Still Breathing

Posted on Mon Feb 9th, 2026 @ 12:39am by Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Lieutenant Commander Sora Bernadotte

1,874 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: 7. Guile
Location: Ready Room, USS Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-08-13, 07:45

Commodore Wilkan Targaryen skimmed through the report on his upcoming meeting with the Klingons once more, but his heart wasn't really in it. Only a few moments ago Commander zh'Roothi and Commander Kuzos had left his office after their quick meeting about the future of the Gamma Quadrant. For the first time in this mission, Wilkan worried that the situation may be untenable. To learn that the Dominion was deploying a fleet to guard their side of the wormhole from the Klingons encroaching upon their territory was terrifying. Making it worse, it was their fault. In their efforts to gather more information they'd become the catalyst for the potential destruction.

That, however, wasn't what was bothering him. The thought of dealing with Vice Admiral Astran Deix was playing heavily on his mind. The exalted Gamma Quadrant Commander for the Federation, Admiral Deix had expressed a lot of concerns over the future of the Enterprise not because of the Klingon threat, but rather because of Wilkan's choice in crew. Already he'd notified Commander Kuzos of the Admiral's thoughts and decisions - which had gone over much like Wilkan expected - and now he had to relay the same to Commander Bernadotte.

As much as he loved his wife, he really wished that Loatha hadn't said anything about the chip. If Astran hadn't found out about it they wouldn't be in this mess. Really, he certainly could've contained the situation a bit better than it was. While Kuzos was a provisional officer and the Admiral's concerns made sense there, Sora didn't. She had been vetted not only by Wilkan, but also by the Federation and Starfleet. To fear her loyalty wasn't something that made sense to him. Maybe he was just frustrated, worried that the Federation was beginning to prioritize political optics over tactical reality.

Hearing the door chime, Wilkan turned toward the entryway, "Come in."

After the strange visit with the Bajoran Mystic, Sora had spoken to her sister Freya, who was, incidentally, on Earth to give a lecture at Starfleet Academy about intelligence cooperation between the Romulan Republic and Starfleet. While the Subadmiral had not been able to give any insight into what the mystic might have been talking about, or how she had gotten any of her information, she had been able to reassure Sora that there were currently no indications of a Terran incursion according to her sources in any of the Khitomer Alliance powers - and, Sora suspected, a source in the other universe itself.

Still, she was worried. After all, she did not really belong. Yes, Enterprise and her crew had quickly become a new home for her, but she was nevertheless a stranger to this universe, to this time. And now she had been summoned to the Commodore's office. Standing outside the door, she straightened her uniform, took a deep breath and pressed the door chime.

Sora entered the Commodore's office and stood at attention. "You wished to see me, sir?"

"I did," Wilkan's answer was quick. "Please sit."

Without another word, she did as instructed.

The Commodore watched as Commander Bernadotte took her seat across from him. Outside he was keeping his face as impassive as possible, trying not to betray the reality of the situation that they faced. Internally, he was seething at the failure that was going on around him. He didn't like what was happening and he knew that their bureaucratic wrangling was a direct threat to the mission's success.

"Starfleet Command has found out that you're a Terran, Commander, and they've spent the past twelve hours debating with me about your appointment here. The Admiral is prioritizing optics over tactical reality, though, and I have no intention of losing my Operations Manager; however, we need to adjust our profile to give them less ammunition. I wanted to give you this information so that you could be prepared for what was coming."

Sora listened to the Commodore's words, and, after a moment, shook her head. "That can't quite be right, sir. You say Starfleet Command found out I am Terran. They should already be well aware of that fact. Just over two years ago, when I first arrived in this universe, I was debriefed, thoroughly examined, and vetted by Starfleet Intelligence. Temporal Investigations, and even Section 31. And only when all of them were satisfied that I posed no threat to the Federation would they allow me to remain free, become a Federation citizen, and a Starfleet officer."

She contemplated for a moment, before muttering under her breath, "Could that be what she meant?". Again, she shook her head. "I would be more than happy to submit a number of references within all three of those organizations that would confirm what I just said. While my official Starfleet service record does not make mention of me being from another universe, or even my temporal displacement, that is due to its highly redacted nature. Anyone with sufficient clearance would be able to view the full, true record. So, I don't know what Command is playing at, but it most certainly won't be surprise at me being a Terran."

"I'm aware of all those things, Commander, and, while I appreciate the offer of character references, I'm not in need of them. This is my ship, this is my decision, and while I won't deny that you were forced on me by the Department of Temporal Investigations, that's an appointment that I am very much in support of. The reality is that Admiral Deix's concerns stem more from our last mission than anything. The loss of the crew of a starbase, coupled with a formal report on the method in which Enterprise and Defiant were recovered, triggered the Admiral's fear."

Wilkan rose from his chair and walked over to the window, his gaze temporarily catching the Defiant moving off at high speed. The Commodore crossed his arms and turned back toward the Terran, leaning against the window frame, his back momentarily feeling the cool touch of space. "This isn't about you, this is about me and my decisions. Starfleet Command has informed me that they'll be appointing a new Security Chief aboard the Enterprise and a Strategic Operations Officer. Please see to their quarters assignments," Wilkan smirked then pulled his lips back to a deadpan expression, "I told the Admiral you'd see to it personally."

Sora stood as well. "Of course, sir. Please forward their profiles to me, so that I can assign appropriate quarters." She hesitated for a moment. "Commodore, if I may speak freely. I do not at all appreciate being used as a pawn in personal squabbles. As I said to you when we discussed my origin, my loyalty, first and foremost, is to this ship, her crew, and her commanding officer. Following my debriefing and my admission into Starfleet, I was given two offers. I took the one with Temporal Investigations, reduced in rank to Lieutenant Commander, as you know. However, there was another agency interested in my services, one where I would have remained at my Terran rank of Commander, and likely been given a command much earlier than by following the path I chose. I have been assured that, despite my rejection, that path remains open to me."

She shrugged. "So, if it were to make your life, and that of the crew, easier, I could still request a reassignment. I would prefer to stay here, but the option is there."

His answer was simple and direct, "No." Atypically, though, he decided to add to his answer, "I'm not in the habit of giving up essential resources because someone's panties are in a bunch. Their profiles will be uploaded to your PADD shortly. See to their appointments personally," there was a slightly devious inclination to his tone.

The Terran simply nodded. "Aye, sir. I shall make sure that they will be comfortable on board," she added, an equally devious glint in her eye as she smiled. "Is there anything else you need from me, sir?"

"A Klingon delegation will be arriving shortly. Commander zh'Roothi and I will be aboard the station to take part in the conference with them. As Commander Randall is traveling to Bajor you're in command of the Enterprise until I return. I know that most of the crew are off enjoying shore leave, but take care of the ship." It was odd, almost like clockwork the Klingon Bird of Prey escorting the Klingon Ambassador dropped out of warp in the distance. The Defiant moved alongside, barely perceptible in the vastness of space.

Sora simply nodded. As the ship was docked at one of Starfleet's most important outposts, it was unlikely that there'd be any need to actually do anything. "Understood, sir. Good luck at the conference."

"Luck has very little to do with it this time," the Commodore answered, thinking about the Dominion's decision to designate Kuzos as their official representative during this mission and the potential repercussions of that choice. "I do appreciate the sentiment though," and he did. "Continue with the repairs to the Enterprise in the interim, I expect Enterprise to be ready to depart when this conference is through as the Gamma Quadrant awaits." That was dependent though as well. According to Kuzos the Dominion had deployed a squadron of vessels to their side of the border to keep the Klingons out, and the Commodore wasn't certain the same group wouldn't be turned on them too if things didn't go well.

"I'm sure things will go fine," Sora replied. "If you need backup, you know where we are, sir. I have been keeping an eye on the progress of the repairs, I am told they are comfortably ahead of schedule at present. Turns out that, once the corruption was removed, Galatea has been very helpful when it comes to restoring and improving the firewalls around the computer systems. If needed, we would be able to depart immediately, it's only minor things that are still being worked on."

The Commodore looked carefully out the window at Deep Space Nine above them, watching the station intently knowing that their actions here today could draw the station into being the flashpoint of another war with the Gamma Quadrant. Commander Bernadotte was ready to provide the backup that they needed using Enterprise, and the truth was they may need it sooner rather than later if things went south with this meeting.

"That's important because she's the representation of a warship that could very well be at war before the day is done, Commander." Wilkan sighed at the acknowledgement, a long sigh that felt like it reverberated through the room. "Have diagnostics run on all the ship's tactical systems while I'm gone and make sure that the new Security personnel we're taking on ready for a fight." Glancing at the chronometer, "I'm betting Galatea's already waiting in the Transporter Room. You should probably head over there. She's a real stickler for punctuality."

Sora simply nodded. "Enterprise will be ready for your call. I'm looking forward to meeting our new crewmates," she added with a sarcastic smirk. "I have the perfect quarters for them in mind."

"Of that I am certain," Enterprise's Captain answered. "Dismissed."

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