Post 188 - I'm not really calm

Posted on Tue Feb 4th, 2025 @ 12:34am by Commander Jordan Haines & Lieutenant Commander Michael McMahon

1,171 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Secrets
Location: Holodeck

Mike was in the holodeck. He was preparing to go on the mission to save his uncle. He was worried. He knew what the Synthulans could do. The one thing he never mentioned to anyone was that the original destruction of the base - his parents were here with his uncle. And the Synthulans killed them both in front of his Uncle. He didn't know any more than that because that was all his uncle would ever say. Was that they died by their hands. He didn't originally know where, but found out by doing the research into what actually happened at the base. He wouldn't let it happen again. He couldn't. His Uncle was like a father to him. When His father was alive - he was never around. His Uncle made more time to teach him things than his father ever did.

But that didn't matter now. What mattered was they find his Uncle and bring him home. He pulled up a program he had created and started using it to work out and get his frustrations out.

Jordan walked in and paused, giving Mike a minute. He knew the weight he carried and waited for his friend to speak. When he didn’t, Jordan spoke up. “You will get him back and home safely. Especially with Charlotte leading this mission. She is unstoppable.”

“Is she though? This isn’t like anything anyone has ever seen. How do we know they haven’t already killed him and this isn’t a trap we are walking right into.” Mike said turning around to face Jordan.

"How do you know they have?" Jordan countered. "How many missions have we gone out on over the years, not knowing if we were going on a rescue or recovery mission." He paused and took a deep breath. "If not for Charlotte and her team, I'd still be held in a prison by the Romulans or something much worse. By all rights I should have been dead but it didn't stop her." His eyes met Mike's. "You need to have faith he is alive. I don't care how evil they are, how deadly they are, how more advanced they are. I ran a smugglers ship that didn't have near the advanced technology the Federation had and I managed to beat them time and time again for years." He paused. "Charlotte will succeed and so will her team."

"You would be worried too if it was one of your brothers." Mike said. "I know she can do it. I've seen her in action." Mike sighed. "I just don't want Uncle Chris to be in the same spot as my parents were."

"I never said you shouldn't be worried." Jordan returned. "Just don't let it control you. Be honest with yourself and then tuck it back in a corner of your mind and concentrate on bringing your Uncle home. That is what everyone on this team has to do and I need to know that you can do that because quite frankly, if you can't." He paused. "I will speak with Captain Pontmercy. We don't need a weak link on this team."

"Don't push me Jordan. I've already gotten the ok from everyone Pontmercy wanted me to see, and I'm qualified to be on the team. You of all people should know how I feel. I never said I would let this affect the way I handle the mission or the rescue. I didn't when all the admiralty was captured years ago and we had to save them and I won't know. I'm surprised at you." Mike said grabbing his gear from where he had put it in the holodeck.

"This right here is what I am talking about." Jordan snapped back, his temper showing. "You think you can disrespect me by telling me not to push you! I will damn well push you as far as I want to, I am your superior officer. " His eyes were dark when he met Mike's eyes. "I never said that you could not worry but I stand here seeing how it is affecting you. Grabbing your gear like that is proof you are letting your emotions affect you." He took a step into Mike's space. "I can and will pull you from this mission and do not make the mistake of thinking I cannot. One word to Captain Pontmercy and he will pull you. I have his complete trust and he knows I would never do that on a whim." He took a deep breath. "I know you need to go but I won't put the team at risk." He crossed his arms over his chest and stared him down. "Now, are you going to get yourself under control or am I grounding you?"

"Go ahead Jordan ground me. There isn't anyone else here right now. Don't act all cool and superior officer me. You know as well as I do that I've been dealing with this the best way I know how. I was done in here anyway hot shot. But get in my way of this mission and I'm telling you, I'll never forget it nor will I forgive you. I'm prepped and ready to go. I'm all set. " He said getting in Jordan's face. "You were the one who came in here."

“Against my better judgement I will let you go.” Jordan said after a moment. “I intend to fill 1st Lieutenant Thrace of my reservations and give her a direct order that the first time you disobey an order from her you are to be put in the brig until the end of the mission. Make no mistake she is in charge.” His eyes were directly on his. “You threw our friendship into our work relationship and threatened me. I don’t put limitations on my friendships unlike you. When you return we will be having a serious conversation over your lack of respect for me.”

"Who said I didn't respect you? You came in here all assuming that I was acxting out and doing whatever you thought. And I was just here working out and prepping. I gave you my opinion as a friend and you turned it into work. All I said to you was I wasn't sure about the mission because we didn't know what they were going to do. Then you went and started in about taking me off the mission." Mike sighed. "If you really wanted to be close to Charlotte so much, just take my place then."

Jordan had to step back. He didn’t let anyone speak to him in this manner. “I am finished here Lieutenant Commander McMahon, report to the team.” Jordan wanted to believe that Mike didn’t realize how he was talking to him. He turned and left, this conversation was over and after that out of line comment about Charlotte there friendship was in danger as well.

Commander Jordan Haines
Executive Officer
Starbase Obsidian

Lt Cmdr Mike McMahon
Chief Operations Officer
Starbase Obsidian

 

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