‘Captain, incoming transmission from CAPT Morrison.‘ CAPT Richard Pullman sighed. Michael Morrison was a dear friend. He was also the Chief of Staff for RADM Baker, the woman in charge of all of Starfleet’s ship yards, and Pullman suspected this was a business call.
“Put him through, please.”
The comm panel on Pullman’s desk immediately came to life, revealing a tired-looking man with thinning, greying hair. ‘Rap, how are you, my friend?‘
Pullman sighed again. The phrase “my friend,” meant Morrison had bad news. Pullman never determined whether it was Morrison’s way of easing into an uncomfortable conversation or whether it was an unconscious tell. “Not as good as I was a minute ago, I fear.”
Morrison nodded over the open channel. ‘We got the final inquiry report….‘
The inquiry in question was the investigation of the events leading to the failure of USS Glendale following her recommissioning from Beta Antares Ship Yards. Starfleet was reactivating almost every California class utility cruiser in the reserve fleet. Although most reactivations were straightforward and drama-free, Glendale‘s refit was one of the few troublesome ones. First, there was some undocumented and unrepaired damage that was not addressed before she was mothballed. Second, during the refit, she was converted from an engineering support variant to a command support variant. When Glendale‘s scheduled launch date arrived, the young, impatient captain demanded the ship be released from the ship yards. Glendale‘s chief engineer, the ship yards’ Director of Engineering, and Pullman (the Deputy Director of the ship yards and a former chief engineer of the California class starship USS Richmond) all warned that Glendale was not ready for service and her launch was delayed.
Two days later, that spineless worm of a humanoid, Director Walter Scott, ignored their warnings and protestations and approved the launch. On January 5, 2403, Glendale departed the yards en route to her posting with Task Force 21. Sixteen hours after departure, the power systems failed forcing a complete system shut-down. The only positive note was that the chief engineer, anticipating this problem, was able to shut down the warp core instead of having to eject it, remarkably with no damage to the core and only minor damage to other secondary systems. On January 23, 2403, a tug deposited Glendale‘s lifeless form into a berth at Starbase Bravo. Glendale‘s captain was immediately relieved of command upon disembarking.
‘…They recommend replacing all senior staff. That’s Scott, you, and all department heads.‘
“That’s ridiculous, Michael. Everyone except Director Scott pushed back–hard.”
‘I pointed that out when we got the preliminary report. But the board decided that fresh blood is needed–regular rotations going forward. Admiral Baker is tired of Scott’s failure to accept responsibility for this fiasco and his poor attitude in general. She’s following all recommendations.‘
“Sins of the father?” Pullman asked ironically.
‘Exactly,’ confirmed Morrison. ‘Which makes it tough for you. Everyone except you and Scott has a place to go. If only you had taken the director’s position last year.‘
Pullman shook his head emphatically. “We’ve had this discussion, Michael. There’s enough BS as the deputy. I’m an old engineer, not a ‘networker.'”
‘Yes, I understand. And the point is moot anyway.‘ Morrison leaned closer to his console and lowered his voice. ‘How do you think Laura will take this?‘
His lovely bride, Dr. Laura Pullman, was a professor of comparative anthropology at the College of Physical Sciences at the University of Mars. Their fleet-furnished apartment served as her laboratory and lecture hall for her classes. “She won’t care about the firing. She will be upset if we’re forced to move before the end of the school term.”
A strained silence hung between the two colleagues. “Is there something else I should know?” prodded Pullman.
‘I may have a solution to your housing problem.‘
A skeptical shrug preceded Pullman’s response. “I’m listening.”
‘I know this is not in your comfort zone, but hear me out. You’re finished in the ship yards community. But Admiral Baker has no reach in the fleet. Would you be open to temporary line duty, at least until Laura can resituate?‘
Temporary line duty. Something about that phrasing bothered Pullman. Still skeptical, Pullman replied, “Go on.”
‘Glendale‘s chief engineer estimates she’s out of service for 10 months. What if you were assigned to her during the repairs?‘
Pullman considered the option. Laura would be able to keep the apartment through the end of the term. After that, she could store their belongings and join him on Starbase Bravo. Plus, it would be fun getting his hands dirty repairing Glendale after her humiliating first mission. He was warming to the idea until a thought struck him. “Wait, what about her current chief engineer?”
Morrison paused and grew visibly uncomfortable. ‘He was not included in the purge.‘
The significance of line duty suddenly crystalized in Pullman’s mind. An officer of the line was authorized and eligible to exercise command of all Starfleet assets, as opposed to staff officers who were limited in scope to units in their profession, such as the doctors and lawyers. Except for those staff specialists, practically every other officer aboard a ship was a line officer. The relevant context that Pullman had forgotten due to his 17 years at Beta Antares, was that dropping the phrase, line duty, usually referred specifically to command, i.e., the CO or XO billets.
“Oh, hell no, Michael! I can’t believe you even floated that idea!”
‘Please Rap, hear me out. It’ll be 10 months top. And she’s in drydock. Except for the billet, it’s not much different than what you’re doing at BA.‘ Morrison noticed Pullman’s pained reaction at the mention of his current and soon-to-be former posting. ‘Sorry. I know this is not how you wanted your career to end.‘
The silence grew uncomfortable. Morrison continued his pitch. ‘And look at the bright side. I’m sure the fleet can quickly find the next snot-nosed commander who will be happy to relieve you early if that’s what you want.‘
Pullman considered the variables. Morrison was correct in pointing out that taking command of a vessel in drydock was similar to his role at the ship yards: keep the repairs on schedule. The job would probably be a little more hands-on when managed from the center seat as opposed to the deputy director’s office. But that could be a positive. And it would solve Laura’s school year problem. “Let me discuss this with Laura and I’ll let you know in the morning.”
Morrison’s frown raised an immediate red flag. ‘There’s a catch, my friend.‘
“There always is.”
‘Admiral Baker’s moving fast on this one. She’s having me draw up the memos asking for your and Scott’s resignations right now. They’ll be delivered by COB. I already reached out to the TF21 brass and they are 100% on board with this plan. Baker will drop a litter of tribbles, but I can handle her, make her come around. But we need to pull the trigger before those memos go out. You need to decide…right now.‘
