Coffees, Conversations & Klingons - Part I

Posted on Tue Feb 25th, 2025 @ 12:31am by Captain Robert Burke & Commander Vincent 'Vin' Salvatore

1,704 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: Hecate, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD029 1540 hours

::ON::

Vincent felt the turbolift jerk slightly as it reached the bridge. The doors opened to reveal everyone hard at work, but no Captain in sight. That's probably because he was waiting for Vin in his Ready Room. A meeting Vincent wasn't all to sure about. A part of him was eager to get back to his work, but the other part of him was curious. In his experience, when a man in the top chair wants to have a sit down, you never turn it down. Out of respect. Given what they just went through, Captain Burke definitely had his respect. Besides, its not like back home, where he might be asked to do something unseemly to keep his favor. At least, Vincent didn't think so.

He walked out of the turbolift, nodding to a few officers, as he made his way to the Ready Room door. He kept to his serious look, while at the same time, wishing he brought something with him to give to the Captain. Maybe a bottle of something he obtained over the years or a trinket to place in his office. A sign of respect. A gift for the master of the house... uh... ship. Either way, he tapped onto the chime by the door and waited to be called in.

Burke released the door immediately, inviting Salvatore in as he was expecting him. He smiled warmly, and indicated one of the comfy seats around the table, rather than in front of his desk. ' ... Yes, Admiral. We've filed the report. The convoy is patching itself up, and we'll be making way for Kronos within the next twenty-four hours according to the Chief Engineers of each ship.'

He listened to the response and nodded. 'We'll be sure to do so. Burke out.'

The man got to his feet, and moved over to the younger officer, 'thanks for coming, Commander. It's a pleasure to talk to you outside of the slight kerfuffle we had there with the Orions.' Burke indicated the tray on the glass table between the seats, 'please, help yourself to coffee. It's my own personal blend. It's very good.'

Vincent walked in, taking a second to look around, before replying with a smile. "Glad I could help in the situation, Captain. The Syndicate can be a general pain and returning the favor is a bit of a guilty pleasure. Long story." He walked further in and added. "I'd love a cup o' joe if you're offering."

Chuckling as he took an armchair, Burke shook his head, 'well, I'd probably call diner-top stuff joe. No, this is coffee, slow-roasted to bring out the best flavour. Amazingly it's not even from Earth. It's from Alpha Centauri, an extraordinary blend.' He picked up the cafetiere his yeoman had brough through and poured it carefully into two mugs. 'Oh yes,' he said, 'this is going to be good.'

He put the coffee mug down in front of the man, and skewered him with a look. 'So, you're to be my new first officer and head of intelligence. Any idea why the change of plans?'

At least he knew the man had good taste in coffee. He hated the synthetic stuff. He always preferred to get his own coffee beans and ground them up in a machine. A smile grew on his face as he took the mug in hand to bring it up to his nose. He took in a good whiff of the scent before taking a sip. "I admire your taste, Captain. Personally, I enjoy making it the way I was taught. Grounding the beans and then putting it into my machine. I spent some good credits on that machine an it hasn't let me down."

He took another sip, leaning back in the chair, before resting the mug on his lap. "As for my reassignment? I can't begin to tell you why the change in assignments. Maybe its my Intelligence experience. Maybe it has to do with my time in this area and knowledge of Klingons. Maybe its because I rubbed someone the wrong way and they are determined to put me in locations that put me much farther away from the Alpha Quadrant." He let out a bit of a chuckle. "I honestly can't begin to say, but I can knock on a few doors, make some calls, maybe even send out a couple empty threats to some gullible people." Vincent added with a smile as he took another sip. "I can certainly ask around if you really want to know or think its not a good fit. It is your ship after all."

'It's not a slight on you,' Burke replied kindly. 'I was assured that I would be allowed to hand-pick my crew when I took the assignment. It's simply a disappointment that someone at Command went back on their word.' He picked up his own coffee mug, emblazoned on one side with the Starfleet delta, and on the other the Hecate's unit patch. 'But, if you have experience with the Klingons, I'd like to hear it.'

Vincent could understand the Captain's irritation. Being told one thing and suddenly having it change later. Unfortunately, Vincent was all to used to that sort of thing. From his childhood to his Starfleet Intelligence Career. Things were always changing, so he was used to just going with the flow. "I'll tell you what, Captain. You can ask me anything at all. From my childhood to my Intelligence assignments and I'll give it to you straight. If, by he end of the conversation you think I am not suited for this job, I'll use one the the favors I have been holding onto in order to get out of the change to free you up to decide on whoever you want. That way, you still get to make the final call, regardless of what Command is asking. Deal?" He held his hand out, leaning forward slightly, as he gave the Captain a firm look.

Burke took the offered hand, and shook it with a tight grip. 'I'll take your word on that.'

As he lean back into his seat, Vincent took another sip of the coffee, clearing his throat slightly. "As far as my experience goes? Well, lets just say, Starfleet Intelligence has been very cautious with this alliance so they haven't officially decided to pull back on all their officers and ships who have been assigned to this section in order to keep the information network flowing. As you know, the Mallard, was setup specifically to monitor communications running through the area and keeping a close ear on Klingon transmissions. Aside from picking up on the language, I've learned a lot about their politics and traditions. Whose houses see others and threats and even stumbled on a few secrets. I've even managed to establish a few rocky connections with Klingon Defense Force Officers who work in their Intelligence Division. There are other things, here and there, which I have done in order to collect information for Starfleet. Even going undercover on a Klingon Bird Of Prey." He held up his mug slightly a smirked as he added. "I've even been told I look quite dashing with ridges and facial hair."

'I'm sure you make a charismatic Klingon,' Burke replied with a smile. 'So, Starfleet Intelligence is dubious about the treaty. It makes sense that they would want someone with experience in Klingon affairs aboard the Hecate, and on the Bridge too.' He shrugged, 'I suppose the brass doubted my selecting Gonzalez, for whatever reason, personal compatibility or relevant experience. But I know she's a damn good analyst. I hope you won't withhold work from her. She'd be a valuable asset.' His smile widened as he plaited his fingers together and leaned back in his chair, 'should I decide to accept you in your position, of course.'

"I have no intention of ruling her out. You picked her for your crew and she has as much right to be in her position as anyone else you decided to bring aboard. Just think of me as another pair of eyes. A second opinion if you ever needed one. I'm not here to overrule any of her ideas, and if I am in the wrong, I don't expect her to keep her mouth shut. If she has something to say then, by all means, let her say it. Unless the situation calls for a quick solution, I won't ever throw her ideas out and not give her a chance to sell me on it." He took a sip from his mug and continued. "I don't know her, but you do, and that's enough for me to trust her work."

'Thank you. I'll be grateful for that. She has potential, just needs the confidence,' Burke replied, then fell silent as he thought. 'So, I take it they've briefed you on our mission beyond the Klingon homeworld? That we're to explore the Beta Quadrant?'

Vincent looked at him and gave a slight smile. He raised his mug and said quickly. "For conversation's sake... let's say they haven't. Explain it to me." He then took a sip. He was probably forwarded the information, but he hadn't taken the time to look it over. Although, he wasn't going to admit to it, Vincent was going to make sure to review it and anything Intel had to add when he got back to his quarters.

Burke arched an eyebrow, and settled in to his chair, mug held in both hands. 'Well. The Hecate is to lead the convoy you just ably saved from the Orions to QonoS, and after that, we're to test the Khitomer Accords by crossing the Empire to unexplored space beyond. The Hecate was chosen as she's one of the most recent ships built in the fleet. We're heavily armed, with robust defenses, and Command believes we should be able to fare quite well should things go pear-shaped with the Empire.'

::OFF::

Captain Robert Burke
Commanding Officer
USS Hecate

&

Commander Vincent 'Vin' Salvatore
Executive Officer/Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Hecate

 

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