Presidio [Part III]
Posted on Mon Jan 30th, 2023 @ 8:28am by Captain Robert Burke
938 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: ‘Thank you, Commander, that is all,’ Saavim bowed his head in Burke’s direction, then looked to Uiduike and gave a nod, ‘I am satisfied,’ he concluded blandly. Uiduike ran a hand through his greying, short-cropped hair and sighed. ‘Then it seems we’re in
Timeline: 2295
::ON::
‘Thank you, Commander, that is all,’ Saavim bowed his head in Burke’s direction, then looked to Uiduike and gave a nod, ‘I am satisfied,’ he concluded blandly.
Uiduike ran a hand through his greying, short-cropped hair and sighed. ‘Then it seems we’re in accord,’ he declared in his deep voice after a moment. His expression twisted into a neutral and unreadable expression as Burke looked across the table. For a moment, he wished he was more personally familiar with Uiduike in order to better read him.
The motes danced in the shafts of sunlight that forced their way through the windows as Uiduike fiddled with his data slate for an indeterminable age of time. Burke unconsciously held his breath.
‘You will not be returning to the Templeton,’ the admiral said finally, Burke’s chest collapsing as his breath escaped, eyes darting around. Lost my command. He had feared as much. Uiduike, a shrewd reader of people, raised a placating hand. ‘You are to receive a new assignment.’
Saavim merely raised an eyebrow, Sh'araahrehr’s expression broke into a wide grin.
Uiduike merely smiled slightly.
‘The USS Hecate finds herself in need of a Commanding Officer.’ Burke opened his mouth with a question, Uiduike forestalled it with another wave of his hand. ‘You have shown far more than the necessary aptitude to command an Excelsior-class cruiser. The Hecate’s mission is of the utmost sensitivity, and we believe you have shown the necessary grasp of nuance and strategy to take her to Qo’noS.’ The Kenyan pronounced the Klingon word haltingly and clumsily, evidently attempting to master the language of their new not-quite-allies as many other officers were.
An Excelsior-class ship. Never in his wildest dreams had Burke imagined such an assignment so soon. He was sure after the Templeton’s last engagement he had been done as a Commanding Officer in Starfleet for the foreseeable future. ‘What’s the nature of the mission to Qo’noS, Admirals?’ he politely enquired as the magnitude of his assignment sunk in.
‘Resupply of our forward base – the facility is running short on dilithium crystals,’ Saavim replied. ‘Our efforts are slowly bearing fruit, but it will take many decades. Our scientists have calculated the first three decades are crucial to keep the project on track.’
‘You’ll also be heading a flotilla of transports,’ Sh'araahrehr interjected bluntly, ‘foodstuffs, some Federation technology to prevent atmospheric degradation. A goodwill effort to show the Klingon Empire we are bound by our word as the Joint Chiefs indicated to us.’
‘A matter of the utmost diplomatic sensitivity,’ Uiduike said with finality, ‘given what we have discussed previously.’
Burke nodded his head, ‘I understand. When will the mission be launching?’
Consulting his data slate, Uiduike sighed, ‘the Hecate is entering her final construction phase. Our resupply convoy is not due to arrive at the forward base until six months from now. I know you will be eager to begin assembling your crew, and we expect them to be confirmed within three months of your launch deadline.’
Saavim took his turn to interject, ‘you have complete freedom to recruit any senior staff you feel you need for this mission. Any vacancies will be filled for you.’
‘However,’ Sh'araahrehr interjected with a grin, ‘we have chosen your Executive Officer for you. Her performance has been more than acceptable, and we feel her aptitudes complement your own.’ The Andorian looked down at their own data slate, ran the stylus across it whilst drawing out and savouring the moment. ‘A Denobulan, Commander Vesna.’ He was skewered with a look.
Mother-fu…
Burke put his hands on the table and began to push himself to his feet to lodge his protests. ‘Admirals, with the greatest of respect, I’m not-’
‘But we are,’ Uiduike raised a hand again, placatingly. ‘We are, Commander. The Hecate’s mission is no mere resupply run.’ He waved at Saavim.
The Vulcan picked up the baton with aplomb, ‘Our five-year exploration mission of the Beta Quadrant have been stymied by our conflict with the Klingons. Had Starfleet had more cordial relations with the Klingons from the beginning, we may have penetrated further into the Quadrant by now.’ Burke bit his tongue. It was common knowledge by now, and freely admitted by the Vulcans, that there had been strategic missteps in the relationship between UESPA and the Vulcan Science Academy in the infancy of Earth’s exploration program.
‘However, the Accords present us with an opportunity, strategic as well as exploratory,’ Sh'araahrehr helpfully commented with relish. ‘Khitomer allows us the opportunity to penetrate further into the Beta Quadrant than was possible even two years ago. Klingon space can be used as a bridge to the unknown. The knowledge gleaned from this will stand us in good stead for decades to come.’
Shifting forward in his seat, Burke adopted an eager expression. ‘Are you asking me to embark on a five-year mission?’
The Admirals looked at each other, then at Burke and nodded. ‘Yes,’ Uiduike replied simply.
Burke shuffled back into his seat and considered a moment before nodding.
‘If there’s nothing else then admirals?’
The triumvirate shook their heads once more.
‘Then I ask to be dismissed to begin assembling my crew.’
Burke got to his feet, slate in hand, quivering with the emotion of the moment.
::OFF::
Commander Robert Burke
Commanding Officer
USS Hecate
Utopia Planitia, Mars
Admiral Uiduike Whitford
Starfleet Operations Command
Starfleet Headquarters
San Francisco, Earth
Admiral Saavim
Starfleet Exploratory Command
Starfleet Headquarters
San Francisco, Earth
Admiral Sh'araahrehr
Starfleet Tactical Command
Starfleet Headquarters
San Francisco, Earth
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