Escorting Diplomacy

Posted on Monday, 3 May 2021 - 12:48pm by Commander Soral & Captain Barret Stillwater

Mission: Operation: Neu Reich
Location: Starbase 21 - The 21 Club
Timeline: 2394 MD 01 - Lunch time

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Having reached Star base 21 where the USS Standing Bear was undergoing significant repairs from its skirmish above P'Jem with Andorian battlecruisers, Captain Stillwater and his crew were essentially on shore leave, sidelined for the time being, but the amenities of the star base were not to be passed up. The Star base was one of the more emasculate ones in the galaxy. The Federation took great care of it given that it was located in the Homefront of the Federation and situated strategically. It was a Star base with a rich history. One of the amenities that the Star base had to offer was The 21 Club, named in homage to the famous club on Earth in historic New York City.

The Star base’s 21 Club though catered specifically to a certain crowd, command officers, ambassadors, and flag officers. It was the perfect place to rub elbows with brass or meet up with a fellow Captain or First Officer. In Barret's case, it was the perfect place to grab some food with his First Officer, and to discuss their mission ahead. Everyone who worked in the 21 Club was vetted and had higher-level security clearance than the normal bartender or server. Star base 21's 21 Club was deemed to be safe for most conversations.

Soral and Barret had been seated at a table with a view that was perfect, they could look out of the observation area, gaze upward a bit and see the underbelly of the Standing Bear. She had a few scorch marks on her that Stillwater knew would be gone by day's end. "We took a hell of a beating out there trying to protect P'Jem," Barret said to Soral. "I just wish we had been successful in preventing the orbital attack on the planet. They killed thousands," added the Captain shaking his head. He was still in disbelief at what the separatist Andorians had done.

Soral had been taking in the surroundings until his captain spoke. The scenery was tranquil, beautiful and it was hard to believe what the Standing Bear and its crew had been through. As Stillwater spoke Soral honed in on what he was saying, leaving the thoughts in his mind to drift away. "Yes. It is a great loss but at the time we could not stop what the Andorian's did. I hear that Vulcans are sending aid ships and protection for now."

"Yes," replied Stillwater confirming the man's report. "They are, and several Federation hospital ships have been rerouted to P'Jem which I will be grateful to have our medical personnel back. Ideally, before the Standing Bear is ready to roll out of here again." Stillwater looked up at his starship. Worker bees were buzzing around it making exterior repairs as a few dozen engineers and operations personnel were undoubtedly making repairs to the system inside.

He looked at Soral. "She might be yours one day if Starfleet keeps trying to push me out of the nest so soon," he said referring to Commodore Kwan's presence aboard for the next mission, overseeing things, and evaluating Stillwater's performance for potential promotion in position to that of a Task Group Commanding Officer. It would keep him on the Standing Bear, but he would have additional duties and responsibilities.

Soral looked up. "No, I do not think I'm ready for a command of my own, nor is the ambition there anymore. I am content in my role as it is now." He said. "As for the Commodore being on our ship to evaluate you I do not think she will find you lacking in anyway and your promotion is perhaps a sign that there is hope for Starfleet."

"Oh? The ambition is gone?" Stillwater said, intrigued at this news. He and Soral were always talking 'shop,' but they did not often get a chance to converse man to man. "What happened to my gung-ho Vulcan First Officer, on the express line for the Captain's chair?"

Soral raised an amused eyebrow. "I am uncertain. I have found that I am content where I am. Perhaps it will come back some day." He shrugged. "Oh, and by way of update I have seen to N'vek being off the ship. He will be taken to be with the rest of the family, in fact he is already on his way there."

"I am glad to hear that he will be with the rest of his family, though I am sure you have left your mark on his life. He will remember you for it," Stillwater said reassuringly. "Don't get too...comfortable in that bridge seat, Commander. You know Starfleet may come around at some point and offer you a command of your own."

"Well, he is now family. He'll be with Alex's mother and the rest of my children soon at my second home. I have moved them there for protection in case the Andorians...decide Vulcan may be a place they wish to visit. As for offering me a command I am happy to stay here and work under you." He looked at Stillwater. "That being said, this was a difficult mission. How are you coping with it?"

"Personally, I am fine. I was not the one captured by Andorians, and I have no family on P'Jem to be worried about. I am afraid this was a lot harder on Lieutenant Vali than it was on me, and I would imagine hard on you too?" countered Barret. He picked up a PaDD and studied it for a moment. "Hard on the Federation," he added. "The Andorians leaving was one thing, an attack on a Vulcan world? The Andorians are right there within striking distance of Vulcan and P'Jem. Is this how it is going to be from now on? Allies turning into enemies?"

"I hope not." He paused. "There has been something that I had wished to speak with you about with respect to the mission that just past." He paused. "Actually, four things."

"Are they children?" countered Stillwater.

A small rare smile crossed his face. "No. Not children. I believe our family is complete. Four is...an even number."

"Nice to see I can get a smile out of you," Barret said with a smirk. "Now, what of these four things, Commander?"

"The first is Lieutenant Vali. Her abilities are...quite potent as proof of her effect on the crew. While she will still be on the inhibitor it is not a long-term solution. I have been working with her to assist her to gain control of her abilities better. With your permission I would like to continue to do so while slowly weaning her off the inhibitor." He pushed a PaDD towards Stillwater. "I have detailed the plan for your review when you have a moment."

"I also have matters to discuss about Lieutenant Vali, Commander," Barret replied. "Though in regards to her potential risk to the crew given her last incident, I have my concerns, but I do not feel she is knowingly a threat. I trust her and I have that she is being inhibited in any way. Please, work with her as much as you can to help her have more control."

"Indeed." Soral said and then, "What is it you wish to discuss with respect to her. Being an ordered person, I think it logical to go in order. I shall save the other three for later."

"Things are going to be changing around here if I pass this Commodore's performance evaluation. I am going to need Vali more involved, more of an asset. I want to transition her over into the command department as support, make her a Foreign Area Officer."

He raised an eyebrow. "I see." He said pressing his lips together. "Then I will make the staff list updates to reflect your wishes." A captain's decision, at least something like this, was final.

"Thank you," replied Captain Stillwater suspiciously. "That eyebrow raise. You either were not expecting something like this to occur, or you have an objection that you haven't noted. Which is it?"

"The second one. I think the Lieutenant a fine officer but with what happened recently I do not think she has recovered enough for a diplomatic post nor does she have the diplomatic training, however both issues are fixable down the line. Training she can get and grief is a passing emotion."

"Well, tell that to your people," Stillwater said. "The Vulcans pushed for her diplomatic attaché title," quipped the Captain. "I don't oppose what you are saying. That is why I'm doing this with the condition she be enrolled at the Academy, remotely working on command courses in diplomacy, Federation law, the works. I'll be working with her. She might not be diplomatically trained at the moment, but she will be competent in the months to come "

"Understood. I will do what I can to assist." He studied the captain. "Now as to the second and third item I wished to speak to you about. They are intertwined."

"Go for it, Commander," Stillwater replied with a small smile.

"As you know Chief Eyelaya's departure left a hole in the Engineering department. I wish to make a suggestion." He handed the Captain a data Pad. "This is Ensign Hamura. I have served with the Ensign before they are quite admirable and extremely smart. I would like your permission to finalize the transfer. I have spoken with them about it and they are amenable to the discussion. Also," he handed the captain another data pad. "Grol has resigned. The loss of Eyelaya and the knowledge of her … pregnancy has severely affected him."

Stillwater nodded. "I can't say that I am surprised with Grol's decision, our EMH has not been taking her death well either. We are going to need engineering personnel, and given short notice, I'll go with whoever is available."

"Hamura is the best. That being said the... admiralty suggested Ensign Sety as a replacement for Grol. I have begun a detailed review into her for you if she is to serve with you and to work in a capacity as your... assistant then I wish to ensure she has no skeletons. This trip will be a test to see if you like her as your assistant and if she can adapt to you."

He paused. "Now...a personal note if I may."

"Ah well, no promises," the Captain replied. "I like doing things myself and I hate assistants. So, good luck and God speed to Ensign Sety," added Stillwater. "What is it?"

He pushed another PaDD towards him. "This is from Chief Eyelaya. She is...was preparing something for you for your anniversary of taking command. She ran around the whole ship getting people to contribute and then she recorded a special message one apart from the crews. She asked me, before she died, to ensure you have it."

Stillwater took the PaDD. "Thank you. I'll listen to it in my quarters, in private."

"Indeed. Now … a question if I may. Alex has she proven to be a good second XO to you?"

"She's adjusting," Stillwater said politely. "Alex is a fine Chief Science Officer, but she's a long way from being seasoned enough for command. She's still green and smells like an academy graduate still, why do you ask?"

"I ask because Captain I am in the first stages of.... a Vulcan condition that may take my life. If you are pleased with her I would like to recommend her for XO to replace me if I am to die."

"Pon Farr," Stillwater replied. "Yes, I said it," added he Captain. "You two have been having difficulties bonding and if you don't...you will die. I have been around long enough to know some Vulcans. Trust me, I have a contingency plan if you die one way or another. I've had it in place as soon as I came aboard."

He raised an eyebrow. "Indeed. Logical and wise."

"Multiple years in command, Commander. I have lost First Officers before, but none I've had come more accustomed to serving with than you." Stillwater looked at Soral "Have you considered going into medically induced stasis? I don't think it would help your bonding issue, but delaying death seems better than simply dying off."

He gave a nod. "I will be speaking to the doctor soon on that and will be taking all precautions. Right now, it is controllable with meditating." He studied his captain. "I have become accustomed to serving with you as well." He paused. "Is it not now custom to hug once mutual affection is established?"

"Not unless you want to die quicker, Commander," replied Stillwater. "But a handshake, I'll settle for a handshake. I can't make your wife my First Officer. I'm sorry, but if it weren't for her Doctorates and the size of the Standing Bear, she would be an ensign. I have a First Officer in mind should the need arise."

He gave a nod. "Of course." It stung a part of him that Alex was not being considered. He would have to work with her. "She will be worthy of an XO position. I will ensure she receives proper instruction." He looked out at the room. "I will trust whatever decision you make should the need arise."

"She will make a fantastic XO someday or even CO, but that's if she wants that." Barret placed a hand on Soral's arm. "Talarn isn't command material. He has potential, but would he be happy? No. I don't know Lieutenant Kingsley wants to fill your shoes, Soral. I will gladly have her as Chief Science Officer, but if anything happens to you, the top name on my short list is Lieutenant Commander Victrix."

He gave a nod. "I understand." It was the first time they had truly talked like this. His respect for the man grew.

"Death aside," said Stillwater. "Let Alex Kingsley be who she wants to be, don't sculpt her into anything she doesn't want to be. Sometimes, that's difficult for us not to do."

"I know. I wish so much for her. I wish her career to be greater then mine." He looked around the club. This was a peaceful place.

"No offense, but we're you ever the one to make contact with a species after they destroyed your probes, only to help them with a scientific mystery, and them show up to save the Federation's ass in a gesture of joining the Federation?" Stillwater smirked. "I think Alex is well on her way to eclipsing both our careers."

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