Regulations and Boundaries
Posted on Mon Dec 29th, 2025 @ 6:53pm by Lieutenant Commander Sabastian Walker & Commander Kelly Kerrigan
1,452 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Shore Leave - Starbase 1
Location: Various - Memory Log
Timeline: Past / Current Day memory
ON:
Sabastian woke up to find a blanket had been thrown over him. He’d swore he’d felt Zai’s presence. A kiss, whispered words…
Sabastian shook his head. He stood and hurried out of his office to roam the ship again. This time he found himself in the conference room. Another clash came to mind. One that started with the whole Gorn mess.
He looked at the table his mind being drawn to the past.
Sabastian kept his seat as the department heads filed out. Fang hung back. He looked between Kelly and Sabastian and then turned to Sab. "Commander Walker I apologize. I should not have..."
Sabastian waved hand. "Nothing wrong with slipping in humour into things. While perhaps it was not professional and I will be submitting myself to Starfleet for a reprimand on my record for lack of professionalism." What he didn't say was that the doctor and the Lieutenant chose to make a big deal out of it and they are the ones who chose to adopt a tone of disrespect to a superiors officer which Kerrigan didn't call out. There will be several reprimands on file after today all department heads will now have to comply to Starfleet courses and if one is not up to date then he would take action as XO according to Regs.
Fang gave a nod. "If you'll excuse me sirs." He hurried out.
Sabastian turned to the CO. "Can I have a moment of your time Sir?"
"We're on a razor thin time table if we are going to get those children and non-essential personnel off, but I can spare a moment or two" replied Kerrigan. "What is it?"
Sabastian sighed. "Captain perhaps we should talk about something. While I realize that...the ship is more of a family environment there also needs to be rules and regulations. I would like to point out that Starfleet contacted me and asked me to report to them on the ship. I refused saying that I would support my Captain and crew by ensuring regulations are complied with but I would not be a pawn for Starfleet. I am grateful that you recommended me for this position and I will be loyal to the ship and crew however I will not suffer disrespect nor lack or proper fleet procedure." He paused. "While Fang's comment was perhaps not in good taste and I should not have encouraged him there is a far greater disciplinary issue on this crew. I will personally submit my comments and actions to Starfleet for them to punish me how they see fit however I would appreciate if my CO had my back on certain issues."
"Commander, I am not going to agree with every point you make or every suggestion that you have" replied Kerrigan. He looked at Sebastian. "Clarify?"
"Those courses I suggested to the Doctor and Communications officer are part of a larger package of courses Starfleet demanded in order to not suspend the away team crew members. They were not happy with any of the away team members on the last mission especially since a civilian stowed aboard and risked her life along with that of the crew. She, the civilian in question, has yet to be punished. The crew will be doing these courses on Starfleet recommendation on proper away team protocol and communication or the fleet will blackmark their record and suspend them. I argued Starfleet command out of that course of action and ensured that these courses are the only consequence they have to suffer. All those on the away team have been assigned these courses because they all failed in the field." He paused.
"Hardly anyone on this starship had settled in yet. We've been in constant transition with our backs against the bulkheads, neck deep in everything trying to struggle our way through the unknown, Sebastian. I was not supposed to be Captain. Barely any of us are where we were initially assigned."
He let out a small sigh. "Its been tense" added Kerrigan. "That last mission took sharp left turns that could be accounted for."
"Now back to the meeting. Your Communications officer said the following 'It was far from missed, Walker,' then she glared at her XO and said 'I suggest you get off your high pony. I will not be undertaking any of those courses.' This was a clear disrespect for rank and XO post. Now then the doctor found it necessary, perhaps emboldened by the coms officer department head to say 'I guarantee that if I see so much as a cooking course land on my desk, you will be searching for a CMO. Not only have complaints been filed repeatedly by the crew about your CMO's temperament nothing has been done about it. There is bedside manner and then there is repeated complains about the CMO's attitude. Again the lack of respect for an XO and an XO disciplinary orders shone through today. You said nothing about it. If you had given me a slap across the hand for lack of professionalism and them then that would have been fine. You ignored their disrespect to my rank and station thus conveying the fact that my authority as XO means nothing. I didn't challenge you in public because it is my job to uphold the office of CO and back you up no matter what. If I have a grievance it will be taken up in private and I would appreciate that in public I be afforded the same courtesy."
"You are the First Officer, Sebastian. What is it that you are trying to ask of me?"
He paused. "I am asking you to address the issues of respectful tone with both the Doctor and Lieutenant. I could file a complaint directly and put it on their records but I am coming to you out of respect for you and the crew. They have shown they have no respect for me I am hoping they have more for you. When I addressed Lieutenant Baciami I used her rank. She spat out my name 'Walker' as if I did not hold a higher rank or office. She refused a direct order as did the CMO." Sabastian slid a pad across the table. "This is from Starfleet Command. They request away team and emergency procedure requalification from Lieutenant Lee, Doctor McDonald, Counselor Alexander, and Lieutenant Baciami or they will take action. They wanted to reprimand them officially and suspend them. They wanted Ms. Jinx in the brig for endangering Starfleet officers. I argued them down to these courses. If I do not deliver the completed courses then Starfleet will punish me but this will also be a blight on their records and yours as CO. I will not lie to Starfleet and say they've completed the requirements when they have not." He paused.
"Frankly, they can go to hell," stated Kelly. "This crew may not be the flagship Enterprise caliber, but I am not going to have Starfleet Command push us around. We found out what happened to that missing cargo convoy. Several Federation starships went missing trying to do that, others uncovered nothing. So, they can complain all they want about the methods, Commander Walker, but we delivered on results."
"Is my Chief Medical Officer a cantankerous asshole? Yes, but he's no fool. That's a salty seasoned physician. I wouldn't replace him with anyone at this point. Baciami? She speaks her mind and needs reigned in at times."
Kelly nodded. "You are my First Officer. Personnel management falls under your duties, Commander. If they need to be recertification or to adjust their attitude, I expect you to make that happen. Otherwise, why are you here?"
"Very well. I will deal with it them by the rules. There will be push back so please understand that they will come to you seeking exemption." He would then see if this was the right choice for him and Zai. "I need you to know that my personal feelings towards any of the crew will not cloud my application of those rules. I did stick up for the crew and the away team for Starfleet to lesson the blow for the crew. If they still refuse to complete it I will report their reluctance to Starfleet and the consequences will be on them."
His thoughts were interrupted by the hiss of the door. He looked up. “Lee, Fang. Why am I not surprised to see you…”
Fang sighed. “Can we talk?”
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