Cmdr. Geoffrey Teller - The Man Who Honors His Teacher...

[Alora DeVeau]

Joke about Teller all you want, he really is an excellent XO.  This conversation really resonated with me. 

 

((XO's office, Deck 1, USS Thor))

 

Teller:  And how do you see that sequence of events playing out if you get stabbed to death in a bar fight?  

 

Alieth:  Inherently, you cannot be stabbed to death in a fistfight.

 

Geoff's eyes narrowed slightly and his tone cooled a fraction.

 

Teller:  Hypothetically, Lieutenant.  Say one of your playmates brought a knife along.  Or both.  You know how Klingons like their sharp objects.  

 

Geoff watched closely as she mulled it over, the small noises in the room amplified by the tension in the air.  

 

Alieth:  In that case... poorly.

 

For an instant, Teller heard the faintly musical laughter of his former CO.  Geoff was entirely certain that Captain Rahman would've deeply enjoyed being a fly on the wall for this conversation.  

 

Teller:  Lieutenant...the uniform that you're wearing...that we're all wearing.  It means more than just a job or a career.  It's a symbol, with a pedigree that goes back centuries, and it stands for values like compassion and tolerance.  It stands for patience, and for empathy.  In all four quadrants of this galaxy, these colors are synonymous with peaceful collaboration.  And that's the uniform you were wearing while brawling in public.  ::Geoff shook his head::  Is that how you want to demonstrate your respect for the uniform?  

 

Geoff leveled his gaze, from which Alieth quickly looked away.  He took no pleasure in raking her over the coals, but this was an important part of his duties as sure as anything he'd done since coming aboard.  Alieth shifted uncomfortably before replying.  

 

Alieth:  I am uncertain about that, sir.

 

Geoff scowled deeply.  

 

Teller:  Well you had better get certain, Lieutenant, and soon, or you'll find your career options in Starfleet exceptionally limited.  

 

Alieth:  It is not the first time that I have not lived up to expectations, neither in my time in Starfleet nor... outside it.  Although I strive to overcome this circumstance, I may simply not be able to achieve the perfection that has been expected of me. What is, is. And maybe my ambition has blinded me from this very fact. :: She paused briefly:: As my mother often insists, I am inherently inadequate.

 

Geoff blinked, caught flat by the unexpected insight into Alieth's mind.  Even Sern, who had agreed to stay out of the matter, registered a deep shock at Alieth's words.  Teller's posture finally relaxed and he slumped back in his chair as his anger mostly evaporated. 

 

Teller:  Alieth...You couldn't be more wrong.  This isn't about expectations, and it most certainly isn't about perfection.  Long time ago, a very smart woman told me we all make mistakes.  The trick was to learn from them.  She felt I was someone who could.  ::Geoff's attention had wandered as he reminisced but his eyes turned back towards Alieth, stern but sympathetic.::  And I feel the same way about you.  

 

Alieth:  Response

 

Teller:  Now, your mistake wasn't getting into a drunken fistfight.  That was A mistake, certainly, but it wasn't The Mistake.  Any theories on what your mistake actually was?  

 

Geoff let the question hang in the air, allowing time for Alieth to ruminate.  

 

Alieth:  Response

 

Teller:  Your mistake was listening to your mother and not to yourself.  

 

Geoff gave that a moment to settle before going on.  

 

Teller:  Not a single being aboard this ship is perfect, Alieth, and I may as well be the President of that club.  That doesn't make any of them inadequate any more than it makes you inadequate.  

 

Alieth:  Response

 

Teller:  There's a saying some of our Marine colleagues like, and I'll admit it caught my ear - I think you could learn something from it.  'Perfect is the enemy of good.'  It's a way of saying that chasing perfection can blind you to other options, other ways of succeeding.  I think you're trapped in that thinking right now, Lieutenant...maybe you have been for a long time.  That to be worthwhile at all, you have to be perfect.  That's your mistake, Alieth.

 

Alieth:  Response

 

Tags/TBC

 

===============================

Commander Geoffrey Teller

Executive Officer

USS Thor - NCC 82607

Commodore A. Kells, Commanding

V239509GT0

 

 

[Alieth]

I'm literally in love with this scene and SUPER honoured that @Geoffrey Teller has decided to put on display here all his awesome writing skills and the fine officer i know that lurks under the silly ;). Both are INCREDIBLE btw so, thanks!