Setting Expectations

Posted on Sat Oct 10th, 2026 @ 9:48pm by Lieutenant JG Aiden Poe & Lieutenant Sornax

1,540 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Echoes in the Triangle
Location: Chief Science Officers Office | Deck Four

ON:

Sornax had been aboard the Arcadia for only a few days when the newest report landed on his desk. Lieutenant Aiden Poe had been in some sort of confrontation with two junior officers who then chose to batter him. According to the security report, it was nothing major, just a bloody lip, but it was still over the line. That meant he was going to have to deal directly with the problem and put his foot down, but not before hearing the full story.

Sitting at his desk, the Denobulan patiently awaited the arrival of Poe, whom he had summoned to his office. In the meantime, he studied a small blue holographic display that projected from the desk, which showed what appeared to be the core of a planet that was undergoing some radical transformation.

Aiden had just completed his review of a dig on a planet in the Beta system when the call came in. He stood and looked at himself in the mirror again. He winced. The lip really did look worse, the bruising taking on a dark shade. "Well, it is what it is." He sighed as he headed to the Chief's office and then pressed the chime.

When the office door chimed, Sornax stood up from his chair and walked around to the front of his desk. The projection was still active behind him, displaying what now appeared to be a projected simulation of the planet going critical. Whatever was happening to it was not good. “Come in,” he called out, triggering the computer to relay the message to the console by his door, letting Poe know that he was invited in.

Poe entered. "Sir, you asked..." His eyes were drawn to the display. "Wow. That is impressive...er...in a horrifying way." It was the death of a planet after all.

“A friend aboard the Sasav sent me the details. Apparently a non-Federation civilization was using warp technology not to travel the stars but instead as an energy source. They’re not sure yet what exactly happened, but the Sasav knows there was a meltdown, and the resulting explosions have, well, you see it. This planet doesn’t have long. At least when it comes to supporting life.” Sornax explained before motioning for the younger officer to take a seat.

“Aiden, I imagine you know why you’re here. I got a report this morning from Security about you being assaulted last night. I want to know what exactly happened and who did it.”

Aiden looked horrified. "Will they be able to get the people out in time?"

Sornax offered a frown and a shrug. “There is apparently some debate about whether the prime directive applies or not because they have not used the technology to travel into space but only as an energy resource. My friend says it’s quite a contentious debate currently. Time is not on their side, though.”

His shoulder slumped. "I didn't think it was a big deal. Things like this happen all the time. If the big dumb Assistant Chief Engineer didn't come along, I wouldn't have said anything." He released a stuttered sigh. "I was walking home and an Engineer and ... Ensign Kale ... they started saying the usual stuff. I tried to walk past, and they pushed me. I hit a wall...it was an accident. I told that to Lieutenant Delix, but he insisted I file a report...I don't want to get anyone in trouble. It's nothing unusual."

“That’s the problem, Poe; it isn’t okay, and it shouldn’t be the usual for you.” Sornax tapped his fingers on the desk for a moment, thinking about how he wanted to approach everything he had just been told. After a moment, he continued. “Let’s start with Lieutenant Delix. I had a talk with him and made it very clear that he is to start showing you respect and stop with the names. Whatever past you had with him is over from this moment forward. You’re both assistant department heads, and I want you two to treat each other as such, understood?”

"I've tried. He just doesn't like me... although he is behaving in a weird manner. Your talk may be why."

“As I said, it’s a start. It takes time to change old habits, but it also takes two to tango, Aiden. So please, give it a go.” He replied, not willing to let a simple he just doesn’t like me be the answer. They were Starfleet officers, and they were going to start acting like it, unless they wanted to be ordered to counseling sessions together.

“As for this security report. What do you mean by the usual stuff? Pretend I’m new here and I know nothing about your history. Explain why they tease you and want to bully you. I can’t make changes and help you find your strength if I don’t understand.”

He shrugged. "Don't know. I've always been the freak...even in my own family. Things were okay when I was temp department...I mean, they were less...brazen; it was only words then or orders not followed." He sighed. "I'm not like other people, I guess. I'm not good at making friends. I know my work, but I'm clumsy..." He seemed to be thinking about it. "My family used to say that every hundred years a broken person was born, and that was me, so I guess that could be it."

"That's not good enough, Mister Poe," Sornax replied sternly, switching back to a more formal approach. "If you're going to remain at my right-hand side as my assistant department head, then you need to put aside the past and focus on the present. And that means not letting such things control your life. It seems I'm going to have to solve this departmental issue without much information to help me."

The Denobulan sighed and rubbed the sides of his forehead before looking at Aiden straight in the eyes. "Look, I know about your gift and difficulties adapting. I spoke with Commander Blake so that I could better understand you. He believes you have great potential, and I want to believe that. But you need training and guidance, not just from me, either. I want you to start seeing Lieutenant Alexander on a weekly basis. I will be checking in with them to ensure that you are going too. Between the reports from the Counselor and our work on leadership together, if I do not see satisfactory progress, we're going to have to talk about your role as assistant department head. And that is a conversation I do not want to have."

"My role was ever temporary, Sir. I was offered it because I know rules and reports, but...it was with the understanding that when you were up to speed, I would step back and just do what I was hired to do. Be an archaeologist, and so that is what I'm going to do." In that moment, Poe seemed defeated, as if he thought his fate was to stay in a bubble.

"Poe, I am not suggesting I want to get rid of you, nor that you cannot remain my assistant department head. What I am asking, however, is that we focus on helping to develop you professionally. Every officer needs professional development. Hell, even I still focus on that to better myself. I know you don't want to be an archaeologist only for the rest of your career." Sornax motioned to his office and then nodded back to the science lab behind them. "You did good work before I arrived, and your former supervisor spoke highly of you and your potential as well. I am trying to help you, not discourage you."

He smiled sadly. "People always try to help and encourage, then they abandon. I learned very early not to believe fairy tales like that."

"I'm quite sorry to hear you feel that way. Either way, the counseling request is not an option. I need you to report to Counselor Alexander and start working with her. In the meantime, I'll give you twenty-four hours to decide if you're willing to let me work with you and show I'm not looking to abandon you like some street dog. If you don't want to proceed, I'll remove your responsibilities as my assistant department head and have the Captain open up a billet." Sornax paused for a moment to allow Aiden to process everything. "Any questions before I let you go?"

He shook his head. "No, sir."

"Very good then, you're dismissed. Take the rest of the day off. I need to call in my next discussion and finish dealing with this report." With that, the Denobulan swiveled his chair so that his focus moved back to his work console, typing in some commands so that the doomed planet faded away from display on his desk and a message was sent to the young ensign who fancied himself a bully in the science department. He was about to learn what zero tolerance meant.

OFF:

Lieutenant Sornax
Chief Science Officer
&
Lieutenant JG Aiden Poe (played by Lt. Commander Walker)
Alien Archaeologist/Anthropologist

 

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