Good Job

Posted on Wed Mar 25th, 2026 @ 3:51pm by Lieutenant Commander Elyse White & Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker

1,297 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Forgotten Wounds
Location: USS Arcadia

ON:

The meeting ended and Sabastian stood. "Commander White, a moment please?"

Elyse disposed of her coffee cup and smiled, "of course, sir."

He held up both his hands and smiled. "Actually you're, Sir. I'm not the XO right now." He motioned for her to precede him out of the of room. "So, good job today. You really stepped up and I like how, when we talked about Poe, you acknowledged his good qualities, expressed your concerns but didn't put him down."

"I didn't ask for the job, Walker," Elyse chuckled, "I'm only filling in until you're back in post. Therefore, I will see you as my XO in a weird sort of way." She stepped out of the room and followed him, "is this an appraisal, or do you have something you wish to say so you're giving me a compliment sandwich." Elyse took a breath and stopped, "Sir, Walker, Sabastian, whatever you wish for me to call you in this moment, I will be blunt with you before you speak further-- I am not easily offended. I am someone you can speak with openly and bluntly. If anything, I would prefer blunt. Don't worry-- I'm not Adrianna, I won't kick your ass if you say something that I don't like."

He laughed. "No, you are not Adrianna and while I will miss her ass kicking I appreciate that you are you." He paused. "And no it's nothing I wish to say to you that I'm compliment sandwiching you I just think you did a great job. I'm honestly glad he picked you as the XO as for temporary...I haven't decided yet if I'm staying on ship or not so it maybe permanent. And as for what to call me, everyone calls me Sabastian no matter how much I dislike it." He laughed.

Elyse smiled and shrugged, being matter of fact and honest with Sabastian, "if you choose to leave, there will be a replacement. I will not stay on in an XO capacity. I like my actual job too much. There's too much responsibility as an XO." She then paused, "if you don't like being call Sabastian, what would you like me to call you?"

"Now that's something I've never been asked." He chuckled. "I'm partial to my middle name. Gabriel. I've never felt like a Sabastian and frankly have, on more then one occasion, thought about changing it. Only problem is that as much as Humans like to think that they have the market on parental guilt they haven't met a Vulcan mother. Guilt disguised as logic, deadly."

Elyse chuckled and shook her head, "that sounds... Truly terrifying and my heart breaks for you. Gabriel it is though. Suits you. I associate it with something angelic though... So... Please don't sprout wings and a halo and give me messages from a deity."

He laughed. "That is not happening. At least not anytime soon." He liked Elyse White. He loved his friend Adrianna but this woman seemed to embody Adri's qualities as well as her own special blend. "So how are you finding the ship?"

"Strange," came the easy reply, "I've only ever worked on stations, so this is rather... Small. That said, I like the fact that I'm seeing the same faces every day."

"Stations can be impersonal. They are like floating planets...er mini planets. But more entertaining. Ships can get a bit boring. Although we do have our own form of entertainment via lower deck message board."

"Ah, yes, we actually worked together for a little whole-- you may not remember. I kept putting your calls through to the Arcadia. Well, and Vance's," Elyse smiled, "but yes the message board is just... A realm of entertainment. I live that they called Adrianna meatball. I mean... I'm surprised they don't call her the Gary slayer."

He laughed. "I remember you now. We did work together. Glad that we get to again." He paused. "Yes it's always interesting to see what's out there. Surprisingly, for how much they complain about her, there are a lot of people that miss her. We'll do a lower deck field trip to the vineyard. "

"According to Vance's looks in the background of video calls, I would suggest that she is extra scary at the moment," Elyse chuckled, "I remember her before the accident-- she used to have an American accent, believe it or not. She wasn't as scary then. Lower deckers would have actually properly liked her. But yes, I've been surprised. I think if only they knew that we know about the message board, and that Adrianna was in fact the one who... Made the Gary disappear."

"I never got the full story on that. Enlighten me." He chuckled. "As for the message bords they got Mr. Poe and me in a bit of trouble the other day."

"Enlighten me on the trouble," Elyse said but then explained, "her boyfriend at the time, Constantine, he had a bit of a gambling problem. She went to defend him when guys realised he'd cheated. She got knocked out for a food few days. When she woke up, she only spoke Italian, so had to relearn."

"I didn't know that about Adri. She's been through hell a few times. I am glad that she's got some time to rest and build a happy life." He paused. "Well Mr. Poe had a rough day and I checked on him and he invited me to stay for a movie that seemed to be well liked on the boards. He found his way onto them and well let's just say that the movie was not what we expected. He thought it was a movie having to do with seniors. It was not. The title, Fifty Shades of Grey, was ... misleading."

"That's what her tattoos are-- tally marks for her near death experiences. Don't feel sorry for her, her and her family collect them like trophies," Elyse waved him off. She then looked horrified at the fifty shades reference, "oh gawd, that... Wow... Ok... No... Read the synopsis before pressing play. Rookie mistake."

"Yeah it was...embarrassing for the both of us. I think I was fifty shades of red."

Elyse snorted with amusement, "if you want something light hearted, comedic and about old guys, try: going out in style."

"Yes well once I get over the embarrassment maybe." He sighed. "Well I should get back to my hobbit hole. I'm glad that you joined the team. This ship needs someone like you."

She smiled, "thank you. I hope the XO role goes back to you soon though. It's great experience, but I like being a little less responsible. I've just come out of s relationship where I was always the responsible one. I was hoping this would be a break."

He sighed. "Yes those are never easy. Let's hope this little friendly sail with the Klingons doesn't bite us in the behind."

"I'm pretty sure that's an act of endearment from a Klingon..." Elyse snorted in amusement.

He snorted. "Great I wonder if the Captain would I agree if I went and knocked each of them out. I could call it a love tap."

"Weirdly, I think that's Klingon humour," she laughed.

He sighed. "Yes. Well. If they come near my Engineering I'll air lock them."

"That's no fun," Elyse protested playfully, "at least give them an honourable death like a screwdriver to the heart."

He snorted. "You are as dark as Adrianna. Love it!" He sighed. "Well thank you for the walk and talk. I should head back."

"I'm just not as violent. I prefer psychological warfare, not violence. That woman was brutal," Elyse chuckled, "thank you too. I'll see you around. Hurry up and get yourself. Back to XO."

OFF

 

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