A Favor to Ask

Posted on Thu Apr 10th, 2025 @ 3:51am by Commander Izzy Schröder & Lieutenant JG Lucian (Lu-Shen)
Edited on on Sun Apr 13th, 2025 @ 10:38pm

1,236 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: A Choir by the Bay
Location: Via Coms
Timeline: Current

ON:

Admiral T'Relin sat in her office. She sighed as she leaned back and pressed the call button trying to hail Izzy Schroder on the coms. She watched as the screen shifted from the Starfleet symbol into the face of the curly haired Commander. "Commander my apologies for bothering you but do you have a moment to speak. I have a favor to ask." T'Relin was never one to play games. She was direct and honest.

Izzy Schröder loved many things. One thing that she did not love though was receiving any sort of transmission, subspace or otherwise that had an Admiral on the other end. Admirals tended to mean problems, ones she could not afford trying to get her program up and running which they were well on their way of doing.

"I have time, Admiral. We're about to head off soon to our first little academic excursion. What sort of favor ma'am?" Izzy was curious. Surely, the Warbler wasn't being reassigned to something pressing. They were hardly equipped for anything of that nature.

"I have a promising tactical officer who wishes to become an instructor at the Academy. He is one of the best Tactical officers and honestly I... personally think him best suited for the field but he is a good instructor and this is what he wishes. I understand that you were to have Lieutenant JG Anderson take tactical however I am making a substitution. Your new Tactical officer will be Lieutenant JG Lucian. I'll be sending over his file." She paused. "My favor is an honest review. Do you think he would make a good instructor."

This program is supposed to be mine thought Izzy. She had people to answer to of course, but personnel decisions of her teaching staff were something she wanted to determine and she had determined Anderson was the right person for the job. "Admiral, with all due respect, Lieutenant Anderson is a highly decorated officer, a Dominion War veteran, and one I was very fortunate to get to teach these kids. Now, I don't know Lieutenant Lucian, I'm sure they are fine, but they aren't Anderson."

Izzy took a deep breath. She was not one to get heated. So, she maintained her tone, minded it well and kept it curt yet polite. "If you insist on this change of my faculty and as a personal favorite to you, ma'am, I'll accept Lucian warmly, but now you owe me one. Make sure Lieutenant Anderson is given an adequate posting, and by adequate I mean that opening you have for your Aide-de-camp."

T'Relin's lip twitched. "Indeed. I will do this for you and still owe you a favor Commander." She paused. "I have reviewed your submitted notes on this program, your goal, and the ship and applicants. I commend you on giving this opportunity to them and for allowing them a place to heal and be safe. Starfleet is a place where everyone belongs no matter where they came from. I admit I wish this program existed when I was their age." She paused. "May I ask you a question?"

"In some iterations this program has existed long before my involvement" replied Izzy. "Though it was classroom based. I'm simply bringing the classroom to the stars. What is it that you want to ask?"

"Indeed a classroom amongst the stars." She paused. "I must admit I have...reviewed some of the files of the cadets. Many come from troubled waters. Do you truly think that they can become functioning members of Starfleet and surpass the trauma of their past?"

"Students," Izzy corrected and did so protectively. This was the problem with Starfleet Admiralty. They were like vultures on a cliff. "They aren't cadets. Not yet at least, and maybe never. I'm here to help them learn about the Federation and themselves. Frankly, Admiral, I don't care if they enroll in Starfleet. That's a personal decision for them to make when they are ready, and I'll support them no matter what they decide."

A small smile, something very few saw, spread across T'Relin's lips. "Indeed. It is the hope that they will be cadets. They are on a Starfleet ship and thus they are cadets, or rather potential cadets, in my book." She paused. "Your protectiveness is refreshing. I am convinced that you are the right person to lead them." She paused. "Not all in Starfleet like this program so should you run into any issues do not hesitate to call I shall ensure your program has all it needs." She paused again. "May I ask another question?"

"Apologies Admiral, I am very protective when it comes to education. How us may I help you?"

"Will you ... let me know how Lieutenant Lucian is doing as the time goes on?"

Izzy nodded. "Of course. I'll be evaluating my staff regularly. As you said, not everyone is rooting for me or this program. I want data one way or the other, but why are you so fixated on him?"

She sighed. "Very well You've been honest with me so I shall be honest with you." There was a pause again. "Lucian was to be my son in law. He and my son were to be bonded by Vulcan custom and then my son betrayed him, Lucian almost lost his life but after it all...he seemed to have lost himself. I have heard you are miracle worker with souls and hearts that are broken so I have ensured he is there. Gods of Vulcan know that I couldn't help him. He has been more of a son to me then my own, I wish to see him back to himself."

"I see," replied Izzy. "And I need to be direct with you, Admiral. I would have liked to known that information about him beforehand. Has he seen a counselor?"

"He has. They all say that he is healed and he has been cleared for duty. But I see it in his eyes. He is sad, he does not trust the way he used to." The Admiral sighed. "I understand that the doctor you chose," she looked at the records. "Doctor Takahashi is a counselor as well. Perhaps you can arrange for Lucian to see him."

"He's not my first choice nor second" Izzy replied. She smiled. "He's over qualified though not a doctor yet officially. He's a medical student and finishing up. I much would have preferred a nurse, but the cards are what they are. I will not just arrange it, Admiral, I'll expect it."

"Good." She gave a bow. "Thank you Commander. Please understand my gratitude and know that when and if you run into issues with the Admiralty I will get you as much support as possible. Not because I owe you a favour but because I believe in what you are doing." She smiled a little. "I have read your passionate reports and writings on why this program is important and I agree with you."

"I don't foresee any problems, but if we do then I will reach out" she stated. "We will definitely be staying safely within Federation space."

"Well then good luck on your journey. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me."

Izzy nodded and terminated the channel. She hope that was the last time for a while that an Admiral would want to speak to her.

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