The End

Posted on Mon Jun 9th, 2025 @ 3:34am by Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Lieutenant Commander Kuzos

1,526 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: InQuiry
Location: Ready Room, U.S.S. Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-03-13, 23:00

Commodore Wilkan Targaryen sat in his office adjacent to the Bridge of the Starship Enterprise reflecting on the events of the previous mission. Q had put them through their paces and, in many ways, had opened the crew's eyes to many things that they may not have previously considered. That was a gift, but it was also a call to action and Wilkan knew what he had to do.

Not long after the trials Q had subjected them to ended, Wilkan reviewed his options regarding the crew and their placement within the Gamma Quadrant mission. Already, he knew that he needed to make some critical changes. Among the changes was the role of Administrator Kuzos aboard the Enterprise. Having spoken with the Dominion High Command, Wilkan knew what he wanted to do next, but that would also depend upon the Administrator himself.

Sitting alone in his office, the Commodore awaited his arrival.

Moments later Kuzos arrived at the Commodore's office. He had no idea why he had been summoned as he reviewed his actions over the past views days and nothing leaped into his mind that would require discipline or any sort of corrective action. He sighed and pushed the chime, realizing the only way he was going to know what the commodore wanted was to enter the office.

Wilkan watched as Administrator Kuzos joined him in the Ready Room. Wilkan rose from his own seat behind the desk and motioned toward the lounge area of the office across from the work area. Consisting of two chairs and a couch, separated by a small coffee table holding a chess set, Wilkan took a seat on the couch below the window. "Thank you for coming so quickly. I should've expected the punctuality."

Kuzos followed the Commodore into the lounge area. He took the seat facing the Commodore and the chess set. "You asked for me to come. Punctuality is part of the Dominion way, to be tardy is frowned upon and not beneficial to one's career. I do however confess to a certain amount of curiosity as to why I was summoned."

"I paid attention during this mission to you, your actions, and how people reacted to those actions. When this mission started, I'd heard you were making efforts to sit in my chair," the Commodore said with a smile, "and that eventually became you acting on our behalf to defend this crew from the Jem'Hadar and later the Vaadwaur in Q's scenarios. Correct me if I'm wrong in that assessment, Administrator, because I like to be certain of things."

To his credit Kuzos didn't deny what the Commodore had said about him trying to sit in the captain's chair. His smile grew at the comment. "Yes. that is true, I was trying to sit in your chair. I heard two junior officers talking about it in a game called bingo?" As for my actions. I did what needed to be done, what had to be done. As to how the crew reacted. I think there were several and are several that resent my actions. After all Commodore, I am the face of a former enemy."

"Do you know a Vorta named Luaran?" Commodore Targaryen asked as he picked up a datapad that was laying on the corner of the coffee table.

"I knew a Vorta named Luaran Commodore. She was killed during the war. She commanded an attack ship." Kuzos corrected. "Is there a particular reason for that question?"

The Commodore answered as he clutched the datapad, "I spoke with her latest incarnation a short while ago, about you actually. As you may know, when the Dominion approved the Federation access to the Gamma Quadrant you were selected as the direct liaison with Starfleet aboard the Enterprise. When I contacted Odo earlier today, he directed me to Luaran to discuss your future with us due to her administrative role within the Dominion hierarchy. Let's face the truth: as just the Dominion Liaison you're limited aboard this ship and probably will remain that way. You said it yourself; you're a face from a brutally devastating war that cost a lot of lives where I come from and vice versa. To overcome that and allow you to better serve in your role as the Dominion Liaison, Starfleet Command and the Dominion have agreed to give you a field commission in Starfleet as a Lieutenant Commander and I am installing you as this ship's senior Tactical Officer." He handed the PADD off.

Kuzos reached a hand out and slowly took the PADD from the Commodore as if it were alive. His eyes scrawled over the information in contained after a moment he placed the PADD down and looked across the space at Targaryen. "You spoke to Luaran about me? Why?" He shook his head, "I don't wish to appear ungrateful. I am not but a field commission as an officer in your Starfleet? I'm afraid that will just make those who already resent my presence here even more adamant. That my commission makes a mockery of Starfleet. In addition, what of my rank with the Dominion? I am a captain there or was." He looked at Targaryen, "I thought Founder Odo liked me, I performed my duties well, this assignment included." His tone indicating he felt he was being cast aside. The next moment his voice hardened, "Has this already been decided without my input or am I allowed the luxury of making my own decision in this matter?"

"It is of course your decision, Mister Kuzos, whether you would like to accept or not," the Commodore answered, somewhat surprised by the reaction from the Vorta Liaison. He paused a moment before he said anything else, instead leaning back into the couch as he observed the Vorta before him and wondered what could have led them down this path. Kuzos made a good point - he was a Vorta Administrator, their equivalent of Captain, and not holding a comparable role aboard the Enterprise may've been surprising. If Wilkan had been placed in a similar position aboard a Dominion ship, he wasn't too sure he wouldn't feel the same.

Tapping his fingers against the back of the couch, the Commodore looked out the window before turning back toward the Administrator, "I don't disagree with you."

"You don't disagree but you'd like me to accept the commission," Kuzos said flatly. "I feel disrespected by all sides. I have been loyal to the Founders and the Dominion and it seems that has all been forgotten and they want me out of the way. I am a captain. I earned that rank through hard work and now I'm being offered a lower rank as if it is some grand prize."

"Your rank and position within the Dominion wouldn't be going away, Administrator," the Commodore answered. "This would be a second commission within Starfleet, separate from the Dominion role." Wilkan paused, considering how to proceed. "I was impressed by what I saw during the scenarios that Q presented us with and how you responded to them. I want you to be a bigger part of the team aboard this ship, but I understand if you're uncomfortable with that offer. I'll cancel the proposal and we can pretend that this never happened," Wilkan answered, positioning his hand to retake the PADD from Kuzos.

Kuzos didn't rush to hand the PADD back. He seemed to look more at ease knowing his Dominion rank would remain intact. "I told Founder Odo, I would do what was needed to establish a peaceful relationship between our two governments. You have been open and honest with me, it seems I should only continue to be the same with you. Though I am concerned with how your officers will feel about this."

"As far as I am concerned, Mister Kuzos, that's their problem and not mine or yours," the Enterprise's Commanding Officer answered directly.

"You have a point Commodore." Kuzos replied, his smile returning.

"I often do," Targaryen answered. "So, do you accept our offer, or do you refuse?"

"I believe I will accept your offer Commodore, I will continue to perform my duty as Founder Odo wished. Plus there is still much of your ship that I have yet to see." He paused, "Oh, one thing , am I required to wear a Starfleet uniform?"

"My preference is for you to wear the Starfleet uniform," Wilkan motioned toward the PADD, "but you'll find I have given you dispensation to continue wearing the Dominion uniform, if you prefer. Regardless, you will, however, wear a Starfleet Communicator and rank insignia."

"A just compromise." Kuzos replied. "I believe I will wear your Starfleet uniform after all, how does the saying go? When in Rome..."

The Enterprise's Commanding Officer smiled and nodded graciously, "Very good. Report to the Quartermaster, Commander, and welcome aboard the Enterprise. Dismissed"

Kuzos rose fluidly to his feet. he stood facing the Commodore. He gave a short crisp nod of his head. "Thank you Commodore. To continuance. I shall see the Quartermaster directly."

Wilkan nodded appreciative and returned to work as the Enterprise traveled through the stars toward her next mission.

 

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