I Don't Want to Change the World

Posted on Wed Jan 14th, 2026 @ 2:44am by Rear Admiral Veegg & Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Commander Zhora zh'Roothi

1,519 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Distress
Location: Ward Room, Deep Space 47
Timeline: 2439-08-12, 12:45

Captain's Log, Supplemental Entry:

After our ordeal both Enterprise and Defiant have been recalled to Deep Space 47 for repairs. I am not looking forward to what comes next, but I'm certain that - whatever the outcome - things will go as they were meant to.

Vice Admiral Astran Deix stood next to the oval shaped window of Deep Space 47's Ward Room just watching the stars. Despite being stationed on Earth, Admiral Deix was the Gamma Quadrant Commander and was the Starfleet Officer responsible for all missions assigned to the Gamma Quadrant. Because of the situation that had befallen Deep Space 47, Fleet Admiral Dazad had ordered him to travel to the Gamma Quadrant to get a feel for what had happened and to plan for the future.

Problem was he'd already been on his way to Deep Space 9 about the Gamma Quadrant when he'd gotten the call. The Klingon Empire had found out about Starfleet's operations in the Gamma Quadrant, and they were not very happy to have been left out of the party. A conference was to occur at DS9 with him as the Federation's lead representative when he'd gotten the call. Now he had more than one disaster to worry about and he really didn't know exactly how either would go.

Glancing down at the lower docking platforms, Astran caught sight of the Shenzhou hanging from DS47. The more he thought about it the more he missed just serving amongst the stars on a starship. Hell, if he'd had it his way, he'd be out here right now commanding the Shenzhou on an exploratory mission instead of Veegg. He knew that the Fleet Admiral would never go for it, but it was nice to dream.

Hearing the doors slide open, the Vice Admiral turned to see Commander Zhora zh'Roothi enter. Smiling politely, he motioned toward the table. "Have a seat, Commander," he insisted as he walked toward the replicator. "Can I get you anything? I myself am a fan of Andorian Katheka."

The Andorian officer returned his smile wondering if the Admiral was being truthful in his choice, or if it was a gesture to put her at ease. Either way, it was welcomed after the challenging, tiring day she'd endured.

"Katheka would be most welcome, thank you Admiral," Zhora replied and eased a chair out from beneath the table, grateful for the momentarily reprise of standing.

Picking up the two mugs, he set one on the table before the Commander, "It surprises me you don't hear more about Katheka. It's usually Raktajino, or coffee, or that insufferable Earl Grey Tea that gets the hype."

A smirk danced across her lips at the comment. "Hype made some famous faces," she replied pulling the mug closer to inhale the heavy aroma. "Their loss in my opinion."

"Indeed. So, tell me about what the Hell happened on this station," he got right to it then took a drink of the Katheka.

Zhora had been expecting him to cut the pleasantries quick - the offer of a seat and hot drink had been just a temporary relief before diving off into the deep end.

"The Enterprise arrived as soon as we could, however between losing contact with the station and our arrival an hour had passed," the Andorian woman began. "Within that time the station was attacked by an unknown force with vicious speed and such brutalisation it was shocking. The station was running dark and cold when our away teams boarded to investigate. We found no signs of life, just corpses, lots of them. Commander Randall and her team discovered the vast population had been herded into the cargo hold and executed," her voice quivered slightly at the scene Ash had described.

Admiral Deix listened carefully to what Commander zh'Roothi had said, considering the implications of what had happened aboard the station. Thinking carefully about the execution he asked, "I wonder why they weren't vaporized. A phaser..."

"No," Zhora shook her head, her voice steadier. "Not by phaser fire. Without an autopsy to confirm for certain they appeared to have been killed by a projectile weapon. Designed for maximum hemorrhage and zero change of survival."

"Or potentially an energy-based weapon simply designed to inflict maximum damage," Deix continued. "Jem'Hadar weapons, for example, fire lethal disruptor bursts with anti-coagulants designed to slowly kill their enemies if the burst itself did not. We can't rule out the possibility that the Dominion wasn't behind this, Commander."

"That was my first thought, sir." Zhora nodded. "Especially after our teams discovered Houdini mines left behind by the invasion party at strategic locations."

Astran had a faraway look in his eyes, almost as if he were a galaxy away, as he was contemplating the situation with which they were faced. His brow was furrowed, and his hand was propped under his chin as he considered everything that Commander zh'Roothi was saying. "I know your background is as a Science Officer, but what is your analysis from a tactical perspective?"

Taking a sip from the mug bought her time to respond and test a theory she'd been building "I have a theory, perhaps it's a rather unorthodox Admiral." She lowered her mug and met his eye. "That assault had aid from the inside. "

This piqued his interest, "Explain."

"Our early discoveries pointed to the Dominion, however once we'd begun to restore systems my suspicions shifted," Zhora explained giving the Admiral the details of the carefully shut down to the fusion reactors an act that would require a knowledgeable and experienced hand to prevent catastrophe. She went on to include the corrupted computer files that conveniently covered the hours prior to and including the assault.

Astran listened carefully as the Commander shared her theory. Considering the ramifications, "So, if it was an inside job, who was at fault? We've accounted for everyone. They're all dead."

"I did say my theory was unorthodox," she reminded him. "There's more. Something else planted into the computer disguised within the distress call from Shibren that began to transmit the moment power was restored. I believe it was a virus of sorts, as it resisted our attempts to purge or remove it. Immediately after the transmission broadcast both Enterprise and Defiant were on a collision course to the central star in the Idran System at Warp 5."

"We'd still be groping in the dark and two ships down if it hadn't been for Commander Bernadotte's data chip that overrode the damaged codes thus returning full control of both the station and our ships. A chip from the Terran Empire."

Admiral Deix's whole disposition changed almost immediately, "How the Hell did Commander Bernadotte get access to a chip from the Terran Empire?" He paused and lifted a hand, "Wait. That's a discussion for another day. This conversation is about you, Commander."

Zhora was ready to respond with further details of Bernadotte's chip and its ability to override the system lock out thus allowing their ships to the station. Any questions could be addressed to the Commander personally as the Enterprise would be arriving within the hour. Instead she found herself staring perhaps a little blankly at the Admiral as he swiftly changed topics.

"I'm sorry sir, I do not follow."

"Starfleet Command believes that this tragedy was partially because we left Deep Space 47 behind for so long. That will be changing very quickly. The Corps of Engineers are already being dispatched to retrofit 47 to make this station into a literal fortress. I'd like you to oversee it," the Ligonian explained. "Starfleet Command is prepared to make you the new Commanding Officer of DS47, effective immediately."

"I see," the Andorian Commander replied slowly attempting to digest this unexpected turn of events. She remained still for a moment before addressing the Admiral once more: "Respectfully sir, my place is on the Enterprise."

"Oh, confound it, Commander! Are you afraid of success? I have news for you the days where Starfleet pulled out the Captain's Chair for Will Riker four times before he finally accepted command of the Titan on the fifth are long since gone. Starfleet needs good Captains and there are a lot of young hotshots out there. You may be hurting your career by staying put." The Admiral took a sip of his Katheka, "You have one day to reconsider your decision, or I will move on to the next candidate. Until then, Enterprise will be returning to DS9. Please share these orders with Commodore Targaryen," he handed off the datapad to the Andorian.

"Dismissed."

Her eyes glanced briefly at the datapad, the contents sealed to Wilkam's biometrics before returning her gaze to the Admiral. Her rejection to his proposal hung heavily in the air as if her decision was about to cause him a great deal of inconvenience and more admin than he'd liked.

"DS9?" She repeated questioning before she could stop herself.

"DS9," he echoed before adding, "Think about it, but don't take too long. If you change your mind, I'll be heading back to DS9 myself later today. Dismissed." The Vice Admiral ordered as he returned to work.

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