The Interview - Part I

Posted on Wed Jul 30th, 2025 @ 10:25pm by Captain Robert Burke & Ensign Shanice Winters

1,316 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: Captain's Office
Timeline: MD031

Shanice stepped off the turbolift and made her way directly to the Captain's office. The Hecate had crossed into Klingon space a few hours ago. Among the crew there were a lot of mixed feelings about what they were doing here. The Ensign had scheduled an interview with the Captain and she had intended on making it a good one. Reaching the door, she took a deep breath and pressed the chime.

Sat at the comfy sofa in the corner of his office, Burke was relaxing with an uncharacteristic cup of tea. His jacket undone, he was working through the encounter with the Klingons earlier. The tense nature of the confrontation, saved only by the intervention of Klingon Intelligence, had not been entirely unexpected, but it had been most unwelcome.

As the chime rang, he looked up, and called, 'enter!'

The door opened as Ensign Winters passed through. In her hand was a PADD and a recording device. Looking down at Burke who was clearly relaxed on the sofa. "We had an interview scheduled. But if it's a bad time, then I can reschedule?"

'No, this is a great time,' Burke replied with a smile as he began assembling his jacket uniform into a more presentable fashion. He waved to the armchair opposite him as he sat up. 'Please take a seat. Would you like a drink of some sort?'

"Grape juice would be nice please." Sitting down in the armchair, she began to set up f or the interview.

Calling for grape juice, Burke sat up in his seat, and smiled. 'All right, that should take a few minutes, but it'll get here.' He paused then asked, 'before we begin, would you mind telling me a little bit about yourself? I've not encountered many media liaisons in my time in Starfleet. In fact, I think you're the first one I've actually come face to face with.'

"Well, a media liaison is a position within the diplomatic department," Shanice answered. "I'm a diplomatic officer but was assigned here in this position based on how sensitive and publicized this mission is currently. Being that there is not a diplomatic officer assigned on board, technically I could do both."

'It's good to have a multi-talented crewmember,' Burke replied with a smile. 'Out beyond Klingon Space we'll all need to be creative. We won't be seeing Federation space for a long time.' As the service door opened he motioned the Yeoman in to serve the small jug of grape juice with a glass. As the man retreated, Burke turned his attention back to Shanice. 'So what were your previous postings?'

"Thank you," she replied as she accepted the drink. "I was assigned to a Jupitar Station for a few years. Did a couple of assignments off station but mainly posted there. Heard about the Hecate's assignment and quickly jumped at the chance to be here."

'Jupiter Station is quite the assignment - right at the heart of the Federation,' Burke flashed a smile as he leaned in, 'I'm sure a lot of brass travelled through there. Did you have a lot of interaction with them as part of your assignments?'

"Quite a bit," she admitted. "More than I had ever expected. And very willing to talk surprisingly. Eager to tell their stories."

'Hopefully nothing too scandalous,' Burke responded, smile widening to a grin. Shifting position once more, he leaned forward, hands touching in front of him. 'Now. What questions would you like to ask me, Ensign?'

A huge grinned appeared on her face regarding the scandalous comment. "So, what does Starfleet really hope to accomplish with this mission?"

'Well ... what doesn't it?' Burke asked rhetorically. He paused and thought. 'One of the things that was made very clear to me back on Earth is that Starfleet Command would like to re-emphasise the exploratory nature of our organization. You know, going back to the greats, like the Enterprise, the Meridian and the Daedalus - the twenty-second century, when we struck out. They feel that give we've achieved a permanent and durable peace with the Klingon Empire, now is the time to take up that mantle again - to explore, to reach out to new civilizations, and go boldly into the frontier.'

"There are those who would say that Starfleet Command is pushing this a little too fast," Winters brought up. "The Klingons have been a problem for a hundred and forty-five years. Longer than there has actually been a Federation. Is this really a stable and durable piece, just three years shy of the Khitomer Accords?"

Raising his eyebrows and pursing his lips as he thought out his response, Burke eventually let loose a chuckle. 'You're not sparing the punches are you, Ensign?'

He lapsed into silence again for a moment, then said, 'look, there are times when things happen slowly - when a process takes decades, and time when events collapse into years, or even months and days. Starfleet Command believes that this is one of those times, clearly. The Hecate has the honour - and these are the words I will use when we meet the Klingon High Council when we arrive on Qo'noS - the honour of being one of the first vessels not only to lead a relief colony to the Homeworld, but to cross Klingon space peacefully.'

'You've seen how our crossing has been so far - with the sole exception of an elderly Imperial Intelligence D-Five escorting us, Minor House forces have been harassing us, testing our mettle, and waiting for the first sign that we not stick to our word. Starfleet could dither and delay and set up a commission for this, and a study for that, but I believe, and clearly the Chiefs believe, that until we normalize contact between our civilizations, the peace cannot be durable or stable.'

Deep in his eyes, a fire lit up as Burke warmed to his theme. 'But that's why we're doing it with the Hecate. We're the most advanced and most powerful class of ship Starfleet can offer for this endeavour -we can hold our own against anything the Klingons can throw at us. That shows respect towards their warrior's prowess. We treat them with honour, and we can, eventually expect the same in return. At least that's the hope. And there's no Enterprise anymore - we don't have that emotional baggage associated with Kirk, or Captain Saavik's Titan. To paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, we're walking softly, but carrying a big stick. And we're definitely hoping to walk far.'

Shanice raised an eyebrow and smiled at the unexpected response from the Captain. "Very well put Captain. That response will definitely have everyone back home assured that Starfleet Command made the right choice by sending you out here."

Burke shrugged, momentarily embarrassed, but moving past it. 'I was very lucky to be given this posting - as I'm sure you've heard me drone on, my background is in security, so this is my first deep-space exploratory mission. It'll be a challenge for us all.'

"Your being modest," the diplomat spoke up. "The Hecate is your second command, so Starfleet Command is aware of your track record. Luck has nothing to do with it, That's why when people read this article. Most of their fears and doubts will be pushed to the side."

He chuckled in response, casting an eye over the younger officer. 'Only most?' Leaning back in the chair, more relaxed now he had a better grasp of the interview, he motioned towards her. 'If there are any other questions I can answer to allay any other fears and doubts, I'll try my best to.'

::OFF::

Captain Robert Burke
Commanding Officer
USS Hecate

Ensign Shanice Winters
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Hecate

 

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