A Time of Change - Chapter Two

    Shortly afterwards Watt beamed aboard the Valkyrie to see how the repair work was going. He was greeted in the transporter room by Lom.

    “Commander, how are the repairs going?”
    “On time, as always. But with me keeping an eye on them they’ll have to stay on track!”
    Lom escorted Watt into the corridor.
    “There were two communications just before you beamed aboard, one from Babylon 5 and one from an approaching shuttle craft. The shuttle will be here in ten minutes.”
    “A shuttle? From where?”
    “The Enterprise.”

    A few minutes later Watt sat in his ready room. The image of Commander Jeffrey Sinclair, commanding officer of the Babylon 5 station, was on the screen in front of him.

    “How are things in the deep blue yonder Jeff?”
    “A bit more hectic since you left. Admiral McCarthy had his men all over the place ever since. They’ve only just found the last of the explosives. But that isn’t what I wanted to talk to you about. I heard you were looking for a new first officer. I was wondering if you would consider me for the post.”
    “Are you sure that would be the right thing for you? At this stage in your career surely you should be looking to command a starship.”
    “I think that serving aboard the Valkyrie would be good for my career.”
    “To be perfectly honest I think it would be a step backwards for you. Don’t tell anyone I told you this but I have it on good authority that you could possible be offered the Lohengrin-B.”
    “The new Lohengrin ship? Are you sure?”
    “Not entirely. That’s why I don’t want you to get your hopes up, and that’s why I think a move here would be bad for you.”
    “Perhaps you’re right. I should have thought this through a bit more.”
    “If anyone on Babylon 5 was interested in a transfer I would have thought it would have been Susan Ivanova, not you.”
    “I have my reasons for wanting to leave, and it’s a long story. Anyway, give my congratulations to Captain Pendragon, and tell him if he wants any advice on running a station to give me a call. Sinclair out.”
    The view screen went blank. Watt then got a call on his communicator.
    “Lom to Watt. The shuttle has just docked. The pilot is on his way to see you.”
    The door buzzer soon went.
    “Come in.”
    Watt was surprised to see who it was who entered the ready room.
    “Data!”
    “Captain Watt, I would like to apply for the post of first officer on the Valkyrie.”
    Watt and Data were soon walking along the corridor.
    “I think I have much to offer you.” said Data. “I would be a more than capable first officer.”
    “I’m sure you would be Commander, and I would be more than happy to have you aboard, but there are likely to be several more candidates applying for this post. I’ve already had Commander Sinclair applying, and there will doubtless be several more, perhaps from within my own crew. I have to consider whether to promote from within or bring someone in from the outside.”
    “I understand sir, but I hope you will consider my application.”
    “Of course I will Data. On that you have my word.”
    The two then shook hands, and Data then returned to his shuttle. On his way back to his ready room Watt bumped into Sutek.
    “Ah, Captain. I was just on my way to see you. Commander Lom told me you were on board. I wanted to see you about something. I would like to apply for the vacant post of first officer.”
    “Really? I had no idea you were interested. I thought you would want to remain as science officer.”
    “There have been others in the past who have successfully combined the roles of first officer and science officer.”
    “I know there have, but the demands of a first officer are far greater these days. I don’t know if you’d be able to cope with both roles.
    “All the same sir, I would like to be considered for the position.”
    “Very well Commander.”

    Later that night Watt kept a long-standing appointment with Magus in his “local”, the Suffield Park Inn in Cromer. As Watt entered the public house he saw a group called “The Upsetters” playing a tune. To him they resembled a cantina band Watt had seen on Tattooine. Then he caught sight of Magus sitting at a table by himself. Watt joined him.
    “I was wondering when you were going to join me.”
    Magus raised his hand and a waiter soon walked over.
    “An ale, and another whisky.”
    “Another, that’s the tenth one you’ve had tonight.”
    Magus stared at the waiter and he soon scurried away as fast as he could.
    “I understand that you had a visit from a certain android friend of ours.” said Magus.   
    “Yes, applying for the post of first officer. He wasn’t the only one. Jeff Sinclair and Sutek also did. I tried to put Sinclair off, and Sutek wants to combine both the first and science officer roles.”
    The waiter then returned to the table with their drinks. Once again he scurried away as fast as he could.
    “It has been done before.” said Magus. “I’ve seen someone do it first hand.”
    Then, before Magus said anything else, he saw someone in the distance he recognised. The familiar face soon joined them. Watt smiled.
    “Jim Winthorn!” he said, shaking his former second officer’s hand.
    “Captain Watt! I was hoping to see you here. I wanted to talk to you about something.”
    “Let me guess.” said Magus. “You want to apply for the post of first officer on the Valkyrie.”
    Magus suddenly found himself nudged by Watt.
    “The Ambassador’s right.” said Winthorn. “Getting back on the Valkyrie would be great for my career.”
    “Commander, if you don’t mind I was hoping to spend a few quiet moments here tonight.”
    “But…”
    “Don’t worry. You will be considered along with the others. I’ll give you all an equal amount of thought.”
    “Good. Well, it’s been nice to see you again Captain, and you too, Ambassador.”
    Magus waved his hand as Winthorn walked back towards the bar.
    “You really have your work cut out for you!”

    It was the next morning when Watt sat in his ready room awaiting the arrival of Counsellor Trospheo.. He did not have much longer to wait. After getting the Counsellor a cup of coffee they began to discuss the situation.
    “I hear you had a visit from Jim Winthorn last night, wanting to be considered for the post.” she said.
    “I have to admit I’m very tempted to give him the job.” said Watt. “He knows the ship as well as the crew, and he was very well liked during his tour here.”
    “What about Jeff Sinclair?”
    “I agree with you. To come onto the Valkyrie at this stage of his career would be a mistake. I  think he’d have trouble not being the top dog.”
    “Data?”
    “He would be a good acquisition.”
    “You make him sound like some sort of company.”
    “He would offer this ship a lot. He is loyal and well respected in Starfleet. But I don’t know if the Valkyrie would be right for him. He seems well suited to the Enterprise, and I know for a fact that Jean-Luc Picard would not want to lose him.”
    “And what of Sutek? If I were in your place I would give him the job. He knows this ship and it’s operations inside out.”
    “But he would like to continue with his role as science officer? Do you think he could perform both roles?”
    “I don’t think I need to remind you that it has been done in the past. I think he is more than capable of doing both things.”
    Watt began to stare at the files on his terminal screen. He began to rub his chin.
    “What do you think?”
    Trospheo smiled at her captain.
    “What I think does not matter. Admiral McCloud told you that you would make the choice. I have only told you what good points the applicants have. The final decision is yours.”
    Watt sat back in his chair.
    “Thank you Counsellor. Your help has been most…helpful.”

    That night Watt sat in his quarters on the Valkyrie in near darkness, the only light coming from the terminal screen. Time and time again he looked at the files of Sutek, Winthorn and Data, and each time he was very impressed. He knew his decision would have to come soon.

    The next morning Watt sat in his ready room in almost total silence. Then he spoke.
    “Computer, locate Commander Sutek.”
    “Commander Sutek has jus arrived.”
    Watt activated his communicator.
    “Watt to Sutek. Please report to my ready room.”
    Shortly afterwards the Vulcan arrived in the ready room.
    “You wanted to see me Captain?”
    “Yes Commander. Please come in and sit down.”
    Sutek sat in the chair opposite Watt.
    “I’ve spent the last few hours studying your career in Starfleet.” said Watt. “Your record, especially aboard the Valkyrie, is very impressive.”
    “Thank you sir.”
    “That is why I’ve decided to make you my new first officer.”
    Watt rose to his feet and extended his hand. Sutek grasped it and the two shook hands.
    “Are you appointing a new science officer?” Sutek asked.
    “No. I have been assured by others that you are capable of performing both roles. But I am putting a condition on this promotion. If at any time you find that you are unable to combine both roles then tell me straight away. There is nothing wrong admitting that you cannot do something.”
    “I promise to perform to the best of my abilities Captain.”
    Watt then reached down to his table and picked up a rank insignia. He then handed it to Sutek, who put it in place on his collar.
    “You’re dismissed, number one.” Watt smiled.
    Sutek raised one of his eyebrows.
    “And the ship is yours until I get back.” he continued. “Maybe now I can get some rest!”