A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Posted on Mon Jun 16th, 2025 @ 2:48pm by Commander Zhora zh'Roothi & Lieutenant Commander Kuzos
Edited on on Mon Jun 16th, 2025 @ 2:50pm

1,514 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Fantail Lounge
Timeline: 2439-03-14, 08:00

The following morning after the Q's intensive tests upon the crew by recreating various historic battles, Commander zh'Roothi was in the Fantail lounge located at the rear of the vessel enjoying her morning coffee while taking in the mood of the crew.

It was part of her morning routine along with tending to the various plants that adorned her quarters, then followed by yoga and a cold refreshing shower. It offered her the chance to mingle in a casual state, or at least was the plan. It was however, often a solitude event given her senior position most of the crew members, especially the younger officers gave her a wide berth as if fearful of her presence. This morning routine had been far more social back when she was a Science Officer - a small price to pay for ambition Zhora reminded herself as she continued to sip her coffee.

Kuzos entered the lounge and the conversation grew quiet and stopped as all eyes in the room looked at him in a Starfleet uniform and three pips on his collar. He stopped and looked at the assembled crowd. "Have you never seen a Lieutenant Commander before? Go back to what you were doing." As he walked to the replicator and got him a glass of tea and went to sit by himself.

Acute to the mood in the room zh'Roothi felt it instantly change the moment Kuzos entered, since his arrival on the Enterprise the Vorta had that affect everywhere as the crew struggled to adapt to his presence. A small part of the Andorian woman felt relieved that someone else aside from Targaryen and her were on the outside. Despite that she held no pity for the Administrator and no desire to smooth things over due to his unlikable personality and nature. Unfortunately she was duty bound to remain professional and neutral - a tricky balance zh'Roothi had discovered in their previous meetings.

Today, however things were very different as his arrival in the lounge had caused her to start and spill her coffee. Muttering a curse while wiping her chin zh'Rooth felt a wave of anger rise at the sight of the Vorta brazenly wearing a Starfleet Uniform and pips. Had the Commodore or Starfleet made a deal to give him a field commission - and without her knowledge? Or was he just simply pressing her buttons for kicks? Knowing the Vorta it could simply be the latter.

She crossed to his table quickly. "Playing fancy dress this morning Administrator?" she asked with false humour attempting reining herself in and starting the day off on the wrong foot.

Kuzos peered over the rim of his glass at her. "Commander zh'Roothi, this is an unexpected encounter." He purred at her. "Is this a formal conversation or did you just stop by to chat? As for the fancy dress, I take it you mean the uniform and obviously the Commodore has not informed you so, I shall. He was impressed with my actions in the various scenarios constructed by the Q being and he, Starfleet and my superiors decided to offer me a field commission of Lieutenant Commander and Chief Tactical Officer aboard this ship. Do I sense disapproval?" He finished looking up at her and seeing the coffee stain on her uniform. "I do hope that stain wasn't because of the shock you must have felt seeing me in this uniform." He didn't smile for once.

She scowled at his last comment and stole a quick glance of annoyance at her attire. This morning was under threat of going from bad to worse as Kuzos explained what she'd feared had transpired overnight. It took some control not to speak out of place in such a public location, instead the Commander continued with the false humour. "It was quite a surprise, yes. May I sit?" she asked indicating to the vacant seat opposite him.

He nodded, "Yes, I suppose it was." He followed her gesture with eyes. " What? Oh yes, where are my manners? Yes, please do. You disapprove of me wearing this uniform do you not? You feel I sully the honour of Starfleet. Do not feel the need to be diplomatic Commander. It doesn't suit you. Honesty is so much better."

Her antennae swivelled with surprise as he spoke taking the words right out of mouth. This made her question her game face and if Riavria in their short lived poker game thought the same. "Wow," zh'Roothi said deflecting the question while inhaling dramatically before sitting. "You certainly have a way with words."

"Indeed. I mean no offence Commander. I just find it better to be honest in situations like this than hide behind vague words and meanings or veiled threats. Honesty is such a much better emotion and you did not answer my question." He pointed out.

Resisting urge to scoff at his retort on honesty zh'Roothi double backed on his previous. "My opinion of your position and wearing the uniform is irrelevant. How you conduct yourself in it, however is my concern."

"I totally disagree Commander. I also see by your expression you doubt my statement of being honest." He shook his head slowly from side to side. "I feel we cannot work together if you cannot be honest in a situation here between the two of us." He countered.

The First Officer lent back in her seat contemplating why she chose to sit down in the first place and why she couldn't let sleeping dogs lay. "What situation?" she asked. "What Commodore Targaryen and Starfleet decide to do is beyond my control. Offering you a position wouldn't have been my choice if given one, but that's why I'm here and they'll not."

"Do not insult my intelligence Commander. You know to what I refer. You do not like me based simply on my appearance along with who my superiors are." He looked around the lounge before his gaze settled back on her. "I see Klingons, Andorrans, Betazoids here. I know of the Romulan doctor. Some of them were former enemies and even now may be uneasy ... associates. Do you harbour the same disdain for them or is that just reserved for me?"

"They've all earned the right to be here," zh'Roothi replied stiffly disliking the way Kuzos was labelling her to be racist and biased. "Through years of hard work and dedication to our shared purpose. These officers are among the most talented in Starfleet, and exceptionally well trained. I trust them explicitly, which, is more than I can say for you."

"See? That wasn't so hard was it? You speak of hard work and being exceptionally well trained. I guess my training and hard work are of no concern or consequence to you. Correct me if I am wrong, are we not sharing a shared purpose? As for trust it is earned and I obviously have not done enough to earn yours. More to pity."

Her anger flared again at his flippant attitude and constant probing. Rationally zh'Roothi knew he had a point and properly deserved an apology regarding her behaviour this morning. A trickle of that sensibility had filtered through just enough to give her pause before acting foolishly but bore evidence on her body as it stiffened with tension.

"Time will tell," she responded.

He looked at her in silence at her last reply concerning trust He felt he had made some key points in their give and take discussion and given her something to think on, but as she had just stated time would tell. "Indeed Commander, indeed." Though he did wonder at how their working together would go. Would they be able to work and function smoothly or would there be friction?

Stubbornly the XO held his eye as he gazed at her as if assessing her next move and made no further comment forcing a heavy silence to fall over them.

Kuzos matched zh'Roothi's steely gaze with one of his own as the two just stared across the open space between the two stubborn officers.

The awkwardness was broken by the XO's comm: "Bridge to Commander zh'Roothi," it interrupted the staring match.

Without shifting her gaze the Commander touched her badge. "Go ahead."

"The Commodore has requested that you meet him in Transporter Room One to greet the new senior staff members from the Uhura."

"Understood."

With the channel closed zh'Roothi finally relented her piercing gaze and stood to leave. Attempting to remain civil in the lounge and maintain a level of dignity she tipped her head slightly before leaving. "Commander," she acknowledged his new rank with a passing wave of nausea and displeasure.

Kuzos continued to stare at zh'Roothi. His eyes like twin phasers boring into her. Only when she got up and moved past him did he speak. "Thank you for a most interesting conversation Commander. Until next time."

With her back to him the Andorian scowled and pressed the remains of her morning coffee into the replicator resounded to the fact that this day could only get better from here.

 

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