Second Star to the Right? (Part I)
Posted on Sun Jan 28th, 2024 @ 7:21am by Commodore Samantha York & Ensign Anli Targalia & Commander Joren Tal & Lieutenant Commander Damion Wolfe & Lieutenant Aenar Torek & Lieutenant Dwight McCabe & Lieutenant Bela Swain
1,305 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission: Broken Mirror
ON
Two days after the arrival of the Prowler, everything was in place. Sam had her conversation with Max and a second one with Alex and Alora Knight, and she was ready to get this mission underway.
"All stations report," York said from her seat on the bridge.
'Science reports green across the board,' Aenar piped up from his station. He'd read the phrase somewhere, and while not entirely certain what it meant, the Bajoran had liked the sound of it. He glanced around the Bridge, probably shouldn't be the one to call out first all the time. Don't want them to think I'm some sort of eager schoolboy type.
"Thank you," Sam said, nodding to the scientist.
"Communications ready," Ensign Targalia reported.
Sam nodded.
In sickbay, Doctor McCabe has grabbed extra supplies and ordered the nurses to fully stock the cabinets and have syringes ready for any emergencies during a mission that was debriefed in the conference room. He hopes it goes well and without chaos. He may not be on the bridge like other departments as he preferred to be ready in his department as time may or may not be on his side.
Damion stood at the tactical station, tapping on the console as he went through their current torpedo count and phaser array level. After checking the shield array, he motioned for an Ensign to take over. "Tactical is ready." He said before walking down to the Captain's chair.
The diminutive counselor walked onto the bridge, nervous about what was about to happen. However, she was ready to help the crew in whatever capacity that was required.
Joren looked down on his console. "Secondary stations throughout the ship reporting green. Looks like we're ready to go."
Sam nodded her acknowledgement.
She turned to the helm. "Our first stop is to visit the double of the scientist who created the drive that allows the Prowler to travel between universes. The coordinates have already been sent over by the Prowler. ETA two hours. Helm, take us to warp."
"Commodore? Commander?" Damion said as he approached them. "Do you have a moment?"
"Yes. Here or in my ready room?" Sam asked.
"I can tell you here if you like, but I prefer the privacy of your ready room." Damion replied as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Bela looked over at Damion and the Commander, wondering what all of this was about. She sat and watched, wondering if her skills would be necessary. Certainly, at the very least, this was highly unusual.
Sam nodded to Damion. "Very well. We'll talk to you there."
She turned to Aenar. "Lieutenant Torek, you have the bridge."
Aenar's eyes swiveled towards the Commodore's retreating back, then to the center chair of the Bridge. It wasn't often he got to sit in it, he thought as he got to his feet.
She led the two men into the ready room and turned to her chief of security. "What's troubling you?"
Damion followed them both and, upon the doors behind them closing, turned to face them once inside. He placed his hands behind his back and let out a deep sigh before saying "Before the mission brief Remy pitched my cooperation with him in asking our guests about their technology to jump between Universes. This makes the third time he's tried to get this technology and I am concerned he may try something. Do I think he'll succeed? Doubtful, but if he's not willing to drop the idea he may try doing something on his own. I am sure no one where would object to tossing his small behind in the brig for the rest of the trip, but aside from voicing his opinion I can't put him there for something he hasn't done."
"I agree," Sam said. "I'm also concerned about Lieutenant Batiste. His recent attitude regarding the Terran Empire and the Prowler's technology is troubling. I expect him to try and steal something before this assignment is over. If--when--he is caught doing so, he will be relieved of duty. You may then keep him in the brig until we get to a starbase, where he will face charges. I do not like having my orders treated as a challenge because one of my crew wants something he can't have."
"Unfortunately," Joren added, "we can't do much unless he's actually going against command. As of this moment, he's a Starfleet Officer with a suspicion of future wrongdoing. We will keep an eye on his movements, and should he do anything stupid... Well, you heard the Commodore."
Sam nodded. "Thank you for bringing this to our attention," she said to Damion. "We do take it very seriously, and with your help, we will deal with whatever happens. However, I do hope Mr. Batiste decides to follow orders. Is there more we need to be aware of?"
"Can I speak frankly?" Damion asked to both of them.
Joren simply nodded.
"As someone who worked in Intelligence, I get it. The technology is a... chaotic element. We don't know much about it and where it fits. Most importantly, we don't know how much more dangerous it can possibly be. As an Intel Officer you are trained to learn what you can about the chaotic elements we encounter in order to make sense of what they are capable of and how much of a potential threat they are. Not only to ourselves but to Starfleet and the Federation. He wants information because he feels that information will become relevant to our mission." Damion said softly, pausing for a moment, before adding with a slight smile. "So... I propose we give him what he needs, but not what he asked for."
"As a scientist, I understand chaotic elements," Sam replied, chuckling. "As for Mr. Batiste and his desire for knowledge, what exactly do you have in mind?"
"I believe it's a mixture of wanting the knowledge and feeling better it's more secure in his own hands. If I recall, he and his team, have spent a majority of their time collecting knowledge and securing it in the Horus's archive. A part of him may have developed this idea that his shuttle is the only shuttle that is secure enough." Damion said calmly before shrugging. "He may need proof, in some way, the Prowler and its team have the capability to keep in safe and secure. A mutual respect between two teams that have done the same job just on completely different sides of the scale. My only idea, Captain.... If you are invited to tour their shuttle? Bring Remy. Show him this knowledge is safe and secure with this team and, by extension, the team can be trusted in distributing this knowledge when they feel its fit. That's my opinion, Captain. It's what I would need if I was in his shoes. And understanding the people who have the knowledge are capable of keeping it safe."
"We can keep an eye on him, while he'll likely feel his curiosity sated. It's not guaranteed, of course, but it gives him a whiff of the cookie jar without having the lid 'urt 'im." Joren nodded. "I see merit in this idea, Commodore."
"As do I." Sam nodded. "Yes, I think that would be an excellent idea. I'll ask the Knights if we can arrange for our intel team to tour their shuttle. Thank you for suggesting it. Do you have anything else you'd like to bring up?"
(To be continued...)
Commodore Samantha York
Commanding officer
Ensign Anli Targalia
Communications
Lieutenant Aenar Torek
Chief Science Officer
Lieutenant Dwight McCabe
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
Lieutenant Commander Damion Wolfe
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
Lieutenant Bela Swain
Chief Counselor
Commander Joren Tal
Executive Officer
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