Politically Incorrect

Posted on Sun Jun 22nd, 2025 @ 1:54pm by Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Commander Zhora zh'Roothi

2,536 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Ready Room, U.S.S. Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-03-14, 16:00

Debating if this was a wise idea or not Commander zh'Roothi had been swinging on both sides of her own argument without reaching a clear conclusion. Her entire day had been off kilt thanks for the surprise discovery in the Fantail Lounge this morning. Discovering the Commodore had given their Dominion guest a field promotion, a senior position upon the roster, and a Starfleet uniform of which he wore with a level arrogance that was causing a ripple among the crew.

There, of course would have been sound logic behind this decision, and most likely a diplomatic influence to promote the Vorta into such a coveted position. Perhaps similarly to how they were forced to accept his presence in the first place Targaryen had little choice in handing out the pips and insignia to show how the relationship between the Federation and Dominion was shifting.

The XO scowled - she hated playing politics, being delicate with false smiles and silky-smooth veld lies weren't her style. Her Andorian blood bristled for more than words and pleasantness, while her scientific brain yearned for control the zhen was often in conflict with herself at critical moments.

Maybe this was another one of those she concluded as she approached Targaryen's Ready Room to discuss the new additions to the crew and stabbed the chime before she changed her mind again.

"It's open," Wilkan Targaryen called from inside his office on the starboard side of the Enterprise's Bridge.

The door slid smoothly open as zh'Roothi advanced admitting her into the small, yet comfortable space.

"Commander," he greeted from his chair behind the desk. He looked up with his eyes, keeping his face forward toward the computer panel, "Thank you for showing the new arrivals to their cabins. I've been a bit preoccupied preparing for this next mission; Starfleet forwarded our mission orders right before we met the Uhura. We've been asked to begin a comprehensive survey of the Ennis and Stakoron Sectors for Starfleet. It's a bit exciting for me. When I commanded the Armstrong, I was assigned essentially the same mission before the war broke out."

His opening, planned or otherwise, had disarmed the woman and temporarily knocked the wind from her sails.

"They'll certainly keen to prove themselves so far, though aren't everyone?" zh'Roothi asked with a smirk having seen many crew members come and go over the years.

Wilkan was still reading over the report on the display. He hadn't served with Commander zh'Roothi for long, but deep down it felt like they'd been together for a long time. That was a good benefit to their relationship, and would serve the ship well.

"I can see why you find the mission exciting," the Commander nodded in agreement. "Documenting uncharted worlds and exploring the unknown has felt like lesser importance in recent decades. How much were you able to survey before being recalled previously?"

"Not as much as I would've hoped," the Commodore answered honestly. Pulling away from the computer terminal he pushed back into his chair, "Armstrong was assigned out here in 2370 and the Odyssey happened a few weeks into our mission. Starfleet Command pulled us back not long after, not wanting to risk a brand-new ship on an exploration mission in hostile territory. Irony was that our sister ship was Voyager." He chuckled, accidentally.

"And we all know what happened to her," zh'Roothi replied with a knowing smirk.

Targaryen paused a moment, debating on whether he should address the elephant. Still lounged in his chair, "Commander, I have to ask, is everything alright? You seemed preoccupied when the new arrivals beamed aboard."

"Yes," she exhaled a sigh and sat opposite him. "I have some concerns regarding our other new addition to the senior staff."

Wilkan nodded, "I doubt your concerns are about our new Doctor so I take it you mean Mister Kuzos?"

"Indeed," zh'Roothi confirmed. "Discovering he'd been brought into the fold without warning to consultation was both surprising and disappointing. It's made me question your reasoning behind the decision along with our working relationship." She paused momentarily before lifting her gaze to meet his eye: "Do you not trust me sir?"

"I do, Commander, otherwise you wouldn't be on my ship," Wilkan answered succinctly. He poured himself a cup of Bolian Tonic Water as he continued speaking, "That having been said, when it comes to Mister Kuzos none of us are really objective. The war was a long time ago, generations in fact, but it casts a specter even today. If we're ever to have a stronger relationship with the Dominion, we have to learn how to trust each other. How better than by making him an actual part of the crew?"

"Then, wasn't I at least informed of his enrollment?" zh'Roothi replied quickly. "While I understand the diplomatic importance and symbology of integrating him into the rooster I would have like an opportunity to have been consulted prior to his selection."

Wilkan poured a second cup for his Executive Officer. Sliding the cup forward, "Commander, a frank question, what would your answer have been?"

She stared at the cup but didn't accept it just yet, there was more she needed to express and process before it ate her. "That it's too soon, a longer period of time should have been allowed to pass to assess his abilities and motive."

"And that's a valid answer," he spoke honestly. "Most likely the same answer that I'd give if our roles were reversed and you were the Captain and I the First Officer. The problem is we can't keep treating each other like the enemy. That's part of why Q tested us, to see if we could move beyond."

Shifting her gaze towards the Commodore she spoke again: "Has Q's intervention influenced your opinion? You were reluctant to accept the Administrator when it was first proposed and was uneasy when he arrived aboard."

"Q made some good points," Targaryen answered as he considered the discussion he'd had with the interstellar alien. "If we keep treating him like an enemy, he's going to stay one. If we don't start taking little steps, then the Federation and the Dominion are never going to have a lasting peace." He noticed she still hadn't taken the cup. Instead of offering it again, he continued on.

"You know I chuckled earlier when I mentioned Voyager, but we're not too dissimilar to their situation when you think about it. Even though the Wormhole is a hop, skip, and a jump away, we're really alone in an essentially uncharted part of the galaxy. We've made some friends, and already some enemies. The Dominion know some of the dangers that we're going to face out here, but the truth is that we all have to work together if we're going to survive. Kuzos accepted the Battlefield Commission that was offered and agreed to follow our rules as one crew, a Starfleet crew. We're going to hold him to the same standards as any other member of this crew, and that means that he follows our rules too. We all have to find a way to work together."

zh'Roothi sat back in her seat reflecting upon his words. He made it sound so very simple, so black and white and viewed with rose tinted spectacles.

No, she corrected herself he'd approached the whole scenario as a diplomatic officer smoothing over the frayed edges of conflicting parties with fragile words and exceptions.

"Neither Neelix or Seven of Nine were given a field commission on Voyager if memory serves," the Andorian challenged.

And Wilkan countered, "Janeway gave many field commissions, Commander. The Maquis, for example, were all given field commissions and they were all wanted criminals Voyager had been sent to apprehend. Neelix was made Federation Ambassador to the Delta Quadrant. Seven of Nine is a lesson to us though. Think about her history and what all happened to her in her lifetime. Assimilated by the Borg, later used against multiple civilizations as a weapon of mass destruction, and even was a candidate to become the Borg Queen should the sitting Queen be lost. Yet, Seven of Nine became something far more than the sum of her Borg parts, and Starfleet shortsightedly ignored what she brought to the table for many years, leading her to join the Fenris Rangers. If Picard hadn't given her the Battlefield Commission she never would've been accepted into Starfleet at all, she never would have become my predecessor on the G, and we'd probably all be dead because she helped fight back the Borg invasion at Frontier Day."

She wanted to wave him down with exasperation as Targaryen made his point. Instead, obediently she listened before continuing.

"This isn't about them or what's transpired previously. We're talking about our crew and the need to move forward as one. Having Kuzos part of that I believe will be troublesome, he's manipulative, sly, and up until recently has been a mild security threat. His appearance in a Starfleet Uniform has already caused quite a stir among the crew."

"Maybe it will give them the kick in their complacency that they may need, Commander," Wilkan put it succinctly. "I know that's not the politically correct answer, I know it's not a popular answer, but it's a reality. Seeing Kuzos in the uniform, serving with Starfleet as this vessel's Tactical Officer, it's a frightening prospect for many. Probably no different than what those who saw Mister Worf settling in on the Enterprise-D or Nog joining the crew of the Defiant may've thought. Nonetheless, I've heard you and I understand your concerns on the matter because you've made them very clear. So, I have a strategy to ensure that Kuzos doesn't become a threat and that he becomes a model Starfleet Officer." The Commodore smiled devilishly, "You're his mentor."

Instantly zh'Roothi sat straighter and her antenna stiffened in alarm. "Captain, no, t-there must be another more suitable candidate." she stammered slightly the prospect of spending prolonged time with the Vorta churned her stomach. "He's intolerable and incorrigible, I don't think this would be wise."

"Well, Commander, you stand for the crew. I can't think of a better candidate," Commodore Targaryen answered quickly then he glanced at his monitor, "So, if you'll excuse me, Commander, I have to prepare for our survey mission. Was there something else you wanted to discuss?"

The Andorian bit back a sigh knowing this meeting was over no matter how hard she'd argue otherwise. "No, sir." she responded in an even tone masking her disappointment and frustration.

"If you're certain," the Enterprise's Commanding Officer replied, sensing her frustration at the situation. "I expect regular reports on your progress."

With her lip taught zh'Roothi stood. "Understood."

Wilkan decided to probe further, "If I didn't think this was for the greater good, I wouldn't have done it."

"No need to explain, sir." zh'Roothi responded with a sliver of frustration slipping out. "I know my place."

"Really?" Wilkan asked. "Where's that?"

"To be seen but not heard," came her bitter reply.

The Commodore pulled back from his desk and sat silently staring at the Andorian Commander. A million different answers ran through his head, ranging from downright adversarial to accommodating. He had expected for there to be strife from his decision, but not to this extent. Had he made the wrong decision in more ways than one?

"I'm sorry you feel that way. As this mission prioritizes building a stronger relationship between the Federation and the Dominion, we need to ensure we are focused on doing what is right. You're allowed to disagree with me, in fact I prefer it, but to say I don't listen to you or your opinions is out of line, Commander, not only on a professional but a personal level as an El-Aurian."

The moment the words had formed zh'Roothi knew she'd crossed a line and would be reprimanded for it. She'd allowed her hot headiness to dominate her actions as it had this morning in the cafe with Kuzos. The Vorta had squirmed under her skin and remained there all day thus creating her off-beat mood which had inevitably led to this moment. Consequently she deserved a stern ticking off form the Commanding Officer for her disregard of authority - ironically the topic of respect had been on her agenda to discuss but had been lost in the wind.

Truthfully, she was more disappointed in herself than Targaryen's instruction to shape the Dominion Liaison into a model officer for the sake of building relationships between their factions. She lacked the ability to conduct herself appropriately and rightly so he'd called her out.

Now feeling ashamed her mood shifted downward quickly: "I apologise, sir," she murmured.

"I'm certain of that," Targaryen answered matter-of-factly. "Now is the time to show it and prove to me that you're still the person I selected as my Exec over 200 other stellar candidates. I want you to consider your career and where it will be going otherwise, well, I will notify Starfleet Command to submit candidates for your replacement."

The pit of shame zh'Roothi had put herself into deepened into a chasm that threatened to swallow her whole at the prospect of being replaced.

For a flashing instant that rage spiked forth calling for her to call his bluff and continue to act inappropriately - granted it would cost her the very coveted position she held on the Federation flagship, but she'd been free of dealing with Kuzos, at least until another equally annoying person filled the void. Then, of course she'd had to live with the fact she'd thrown away the pinnacle chance of her career on a whim, and for what purpose?

Closing her eyes and inhaling zh'Roothi quashed those heated thoughts into submission before collecting herself at last. She met his gaze again: "I understand, sir. It won't happen again."

The Enterprise's Commanding Officer listened to what the Executive Officer had said to him, all of it still floating around inside of his head. He still wasn't entirely certain that he wouldn't have had a similar reaction if their roles were reversed, which was why he was giving her a midge of a benefit of a doubt. Rather he really would dismiss her from the ship was another matter because, frankly, he expected the best of the best to be his XO, and he had that with her. If their relationship could be mended though. That was the true test of what was to come.

"I appreciate your candor, Zhora, and that will not change. Your apology is accepted, with the caveat that we both realize that there will be times where we don't agree. When that happens, the truth is that the final decision is still mine. We have to appear as a united front, even when we're not," Wilkan informed, still seated behind his desk. "Now, I'd like to resume preparing for our mission. If there's nothing else, you're dismissed." He returned to his desktop monitor and the report.

With a curt nod zh'Roothi crossed the room to leave without any further comment save for the air of regret regarding her mannerism that lingered behind. Today was certainly a day to forget.

 

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