Executive Policy
Episode Name: Executive Policy Written By: Golden/Edwards Cast: Golden and Edwards Produced By: Starfleet Directed By: Fortunae Aired On: Sat Dec 07 04:36:22 2002 Stardate: 52833.7
Time: Sat Dec 07 04:26:52 2002
Stardate: 52833.7
Edwards sits behind his desk, watching the wall with undue fascination. A bunch of PADDs are scattered about on his desk, but they obviously aren't holding his interest.
Golden says, "Excuse me, sir. Do you have a free moment?"
Edwards stops eyeballing the wall and turns his attention toward Golden, "Yeah, sure. Come in, have a seat."
Golden takes a seat immediately, straightening his uniform tunic as he does so. "Thank you sir."
Edwards raises an eyebrow, "So what can I do for you, Mr. Golden?"
Golden says, "Well sir, since my assignment to this station you and I haven't really had an opportunity to speak professionally. Of course there have been the occassional staff meetings where I have been called in; and a few conversations off duty on the mall decks, but we've never had an opportunity to talk about where I and the RRT fit in with the station's operational activity. Considering a trend that has occured, the new duties added to the RRT portfolio and some word of mouth references I've been given, I thought perhaps I should seek you out and try to see where we are from your viewpoint, sir."
Edwards pauses, gathering his thoughts, before he replies, "You're a special operations unit. You're mostly for when we need that added muscle. And otherwise... well, I suppose I just assumed that you and your team would double as duty officers."
Golden says, "Understood sir. The second point is going to need some time, so I'd like to touch on the first part first if I may. Of course we can provide added muscle sir, but that isn't really what we are. Each of my people is an officer with advanced additional training; we all have training in command, tactics and diplomacy. Since the team has been fleshed out I've had each of them focusing on even more advanced training in their specialized areas, from Demolitions to stealth infiltration to data systems intrusion. We have two medical officers, we have a combat engineer. To put more of a point on it, my people have the training of a standard starfleet officer and then more, even my ensigns. We are highly trained, highly motivated special operations officers -- the common perception that we are a collection of chest beating deck apes is having a negative impact on the morale of my personnel, sir. That's point one."
Edwards replies simply, "Those that voice their beliefs in that perception only show their own ignorance. So they're only doing themselves a disservice."
Golden "As you say sir." He adjust his shoulders and then wills himself to move onto point two. "Sir, I am wondering if the senior staff would prefer the RRT be stationed elsewhere like Dulcais, or perhaps be removed outside the Station's CoC. I am asking this because the impression we are getting is that we are not wanted here or welcome here. I'll expand. There have been a number of missions on this station since a Rapid Reponse Team was assigned here that fell specifically under our area of operation. Not things that could be considered an either or, but very definitely our job by the Rapid Response Program Mission Statement established by the Chief of Strategic Operations. I realize that on this station the command has opted to slot my position under security, and that most of my team are security background officers, but the way the RRT is organized at the fleet level puts us on a parallel seperate but contigious basis like that of Starfleet Intelligence. You mentioned that we would double as duty officers -- and that is exactly the sentiment that was being put forward before the war broke out based on the relationships between RRT and the general fleet since the program was initiated. I'm all for that, I like to think we should contribute as much as we can all the time, and I believe we can handle our constant training program and serve on the duty roster. The problem is, sir, we are doing standard duty roster functions -- but the senior staff on this station is giving *our* jobs to standard station personnel. I'm not sure how to take that. I know that my people are confused, and I am confused." He pauses to allow the senior officer a chance to respond before going into the specifics of what he is talking about.
Edwards replies, "You'll have to be a little more specific, Leftenant. What missions?"
Golden says, "Right sir. The Orion Syndicate came to Dulcais, assault Starfleet officers and abducted one. Your wife. Hostage and Kidnapping rescue operations fall under our purview. I understand as a man why you had to go and rescue your wife sir. That you didn't even have me informed that it happened, or ask for any of my expertise to plan a rescue mission, or consult on any level was very... ackward for me sir. I don't know the details of your rescue mission, and I'm not asking you for them. I am saying that it was my job sir, and by not including me in any way your undermined my credibility. Of course, I've been told by others that a factor in your choice is that you don't personally like me. I can appreciate that, but whether you like me or not it doesn't change the fact that I have a very deep training in the tactics required for that sort of operation. Next, the boarding mission of the captured pirate freighter on this station. I was told to prepare a boarding action to sweep and clear the vessel, I gathered the appropriate personnel. Then, at the last minute Lt Dakin took command of the mission and had me wait outside while he took my people inside. Boarding actions are specifically part of our training mandate, I have literally over a hundred small unit boarding actions in my service record sir. This is not a slight to Lt Dakin in any way, he knows his business. Unfortunately, his taking command of the mission further undermined my credibility. Since that time I have had my Chain of Command over my subordinants hacked into by the senior staff to the point that my "peers" in security came to me to speak about their concerns that the RRT is acting like they aren't just another part of Security. We *aren't* just another branch of security, which is why we usually aren't assigned under the security department when put on a fixed facility but report to the Executive Staff on the station, the CO, XO or Strategic Operations officer if there is one. This placement is causing problems -- not everybody on the RRT is a security officer, I have to deal with three different department heads to settle my group training needs, all of whom feel they have the right to overrule my handling of the team as they deem fit, which makes running the team under the RRT guidelines unnecessarily difficult. Finally, Last night there was a boarding action involving counter boarding procedures and hostage rescue. The Rapid Response team was sitting in the Coffee Shop minus Mister Stewart who was on Ops pulling a general security duty shift. When it came time to go boarding, we were not called. Lt Poole was sent in charge of the action with Ensign Medes and Mister Stewart. Nothing againt Lt Poole, she's a fine officer, an experienced officer. But she's the training officer. I was drinking a Latte while she was doing my job, sir. My engineer was drinking a mocha while Ensign medes was doing *his* job, sir. *And* a three person boarding team into a situation where no accurate account of hostiles was available when the Rapid Response team -- who is specifically trained for this sort of action -- is available seems to me a less then optimal selection of asset utilization. Three times today I've had people ask me about that mission, or even thank me. Three times I had to explain that I was not on that mission, that my team did not handle that mission. When asked why, I had no answer sir. If you were in my position sir, how you would you be feeling about this situation?"
Edwards clears his throat, "First of all, the mission to rescue my wife was... unauthorized. So I'm sure you can see what the deal is there. Secondly... who told you I didn't like you?"
Golden says, "The conversations regarding your sentiment about me were unofficial dialogues sir, and I hesitate to name specific names and occassions, but if you really want me to tell you sir, I will because you are my superior."
Edwards makes a dismissive gesture, "Nevermind. But I hope you know, with all your training, to take second-hand information with a grain of salt, Leftenant. Now, as for these other incidents, well... I trust Leftenant Dakin's judgment. I'm not sure about the other one. But the bottom line is that you have been integrated into the station's command structure in a certain place. And taking you out of that position would likely only reinforce any resentment against you and your team. I'll see about getting the cross-department problem cleared up a bit, however."
Golden says, "I appreciate the cross-departmental assistance sir, it's been only a minor issue but as our training needs have shifted with our additional duties it's becoming more pointed. I don't want you to question anyone's judgement -- particularly Lt Dakin's as I respect him very much. You say we have been intergrated into the command structure at a certain place sir -- I think that is what I am saying is the problem. We have been intergrated into the Station's position structure but the Station is not intergrating us. The station is not allowing us to do our job. The station is minimalizing our role. The station is undermining the morale of my team because the Station keeps sending other people to do our jobs even as we are doing jobs for the station that aren't part of our primary duty. I say again, I'm glad we can help out with the general tasks of the station; but that isn't our primary function. It isn't why we were assigned here. Everyone in Starfleet wants to participate as best they can and do what is needed for all of us as a team to succeed in Starfleet's mission. My people are being denied that opportunity. They all worked very hard to get into the Rapid Response program, it's not easy to get into. Not just anyone can do our job. For those of us excluding Mister Idisha -- who put in months of extra independent training to qualify enough to make me consider allowing him to OJT the rest of his training -- who came into this program from the normal methods, it meant additional training. I had an extra year of training before going out to my midshipman cruise to qualify for RRT Line Command. When the Station treats us like unwanted step children *AND* denies us the priveledge of actually doing the jobs we earned the right to handle, that undermines everything we worked for. Consider the disparity -- Starfleet Command selected this Response Team to handle Special Operations for the -- Temporal Joint Group -- because we are high speed. Starfleet Command thinks we have the right stuff, but our local superiors don't appear to share that sentiment. If we are going to be resented and treated with a leery eye, sir -- and if we are going to have to work under two different CoC's anyway, it would be a favor to us if perhaps you could at least consider the option of reconsidering the way we are intergrated here. At least if we were in a seperate command chain it would make sense that other people are sent out to do our jobs because people trust their own. We're trying to be part of the team, and we are being benched, sir."
Edwards replies, "You're not really part of the team, though, are you? You're on a different team now, in a whole new ballgame." Even he can use sports metaphors with the best of them. "I know, I know. Joint Group. You're still in Starfleet. So on and so forth. But the fact of the matter is this: you are a part of Timefleet, and that will always take priority. That's what you need to worry about. Boarding parties? Not that. I'll also add that our people are more than qualified to handle board parties, and that goes double for Leftenant Poole." A pause. "And while we're on the topic, even though you didn't ask to join the Timefleet, well... that's not earning you brownie points with anyone, Golden. And you're going to have to work extra hard because of that."
Golden says, "Sir, except for last night, all of these problems were occuring or did occur before our involuntary reassignment by Admiral Jorgensen. And since that happened we have been working very hard to not push that we are part of that group. Our orders said we were supposed to continue our regular Strategic Operations Command duties as the Sector RRT, including pulling standard duty shifts on this Station AND train for and perform missions for the Presidentially created FSC/Starfleet group sir. And we've been doing that. I'm not questioning the qualifications of the Station's personnel to handle boarding parties, I'm saying that it's my job, not the Training Officer's job."
Edwards shrugs, "Well you heard what I said, Leftenant. Focus on the problem at hand, keeping time safe, away from the prying eyes of we mere mortals. Okay?"
Golden looks genuinely hurt and disappointed. "I thought I was focusing on the problem at hand sir -- taking care of my people and trying to find a way for us to be part of the family on this station and receive the respect we not only deserve, that we earned. If I'm not mistaking your advise sir, it's go and take care of the timestream and leave the Starfleeting to the real Starfleet Officers. Roger that sir, I will comply." He adjusts his expression to the professional detached mask he uses for work, "I appreciate your time sir. Thank you."
Edwards comes up to his feet, "Don't get that way with me, Golden. I respect every damn officer on this station, unless they do something to prove they don't deserve it. And hell, I personally like some of your officers. The others? Don't know them well enough. What I'm telling you is this: worry about the timestream, and be prepared to do what you can around here just like everyone else. You want your people to fit in? Then fit in, don't make with the 'We're RRT!' Now, I have some things to attend to. Is there anything else?"
Golden says, "No, sir." He rises, "I apologize if I offended you sir. Again, I appreciate you taking the time to hear me out. I understand your position clearly sir, I won't trouble you with this matter again and will consider the new perspective on the situation thoughtfully. Have a good evening, sir." His posture is straight and erect and completely respectful."
Edwards nods once, "You too. You're dismissed, Leftenant."
Golden says, "Aye sir." He immediately turns and exits -- as you are supposed to when dismissed.
