Getting A Flow

Posted on Fri Apr 4th, 2025 by Captain James Cohen & Lieutenant Commander Freya Preston & Lieutenant Commander Samuel Bancroft & Lieutenant Amelia Baird & Lieutenant Shral ch'Vyrhor & Lieutenant Rhys Bennett & Lieutenant Choyi Zaimu & Lieutenant JG Elle Hayashi

1,329 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: M02 - The Sixteenth Rule
Location: Observation Lounge, USS Hooke
Timeline: Present

:: Captain's Ready Room ::

=/\="I'm sure you're wondering what your orders will be Captain?" Admiral Beckett asked the Captain, "Now that you've retrieved your new crew members you're to rendezvous in the nearby Nehru System with one of our diplomatic teams. The Ferengi and Cardassians have requested our assistance in mediating a trade dispute between their two cultures. It should be a relatively straight forward mission."=/\=

James still didn't believe in relatively straight forward anything, but he breathed a sigh of relief. At least it wasn't something wildly complex just yet. It seemed that Starfleet wasn't quite ready to take the training wheels just yet, "Who's leading the diplomatic team?"

=/\="Lieutenant Nuri Varrom." Daniel told the Captain, "She's got a great deal of experience when it comes to these matters and has worked closely with both the Ferengi and the Cardassians in the past. We really just need you to play host for the three parties. It should buy some time for your crew that I understand from your last report are still trying to feel each other out."=/\=

James agreed that it would certainly do that. "I'm sure my crew will be ready to play host. We should be able to arrive in the Nehru System within the next day." He told the Admiral.

=/\="Excellent Captain. I look forward to your next report, Starfleet out."=/\=

James watched the screen blank out before leaving his office to order the ship's course at warp seven. He then reached out to his senior officers for the staff briefing in the observation lounge. Once that was all squared away he entered the observation lounge.

:: Observation Lounge ::

Freya had been sitting in the center chair on the bridge when the Captain directed all of them to head for the observation lounge. She got up only to be replaced by the helmsman who didn't move since the other senior officers on the bridge would be joining them. Clearly this meant they now had orders from Starfleet and she was anxious to find out what they'd be doing next. The trip to Terra Nova had been an interesting one to say in the least.

Commander Bancroft was still getting used to being a Lieutenant Commander, it was kind of strange being the same rank as the Exec. Though, he felt as if he'd made the right choice in letting someone else hold that title instead of him, he liked being in the gold uniform anyway. Besides, Sam wasn't entirely convinced that he was command material in the first place even if others seemed to have faith in him. He entered the observation lounge and sat down in his usual spot.

Shral had been on the bridge and followed behind the others. This clearly meant they had orders and orders were better than just staring blankly at his terminal screen for days on end. It seemed like that would be all they did sometimes, though he didn't find that all terribly boring. The Andorian officer found his chair and sat down ready to find out what they'd be doing.

"I wonder what the Captain will tell us?" Amelia asked Rhys as the two of them stepped off the turbo lift. She was the first one through the door into the observation lounge.

Rhys shrugged, "I don't know." He answered. He found his chair and sat down he looked toward the others while placing his hands on the table. He began to wait patiently for the rest of the senior officers to continue to file inside.

Elle walked behind Zaimu, aware that the Counselor had just had her first meeting with their newest helm officer and kid sister. The medical officer wondered what had been said, though she knew better than to ask. From what Elle could see, at least, Zaimu seemed calm.

Zaimu had rode on the turbo lift in silence even though Elle had been right there. She'd have to talk to the Captain at some point, because she could already sense a brewing conflict between the Ortega sisters. She would rather the Captain be aware of any problems before they arose. Even if Zaimu couldn't go into details, nor could she quite put her finger on what was about to happen.

James waited until the last of them had entered the observation lounge, "Starfleet has issued us our mission set, we are to meet up with a diplomatic team from Starfleet led by Lieutenant Nuri Varrom. The diplomatic team will be negotiating a trade dispute between the Cardassian Union and Ferengi Alliance. We are simply to play host for three parties so there should be plenty of time to catch up on any paperwork."

James continued to speak, "The diplomatic team and both foreign dignitaries have been uploaded to your monitors for review."

Zaimu blinked, "Doctor Sebastian Hayes?" She swallowed.

Elle looked at the Counselor, she'd heard that name before. "He's on the diplomatic team?" She asked and looked at the Captain, "I'm not sure if you know who that is."

James honestly didn't know who any of the personnel were, "I'm afraid I don't." He frowned and looked at his medical personnel, "Can you please elaborate?"

It was Zaimu that answered, "His psychological profile stands for itself," She remarked through pursed lips. "He's known for some pretty questionable behavior that has been noted by Starfleet a number of times. He was even reviewed by Starfleet Medical a number of times too. A lot of people in the medical field have heard of him, and it stands to reason we may want to keep a close eye on him."

Shral took the initiative and had already began reading up on the Doctor, "I can assign security to him if you think it's necessary Captain?"

Freya looked at the Captain then looked at the Lieutenant, "I don't think extra security hovering around him is the answer. But, I do agree that we may want to keep an eye on him."

James nodded his head, "I concur as well. We'll keep a close eye on him," He looked through the list, "The Cardassian Gul that is coming is a veteran of the Dominion War from before the Cardassians switched sides. That may also be a problem let your departments know racism will not be tolerated. The Cardassians are no longer enemies."

Rhys nodded, "Understood Captain."

Amelia had her own questions, "Are we going to limit where our guests are allowed to go? I know a lot of people think the Ferengi have changed, but their still thieves in my book." She allowed her expression to darken quite a bit.

"Yes," James replied. "There's really no reason for our non-Starfleet guests to have free reign on the ship anyway. Lieutenant ch'Vyrhor if you would be so kind as to make sure the more sensitive areas of the ship are watched over by your security teams."

"Of course Captain," Shral answered.

James looked next toward his operations chief, "Commander Bancroft can you please see to it that our guests have their quarters arranged and ready to go. They will be staying aboard our ship, from what I understand the rendezvous with a Cardassian cruiser and Ferengi free trade vessel will not be scheduled for several weeks."

Sam nodded, "Of course Captain," He said. He'd wondered about whether or not everyone would be staying on board, "Are there any special circumstances that need to be considered? I'm guessing computer security is paramount in this instance?"

"Yes," James replied to the computer question. "Standard computer systems security applies. We don't want them getting into any sensitive files. I don't think anyone would appreciate Starfleet secrets being on sale to the highest bidder." He looked around the table, "Well assuming there's nothing else we've got a bit of work to do in the next twenty-four hours. We'll be in the Nehru System tomorrow." He then proceeded to dismiss them to their duties.

 

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