“How do you like the coffee?”

“It’s actually pretty decent, thank you. I have been trying out a blend but I also want to get the baseline on as many of these as I can. I can’t imagine I’m the only one that does that.” He took another sip as he considered what she had just said.

“I admit these types of roles are newer to me, I haven’t really spent any of my career until now remotely close to any sort of special operations. Ironic I find myself here, but it has more to do with the area and the enemy on the other side than what role I’ve held. At the end of the day I’m a combat pilot at heart. I know everyone so far has met the required psych profile to be part of this and handle the work. That of course is no guarantee they are going to be able to return to their roles when not on operations, and I do imagine there will be folks that have a short lived career here. Not everyone is cut out for this.” The comment reminded him again of his implant.

“They will have to learn to color within the lines whichever side of the page they’re on. Otherwise we’ll end up reassigning them for the inability to adjust. I’d rather be short operators because people had to be sent on to another assignment instead of losing people and them coming back in body bags, or not at all. While this is a volunteer assignment, it’s a privilege, not a right. So if someone needs that level of reminding, I will be the one doing it.”

“It is a privilege, not a right as you say, but it is also something deemed necessary by the fleet.” She reminded him gently. “As you say, they will have to learn, but I see nothing untoward about a guiding hand where it is needed from an officer more experienced in the matter. Even you will be learning.” Oksana folded her hands in front of her, and her radiant blue eyes settled on his face.

“What made you decide to be a part of this, exactly?”

He gave a nod in acknowledgement “Of course, we all are. As for me being here, I saw the assignment and then received orders for the command. So like any good officer I showed up and reported in. However when Admiral Vance gave me the rundown on everything, I looked at it two different ways. Would I be the captain that showed up and decided to let this be someone else’s problem, potentially leaving lives and the balance of the Federation in less qualified hands, from someone that doesn’t know this front like I do? Or would I be the Captain that stepped forward, took command, and at the end of the day, knew I did everything I could no matter how things turned out. So I decided it was best to stay. Plus being so focused on my career after my wife’s passing, it’s not like I have much in the way to keep me from taking a higher risk assignment.”

He wondered the same thing about her “I know you have had some periods of time needing to recover from the hazards of your job, so I could ask the same. Why be here? And adding Blackwatch on top of it.”

Oksana smiled, though it wasn’t exactly happy, more resigned than anything else. “When I joined Starfleet, I was immediately recruited by the intelligence branch and my service has been devoted to it. This was my assignment, and I was asked to join Blackwatch along with it. I accepted. It was very simple for me, really. I wasn’t quite ready to be put out to pasture which would have been my other option.” She paused and took a sip of her coffee. “Perhaps it was foolish for me in the end, only time will tell.”

He lifted his mug in a half toast “I feel like the same can be said for everyone else here too. Regardless I’m happy that you’re here, I think you give us a big step up with the situation and the intake for mission data. And as long as you stay fit for Blackwatch, I’ll make sure you have a seat here as long as I’m able.”

“Mm…” The reply hummed over her lips, and she briefly closed her eyes while taking another sip of her coffee. “So you have concerns, I take it?”

“Oh I suppose the same concerns as I have for everyone. Some people I have more concern for their mental or behavioral health versus physical in your case. But you do pass all necessary physicals and evals. And you of course exceeded the simulation requirements. We’ll call it a new habit developed from reading through all of the candidates' medical files.” The amount of reports and paperwork he’d needed to go through on top of his regular job as captain was something Admiral Vance hadn’t disclosed. She likely presumed he knew what the job came with in the added workload.

“I can’t say it isn’t a hindrance from time to time, but usually only after notable physical exertion. It can be managed with pain medication which I prefer to not do unless I am in a situation that requires it, and even then should I be without I am able to push through.” Was pushing through wise? Likely not, but sometimes one simply couldn’t help it. “If there is a problem, I generally find walking with my cane to be sufficient for day to day activities.”

There was no point in hiding it from him, but as he had pointed out she had passed the physical examination required to perform this duty, and her examination had been more thorough considering her injury.

He took another sip of coffee while listening “I do appreciate the honesty and while I have no doubt in your ability to manage yourself, if there is something more you need to help you on mission should an extraordinary situation take place, I have assigned Damona as your team's medic. She's a nurse so I’m sure she’ll make sure to have what you need, just in case.”

“Thank you.” She nodded, appreciating his care and effort. “I did see the alterations to my quarters were approved and carried out, so I should need nothing more than that, a comfortable bed, and to not shirk my therapy… though admittedly that last one seems difficult for me.”

Smiling again, she shook her head and softly chuckled at herself. Having so many things to do took up a lot of time, and she had never been the best at taking care of herself.

“I understand the trouble with therapy, believe me. But as long as we don’t unravel, that’s what matters in the end.” He went to take another sip of coffee and realized he had finished it off already. “I appreciate the tour and introduction here, I know we both have a lot to do so I won’t take up any more of your time for the moment. I’ll tell you the same thing I told Lieutenant Khalil. If you need me at any time, just ring my chime, even if it’s zero dark thirty.”

“Be careful with that offer, Captain. I may just do that.” A small smirk appeared on Oksana’s face, and while many may have interpreted it as something flirtatious, there was something about it that seemed more like a playful - though not wholly inaccurate - threat.

He stood up and placed his mug on her desk. “I’m sure you won’t be the only one” he said back, continuing with the lightened mood. “I’ll see myself out, since I know the way now. Just holler if you need me.”

The captain turned around and made his way out from her office and the doors beyond, eventually returning back to the open corridors he was used to.