Post 4 - They Won't Be Listening For Long

Posted on Wed Dec 9th, 2020 @ 10:48pm by Fleet Admiral Sturnack

Mission: Episode 1: Acta Non Verba
Location: Press Briefing Room, Starfleet Command
Timeline: Day 10 - 2020 Hours

[Press Briefing Room]
[Starfleet Command]
[Day 10 - 2020 Hours]

“Well, I’ll say this for you,” the woman — middle-aged with chestnut brown hair framing her face — chuckled as she regarded the newly minted Fleet Admiral and CinC, “you’ve certainly got their attention.” Eyeing the throng of reporters that was starting to break up on the floor below, she stepped down from the dais and ducked into the doorway behind. “The question is,” she smiled kindly, walking in-step with the Vulcan, “how are you going to use it?”

“Admiral?” Sturnack asked, poised and collected as he walked beside the woman, charting a course out of the Press Briefing Room and towards the cluster of offices at the heart of Starfleet Command. The upturned question mark at the end of her stated title made the Vulcan’s meaning clear: the CinC wanted her to expand on her thoughts, not quite understanding their intended meaning.

“I’d never say all Vulcans are the same,” she lightly shrugged, still walking-and-talking, “but I’ve known a few in my time and you’ve all shared a certain quality. Not a criticism, mind you,” the woman noted warmly, holding up a staying hand, “just an observation.”

“And that is?” Sturnack asked impassively, nodding politely to those they passed in the halls. His feet had laid in a course for the CinC’s office, the Vulcan’s aim to officially move in now that the announcement had officially been made. Though he’d effectively been doing the job for weeks, only now was the role truly his.

“Where politics are concerned? Foresight,” she clarified resolutely. “You’re the new Commander-in-Chief, Admiral. The window to act on that is small, though. Right now, people are listening. And honestly,” she paused at a replicator — inset into the nearest wall — to order a coffee, “they won’t be listening for long.” Turning back to Sturnack, she resumed walking and said, “You’ve got to make the most of it, sir. People want to know that the new head of Starfleet is smartly in charge and able to keep them safe.”

“Have I not been doing so already for some time?” the Vulcan asked in reply, deigning not to replicate something for himself. While the desire for an evening tea was rising, there would be time enough for that later — once he was alone to steep in his thoughts just as the tea steeped in boiling water.

“I’ve only been back for a year and a half. A year, if you count the time I took off initially,” she pressed on, weaving her way between others walking down the hall. “But I’ll be honest, Admiral. I’d heard your name, knew your face…but that was about it. It was all McGarry’s show from the outside looking in.”

The woman’s meaning suddenly became clear. “You are saying that now is the time to differentiate myself from Fleet Admiral McGarry and instill confidence in those I will lead? That I should focus on making a show of taking office and gaining control of the reigns?”

“Sometimes,” she nodded somberly, “when things feel most out of control, a little pomp and circumstance can do wonders. I know you’ll be interviewing new Press Secretary candidates — make sure whoever you pick can represent your agenda well. Hello there,” the woman smiled, coming to a stop at the desk in front of the CinC’s office. “How are you today?”

“Admiral Janeway,” Commander Marlena Glenn’s face lit up, her eyes tilting up to regard the powerhouse woman who’d saved the galaxy at large from the Borg. “A pleasure to see you, ma’am. How is Strategic Command treating you? And hello, sir,” Marlena flashed a toothy grin at Sturnack. “Congratulations!” she offered, warmth effusing her eyes.

“Oh you know,” Janeway demurred with a sip of her coffee, “just another day on the job. But today I got to walk the new Commander-in-Chief to his office, so we’ll call that a win,” she winked. “I wouldn’t dream of stealing the CinC without an appointment but we do need to chat. Got anything for tomorrow afternoon?”

“I think we can make that work,” Glenn smiled wide. “Admiral,” she turned to Sturnack, “I’m afraid there isn’t much time to soak in the post-appointment afterglow. The new Romulan ambassador wanted to talk to you about some security concerns with the new embassy. Normally we’d go through Homeworld Security for that but…”

“The situation — and our relationship — with the Romulans is tremulous. I understand,” the Fleet Admiral nodded to Glenn. “Please alert the Ambassador that I will see her now. Admiral Janeway,” the Vulcan turned to his walking companion, “I value both your advice and your company. I look forward to meeting tomorrow.”

Raising her coffee cup up in a toast, Janeway smirked, “I know where to find you, sir. See you tomorrow at…” she peered down at the new calendar entry Marlena had sent to her PADD, “1345 hours. Try not to break anything on your first day,” she clucked, backing away down the hall. “I hear it’s bad luck.” And with that, the woman disappeared into the crowd of people moving to-and-fro up and down the corridor.

“She seems nice, Sturn,” Marlena commented. She’d known the Vulcan for many years — serving as Sturnack’s Aide-de-Camp while he was the Deputy CinC — and they’d adopted a rather informal relationship during that time.

“Indeed,” came the Vulcan’s only reply. It was, it seemed, time for business. “Marlena, please put together the notes on the interviews for tomorrow. I will take them home with me for review. In line with that,” he peered down at the woman, “I would like you to pull a certain article for me. I believe it was published in April of 2373.”

“The take down of Admiral Leyton?” Marlena offered, smirking. “It’s already included in the materials I took the liberty of loading onto this PADD for you this morning. One of these days, you’re going to believe I am psychic.”

“We shall see,” Sturnack arched an eyebrow before disappearing into his new office, closing the door on one chapter of his life and beginning yet another.

=/\= A post by… =/\=

Rear Admiral Kathryn Janeway (NPC)
Strategic Command Adviser
Starfleet Command

and

Fleet Admiral Sturnack
Commander-in-Chief
Starfleet Command