Birthday Wishes

Posted on Thu Jun 16th, 2022 @ 2:58am by Commodore Loatha Targaryen & Captain Wilkan Targaryen & Galatea & President Gruzy of New Xindus & Commander Nathan Hawkins & Commander Ash Randall & Lieutenant Commander Lily Snow PhD, MD & Lieutenant Commander Cyrus Marner & Captain Nathan Bishop & Lieutenant Commander T'Lisha "Hawkeye" Bishara

2,724 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: 749148
Location: Briefing Room, Spacedock
Timeline: 2430-09-19, 13:00

Admiral's Log, Stardate 107716.0:

After ten days of being sidelined, the Senior Staff of Starfleet One have been called to a meeting on Spacedock to decide our fate.

Admiral Willian Targaryen watched as the Federation Starship Cristobal Rios flew passed the large windows of Spacedock. In a few minutes the crew of the Starship Enterprise would learn their fate for disobeying orders and returning to Talos to recover the away team. He was not exactly keen on finding out just what fate would befall them. As the Commanding Officer of the Enterprise he knew that - ultimately - he would be held responsible for what came next. Their mission did, however, save an entire species so there was, in the end, at least that silver lining whatever came their way next.

Commander Randall arrived, in full dress uniform with decorations, and nodded a greeting to Admiral Targaryen. "Everything is in flux, Admiral, so keep your fingers crossed. We may be in for some surprises." Ash said, quietly.

Captain Nathan Bishop entered next he too was in his dress uniform. It seemed appropriate to be dressed in your finest as you waited what could be your execution at least figuratively. He walked over to where the Admiral and Ash were standing. After greeting both of his colleagues he spoke. "I feel like I'm going to my execution."

Cyrus came in next, wearing his dress uniform. He joined the other gentlemen. "Afternoon." He remarked. "Now why would you think we'd be going to our execution." he drawled out. "Whatever happens, happens. Just be proud that we saved a new generation. That is something I can feel pleased about. And so should you." giving a warm smile.

"We all should," the Admiral echoed as he stood in dress uniform before those gathered. "Starfleet has been rather tight lipped about the fate of the Talosian/Human hybrids, but I am sure that Starfleet is taking their plight incredibly seriously." He couldn't help wonder about Captain Pike and Miss Vina though. For all intents and purposes, both had been brought back from the dead in an entirely new century. That wasn't something someone could come back from easily. Because of his rank Willian had also had access to most of Captain Pike's personal logs. The entries he made after learning he was destined to be disabled, essentially a member of the walking dead, they were filled with a lot of cautious optimism. What fate would befall their playing God?

Snow arrived in her long skirt dress uniform, and her hair done up in her professional bun. "Sorry for my delay." She stated stepping over. "Sir have you heard anything about the Talosian/Human hybrids?"

He smiled as he answered, "About a second late, Commander, but no I've not heard much. I wonder if they'll be mentioned in our hearing?" It was a question that he didn't really mean to ask because no one knew the answer but his wife and the President.

Cyrus turned with a slight smile when Snow arrived, giving her a nod then went back to regarding the huge auditorium. "Even if they are tight lipped, the rumour mills and grapevines are probably all heated up as to what has happened. And all wondering just what will happen to us. And probably riveted to the view screens all across... well where ever to find out what will happen."

"They can't hit us for violating the Prime Directive. As we came to the aid of a species in need." Snow pointed out. Then she gave a sweet smile at Bishop.

As they spoke softly Nathan Hawkins arrived and joined them at the window in a broody silence. Toying with his cuffs the Commander observed the passing vessels from the window lost in his own thoughts of a previous hearing he'd been summoned to, which potentially like today hadn't gone favourably.

T'Lisha walked in quietly pulling down the tunic of her dress whites. She had put on her flight ribbons, and fighter pilot's medals for this occasion. Sitting at the back of the room, she sat there quietly hoping not to be noticed?

Willian was about to comment when he heard the door along the far wall open, allowing a diverse group of people to join them inside the large Briefing Room. First was President Gruzy, dressed in ceremonial Xindi Reptilian attire that had been perfectly polished and was impeccable. Behind the President was his wife, dressed in her standard uniform yet wearing the triangular awards that normally accompanied a dress uniform. Several others, both civilian and Starfleet, joined them in the chamber as they presided over the group.

The President stepped toward the podium in the center of the room, "Shall we begin?"

The Commander of Starfleet One looked at his crew, "Are we ready?"

"As ready as anyone can be with the unknown factor. This is a new mission to find out what lies ahead of us, stepping into the unknown. Still fits within the Realms of discovering new things, right?" Cyrus quipped.

With a steading inhale Hawkins pulled his gaze away from the window and joined his crewmembers as they were handed their judgement.

Ash eyed President Gruzy as he entered the briefing room and then his wife and entourage and sighed, inwardly. She couldn't tell what was going to happen. "Show time..." She muttered, to herself, straightened her uniform, and waited for things to called to order and directives to be given.

The President of the Federation had meant the question rhetorically. He glanced back at the Starfleet Commander, Admiral Luzol, and shook his head before returning his full attention to the delegation from Starfleet One. "Frankly, I am pretty much speechless this time. While we gave dispensation for a one time visit to Talos, your ship returned after having left - and the AI that was left in command deliberately ignored the direct orders of the Starfleet Commander in the process. By all rights Starfleet One should have been detonated in the middle of space, yet somehow you all managed to survive yet again. However, at what cost? The Talosians are dead, an unidentified species that had incredible tactical capabilities now has the Federation on its RADAR, and we are facing a conundrum of how we respond to it."

"With respect," the Admiral interrupted, "We were operating within the best interests of the Federation and, at minimum, within the definitions of Federation law by our actions, Mister President. Not only did we investigate and respond to the distress call issued by the Talosians, we did manage to save a part of their society."

"And that is the only reason that we are not fulfilling the full punishment as detailed by General Order 7," Gruzy answered. "As I said, Enterprise should have detonated while on its assignment when it penetrated the barrier the second time. Had your communications not been disabled we would have carried out that directive. Lucky for you your communications were down," he glanced at the Operations Officer as he said it. "Without your communications you were unable to communicate with the unknown vessel, you engaged it in combat, and now we are in a precarious spot."

Feeling the weight of the President's gaze pierce him Hawkins with his jaw set firm stared blankly ahead wisely holding his tongue until the moment passed.

The President continued, "The past days have been damning as our ideals have been challenged by what has happened. My Administration, the Federation Council, Starfleet Command... all of us are debating how to move ahead. I myself am uncertain how to proceed forward with you. Then there is the matter of your AI and the history of disobedience that these intelligences have committed against the Federation and Starfleet. Not long ago she nearly commandeered your ship, now she's practically done it again."

"Do any of you have anything to say on your own behalf?"

The crew of Starfleet One were being quieter than usual, but Willian couldn't blame them. To be facing the President directly was something that none wanted to face. Targaryen took the opportunity, "We are who we are, Mister President. We will always do what we must to serve the Federation and ensure its survival. That is the oath that each of us took, and we take it incredibly seriously. No one in this room would ever take action against the Federation or, intentionally, violate its most sacred laws."

"Says the man who is the former Executive Director of Section 31," the President challenged. "The only reason you aren't sitting in a jail cell with the rest of the Agents is because President Enaren pardoned you."

"Because she knew everything I had done was to better the Federation, to ensure it survived against the most severe of odds," the Admiral answered honestly to the Xindi. "Yesia trusted me. You once told me you trusted me too. The question is: do you still trust me, Mister President? If you don't then I will resign my commission and walk away because trust and truth are the building blocks of each Starfleet Officer. If we no longer have those then neither of us can ever work together again."

"Ah'd like to add my two cents worth if you don't mind Mister President. Ah wouldn't and couldn't just ignore the plea for help from those people." Cyrus spoke up with his southern drawl. "Turning mah back to their pleas would cause me to be a hypocrite to my Hippocratic Oath. There are times when the prime directive has to bend, if it is always set in stone then we will just be barbarians instead of being civilized. And Ah am quite glad that the communication signal didn't get through to blow up the Enterprise." Cyrus giving a steely gaze towards the President.

"You weren't there to see the devastation that happened, nor were you there to see a tired individual with death waiting right behind him, to collect him. He wished to help his people to save them. My heart broke in seeing just what had transpired." Cyrus's voice deepened with the emotions he was feeling.

"Do you think that it would have been good to let those babies die, be murdered? I'd be damned if that were going to be allowed to happen and to me it would have been genocide, something that is abhorrent!" his voice rang loud and clear. "Ah mean no disrespect Mr. President but... are we not here to extend the hand of friendship, and even help to those out there? Or are we to just stand there and let a people die!" Cyrus tried to rein himself in just ever so slightly. "Also are we now scared rabbits not wanting to even go into the face of danger and explore or even help when there is a request? Also about Galatea, I've not observed her being malevolent at all. I also do trust the Admiral and he is an honorable man."

The Xindi Reptilian stood firm at the podium, looking cautiously at the Chief Medical Officer after he gave his summation of the scenario and all that had happened. Listening carefully, it was only when the doctor had finished that Gruzy continued, "It is exactly the scenario that you just summarized that has led me to my decision, Doctor. It has become more and more clear to me over the recent days that none are served by any of you remaining in service to the Federation Diplomatic Corps as the command crew of Starfleet One. For that reason I am, hereby, revoking that role effective immediately and restoring to you the mission that seems most appropriate: emergency response and exploration."

"Admiral," the President stepped away from the podium.

Admiral Luzol nodded and approached, her dress uniform freshly pressed and her visage one of intense focus. She peered forward at the Senior Staff of Starfleet One, intensity following behind her words, "At the direction of President Gruzy Starfleet Command has implemented a new project designed to safeguard the Federation in the face of danger." Behind her the viewer began to display a star chart identified as the 'Maelstrom' with a series of star systems and outposts highlighted, "Deep Space 12 in the Maelstrom Sector is being converted to serve as the home for a new Rapid Response Group that will be assigned the responsibility of responding to galactic crises and serving as a backup to not only Starfleet Headquarters, but also Federation Headquarters itself."

"Due to the enormity of this undertaking, President Gruzy and I have felt that there is no better group to take this role in galactic affairs," the hybrid Admiral informed.

Ash looked down at the floor for several seconds and then nodded to herself. Out of sight...out of mind. Not as bad as being shipped off to the Delta Quadrant but the assignment was not the reprieve it seemed to be.

Cyrus was stunned, or would that be the best word. Maybe Gobsmacked? Either one would do. He was relieved that he wasn't being led out of the proceedings in manacles for his passionate speech. He had taken a risk, well what he said had to be said. He wondered what Willian would be saying in answer to this piece of news.

Hawkins stole quick glances at his peers feeling somewhat surprised by this announcement himself.

Enterprise's Captain looked at his wife, giving a knowing smirk that only she would be able to perceive. Today was her birthday and he knew, without a doubt, that she probably had to pull in every favor she could with Gruzy to make this work. The President had been furious with him only a short while ago, had threatened his career, and more. Their survival was her birthday gift, of that he was certain.

But he would not look the gift horse in the mouth.

"We are honored, Mister President, to have been selected for this momentous task," the Admiral answered while projecting humility.

The Xindi rose and returned to the podium, "Then I hereby relieve you from the Diplomatic Service and restore you to your previous roles." He typed on the violet colored diplomatic PADD. "My Chief of Staff will be accompanying you as the Federation High Commissioner for this operation," he looked at Jasmine as he announced it. "If there is nothing else I wish you and your crew nothing but the best of luck with this mission. You are dismissed."

As ordered, the crew of the former Starfleet One left the Briefing Room one by one and returned to the lobby of the large lecture hall, the massive visage of the Starbase Docking Garage greeting them through the windows instead of the wonders of space. Soon they would be back among the stars, soon.

Once they were out of the Briefing Room, Cyrus let out a sigh of relief. At first he thought he'd make things worse then before but, this was definitely a better outcome. He muttered mostly to himself, "Ah thought Ah had gotten us in bigger trouble. Definitely this was better." he looked around just slightly then moved to where he could get a better view. They'll be going back home finally, back to the beloved ship.

"Twenty-odd years ago...once upon a time, I stole a B-Type Romulan Warbird in the course of an anti-espionage mission. I was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and stood Courts Martial for the same deed on the same day." Ash stated, with a shrug. "You never know what the final outcome will be or, for that matter, if it will even be final." She added, shaking her head and looked around her at the assembled crew. "Or ever happened at all." She finished as she began to move off.

Willian smirked, "I seem to remember that day." He tugged on his uniform, watching as a next generation starship was built outside the window. "Seems like we're about to embrace the future."

Ash paused, in mid-step, to look back at Targaryen, and smiled. "We had better embrace the future. It's all we have to look forward to." She told him, and rolled her eyes at her own play on words.

Willian Targaryen laughed at his Chief Engineer's statement as he wondered, silently, just what this new assignment would hold for all of them.

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