A Little Guidance

Posted on Sun Nov 2nd, 2025 @ 3:07pm by Captain Jamie O'Connell & Commander Angel Devroe & Captain Shauna Vehn
Edited on on Sun Nov 2nd, 2025 @ 3:07pm

Mission: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 10/25
Location: USS Peel
Timeline: Current

::ON::

Since the repairs to the Station were well underway Captain O'Connell had requested Captain Vehn to come aboard so he could get some guidance as far as Commander Devroe's request for a transfer to the Station was concerned; this was weighing heavily on his mind and he valued Shauna's input. Also it would be a valid reason to see her since their duties understandably had kept any social time at bay over these past couple of weeks.

< Captain's Ready Room >

O'Connell was at his desk going over the never ending stack of PaDDs with reports when he heard his door chime go off. Setting them aside "Come in" he stated and looked up as the door slid open only to see a very familiar face. With a smile he stood and walked over to greet his guest "Captain Vehn please come in and make yourself comfortable" he commented as the door closed behind her. In a soft voice "How are you doing.....I've really missed you these past couple of weeks" he stated still smiling.

“You’re not the only one” Shauna smiled warmly as she dropped the usual formalities now the door was closed. “I’m doing all the better for being here with you. I got the impression that maybe something was on your mind?”

"Yes actually there is something I wish to discuss with you" Jamie stated then gestured towards the round table "I know you're busy with the Station repairs so I'll get right to it" as the two Officers sat "Normally I wouldn't seek an outside opinion but I value your input. My First Officer, Commander Devroe, has requested a transfer to M-69 for personal reasons which has nothing to do with this Ship or its Crew. The difficult part is trying to come up with a replacement for her; I depend on her heavily and we pretty much know how the other thinks. The last thing I want is someone green and have to start the whole Captain-First Officer process all over again" then Jamie paused a moment before continuing "So my question to you is twofold. First would you have a slot on the Station that she could slide into and still keep her rank and secondly do you know of anyone with a good deal of experience that could fill the XO's position here."

“Actually I do…” Shauna smiled. “How’s about me? I want to be with you Jamie, I’ve lost so much already I don’t want to lose you too. I’d like to transfer to the ship as your XO, and that way Commander Devroe can take my place as station XO. That’s if you’re happy with that?”

Hearing her solution Jamie sat back in his chair not quite believing what he was hearing with his mind going in several directions all at once. Sitting up straight and looking Shauna in the eyes "While I think that's a very good solution I have to ask, setting your feelings aside for a moment, you sure you want to give up your post at the Station to come aboard a Star Ship " he inquired with a smile "Not that I wouldn't be happy to have you aboard."

“To be honest ever since I’ve been joined I’ve felt a yearning to get back into space, if Commodore Sureth approves then I’m sure.” Shauna smiled warmly. “I know we’ll have to keep a professional distance between us on duty, but at least I’ll be able to spend my private time with you.”

Turning Jamie grabbed his PaDD then started tapping the keys. looking up with a smile " Being a Captain I'm able to access your file and I see you last served on the Churchill before coming to the Base; so that's good" then he paused "Let's see if the Commander's up to the task before we go any further" tapping his comm "Commander Devroe please report mo my Ready Room."

Minutes later Jamie's door chime went off "Come in" he commented.

Angel walked in seeing Shauna there as well "You wanted to see me Captain O'Connell" she inquire then turned to Shauna "Captain Vehn always a pleasure to see you."

“Likewise Commander” Shauna smiled warmly at Angel.

"Yes and please have a seat" came the order "We may have a possible solution to your transfer request Commander. How would you feel about taking over the XO's position on the Base. Captain Vehn has offered to take your place here."

Taking the nearby seat "Wow. I never would have imagined being offered the First Officer's position on the Base" then Angel paused a moment and with a big smile "Yes I would happily accept the transfer to the Base as XO.....I know I can handle the job" she replied with a smile.

"There is no doubt in my mind that you can handle the job" Jamie answered "But none of this will happen without Commodore Sureth's approval so we'll all have to meet with him to get him to sign off on the switch" then he paused "I would however would suggest making the switch after the Base has been repaired and be up and running.

“Agreed” Shauna nodded. “I can’t leave it in the state it’s currently in.”

"That does make sense and I'm sure Captain Vehn needs time to get her things together same as I do" Devroe replied hoping the Commodore would approve the swap.

“To be honest I don’t have a lot to pack up, I’ve still got things in boxes from last time I moved.” Shauna grinned.

"Neither do I really. Having been on a Star Ship for so many years I tend not to accumulate things; you never know when the Brass are going to reassign you'" Angel replied with a slight chuckle.

"Ok, so for now we'll go about our duties as usual. When the Station is finished then we'll have a meeting with the Commodore and go from there" Jamie stated then looking towards Angel "Commander you're dismissed."

Angel rose from her seat with a smile "Thank you both so much; you have no idea what this move means to me" then she proceeded to go back to her duties.

Looking towards Shauna "I thought that went well" then he paused "Now I can relax knowing I'll be having a very competent First Officer replacing the one I already have....you have no idea what a stress reliever this meeting has been."

“Actually I think I do” Shauna grinned. “I haven’t been looking forward to the Peel departing again, so now I won’t have to worry.”

"I'm sure the Peel will be running for some supplies as the Station is being rebuilt but that should be an out and back scenario so no big deal" Jamie replied "And the sooner things get back to some sort of normalcy then so much the better."

“Agreed” Shauna nodded. “We need some normalcy, give people a chance to enjoy the station and encourage others to come our way as well. Preferably those who come looking for trade and peace rather than domination though” she grinned.

"Yes that would be nice after what the Station just went through" Jamie replied "Unfortunately being out in the middle of nowhere I guess we have to expect situations like the one we're in; hopefully with the rebuild they can make M-69's defenses much stronger" then he paused "I really hope all this works out with you and Angel switching positions; it would be nice having you aboard" as a big smile came across his face.

“I don’t see why it wouldn’t work out, Commodore Sureth is a very understanding man plus he’d be gaining just as good an XO if not a better one.” Shauna smiled.

"Commander Devroe is an excellent First Officer" then Jamie paused "But I wouldn't say she's any better than you are from what I've seen on the Station; of course I may be just a little biased" he stated with a big grin "I'm expecting the transition will go quite smoothly."

::OFF::

Captain Shauna Vehn
Commanding Officer/Fleet Captain
Star Base M-69

Commander Angel Devroe
Executive Officer

Captain Jamie O'Connell
Commanding Officer
USS Peel
NCC-71015