Romantic Entaglements
Posted on Tue Jul 15th, 2025 @ 2:00pm by Rear Admiral Timothy Rice & Lieutenant Mira Jayna & Brigadier General Francis 'Judge' Sobel
Edited on on Wed Jul 16th, 2025 @ 5:24am
2,932 words; about a 15 minute read
Mission:
The Amalgamation Interrogation
Location: Wardroom 1 - Habitat Ring Deck 11 - Empok Nor
Timeline: MD001 1300 hrs
As Tim continued down the list of interviews for the day he stopped abruptly at the next name. "Next is the unit's Intelligence Liaison Lieutenant Mira Jayna. The Commodore's reports state that she is romantically linked with the Colonel. Do you think that she could be impartial in these proceedings?"
Francis glanced over Mira's record flimsy, noting the highlights presented and said, "I've met the Lieutenant. What she says and doesn't say will tell the whole story, we just need to query that analytical Vulcan half." Pushing the record back into the pile, Francis continued, "She can also speak to the changes Malbrooke made when Tremble reorganized the Detachment and also formed the Red Team. Those tabletop exercises and evaluations haven't been half bad."
Rice nodded and exhaled sharply through his nose. "Becoming involved with an officer who has command over you is a problem and you know that. An unavoidable problem, but it is a problem. My worry here is she will defend Malbrooke as a member of his crew, and will defend the man she is inked with because... Well... You would defend Tempest and I Georgiane so I would expect nothing less of the Lieutenant."
Jayna knocked on the door as instructed and entered the room, pausing to salute both admirals. She didn't think this series of interviews was necessary, but she'd answer their questions and hopefully clear up some misconceptions.
"Have a seat, Lieutenant," Francis said genially. "Nice to see you again. Have you met my counterpart, Admiral Rice?"
Rice stood and poured a glass of water for Jayna. He knew the woman's record, knew her as intelligence, and knew that she already knew everything about both himself and Sobel. "Glad to meet you Lieutenant. Relax take a load off. This is just standard questioning to see how this little experiment of ours is progressing."
Resting his elbows on the table before him, Francis steepled his fingers and said, "As you were informed, we're soliciting feedback on the great experiment of embedding FMC officers into traditionally Fleet roles, such as in Neil's case." Dropping his hands to rest on the table he said, "We're counting on your unbiased evaluation of how well he's doing. And," said after a brief pause, "how the reversal is, how the job is affecting him. He had to learn a whole new skill set and then we dropped Battalion Commander on him as well."
"As you know, Neil is incredibly organized. That serves him well in both capacities. He also knows how to delegate when needed. Since his promotion, he's turned more of the SFMC duties to Captain Merrick. He also works well with Commodore Malbrooke. In my opinion, the two work well together. There have been several times when the Marines were an essential part of an away team and having Neil in the position of XO has lead to a seamless and productive integration." She paused, then decided that, since he asked, she'd give him her honest answer. "I know Neil will rise to the occasion because he's dedicated to the Corps and to those under his command. But he does like being in the field more than becoming a Battalion Commander."
Rice nodded and leaned back in his chair. He rested his head on his hand for the moment. "We are not unaware of the rivalry of sorts that happens between the Fleet and the Corps. I know as an Intelligence Officer, you are trained as a people watcher. How has the crew of the Pioneer adjusted to taking orders from a Marine? The reverse of that question as well. How have the Marines taken to general duty aboard a starship?" So far so good, Rice thought. She seemed to be giving the honest opinion without any consideration for her relationship.
"Rivalries exist regardless of where you serve." Jayna shrugged. The two senior officers were both well aware of that. "However, I feel I'm in a...unique position as I am a member of Starfleet and also the intelligence liaison to The Cure. I've spent time both with Starfleet personnel and the Marines on the ship. For the most part, they work well together. The two generally stay in their respective areas of the ship unless their duties have them working together, but with few exceptions, I've seen no real problems. I'm given the same respect as any other Marine."
She couldn't help giving them a half smile. "In fact, I think they treat me as an intelligence officer better than some members of Starfleet." She shrugged that off as she'd long become accustomed to the way some people mistrust intel. "From what I've observed, the crew as a whole respects Commodore Malbrooke and most of them respect Colonel Tremble. Those who don't seem to disagree with his command style--but that can be said of many who hold a higher rank."
Francis had expected her response. Knowing her had helped him guess conclusions, but it was good to hear her vocalize them. "And Neil's reaction to the stress?," he queried. "Medical records indicate no problems. Psychological reports get grayer. When Neil took over as XO then we added the M-Mobile designator to the Cure and put them in the Suits, it heaped a lot on him and he was hooked and cooked on Stims for a few months till he found his path back."
Glancing towards Tim, he said, "While the crew was on leave, Neil was put through Train the Trainer and OJT command school training about the same time. To keep up, he used combat stims to keep up. He took and paid the toll, but he was ordered into daily check-ins with medical and his contact updated daily bio readings to Brigade." Looking back at Jayna, he said, "How's his stress levels?"
She was concerned with his stims use leading up to meeting the Silence, but he wasn't more stressed than the rest of the crew. "There was some ship-wide stress related to a recent assignment, but he handled it well. He has a holodeck program he uses that has a gym and sauna. He's careful about using chemicals. And, if I may be blunt, I'd say something if I thought hs stress was causing problems."
Rice nodded in agreement with what Jayna had said. He looked toward Francis first. "Doctor O'Rourke's reports on this state that he has cut the use of the stims and is under her observation. He seems to respond well to the medical treatment. I would be remiss if I did not mention that his chemical use is something that troubles me in keeping him in the position of second in command. However, Commodore Malbrooke says he would not have anyone else."
Rice turned his attention back to their guest. "Lieutenant I would like to apologize up front for what I am about to ask. However, it is something that I have to ask in the interest of fairness to this review process." He exhaled sharply through his nose. His body language indicated that this was not something he thought should be discussed, but it was something that had to be discussed. "Reports indicate that the Colonel and yourself are romantically linked. Does this fact color your view of him and his command style? Does it cause the Colonel to keep you away from riskier duties?"
Jayna laughed, then quickly suppressed it. "Yes, we are, as you put it, romantically linked. But as much as I love Neil, I would not jeopardize lives to protect him if I honestly thought he was unfit for the position. Nor do I believe he would stay in the position of XO if he thought by doing so he'd needlessly put people in harm's way."
"As for keeping me from riskier duties, you don't know Neil. I've been on several dangerous assignments since he became first officer. General Sobol knows that I'm part of a team he put together, along with Neil. Look at my record. I'd rather be beside Neil, watching his back, than sitting safely on a starship worrying about him." She paused, looking from the admiral to the general. "But since we're asking delicate questions, I have to ask you one. Is this because you truly wonder if Neil's up to the job, or did someone file a complaint against him?"
Being a decent poker player and a flag officer, Francis didn't bat an eye at her question and replied. "Commanding officers really aren't doing the job right if they don't get a few complaints. That being said we won't confirm or deny if any complaints have been placed. What we're looking at here, Lieutenant," he said evenly, letting just a trace of steel enter his voice, "Is how the Fleet crew is reacting to the Marines in general, Neil in particular. You're embedded role gives you a unique and valuable take on all of that. But we'd be remiss if we didn't ask about personal entanglements. He is your direct commanding officer in more than a few away missions, after all."
He let that sink in for a few beats then smiled, "But, if you've heard of something we should be aware of, this IS the venue to relate it."
"I hear a lot of things, general. Spooks generally go unnoticed." She smiled because most Starfleet personnel tried to avoid intelligence officers, which made it easier to be unnoticed. "That's part of our charm. But I can assure you that with one exception, the crew of the Pioneer is getting along better than many ships I've been on. That one exception seems to have an unreasonably strong dislike for Neil in particular."
Now it was Admiral Rice's turn to inject some steel into his voice. His gruff, raspy voice took on a more commanding tone. "Who is this one exception?" Tim was pretty confident he knew who she spoke of based on the interviews that had already taken place, and reports that had been submitted. However, he wanted to hear Jayna say it, to see if she truly was above board. "Lieutenant I do not want to order you to tell me this information, but I will if necessary." He added by way of making her understand that he meant business.
Jayna raised an eyebrow. She wasn't going to be bullied, not even by an admiral. "I don't gossip, sir. If you want a specific answer, ask a specific question." She also didn't come here to throw Vura under the bus--even if she deserved it. "But since you asked, Lieutenant Vura has developed a growing resentment of Neil ever since he called her into his office. I've personally noted her reaction to him on three occasions, and I tried to get to know her once, to understand her better." She couldn't help smiling as she added, "She now dislikes me because I didn't take her side. As an example, I was with Neil when the garden cube was opened to the crew. When Neil saw Vura, he asked her how some of his Marines were doing. It was a general question, but she started to rail at him about not sharing confidential information about her patients in public. She told him he had to come to her office before she'd tell him anything. She didn't even register that I was standing next to him. In my opinion, her reaction was unwarranted. He wasn't asking for any confidential information. It was a general question. She could have given a general answer, but she chose to take offense."
"Neil's words in her evaluation were: Prickly as a porcupine in heat," Sobel commented. "Vura appears to be still suffering from the death of her husband and while struggling with that, needs someone to lash out at and center their displeasure on." Glancing at Jayna, Sobel said, "Did he share with you that he plans on letting it run it's course and take her..." Franics looked at his flimsy, then continued, "...acting out as what she needs to get her past her own emotional hurdles." Looking at Jayna with a glance toward the Admiral he said, "Basically, Neil says that since the Counselor isn't a Line officer, he hopes she can find her way to her better self while aboard the Pioneer. If hating him helps, so be it."
"Yes. He'd rather let her focus her pent-up emotions on him than someone else on the ship. He's also not doing anything to encourage her hatred. She hasn't dealt with her grief, and she has an air of entitlement. But I also hear that for most, she's a good counselor." Jayna shrugged. "I don't see her myself, so I can only go off what others say." She didn't think this was the time or place to mention Vura's fixation on Merrick. "I do believe that, in time, Lieutenant Vura will mellow." How much, she couldn't--or wouldn't--speculate on.
As he had done since they learned of the issue between Vura and Neil, Tim continued to search for a reason. "Is there any reason for this rivalry between the Lieutenant and the Colonel that you can tell? The Commodore speaks highly of Vura in his reports. Coming from Malbrooke that is high praise, most of his Counselors run screaming. Further are you saying that someone needs to counsel the Counselor?"
"I'm not saying that at all. I believe all counselors have a counselor themselves anyway." Jayna shrugged. She thought she'd answered his question, but she'd do so again. "I know of nothing other than she doesn't like the way he called her into his office and the way he acts as first officer. It's not because he's actually done anything to warrant filing a formal complaint. Nor is it because he's a Marine. She's rather fond of Captain Merrick."
Sobel bit his lip at that and weighed his words. Finally, he said, "I've heard that." Meeting Jayna's eyes he added, "Well. Tempest heard about it actually. And she told me." Looking over toward Rice, Francis continued, "Seems to be Vura doesn't like Neil and Neil doesn't really care as long as she does her work." Debating for a moment, he said, "Could be the fact that he doesn't hide that he doesn't care from the Counselor is part of the problem."
Rice nodded in agreement with Sobel. "Whatever happens here we should take a note for Neil. If he is to remain as an XO he needs to learn to hide his distaste for those under his command. The mentality of not caring so long as the work is done is a good one. However, some tend to want to be liked, or perceived as liked."
Francis scratched at one ear and decided it wouldn't hurt to add his own thoughts, though he really should hold them for his and Rice's private debates.
Preferably over aged bourbon.
"Sounds like a looking up and looking down chain of command problem", Francis remarked. "And we both know command is not a popularity contest. That gets fuzzier in the fleet. Which brings us back around, really to whether having a Marine XO is compatible."
"Begging your pardon, sirs, but from what I've seen on the Pioneer, yes. Fleet or Corps, becoming a department head or above is not a popularity contest. It's whether or not you can do the job because being liked does little good in a crisis."
"Agreed. Officers, regardless of their division, should be placed where they will do the most good to the whole. Popularity be damned." Rice sipped his coffee there was a point to be made for both sides of this discussion.
Jayna nodded. "The problem is, you will rarely have consensus on where that best position may be. In addition, those opinions will change, even in our own minds."
Musing, Sobel said. "I don't know if there's much more to add. For the record, Lieutenant, you seem to think the program works, overall. Despite people being themselves?"
"General, the Federation works, despite people being themselves. It often takes good people like Captain Malbrooke and Colonel Tremble--and I dare say you and the admiral--to hold things together. But since you want it put simply, yes. I think the program works not only in spite of people being themselves but because of it."
There was something to be said for no bullshit intelligence officers. It was the reason that Rice rather enjoyed talking to them. "I tend to agree Lieutenant. If my colleague has nothing further you are dismissed with our thanks."
Nodding, Sobel said, "I think we've gotten what we needed. Thank you Jayna. Tempest sends her best, by the by." He liked the Lieutenant's bluntness. More importantly, his wife liked her. And Francis trusted Tempest's judgement over anyone's. Tempest had been the one to show him a certain calendar after all, trying to get her husband into trouble by asking what he thought.
Jayna gave them both a Vulcan half bow before turning and leaving the room. She told them the truth, but that didn't mean they believed her.
A Joint Post By
Rear Admiral Timothy Rice
Sector Commanding Officer, Trivas Sector
Empok Nor
Lieutenant Mira Jayna
Intelligence Officer, The Cure
USS Pioneer
Brigadier General Francis Sobel
Commanding Officer, 258th Starfleet Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Empok Nor
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