Thanks for Asking

Posted on Sun May 4th, 2025 @ 9:47pm by Lieutenant Vriq'ta Esrad & Lieutenant (J.G.) Zomuul jav Ghul & Ensign Taasah & Ensign Talyn Daughter of Moya & Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Commander Galatea & Lieutenant Commander Ash Randall & Lieutenant (J.G.) Dylan Blake & Commander Zhora zh'Roothi & Administrator Kuzos
Edited on on Sun May 4th, 2025 @ 9:50pm

4,349 words; about a 22 minute read

Mission: InQuiry
Location: Bridge, USS Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-03-13, 20:00

The last few days had been a blur for Lieutenant Vriq'ta Esrad even though the Enterprise had only been traveling at warp for most of them. Not long after the Enterprise departed from their meeting with the Drai, Commodore Targaryen had promoted him to the Chief Scientist position. Since then he'd met his new team, got a good look at their projects, and that was only on the first day. Now, he'd been selected to command the Bridge during the Gamma Shift this week and got to sit in the center seat while the Enterprise made her way to their next mission.

Weyoun had asked that the Enterprise not travel to the Drai homeworld to assist with assessing the devastation there, so the Commodore took that as an opportunity to arrange for the Enterprise to leave region close to the wormhole and 'stretch the Enterprise's legs.' They were on course for the Gavara Sector, which was on the furthest boundary of where the Enterprise was allowed to go, to establish Second Contact with the Cheluan High Council. Originally visited by the Starship Maryland shortly before the Dominion annexed Cardassia, the Maryland reported encountering a peaceful, tranquil world. After all that they'd encountered so far that was going to be very welcome to say the least.

"Lieutenant Esrad?"

"Yes?" The Bolian Science Officer turned away from the wall mounted portion of his workstation to see Galatea, artificial intelligence of the Enterprise, standing before him. The Commodore's attache and the voice of the Enterprise, a lot of people assumed that the AI would often take command of the Bridge but, so far at least, the Commodore had yet to choose that option. He said he preferred to see what the Senior Staff could do.

Galatea shifted her weight from one simulated leg to the other, "I was checking to see if you were here. I noticed the center seat was vacant," she looked over her shoulder to the empty chair, "and was concerned."

Vriq'ta looked over at the empty chair and nodded, "Seemed like I could better serve from here."

"Considering that the Commodore left you in command of this duty shift your place is in the Captain's Chair," the hologram explained. "Unless you do not feel yourself ready for such a position, at which point I will need to alert the Captain."

"I'm fine here, Galatea. I can monitor the Bridge and fulfill my responsibilities as Chief Scientist," the Bolian excused. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm in the middle of a very complicated analysis."

"I do mind," Galatea answered. "As the Gamma Watch Duty Officer your responsibilities as Chief Scientist are superseded. Another member of the Science Team can complete these duties while you oversee command duties."

The new Senior Officer knew that he wasn't going to win this one. Galatea represented the ship, she was the voice of it, and the Commodore listened to her. Perhaps he listened to her more than the rest of them. He'd been told she came with him from the Enterprise Gamma when he took over here. He didn't want to risk her challenging his position. Defeated, he nodded in agreement, "Have Lieutenant Ghul come up to take over for me."

"I have already sent the message," she said motioning for the chair. "I will take over here while we await her arrival."

Vriq'ta nodded, somewhat somberly, and rose from his chair to take over the center seat.

With the stillness of the bridge at this hour and the third day at high wrap it was easy to overhear the conversation between Esrad and Galatea. Lieutenant JG Blake was trying not to listen as the embodied AI pressed her authority over the newly promoted Science Officer into submission. He agreed with Esrad's logic even if procedures and regulations disagreed. He glanced over his shoulder from the forward Ops station understanding a little how Esrad must be feeling having fallen to the weight of peer pressure.

Kuzos strolled onto the bridge. He was quite frankly bored, and it was late, and he wasn't tired. He had overhead two ensigns talking about Enterprise Bingo and one of the challenges was to sit in the center seat. That sounded easy enough. He decided to test his theory. "Good evening or good morning, all." He greeted in his typical cheerfulness. "Anything new going on? Any new comets found? That sort of thing."

The Bolian, who was standing next to the Captain's Chair now, nodded, "Actually we did catch a Class 2 comet on sensors a few minutes ago. Pretty standard, really, but it would be a good addition to the charts." He said, somewhat giddy.

"How perfectly fascinating!" Kuzos oozed. "Did you name it or make a wish upon it? Or whatever you are supposed to do when you discover one." As he moved closer to the center seat.

The addition of the Vorta on the bridge was an increasing distraction to Blake as he tried to focus on manning both Ops and helm. With a stab of irritation he adjusted the flight trajectory he'd neglected to make with the new arrival and bit chided himself for losing focus.

"Something like that," Lieutenant Esrad answered. "How are you settling in on the Enterprise, Administrator? I haven't had much time to speak with you since you came aboard and was curious." The Bolian was genuinely curious about their new arrival from the Dominion, plus it kept him from having to sit in the chair.

Kuzos smiled brilliantly, "How positively thoughtful of you to inquire. I believe the term I am looking for is, I am finding my way as there is so much to take in. Your Enterprise is a most impressive ship and her crew is equally impressive." Kuzos gushed as he inched closer to the chair.

"I'm glad that you're enjoying your time here and finding your way," the Science Officer answered. He looked toward Galatea, "Any updates on the comet, while I'm thinking about it?"

"Sensor scans have concluded," the hologram explained. "It is a routine comet."

Kuzos eyes and attention were locked on Galatea. "You are Commander Galactica, the hologram?" He asked, his tone inquisitive. curious. Another step toward the command chair.

The Hologram turned away from the Science console as the Tellarite Lieutenant came to relieve her, "Commander Galatea, actually." She approached the center seat, "I represent the Enterprise and am the avatar of its artificial intelligence, Administrator. I am curious about your presence on the Bridge."

"Surely his presence is not a problem," Vriq'ta interjected.

"The Administrator is typically present during the Alpha Watch, not Gamma. There are no problems with this, but I will need to log the change," Galatea explained. She turned toward the Science Officer, "I have also noted that you are not yet in the command station. Is there a problem?"

"None at all," Esrad answered. "I can command the ship for the watch standing next to the chair, sitting in it, just so long as I'm up here according to your description."

Galatea sighed, "It would be more appropriate..."

"Administrator, would you like to try out the chair?" The Science Officer interrupted the hologram.

Kuzos gave a respectful bow. "My apologies. I meant no offense." He answered and even managed to sound sincere doing it. As to why I am here, quite simply, I could not sleep so I decided to come to the bridge and see what goes on what shift did you call this? Gamma?" He stopped and looked at the Science Officer, taking another step. "Oh yes! This would be quite an honor."

At his station Blake snapped his head round at the suggestion by Esrad. He was wise enough to hold his tongue but his face carried his questioning concern and alarm clear enough.

"Administrator," Galatea interrupted, "as you are not in command of the Enterprise it would be inappropriate for you to sit in the Command Chair. Besides, I don't want to hear the Commodore go off about it." Realizing she may be causing an interstellar incident she added, "It's nothing against you, he doesn't like when anyone sits in his chair."

"Then why did you want me to sit there so badly?" The Bolian asked, annoyed.

Galatea looked at the Lieutenant, "Because he makes an exception for the duty officer. Didn't you find it odd that his chair is alone in the center when normally there's a seat for at least the XO?"

"Didn't think about it all that much," Vriq'ta answered.

"It would appear so," Galatea replied.

Kuzos looked between Vriq'ta and Galatea, "You say it isn't against me personally and the Commodore doesn't like when anyone sits in his chair. In reality what you are saying is the representative of the Dominion is actually a no one. I thank you for clarifying the situation for me Commander Galatea." Kuzos said evenly. Suddenly sitting in the chair wasn't so important anymore.

By this point Lieutenant Blake had been paying more attention to the situation behind than his station. If only he had eyes in the back of his head to observe the actual events as Galatea was caught between her programming and orders given directly by the Commodore. The Administrator sounded as slimy as he'd expected and hoped he'd soon grow bored and wonder off to bother another poor soul. Maybe he could slyly point him in the direction of the XO whom also housed a displeasure of their guest.

Galatea was about to answer the comments of the Vorta Administrator when a series of beeps came from the Tactical console. The hologram looked up at the Security Officer, but waited for Lieutenant Esrad.

"Don't take it personally, Administrator, even though Galatea could have handled this a bit better," the Bolian glared at the hologram, certain he'd point this out to the Commodore. "Report, Ensign."

Ensign Talyn looked up from her panel, "We're picking up a distress call from the planet ahead. Audio only."

"Let's hear it," Vriq'ta ordered.

"This is Grand Vizier Lijkur of the Cheluan High Council to anyone who can hear us. We're under attack from an unidentified force. They've invaded our capitol city. We need help. They're tearing our city apart!"

Esrad turned toward the Science Station, "Lieutenant, can you get me more detail?"

Lieutenant Zomuul jav Ghul checked the sensor reports. "Readings are ambiguous due to interference, but," he paused as he looked at the Administrator then the Science Officer, "there are indications of Dominion weapon signatures on the surface.”

Perhaps it was just as well he couldn't see directly behind Blake concluded as the evening took an icy turn.

The newly appointed Chief Science Officer said nothing as he looked at the viewscreen, watching carefully as the stars passed by the Enterprise. He was in charge of the Bridge until the Commodore returned and, now at least, sensors were suggesting their new allies were the source of an attack against a planet that was now asking for help. Worse, the AI had caused an interstellar incident on the Bridge of this very ship with the way she worded something. This was not going to be a good day.

Knowing he didn't have many options, he could only think of one, "We need the Commodore. Yellow alert, Commodore Targaryen to the Bridge."

Kuzos pointedly ignored Galatea and asked Vriq'ta. "Do you require me to remain on the bridge while you discuss the situation?"

Being a scientist, Vriq'ta's life was about analyzing and responding to a situation. He considered the question and came to the best answer he could, but it required a question, "Administrator, I would certainly appreciate any insights you may have, but that starts with a question: Based upon exposure, you are the only true expert on the Dominion aboard this vessel. Correct?"

Kuzos, looked around the bridge before his eyes settled on Vriq'ta. "Correct." He replied "And do please note just because your sensors have picked up Dominion weapon signatures does not mean Dominion forces are using them."

"An excellent observation, which is why I am relinquishing command of the Bridge to you," Vriq'ta explained as he walked away from the Captain's Chair.

Blake felt as if his seat had been hard wired into the power grid at the announcement. He spun fully toward the centre dial to voice his objection: "Sir," he blurted out before his voice was overridden.

Galatea, however, was Galatea, "Lieutenant, the Commodore has..."

"Assigned me command of the Bridge during this duty shift because he trusts my judgment. My judgment tells me that we need to put the person who is most knowledgeable about the Dominion and the Gamma Quadrant in command until the Commodore is back on the Bridge. While I am aware of a variety of topics in my role as Science Officer, the Dominion are not in my expertise. These qualities are in the repertoire of Administrator Kuzos, which makes him the logical choice for right now." He walked back to his Science Station, "You have the Bridge, Administrator."

Kuzos didn't hesitate. His eyes swept the bridge. This what he was born for, trained for and served as, "Send this. This is Administrator Kuzos of the Dominion to unknown force. Stop your attack and withdraw from Chelu immediately. I repeat stop your attack immediately."

Talyn typed on the console, "The message has been sent, but they are not responding."

"Have your sensors detected any ships in orbit of the planet? Next what is the effective range of your phasers and photon torpedoes? If there is no acknowledgement load torpedoes and bring the phasers online."

Blake felt his mouth go dry as the Vorta began to issue orders. He prayed his was either a simulation or the Commodore would arrive soon and eject Kuzos in double quick time before something disastrous happened.

Vriq'ta answered, "Interference is blocking our scans. We're not able to tell if there are any vessels in orbit. We've detected a few sensor ghosts that 'could' be ships, but we're not certain at this distance."

Kuzos didn't reply at least at once. "I repeat my earlier question, what is the range of your phasers and torpedoes? Increase our speed to maximum. "This your last warning, this Administrator Kuzos of the Dominion. Stop your attack and withdraw immediately." He then continued over the over comline. "If the attack does not cease in the next ten seconds, prepare to fire a full spread of torpedoes and phasers at these sensor ghosts in eleven seconds."

Blake couldn't sit in silence any longer and certainly wouldn't be amending their course nor power up the weapons array without order from a recognised member of the crew.

Again, he turned from his station to the centre of bridge and spoke directly to the temporary Duty Officer as respectably as he could through gritted teeth, "I'm sorry, Administrator, I cannot carry out your orders." he began. "We will be in direct violation of directive ten, sir: 'Before engaging alien species in battle, any and all attempts to make contact and achieve nonmilitary resolution must be made.'"

Galatea stood at the corner of the Bridge, watching silently as the situation played out. It was certainly an interesting development. "Have we been able to confirm the presence of the enemy vessels, Tactical?"

"Not so far, Commander Galatea," the Klingon answered. "Sensor interference is still too high."

"I see." Kuzos replied evenly. "So, what you are saying Lieutenant is even though your superior placed me in command for this specific situation and I have hailed the unknown force, you refuse to alter course and power up weapons that could save thousands? You refuse to obey his orders and mine? "

Blake held his nerve for better or worse he'd soon discover: "I don't recognise your authority on the Bridge."

Kuzos looked to Vriq'ta. "Order the Lieutenant to alter course and arm the weapons."

The human's gaze switched to senior science officer mutely pleading for the Bolian to back him and debunk the Vorta before Targaryen threw them all into the Brig for their foolishness.

From the Science console, Lieutenant Esrad considered carefully how to proceed. He had placed the Vorta in command due to his experiences and, reality, he never anticipated that there would be a challenge. He looked at Galatea for a moment, wondering if the machine had calculated this out as a possibility, but he wondered if even she had such foresight that she could have predicted such an outcry. The Bolian was about to answer when he was interrupted himself.

At the front of the Bridge, near to where Lieutenant Blake was sitting, a bright flash of light lit up the entire command center of the Starship Enterprise. Looking similar to a pointed starburst, where there had once been no one now stood a tall, Human male with white, pale skin and green eyes. His long, black hair was shoulder length and rested atop the ornate regal armor that the arrival wore, which consisted of green tunic overlaid with golden metal accents. A flowing green cape hung off his shoulders, nearly touching the Enterprise's deck.

The voice of the arrival was polite and lyrical, "Please, don't mind me. I'm merely here to watch the sights as they unfold."

The sudden arrival prompted Blake to leap away from his post and put distance between himself and the stranger. He wished dearly for a phaser to defend himself.

Kuzos looked at the new arrival. "Forgive my ignorance but precisely who are you?"

"I've had many names throughout my lifetime," the alien answered as he looked at the Vorta, "but, I come now with glad tidings from a world made free. Don't mind me though. I am merely here to listen, to observe how the nature of things progresses. Please," he motioned for the crew to continue as they were while the doors to the Bridge slid open.

"Report," Commodore Targaryen ordered as he entered, before noticing the new arrival and Administrator Kuzos.

"Ah Commodore." Kuzos greeted. "So good for you to arrive. I couldn't sleep and came up here to see what was going on and this nice Lieutenant (gestures to Vriq'ta) told me and invited to sit in the command chair. Commander Galatea took issue and has caused damage to our newly formed treaty by her ill wise words. Then one of your officers received a distress call from a planet under attack and Dominion weapons being used." He took a breath and continued on. "The nice lieutenant asked me to take charge of the bridge for this incident. I have ordered the attackers off twice. I also ordered a change in course and weapons armed and this officer," pointed at Blake, "Refused my orders." He took another breath, "I think that about covers it. Oh, then he showed up," Gestured to the new arrival.

Blake hadn't moved since the newcomer had appeared suddenly, his face grew darker as Kuzos pointed accusingly at him.

Beyond the doors parted again emitting the senior staff who'd been roused with the ship at Yellow alert.

The steely eyes of Commander zh'Roothi shifted between the oddly dressed man, the Vorta Administrator occupying the central location and Lieutenant Blake whom was not at his station. This was a curious incident indeed she concluded.

Wilkan looked at the Vorta Administrator, "That certainly is a lot." He turned toward the new arrival so that he could deal with one impossible situation at a time, "I trust they asked who you are?"

"Indeed, they did," the newcomer answered. "As I told them I'm just an observer. Nothing more."

"Enigmas are overrated. I prefer to know the names of the people aboard my ship," the Commodore explained as he approached the Human looking alien.

This time the alien relented, "I've had many names throughout my lifetime, Commodore: Ardra, Bettatan'ru, Loki, Minooki. You may know me best as Q."

Kuzos looked at the Commodore, "What is a Q?'

"Normally a letter of our alphabet, but this time we're speaking with a member of a species of nearly omnipotent beings that like to mettle in the affairs of others. You, though, you aren't the Q with which I'm familiar. He told us that the Continuum was dying and that he was one of the last. That was nearly 40 years ago."

The Q smirked at the description, "Ah yes, but that wasn't me. It's sad that for all of his teachings that he never got your kind to progress beyond the basics of the galaxy, to understand that sometimes you didn't need to think so linearly. I'd have hoped that you'd have started to think beyond such three-dimensional terms. I'm here to observe, for now, but maybe we need to have a class of our own?"

"Commodore, excuse me, the planet being attacked. Your officers in subornation to both my orders and his duty shift supervisor. Not to mention your hologram. If your officers perceive me like this, then our alliance is going to be very short." Kuzos finished.

"I suppose you could say that the plot thickens?" Q quipped.

Wilkan looked at the Q before looking back to Kuzos, "Administrator, I appreciate your concerns and I guarantee that I will look into them, but protocol dictates that I resolve the situation with the Q first and respond to the distress call."

"Resolve? Consider it done. I am only here to observe, as I said, you can consider me... what do you call it... a fly on the wall?" Q said trying to sound helpful.

"Q, in our experience it is very hard for you and your people to be a fly on the wall. Until such time as necessary though, I will act as if you are being genuine in not interfering. Helm, estimated arrival time for the source of the distress call?" Wilkan asked as he looked at the Helm.

Taasah answered, "Seventeen minutes at present speed."

"And still no confirmed targets?" Wilkan looked at the Tactical Officer.

"No Sir," Vriq'ta interrupted from the Science Station, wondering if he'd ended his career before it really started.

"I had asked Tactical, Lieutenant," the Commodore replied. "I'm going to my Ready Room to investigate further. Commander, please accompany me," he ordered looking at zh'Roothi. He turned and looked at Vriq'ta, realizing that this was his shift in command. He paused a moment while considering his options before turning to the Second Officer, "Ash, you have the Bridge."

"Aye, Captain. I have the bridge." The Chief Engineer responded as she moved to the Command Diaz and hopped up on to the seat, her feet tangling, and brought up her command interface.

The XO nodded mutely and followed the Commodore.

"Hmm, yes. Well, if I am not needed, I will return to my cabin." Kuzos said to anyone who might be listening but before he left, he spoke to Vriq'ta. "Thank you for your professionalism and being so gracious. it is a trait others would be well advised to learn." He finished looking at Blake and Galatea.

If looks could kill Blake would have been in the brig quick as lightning for the cold stare he gave the Vorta as he departed at last from the bridge. The young man unfurled his taught fist and returned to his station, though his eye lingered on the Q with caution.

Kuzos laughed at Blake and his stare. "Oh Lieutenant, you have to do better than that and you should however remember this. If you were on a Dominion ship, you would be dead for your inaction. So, this your lucky day that you are not." He finished, his tone going glacially cold A far cry from his usually exuberant tone.

Ash regarded their, loitering, Q for a few seconds, taking care not to focus her more, esoteric, senses on his person and considered their current purpose and proposed course of action in response to the distress call. Probabilities coalesced and dissipated in unusual ways as the Tuansee contemplated the likelihoods and, after a few seconds, she abandoned the exercise and turned her attention to the main viewer and tapped her Com Badge.

=/\= Bridge to Sick bay. We are on approach to the Cheluan home world and have received a distress call indicating they are under attack. Prepare for potential casualties and medical teams assembled to provide aid, planet side.=/\= The second officer ordered.

"I just got to Sickbay, Chief, but my teams are already working on it," the Romulan Chief Medical Officer answered.

"Understood, Doctor. Bridge out." Ash replied closing out the comm and looked to their Chief Science Officer. "Lieutenant Esrad, perform a cumulative, long exposure, analysis of our sensor readings. Lets see if the interference is isolated to our ghosts or to the system in general." She proposed, wanting to establish a detailed scan of the system while they were on approach to identify any tactical advantage to be leveraged.

Lieutenant Esrad had been watching the Q and barely noticed that Commander Ash had been speaking with him. Pulling himself back to the real world, the Bolian nodded and hoped he'd gotten the entirety of the order, "Starting scans now, Commander."

"Interesting," Q interjected, "How your focus has so quickly returned to the plight of the Cheluans. Why do you concern yourselves with their needs?"

"Why, when there is nothing in it for us, are we concerning ourselves with the plight of the Cheluans? Why are we rushing, headlong, into a potential conflict against an, unknown, adversary on their behalf?" Ash stated in return, clarifying the question of Q, as she understood it, and then looked to Q. "I do not really know the answer to that question and can, only, observe that it is what we do. We run into burning houses to save the lives, trapped within, at the risk of our own lives." She stated, simply. "A, collective, mental defect in the estimation of many." She added, pointedly.

Q flashed a devious, devilish grin, "Perhaps we should test that theory?" He snapped his fingers, whisking the entire Bridge crew away.

 

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