you that I've been giving what I can do. As a gift. For you and everyone else. I don't know what your thing against superheroes is, but I'm not going to let your distrust in me and my choices, and your distrust other people like me be your justification to take away my right to decide whose life I place my hands in. Not without speaking against it."

A pause.

"Which I just did."

Another pause.

"Anyway, yeah, no. You're saying those things like I'm an idiot and will just...flip off whoever's in charge whenever I feel like it, when I'm standing here letting you talk without Stacy overhearing, and when I'm close to...possibly being executed, for all we know, because I've been trying to get you home. You don't get to do that."

Edited 2009-05-03 04:08 (UTC)

The Spartan looks at Jaime, with just the hint of a smile that he's holding back. "Well said, Jaime," he says. Uncle Chief approves, Jaime. "And you're head Ideas Guy for getting us out of here. Your opinion matters."

He continues, though more toward the rest of the crew.

"There are some crew members that might try to abuse the system, but most of us have proven to be rational, intelligent, and aware of how serious this situation is. I trust them."

"I agree with both parties on their points," Picard began, "but I also feel that in a situation where none have had the choice of being brought here, we can at least grant them the choice of who to follow, if for no other benefit than their own. These are civilians, Captain Kirk, unused to Starfleet directives or regulations. They need this choice, to at least let them know that they have some control over their own lives, even in a strange, alien environment such as this. It's a small way to keep hope alive, and without that, then we have no chance of ever getting out of here."

Kirk listens for a moment, listens to the argument go back and forth, nods as he turned over the ideas in his head. He finally interjects again, "First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for discussing this. I know we're not all going to agree on everything. I know that there will be dissent and this is probably the best time for us to talk it out, before we actually transfer command. I understand your concerns and I think it would be best if we compromised. If the crew truly wants to be able to vote out those in charge, than I won't oppose it. I think it's a bad idea, but... you're right. This isn't a military vessel, we aren't a single, cohesive crew, trained to obey orders. All of us have valid concerns and ideas."

He glances at Blue Beetle and nods again, "Son, I'm not saying that you would fly off the handle. I don't think you're that kind of young man underneath that armor. You're a superhero, apparently. You live with life and death decisions everyday," he laughs, "And believe me... I know about getting around stupid orders creatively. Captain Picard probably knows about a few of my more famous instances. Like Master Chief said, you have as much a right as any of us to comment. You're the man in charge of figuring out how to get us out of here."

One more nod and he steps back, "So, I'll drop my objection. The way out of here is through teamwork and I'll be damned if I'm going to let military stiffness get in the way of that."

< Disobeying orders and rules should be avoided, but there are times where it's...required. > Elfangor added. How many times has he bent, or disobeyed orders? Or when he's outright broken all sorts of important rules and laws? The fact Tobias and Aximili and Tobias were alive attested to how well it could happen. < From what I've understood of superheroes, by disobeying the laws and following basic morals, they're able to do more help than those restricted. For those who break the rules, if they can do it for the better, than it may be best to not restrict them too much. We may even want a few of the ones more likely to go against structure to help make up the rules so there's less chance of surprise when they do do it. >

< I have also heard Yeerks were on board before. There should never be an authority that is obeyed without any question ever. If they got on the ship once, there may be more that could arrive as well. Not to mention other creatures of a similar nature. > Something he thought he should point out. It was simple logic, to think some may be in those pods or hidden somewhere they couldn't find. Even if it was a Yeerk with a host, it wouldn't be beyond them to upgrade their host and kill the last one.

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