The Great Train Robbery

Posted on Mon Aug 17th, 2020 @ 3:36am by Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Commander Ash Randall & Commander Sherwin Porter & Patton O'Sullivan & Lieutenant Commander Chire & Lieutenant Commander Victoria Rigby M.D. & Lieutenant Commander Lily Snow PhD, MD & Captain Nathan Bishop

2,433 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Exodus
Location: Admiral's Apartment, USS Enterprise
Timeline: 2430-01-10, 11:30

Admiral William Teagarden looked at the gathered personnel in his Quarters aboard the Enterprise. Each had been present for the conclusion of the talks with the Dominion brought about by the efforts of the Bajoran Councilor and, more to the point, each knew the Admiral wouldn't stand for it.

"So it's really quite simple," he said in summary, "we aren't going to throw away the prospect of peace. The opposite in fact. We are continuing on to meet with the Dominion against the objections of the Bajoran Representative."

Bishop didn't look left or right only at the Admiral when he spoke. "While I'm not a fan of Weyoun. I'm not willing to throw a chance away on peace with the the Dominion or at least an alliance with them. Especially in light at what we just witnessed on the bridge."

"I have been in contact with the Federation government and they want us to pursue this to the logical conclusion. Whatever that may be," he answered with a grin. "The situation is certainly precarious, which is why I called us to this impromptu meeting in my quarters rather than an on duty location to see what everyone's feelings were on this and the plan."

"The greatest threat known to the Alpha and Beta quadrants, has extended the olive branch of peace, and one uptight arsehole wants to through it away." Lily said with her normal icy tone. "Now can we box up this arsehole up and ship him back to Diplomacy school?"

Bishop chuckled softly as Lily's suggestion. "Better yet, why not box him up and forget where we put the box? You know misplaced?" He was grinning at the foolishness of the idea but it was nice to dream.

The Admiral smirked, "While appealing we do have to treat him with the respect an elected official requires. So, we're going to ensure he isn't placed in harms way." He looked at his XO, "Captain, quietly prepare the ship for Saucer Separation."

Bishop's eyes sparkled with merriment. Though his tone was serious. "Yes sir. It wouldn't do for the Representative to be injured in some unforeseen accident."

Ash stood slightly away from everyone else, listening. "Stun him and stuff him in a stasis pod for safe keeping. There may be hell to pay once this is all, said and done, but we won't have his, deranged self, actively working to sabotage our efforts. He couldn't control himself earlier...he knew he was out of control, that he was being unreasonable and needlessly insulting and combative and he didn't care." The Chief Engineer suggested and, by her tone, not in jest either. "Every instinct I have says we're being played...manipulated, and the Councilman is an agent of chaos in our midst. Don't give him half our ship to work with." She stated.

"We won't be," William answered, "nor will we be stunning a Federation official. Instead we will be implementing a plan to ensure his safe return to the Alpha Quadrant." He decided to reveal the rest, "The Spock never made it to Earth. It went missing shortly after leaving Gateway Station. I am deploying the Saucer Module to return to the Alpha Quadrant to join the search, under Captain Bishop," he indicated the XO. "The stardrive will continue to Empersa."

Chire shivered at this. The Spock carried her only friend on board. She wasn't sure she could handle starting over yet again in this quest for companionship of some kind. And she'd taken all those hours of her free time to make him wings.

Bishop was still smiling as the Admiral revealed the rest of his plan then when he heard it his face transformed into one of confusion. "Wait. What? I'm doing what?"

"Taking the saucer, along with the Bajoran Councilor, back to the Alpha Quadrant," William repeated.

"And which of the Command crew is going with Bishop?" Lily asked in British accent. "You do know that the Councilor is going to have a massive aneurysm, when he finds out that you separated the ship. If he doesn't get answers that he likes from Bishop, he is going to try to bloody bullocks both of your careers." She stated with some venom.

Bishop was grateful for Lily's input. He looked at the Admiral. " I heard you the first time Admiral, I just can't believe what I heard. A junior officer could do this Admiral. i didn't realize i had suddenly become non essential to this mission." His voice even but there was no denying his anger and what he clearly viewed as a demotion or outright dismissal.

"Captain, my wife and children are on the Spock. It's missing in action, presumed destroyed, and additional ships are needed. Under Regulations I am emotionally compromised by the duties of looking for them, I know that about myself." He was speaking honestly, "I need the best to be out there trying to find them; not to mention the fact my wife has the Wraith Orb in her possession. It falls into the wrong hands and the galaxy is at stake, not to mention the life of the President."

Bishop suddenly felt ashamed when the Admiral spoke about his wife and children being on the Spock. "Yes sir, I understand what your saying and your reasons. I'll do what you ask under protest. I feel my place is alongside you for this mission." He finished quietly.

Commander Randall, slowly, took a seat and considered what the Admiral had just said. "Who would dare?" She asked herself, quietly. "Better yet, who could? I mean, there wasn't an armada for an escort but those ships fight way above their weight. It would take an extraordinary set of circumstances to effectively make The Spock and it's escorts just disappear. Complete surprise...total and instantaneous system collapse, including transponders and emergency beacons. The list of those capable of such a feat is very, very short." She mused, aloud to herself, and looked to the Admiral for a second or two and then to Bishop. "Captain, I believe you may be about to embark on a more dangerous and treacherous mission than we are currently on." She advised him, and shook her head. "A Wraith Orb, of all things...." She muttered.

"Another reason I want an officer experienced in combat in command," the Admiral referenced his Exec's history. "We know that Spock came under attack while en route - well at least that's what the Secretary of Defense told me. The only question is do we send you in the Battle Section or the Saucer?"

"If we believe the Secretary, we send the Battle Section. It can handle itself anyone who attacked the Spock would think twice about doing so to the Battle Section. It's a better bet to rescue your family as well as the President and the Spock's crew." Bishop reasoned.

"I would suggest that you send the Captain in the Star Drive section, and you remain here on the Saucer Section." Lily stated. "I would also, like to go with the Star Drive section of the ship. Perhaps what I had learned could come in handy here." She stated with her rich British accent.

Chire glanced at them all in turn but she didn't know what to suggest without looking at the data for herself and she didn't know where she would be needed more. "Admiral. I am not sure what you were thinking regarding my presence but . . . Blake is the only friend I've made since coming on board. If it's not neglecting my duty too much I'd like to help look for him as well."

"Potential issues may include, but not be limited to; The saucer section will be unable to support our Genesis Wave Counter Measures. We'll be outnumbered, 7 to 1, by our 'guests' once we've split off. The offensive and defensive capabilities of the saucer section, alone, is about on par with a Galaxy Class ship. A bad ass 60 years ago but likely to get kicked around like a can now by any frontline ship of half its tonnage." Ash pointed out. "We have a good idea what we're facing here in the gamma quadrant and the saucer section will get chewed up and spit out if we encounter a vessel like the one the Dominion was fighting when we arrived. We have no real clue what the threat is back in the Alpha Quadrant and, while the saucer section might not be ideal, you'll at least have the benefit of other Star Fleet vessels in support." The Chief Engineer finished. It wasn't that the saucer section lacked weaponry or shields. In fact, it was far from defenseless but lacked the power reserves to implement that offensive and defensive might, at full potential, without the Battle or drive section with it's Dual Slipstream/Warp core AND Coaxial Drive supplying power as well. Splitting off the saucer section was, at best, a desperate tactical move done out of complete necessity. Ash agreed it needed to be done but wasn't looking forward to wandering the Gamma Quadrant in it.

Bishop looked over at Chire, "You have friends here Commander, you just haven't them all yet." He then turned back to the Admiral. Whatever choice we make has definite disadvantages and as Commander Randall has so effectively pointed out the saucer section isn't defenseless. You yourself Admiral first suggested I take it back to search for the Spock. Let's go with that plan. I'd like to take Commanders Snow and Chire and anyone else you can spare."

"Whichever way we do it," the CMO piped up, "I'll make sure we have a proper allotment of medical personnel for each mission."

"Weyoun has arranged for the Saucer to have an escort of two Battleships - his personnel, save for a skeleton crew, will be returning to the Dominion before our departure. Essentially continuing to make things look like the Dominion are giving up on peace. I'll be taking the Saucer Module," William admitted as he crossed his arms, "which makes things more difficult. The Councilor has not, according to Galatea, used any of the facilities in the Stardrive since arriving aboard the ship. We will have to find a way to get him to visit that section and then implement the separation sequence." He was curious what ideas his crew could come up with.

"So, if we're supposed to trick him into visiting the star drive I think the easiest way to accomplish that is for one of the senior officers, that will be staying with the saucer section, to invite the Councilor to meet to discuss our current situation, in private." Ash suggested and looked up at the Admiral. "I think he'd jump at the chance. It can't be someone who'll be on the Star Drive because he'll see the deception as a personal betrayal...treasonous even." The engineer added and now looked to Bishop and the others. "Any senior officer on that Star Drive had better be up to the task of acting like you've been deceived as well or he'll do his damnedest to destroy your careers, or worse, if he suspects you were in the deception. You'll also need a good excuse for not just running down the saucer section using the coaxial drive." She finished.

"I can initiate the invite for a tour below." Vikki had been quiet to this point, the entire situation had been overwhelming since day one; complicated even further by individuals allowing personal feelings to rule above all else. "I'm the closest to a Diplomate that we have on the crew which allows an affinity between us both. I also have no close ties to the Spock to allow emotions to cause things to over run. And I guess of us all, as a Counselor I know how to bury my own emotions."

“What will my orders be in all of this,”’Patton spoke up. He had been listening as they all spoke and he agreed with some things and disagreed with others. At the moment he felt like it was best to move forward and not have another round of opinions from him.

"I'm taking you with me, Commander, as my Acting XO. You'll double as Tactical though." He looked at the others, "We are acting on orders from the Federation government to continue this mission, they supersede the directives of the Bajoran Councilor in this instance, but we need to be prepared." He paused, "Execute the tour plan. Captain Bishop," he looked at his XO, "You, Commander Snow, Commander Chire, Counselor Rigby, and Doctor Porter will travel with the Stardriv under radio silence until you reach the Alpha Quadrant. Commander Snow you are Acting XO and doubling as Science Officer. Patton you will be remaining here as Acting XO and Tactical Officer. Ash, Bishara, you will be coming with me as well. We need to execute this plan as soon as possible. Are there any other details to consider?"

"Commander Galatea should, probably, go with the Star Drive so they'll be able to, safely, operate the Coaxial Drive if need be. She's integral to systems, ship wide, but the saucer section is better able to manage with the standard systems." Ash recommended.

William nodded in agreement, "We'll put the primary there. If no one has anything else we need to begin. Time is truly of the essence."

Bishop nodded as the Admiral gave his last orders. "Very good sir." He glanced at Lily, "Commanders Snow and Chire , lets go we have work to do. Doctor I will see you in a few minutes." He headed out then stopped and turned back to face the others, "Good luck to us all. Admiral, I'll find your family and keep them safe. You just stay safe for the reunion. You all stay safe. Galatea transfer yourself over to the Stardrive Section please.""

"Yes sir," Chire said, please that she was going to be allowed to help as she had requested.

"Good hunting," the Admiral answered as he prepared himself for what was to come.

"Good luck..." She said, to the others as they began to leave. "Admiral? Should I be thinking about solutions outside the box or is there a box at all right now?" The Tuansee asked, quietly. "Because, I still feel like we're being played." She admitted.

"I wish I had an answer for you, Commander," William replied as he watched the others leave the room. As the doors slid shut he let out a long breath, "but I have a feeling our lives are about to get interesting."

 

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