[Galaxy] 27 Oct, Fleet log, Garroway/Rece

[Robert]

[ Starfleet Headquarters ]

Rear Admiral Thomas Garroway strode with purpose towards the shuttle 
landing pad outside his new office -- Suzy's old office.  He met Rece as 
soon as he exited the doors.

Fleet Captain Tanya Rece was waiting for him as soon as the doors 
opened. She had been working on the courage to knock on the office door 
for the past twenty minutes. As she fidgeted impatiently, the door 
suddenly opened, and her fidgeting turned into a crisp salute. "Sir, may 
I please speak to you for a moment?"

Garroway nodded his return salute.  One of the differences between 
Exploratory Division and Sol Defense was the large percentage of 
military or former military in the latter group.  Starfleet was still a 
civilian organization, though...

"What's on your mind, Captain?" Garroway asked as he continued walking 
towards the landing pad.

"I'm not sure if you remember, but you and I met briefly at a symposium 
a few years ago with regards to mission tactics. I would like to say 
that I am sorry about Rear Admiral Batenburg's resignation," Rece began, 
having to hurry to keep up with Garroway.


Garroway slowed so Rece could keep up.  Or rather, he skipped a step and 
he tried to cover it up.  "Yes," he replied, "it wasn't exactly what 
anyone had planned."

"Especially in the middle of a war," Rece added. "Admiral Batenburg 
taught me a lot since her time here." She paused. It was perhaps far too 
soon for her to ask, but she had already come this far, so why stop now? 
"I won't waste anymore of your time, Admiral. A replacement obviously 
needs to be found for Fleet Operations right away. I would like to add 
my name to the list, so to speak."

Garroway stopped and turned to her, finally putting a name to the face. 
     "Do you know what you're asking, Fleet Captain Rece?" he asked with 
a very serious tone.  "Long hours, tough choices, guilt.  The weight of 
the world on your shoulders, and the fate of millions in your hands?  It 
sounds grandiose putting it like that, but Starfleet is the only 
organization capable of handling things like this, always has been. That 
means you've got to be able to accept the choices you make, good or bad, 
because you're the only one that's going to make them."

Rece paled slightly, but her words were as firm as ever. "With respect, 
Admiral, I have been a captain for a long time. In Sol Defense I know 
firsthand the consequences of my actions, good or bad. Do I have what it 
takes to handle consequences on an interstellar scale? Yes. You don't 
know much about me, sir," she added respectfully. "But I promise you 
won't be disappointed."

Garroway studied the woman before him a moment.  "I don't mind telling 
you that it's a very short list I have to work with.  I'll put your name 
on it and take a look at your record.  Right now I'm headed to Vulcan on 
the new Endeavor.  I'm going to check in on Ambassadors Berger and Soval 
and see if I still have any connections there that might help.  So if 
you have anything else you want to add in your favor, now is the time."

"I believe once you see my record it will speak for itself. However..." 
Rece paused. "I have spent the last six years as a fleet captain, but 
I've always felt like I could do more. Long hours are no problem for me. 
I've been a part of several successful missions and have shown an 
aptitude for fleet tactics. In the middle of a Romulan War, that's what 
you'll need."

Garroway considered a moment.  "Duly noted," he nodded.  "In fact," he 
continued as he resumed walking, "you'll be Acting Fleet Ops until I 
return.  If you do a good job, we'll see about making that a little more 
  permanent."  He reached the command shuttle pod and opened the primary 
  hatch.  "In the meantime I'll be going over your record with a fine 
toothed comb."  Ready to enter, he paused and stood before Rece.  "This 
is your shot.  Fair enough?"

Rece blinked in shock. This was definitely not what she was expecting. 
Quickly she shook herself out of it. "Yes sir,  that's definitely more 
than fair. Thank you sir!"

“Give it some time, Rece,” Garroway said as he entered the shuttle pod. 
  “You might reconsider thanking me.”


  -----

RAdm Garroway, Thomas R.
Commander, Starfleet (TFE)

FCapt Tanya Rece
Acting Fleet Operations
Earth Starfleet