Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Aug 29, 2021 16:23:49 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - The Archive]Judy took a long sip of water. "Well, logistically, most of the heavy industrial supplies - hull plating, bulldozers, what-have-you - are brought in from Arkaria, so it's altogether quite manageable. I've worked longer supply chains in my career."The so-called hinterland still had planet-sized logistical hubs, capable of supporting colonies, so long as the federal funds kept flowing.
Tag Joshua Niles
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Aug 31, 2021 2:03:42 GMT
[ Mrs Gisele Niles - The Archive Seafood Restaurant, Lower Manhattan ]Well, this was an answer. Not as detailed as she would have liked, but it did make sense. Cait and Arkaria, from what she had found, were the support hubs for that ridiculously named station, its attached ship (now why did it have to be one of the Federation's best and largest rather than something more modest, she would never know) and the colony. So that made it... somewhat acceptable to her. At least, it was not one of those ridiculous long-duration deep-space exploration missions where a ship might have to function from what was on board and what they could find in the wild, so to speak, for months or years at a time. "Doctor, I make no secret that I don't think much of Starfleet, and that it's certainly not a place fit for people of our status, not when there are worthier paths to follow. But as I said, it is my son out there. I may loathe his choice, but I still very much care for him."
Tag Judith Eastman
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Aug 31, 2021 3:15:45 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - The Archvie]Judy had heard Gisele echo this sentiment more than just once, and by now, had formed an opinion of it. She didn't automatically presume that the hatred of Starfleet was pure classism, though that was possible, and as for the echoing of the motherly love... well, that spoke to an insecurity, one which Judy herself sometimes felt. And then she realized, Gisele had said more or less the same thing less than a minute ago. "Are you all right?" she asked, genuinely concerned.
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Sept 1, 2021 2:44:52 GMT
[ Mrs Gisele Niles - The Archive Seafood Restaurant, Lower Manhattan ]"I'm perfectly fine," Gisele fairly snapped back. Could she not understand just how worried she was? And that was even without getting into Joshua's career issues. But, like any parent worth the name, she had to ensure that even her wayward son was where he would have a real chance. Even in a field so unsuited as it was to people of their birth. "Tell me, Doctor, what brought you to Starfleet, let alone to accept a posting on the very frontier?"
Tag Judith Eastman
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Sept 1, 2021 23:30:07 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - The Archive]Judy was unfazed by the ill-tempered response. Truth be told, she should have expected it. What was far less predictable was the question of her own motivations. "Well, just over 20 years ago, I found myself at a personal crossroads, and Starfleet offered what looked at the time to be the most fulfilling set of professional opportunities."She sipped her wine. "It's not what I came for, but the opportunity to be part of this ideological project for so long, to explore the galaxy, to shape and guide the next generation, it's a hell of a thing."At this phase in her life, Judy was much more of an institutionalist than she had been in her youth, but she was a starry-eyed, idealistic institutionalist.
Tag Joshua Niles
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Sept 3, 2021 20:58:53 GMT
[ Mrs Gisele Niles - The Archive Seafood Restaurant, Lower Manhattan ]So, this woman who seemed so reasonable, pretty much went to Starfleet on a whim based on career prospects? Really? Someone of her birth? Of her status? Well, even the best could have truly hare-brained ideas all right. Now, her Joshua was perhaps not the sharpest spoon in the drawer, but she had hoped she would have taught him better! And he hadn't even gone towards a career track that was suitable for him! He didn't pursue diplomacy or even intelligence, he had gone straight to the jackboots in Security! And from what he'd said, he actually favoured the ones who worked in Tactical, which would keep him away from dignitaries who could notice him and help further his lot in life. "Speaking of molding the next generation, I think it's high time Joshua comes home. Like I said, I know he stepped in it, as I unfortunately expected he would given he went for a career that is truly unfit for him, and before his reputation is irreparably damaged, perhaps you could help mold him towards doing what's right for him?"
Tag Judith Eastman
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Sept 4, 2021 18:49:11 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - The Archive]And now they'd reached what Judy could only assume was the point of this whole exercise. "So, you want me to nudge him out of the fleet?" she asked rhetorically. "Instead of letting him try to redeem himself, learn something new, possibly get better at his chosen career path, and learn his own lessons, you'd rather he be induced to give up?"That wasn't parenting, in Judy's mind. At the very least, it wasn't good parenting.
Tag Joshua Niles
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Sept 5, 2021 14:41:45 GMT
[ Mrs Gisele Niles - The Archive Seafood Restaurant, Lower Manhattan ]Well, Gisele's opinion of Doctor Eastman's intellect may have been initially overinflated, if she was resorting to rhetorical questions to get her point across. "Come on. An early career issue like his? That will follow him forever and that black mark will always come up whenever the possibility for advancement comes."Spoken like a true, lifelong, politician and public servant. Joshua might not see it, but his mother wanted what was best not just for the family but for him as well. Now, he needed to be rescued for himself, and have a chance to put that past behind him, in circles where they hardly mattered. "He needs to see what's best for him. Clearly he's not suited for Starfleet, otherwise he wouldn't have failed like this. Quitting now, he would always look like he tried to run away from his problems. But if he could leave the service without a black mark following him around, on honourable terms, he would at least be able to say he has served, and that should be enough. Then, he could, frankly, be able to go where he could do some real good, rather than just put out brush fires."
Tag Judith Eastman
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Sept 5, 2021 15:17:24 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - The Archive]Judy was well-served now by her poker face and nerves of steel, because deep inside, she was livid. She could understand motherly meddling, but she couldn't possibly get on board with letting Josh off the hook for his missteps. For him to receive an honorable discharge on her watch, he'd have to want it, and he'd have to earn it. "No," she whispered determinedly, so quietly as to draw the listener in closer. "That's not happening." Tag Joshua Niles
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Sept 5, 2021 15:39:15 GMT
[ Mrs Gisele Niles - The Archive Seafood Restaurant, Lower Manhattan ]"I know about his current... career status, Doctor," Gisele answered icily. Of course she knew. And if Eastman thought that she was being expected to just let him skate away freely, that was something else. But there were other weapons in her arsenal. Starting with reason. "For all his faults, Joshua is a very determined young man, and if he wants to work clear of it, he will. And making this go away... that would reek of outside meddling and favouritism, and that too would hinder him in the long run. But once he satisfies your terms, at that point, he should be encouraged to honourably resign his commission. This is where you would come in."But, behind that reason, there was also a thoroughly poisonous and ruthless streak. "Otherwise, it might become known that your judgement is compromised in the highest of circles."
Tag Judith Eastman
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Sept 5, 2021 15:59:21 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - The Archive]For a moment, Gisele seemed to be coming towards the realm of the reasonable, understanding that even a rich boy would have to earn his discharge, but then, she resorted to threats. "Well, now that you've threatened me, I don't see much choice but to do the opposite of what you've asked," she whispered. "To do otherwise would call my integrity into question."When push came to shove, the grandmotherly captain could shove.
Tag Joshua Niles
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Sept 6, 2021 16:49:51 GMT
[ Mrs Gisele Niles - The Archive Seafood Restaurant, Lower Manhattan ]Of course a Starfleet officer would speak of integrity, as though that was what made the world go round. And if she thought it was a mere threat that Gisele Niles would seek out to use every resource, every connection she had to bring her wrath to bear on Eastman, she would quickly learn that it was a promise all right. "I don't care how you take it. I have to do what is best for Joshua, even if he won't do it himself. And if you won't help see him reason, then I'll have to be certain that he sees it one way or another. If it means destroying you in the process, that's the price that needs paying to get my son where he needs to be."
Tag Judith Eastman
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Sept 6, 2021 17:18:22 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - The Archive]Judy was unfazed. She was an Eastman, a link in a dynasty made of teflon and money, and though she was wont to leverage those connections, that only meant that on the rare occasions that she did call in favors, there were many there to be called. If Antoinette Ellis couldn't mount her head on a pike, Gisele Niles wouldn't even make it to the pike store. "Good luck with that," she whispered.
Tag Joshua Niles
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Joshua Niles
Security & Tactical
[TI22]
Posts: 649 Likes: 21
Rank: Lieutenant
Position: Tactical Officer
Species: Human
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Post by Joshua Niles on Sept 8, 2021 2:22:02 GMT
[ Mrs Gisele Niles - The Archive Seafood Restaurant, Lower Manhattan ]So that was how Eastman wanted to play it? Gisele was entirely willing to ask her for help, one old family to another. But it would seem that all that time in Starfleet, or just age, had irremediably rotted what passed for her brain. Oh, the Eastmans had their power base all right. But so did the Niles clan. And her own family as well. And of course, she would also have to watch out for Joshua like a hawk; if anything splashed on him from that meeting, she would have to know in order to bring down this old bat for misusing her authority! "People like us should stick together. But I guess you're not really one of us anymore, are you?"
Tag Judith Eastman
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Judith Eastman
Civilian
Grandma
Posts: 2,593 Likes: 84
Rank: Civilian/other
Position: Civil Servant
Species: Human
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Post by Judith Eastman on Sept 8, 2021 2:56:22 GMT
[Capt. Judith Eastman(-Williams), PhD - The Archive]"People like us?" Judy asked incredulously, and rhetorically. She could feel a speech coming, a whole sermon on integrity, humility, the meaning of service, and how they no longer lived in Feudalism[fn]OOC: I wrote that sermon, and then decided to axe it[/fn], but held back. She had too much class to cause a commotion at a restaurant. "This conversation has shed a lot of light on where quite a few of your son's major issues originate," she said instead, not raising her voice in the slightest. "I suppose I should thank you for that."
Tag Joshua Niles
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