So, You want to Command Do You?

Posted on Sat Oct 10th, 2026 @ 5:24am by Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson & Lieutenant James Phoenix

1,265 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Creatures of the Night
Location: Conference Room 2
Timeline: After Here Be Dragons

Jon sat at the head of the table in the currently empty conference room 2. He was waiting for Callie and James to arrive so he could begin to administer the Bridge Officer's Exam. The exam had several sections and if Callie and James passed they would able to command the bridge for any shift and not just in time of an emergency.

James stood in the turbolift tapping his foot nervously. He knew the test would consist of some sort of written exam and that there would be an exam in the holodeck, but outside of that he had no idea what Jon had in store for him. He began to relax a little, but not before he noticed that the Vulcan standing next to him was looking rather perturbed.

"Sorry. I've got a rather important exam in a few. I'm a little nervous" he quipped.

The Vulcan looked at him puzzled. "That is highly illogical. It is merely a test, whatever it may be."

The door slid open and before he could respond, the Vulcan strolled out of the lift. Phoenix muttered and cursed under his breath. He took a breath of air before approaching the conference room and entering. While it wasn't relevant to the test, he had a personnel report with Imik's compliments on it to give to Jon as he was meeting with him anyway.

"Morning sir" James greeted simply, seeing as he was the first one there. "I have a report for you with Commander Imik's compliments on it. I figured I'd bring it along seeing as I was going away" he slid the PADD over to Jon as he set himself down onto the chair.

"Good morning James." Jon greeted pleasantly. He took the PaDD, "Thank you for the report from Imk. I'll read it after your testing begins."

James gave a professional nod in response. "Thank you sir, and thank you for this opportunity."

Jon gave a soft chuckle. "You are welcome but hold off on thanking me until the test is finished."

James nodded again and gulped internally. That wasn't ominous at all.

Jon looked at him again. "Breathe James." he ordered.

Callie wasn’t far behind James, she was feeling just as perturbed about her upcoming test but her best not to let it show as she walked into the room. “Good Morning Jon, James” She offered a somewhat nervous smile.

"Good morning Callie." Jon returned his wife's greeting noting her nervous smile. "You appear to be in good spirits this morning. Ready for your exam?"

“Absolutely not.” Callie shook her head. “Nonetheless I will do my upmost to pass it.”

James had given a polite nod to Callie when she entered the room, not wanting to interrupt her and Jon's conversation. As such he remained silent, continuing to mentally prepare himself for the upcoming exam.

"As I told James, Breathe love. Just do your best, don't overthink." Jon replied.

Callie nodded. “It’s hard not to be nervous Jon, you know that. Anyway let’s get this done and over with.”

"I do know that Callie, try to manage your nervousness. It will help you."

Callie nodded. “I’ll do my upmost.”

James took a silent breath. He was slightly more calm and collected now. He was curious what to expect beyond what he already knew about the test. After remaining silent for a moment again, he turned to Jon and spoke up, not wanting to sound too eager. "What can we expect sir?"

Jon grinned at him like the cat who ate the canary. "Are you asking for clues James?"

James winced internally at the quip. Not because Jon said it, but because he should have realized that his question to the Commander would come off in the way it did. "No sir. I was more so inquiring if the test would have the usual written and holo-deck exam."

Jon nodded, the smile still on his face. "Yes the test will be made up written questions as well as the holodeck. Any other questions? best to get them out now."

“No questions” Callie shook her head. “I just want to get on with it.”

"And get on with it we will. If you will take a seat I will hand you your exams. This the written part of the test. Read the questions carefully and then right your answer down." Jon told Callie and James.

"Aye sir" James said from his place at the conference table, waiting for Jon to hand out the exams.

Callie took a seat she wasn’t that worried about the written part mostly about the practical part of the test. “I take it we get our results once we’ve completed both halves of the test?”

"That is correct Callie." Jon replied as he handed an exam to her and one to James. "Read the questions. Take your time." He stressed.

Callie took a moment to settle herself before starting on the first question, once started she kept a steady pace answering each question as fully as she could before moving onto the next. She didn’t look up again until she’d gone through all the questions, and rechecked all her answers.

James had done pretty much the same thing. He found that some of the questions weren't as difficult as he thought they would be, however the tactical and security department dealt with more operational command than others. Additionally, he had enough time manning tactical on the bridge that he had picked some things up from whoever was in command. Regardless, he refused to be naive on this test. Once he had answered everything, he went through it again, but made sure not to second guess himself. That would risk him failing.

“I’m done” Callie handed her test back to Jon hoping she’d done enough to get past that part if nothing else.

Phoenix did another once over on his test. It was probably not necessary, but it couldn't hurt either. "Same here" he said a minute or so later, before handing his own test back.

Jon collected the exams. "Thank you Callie, James.You can both start breathing again."

“Not for long though” Callie answered. “Do we go straight in for the practical exam now, or do we have to wait for the results of that first?”

"You get to return to your quarters and wait. The practical part of the exam will begin tomorrow morning at 0900." Jon answered.

“Seriously!?” Callie gave Jon a look of disbelief. “So we get to spend a whole night stewing over the practical exam? I’d rather just get on and do it.”

Jon understood Callie's reaction, He also knew this was part of the test to gauge candidates stress levels. "Sorry Callie. This is the way it is." He replied simply.

Callie sighed and shook her head. “I understand the rules Jon, but leaving candidates to stew on it isn’t a great idea in my professional opinion. It’s no wonder so many people don’t pass first time.”

"Your objection as been noted and will be passed along." Jon replied evenly. "and the test will resume tomorrow at 0900.'

“Aye Sir.” Callie nodded before getting up out of her seat ready to leave.

While it would be nice to get the second portion over with, James also knew that starting it with a clean slate of rest would be beneficial. "Aye sir" he said, also standing up.

Jon nodded, "Until tomorrow morning." He answered as he exited the room, exams in hand to be scored.

 

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