Quentin was still in his office with mixed feelings about his meeting with Robyn. He sort of wanted to tell her the truth, explain the coldness but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. Now a yeoman had just poked her head around the door of his office to inform that the Commodore was in fact on her way down to see him. He wondered what her first comment would be and mused over the fact that the repairs were still going on to her quarters. Finishing off his final report of the week he leaned back and sighed to himself knocking several painkillers down his throat. As he winced with the pain he returned to work to ensure that his duty rosters were up-to date. At that moment the glass door to his office slid open and the Commodore was there in the door way. "Commodore welcome, please take a seat" he said motioning to an empty chair.
Shiarrael glanced at the chair as if it were some tortuously uncomfortable thing. She then glanced at Quentin with an equal look "you did well Commander but you look terrible." A mirthless expression formed on her face "I can't have my Chief Engineer run himself down only a year into our mission. Take some time off."
"My appearance doesn't affect how well I keep this ship in one piece Commodore; I also took two weeks to lay there in medical bay… I'd rather keep myself busy with my duties… especially when there is so much to do. I have also been cleared for duty" he stated indicating to the pile of PADDs on his desk. "Was there something I could do for you M'am?" he asked looking up to the Romulan commanding officer standing in front of him, clearly not wanting to accept the offer of a seat.
"Well if you insist on working." Shiarrael grinned- a devilish grin and pulled three PADDs out from beneath her pocket setting them on his desk "decks two and three are still without power. I have asked Lieutenant Tyrax to make sure they're brought online in a timely manner but I will also remind you how much of an inconvenience it is for the entire crew." She pointed at the other two "these are recommended modifications to the sensor palette."
Quentin nodded slowly as he skimmed the PADDs and put them into the pile of everything else he had to contend with. "Noted Commodore" he said slowly. "Have you been down to the planet? Are they… happy?" he asked wanting further confirmation that what he had done had been worthwhile and not against the will of the people that inhabited this unique world.
"Why don't you go visit and find out for yourself. The entire crew has been granted shore leave until we depart. You still have" she glanced at her chrono "nine hours to enjoy yourself on the planet." Shiarrael then tugged on her collar "also its Captain now Commander."
"I… can't quite bring myself to go back there… Captain?" he said making a question of the last word. "What caused the demotion m'am?" he added not wanting to intrude but hoping his plan hadn't resulted in the Commodore taking a demotion.
"None of your concern." Shiarrael smirked "go down to the planet. Visit the people you saved. I do not intend to insist but I believe you should."
"If I get some time in between repairs… Captain" he said with particular emphasis on the last word. "Was there something in particular I could help you with?" he asked.
"Deck two and three need to be prioritized. It is too much of an inconvenience." Shiarrael turned around and walked out.
"Yes Captain" he replied as she walked out of the office. As soon as the door was closed he tossed the PADDs that she had handed to him into his in-tray. It may be an inconvenience for the now-captain… but he had a system, a logical order in which to have tasks completed and these repairs were not about to skip places in his system.
Lieutenant Commander Quentin Calhoun
Chief Engineer
USS Charon
And
Captain Shiarrael Rehu
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
