Conduct unbecoming

Posted on 14 Feb 2019 @ 3:33pm by Commander Juan Zamora (Dec [CDO]-Jan 2389 - TRSNFR to Gorn Dip.) & Commander S’chqenr T’Jedf Tolkath (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War)

Mission: Ka Hakaka Maikaʻi - The Good Fight
Location: XO's Office
Timeline: 21 Jan. 2389 (day before departure)

[ON]

[Executive Officer's Office]

Tolkath tapped the chime and waited. When called in he crossed to Zamora's desk and said "Commander, might l enquire as to why you over ruled my decision as to the assignment of Lieutenant Saatynn? The man is not qualified to be Assistant Head of the Science department aboard this ship."

"Because, if that is truly the case, then I want his incapability demonstrated." Juan answered evenly. "And if not, then we save ourselves the trouble of requesting a new assistant department head while the task force remains short staffed."

"I believe it has already been demonstrated" Tolkath replied levelly "During my interview he was unable to even explain an understanding of the duties of a Science Division Assistant Department Head"

"That's interesting, he spoke about..." Juan fished for the younger Vulcan's words for a moment, he worked hard to remember what people said to him, it could be vital in his line of work, or, former line of work. This time though the exact phrasing refused to come back to him, that was worrisome. "... the general duties of a Starfleet officer." Feeling distinctly uncomfortable, he reached for his mug of coffee and took a long drink. "Tell me what you asked him during his interview."

"Certainly" Tolkath took a seat "I asked him about his primary and secondary science specialties, those were Xenobiology and Quantum physics. I commented that those were acceptable fields but for exploration but we are engaged in combat operations.

I suggested he commence studies into Gorn technology.

I asked if he had any questions about his duties. Since his entire four year career was related to the Earth solar system and this was his first deep-space assignment.

He stated he did not. That was not a promising response.

The Lieutenant then told me he learned better by doing. I asked him to explain what it was he thought he would be doing as Assistant Chief Science Officer aboard this ship.

He gave a one line answer, relating being an assistant to myself and handling requests from junior department members.

Indeed he appeared to be nonplussed by the question and was unable to demonstrate any significant knowledge or insight into his Science department duties.

I have junior personnel who could provide a far better response than the one provided by Lieutenant Saatynn. The man is clearly unsuitable for the position." He concluded

"That is troubling, it seems he tried to change the narrative." Juan admitted, taking another gulp of coffee. "If you focused on scientific matters, then he rather mischaracterized your meeting to me. He described the entire affair to me as a matter of clashing cultures. I will have to have him back in to speak on this, as it would certainly appear that he was attempting to manipulate me."

"The interview was indeed based on scientific matters, to do otherwise for a position of Assistant Head of the Science Department' would be...illogical" Tolkath commented. "Might I enquire as to what you mean by he mischaracterized the meeting?"

"As I said, he described speaking to you about more general duties." Juan replied. "To hear his version of events, he flubbed a question about administrative duties, or something of that nature, and you were unwilling to let him correct himself."

"Lieutenant Saatynn was never asked about administrative duties, only scientific ones. After his brief and inadequate answer he was offered the opportunity to expand on it. He was unable to do so, and as I recall, took on a look of confusion and bafflement." Tolkath replied levelly

"As for Clashing cultures?" Tolkath asked, a puzzled look on his own face. "Lieutenant Saatynn is, like myself, Vulcan...

"Would you, or he?," He went on "Be referring to his emotional nature?"

"That is what I took from his statement" Juan replied. "He seemed to feel that he was being unduly penalized for his choice. He described his interaction with you as a case of behaving as comes naturally to him, and you being too rigid to allow him to really make his case. Even with the short time we have worked together, I don't believe you would have demoted him without substantive cause. So, I did suspect that your version of events might be more damning than his."

"Vulcan children are not born in control of their emotions" Tolkath explained "It takes years of dedication and training, not all of my species is able to achive it. It is rare but not unknown. Some of my people chose not to interact with those... so effected.

For my part I regard them as no more of a distraction than any other... emotional... species." This was delivered with a straight face to a member of one of those emotional species

Tolkath continued "His emotional state should have little to do with his knowledge or ability to answer basic questions about his duty. It was on that basis that I find Lieutenant Saataynn unqualified for the position and no other"

"Precisely" Juan affirmed smoothly. "I find no reason to believe he faced any prejudice. All the same, I want to have more proof if he is unfit for his assigned role. Given his relatively short career, I wouldn't be surprised if some measure of influence was used to get him recommended for the Hawaii, if so, he may be able to go over my head. Demonstrated poor performance would be invaluable to arguing our case."

"I belive the issue now is not poor performance but untruthfulness" Tolkath replied "I have detailed to you an accurate account of my interview with Lieuteant Saatynn and the reason for his unsuitablity for the position.

He appears to have then deliberatly misrepresented our exchange to you. In short, he lied.." Tolkath stated.

"If you want to use that term, yes, that wouldn't be inaccurate." Juan Assented.

"What other term would you use Commander?" Tolkath asked "Lieutenant Saataynn lied to you concening the questions he was asked during the interview. That is, at the least, conduct unbecoming a Starfleet Officer, and certainly falls within the discipline section of General Regulations"

"Mischaracterized, misrepresented, misstated distorted, dissembled, concocted, fabricated, invented, there is any number of terms to chose from. Of course though, they do all mean the same thing, you are correct about that as well. We shall have to bring him in to face some sort of consequences for these actions." Juan replied "Do you have any suggestions?"

"I would return him to whence he came and suggest they deal with him" Tolkath replied

"Yes," Juan mused. "Perhaps it's time he saw a setback in that blistering career of his, it might prove educational. I suppose that we and the Captain can form a united front, and that should get us over any opposition we encounter. And then perhaps we can get someone who is clearly equal to the position."

"That would be preferable, however..." Tolkath paused a moment, considering how to proceed. ".. it may not be that simple. Have you thought further on the Captain's disclosure of the reason this ship was initially sent to this region of space?"

"To be quite honest with you, I am still mulling over the full implications of that particular revelation." Juan confessed, taking a swig of his coffee. "What is your concern?"

"That Officer's such as Lieutenant Saatynn were purposely assigned here to somehow effect this ship and the Captain...." Tolkath responded evenly

"That, is a grim prospect to consider," Juan mused darkly. "And one that will take some time and effort to verify. I can say though, that if we are embroiled in such a complex scheme, we only improve our chances of completing our mission with each element that we thwart."

"It is not a situation that one would ever foresee occurring in Starfleet, the deliberate sabotaging and sacrifice of a Ship and crew. However, we cannot deny there are facts that point to this being the case. The question is, I think, why is this still happening?" Tolkath replied

"There are, as I see it, two possible explanations. One, Admiral Banda was correct in saying that the Hawaii is no longer being used as a pawn, and simple bureaucratic inertia has left some aspects of the plan still in motion. Two, Admiral Banda was not correct, and actors unknown continue to try and manipulate our fate. Until we have strong confirmation of the former, it will behoove us to assume the latter is true." Juan offered.

"That would be the prudent course of action" Tolkath agreed "Returning Lieutenant Saatynn may also send a message..."

"Indeed," Juan Agreed. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention."


[OFF]




Tolkath CMDR SF
2XO CSO


Juan Zamora CMDR SF
XO