Taking chances

As the meeting started to break up Gould finally raised his hand.

"Fleet Admiral? if I may I would like to ask all the Ship captains to remain a moment longer, everyone else exit the room if you would."

He whispered to his CMO. "Ill be along in a few minutes, I don't expect this to take long."

After the room was cleared Gould went on.

"I wish to bring up the unspoken possibility that we have and most certainly don't want to use.. the Omega directive." He let the words settle in before going on.

"Creating a sub-space rupture using a series of preset tri-cobalt devices should create an effective 'fire break' against the AH literally destroying its mode of travel. I don't make this suggestion lightly I assure you, but think the option needs to be explored before it too late to contain the effect, if only as a last resort."

He sat back waiting to see how this idea would be considered.

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"People, get in touch with your colleague on the Alsea and discuss joint preparations and actions with them," ordered Kheren just as he heard the request from the flagship captain.

Once they were all alone with the starbase commander and Gould brought up the classified Omega molecule idea between them and the use of tricobalt devices, Kheren's antennae flattened on his white-haired skull a moment before he took a deep breath and spoke as calmly as he could.

"I'm sorry Captain Gould, but I can tell you this from our own extensive research of the anomaly; tricobalt devices may have a disastrous effect on the Azimuth Horizon; They are well known as explosive devices in normal space but their specific effect on subspace itself has not been clearly documented; we could end up with a worse problem than we have now on our hands... not to mention that they have the same limitations that just disqualified probes and torpedoes, plus their too limited availability."

His silvery eyes then hardened despite his usual self control.

"As for the Omega molecule; regardless of the illegality of it, I certainly will not exchange a cosmic scaled catastrophe for another and in the mere attempt prove all our adversaries to be right about us."

An Andorian's face was almost expressionless by virtue of lacking enough muscles to convey emotions. But his tone of voice and his stare alone told that he would not relent on this, orders or not.

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Crist then spoke,

“The omega particle is a good idea, however the results of this will be one that may will find unacceptable. The resulting explosion will make warp travel within a large radius incapable. The end would leave much of the space that we operate in unusable, for years to come.”

-----------

The Andorian could not believe what his antennae were hearing.

A... GOOD idea? Starfleet officer recklessly disregarding Federation law they have SWORN an OATH to uphold is a GOOD idea?

But the captain of the McKenzie was still talking; and not reassuring Kheren about the morality and integrity of the officers he was serving with...

“If we were to use the particle, we would need a fairly large explosion and maybe it would be far larger then we need it to be. Not only would it put Starbase 10 in danger, but countless worlds as well. Remember we now rather little of the omega particle, as the Federation has only studied the particle for a short time then it blow up.”

Not to mention it would obliterate everything Starfleet stands for! silently shivered Kheren inwardly, a feeling exceedingly uncomfortable and unfamiliar to someone born on an icy world.

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Then Daniel Crist added:

“Plus there is the fact that we have not made any omega particles for quite some time, as they were banned. Hints the omega directive, to destroy the particle at all cost. There is also the matter of keeping the particles stable, and get them into position. With all the hazards of the anomaly, that would be suicidal. One bump to cause containment to fail, and your dead.”

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Suicidal is the right word, mused Kheren angrily, using all of his impressive self-control to keep quiet. How can a Starfleet officer, a ship captain of such experience as him, as both of them, even consider debating the mere technicalities of the second most illegal thing in galactic history...and of so grave consequences to the very universe? This is not the Starfleet I have swore to serve with, the Starfleet I believe in...

At this moment, the Andorian realized that his thoughts would certainly be caught on by the Betazoid captain, Daniel Summers. But at this moment, he didn't care. He needed all his focus to just keep calm and keep even his rigid face as blank as an iced stone.

But his cranial appendages were flat on his head and both silvery eyes mere slits of burning, molten metal.

-------------

Gould shook his head dismissively. "I never suggested the use of an Omega particle, I only related its ability to disrupt sub-space for a clearer understanding of my objective and besides, as far as I know we have no such particle with witch to use. And no way yet exists to create one.. so the idea is moot."

"But I will be clear on this point, IF such was at our disposal I would be suggesting we prepare for its use. The lost of this station.. the lost of the near by worlds indeed, of the Federation itself are secondary to the lost of the entire Galaxy. It disturbs me greatly that anyone here would think otherwise." At this his eyes glanced over Kheren. He had worked with far to many Andorians not to know when one was upset, yet alone outraged.

"As I already stated I am NOT suggesting this tactic in fact I'm against it entirely. As a 20 year star fleet engineer I know full well the implications of what I'm suggesting, likely so more than anyone else in this room, none the less we should.. no, must be prepared for it if all else fails. After it's use is required is not the time to bring it up as we will greatly pressed for time."

He went to the console and quickly improvised the chart already displayed.

"By placing Tri-cobalt mines along this vector with proper timed detonation sequencing we create a perforated sub-space 'tear-a-way' line around the AH, then after adjusting a star ships warp core run along this line causing a sub-space rupture that would ring the AH. Doing some vary hasty calculations we need 2 days, assuming we have tried the other option first and 32 thousand Tricobalt mines to achieve the desired effect."

He then walked back to the table. "If successful this would seal off the AH permanently without harming it or its inhabitance, we could even prep a artificial worm home so travel to and from the effected area would still be possible."

He sat down, his face emotionless. "Again, I do not recommend this as a first option, only as a last resort."

------------

Kheren looked at Gould straight in the eyes; with all four of them.

"So, you, Captain V'Rell Gould, are the kind of officer to which the ends justify the means. Then know this: I am not a Section 31 agent; I am a Starfleet officer."

The Andorian took a breath to stay calm before continuing.

"If we can not live by our values, our ethics and our given word, than what we stand for, what we may die for, means nothing, are worthless and only deserve to die. I tell you this, and to all of you, right now: I will oppose with all my heart and soul any endeavor whatsoever based on this despicable attitude. And I will neither be a part of one or discuss it any further."

Kheren stood, clearly signifying that any further word entertaining talks of Omega molecule, subspace weapons or any other immoral and illegal act would send him right out of the room without a glance back.

-------------

"Alright, I've heard enough," Samji's voice came suddenly from the stage where he had been half listening and half coordinating with his engineers on the Starbase to begin the necessary programming of the shuttles and their warp cores.

He had not been sure why Captain Gould was making a connection between tricobalt weaponry and the Omega molecule, but since he had only just recently been made aware of the phenomenon upon becoming Fleet Captain, and not having time to read over the massive amount of data associated with the molecule, he decided to wait and hear what he had to say and defer to the judgment of the people in that room who had had time to process the molecule's existence.

But the discussion seemed to be moot. The connection between Omega and tricobalt continued to elude him, and they had access to neither. "First I'm going to note something that hasn't been considered. Any law or restriction set forth in the Khitomer Accords is now null and void due to the fact that the Klingons have withdrawn from their part in it. So I would see no illegality in using them. However, we do not have tricobalt weaponry or the time to make any, so I see no reason to entertain it further. We do not have access to Omega and that is still a Federation-stated directive we will adhere to, regardless."

"Now, if there's nothing more you as Captains would like to bring up with me directly, I suggest we get started as we have a lot of work to do."

------------

Calming down, the Andorian captain nodded, Human fashion.

"Only this, Sir; I would suggest to my fellow captains and yourself to have all chief tactical officers review the Artemis entire security protocols for each department and apply whatever they see fit to ensure that they will not be sabotaged, infiltrated or otherwise hampered by the Horizon Children... if they have not been already. This is how the cult operates; not from fleets of ships but from within. As we speak, they may even have some of their crew members converted. I urge extreme caution, Sir."

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Gould stood up, straighting his uniform. "No sir, I have stated a viable option as best I saw it, as is required of me, nothing more."

Then turning to Kheren. "We have vary different views on what makes a good star fleet officer captain, to me your way seems.. at best.. selfish, bent on honor before all else. I believe in duty no matter what the cost but either way you are my brother in arms, I would trust you as such and honor, if not agree, with your ideals. Do me the courtesy of doing the same in return." and held out his hand to Kheren, ready to match his grip if he should take it.

His words were hard and designed to match insult for insult, if he was right it had to be done this way or the Andorian would never respect him again.

Kheren looked at the offered hand, disliking the gesture like all Andorians.

"Indeed we both lie at opposing poles, Captain Gould. And now we both know where each other stand. You stand for duty no matter what the cost; I stand for truth and integrity no matter the challenge."

Then, he clapsed the man's hand with his heavily callused one, grasping with just enough strength to convey with respect the resolve and sincerity of his words. Liking the Human-style gesture or not, he knew its deep significance to many species and here performed it most solemny.

"As long as we both follow the ethics of the Federation and the duties of Starfleet, you will always find me by your side and ready to offer my life for yours."

Summers stood there motionless and soundless with his arms crossed along his chest listening to the whole arguement go down before him "I for one agree do agree with the Fleet Captain and Captain Kheren, but no matter the danger we may pose to every world in range and the starbase itself it still is a valid option provided we had tricobalts and access to the Omega, While I may not agree with said option, I do believe in looking into all options before making a move that will determine the fate of our known galaxy, as a famous Vulcan once said the Need of the many out weigh the needs of the few" Daniel finally said after everyone else had finished "Kheren inform your Tactical Officer that Lt Tritter will be in contact very soon for those details"

The captain of the Artemis did not restart the argument with his long time friend, even as disappointed as he was by his words. Kheren had said what he thought about it already and they all knew what he would do... or rather what he would never do: disregard morality for convenience, out of fear or short-sghtedness. So instead, he laconically aknowledged the request from the captain of the Spectre.

"Very well, Captain Summers. And as they say on Earth... may fortune favors the bold.''

Without another word, the Andorian left the room also.

The needs of the many...

Kheren had never accepted this dismissal of things based on heartless numbers only, always rejected this philosophy of disregard of individual rights and value for the sake of some arbitrary perceived majority... How he hated that cold, logical sentence that could excuse even the worst atrocities and tyrannies of History... just like this "ends justify the means" attitude his fellow commanding officers all seemed to espouse.

It was a typical heartless Vulcan mindset, allegedly attributed to the famous Ambassador Spock. But to that quote, he always opposed that of another legendary Starfleet officer of the ambassador's acquaintance: Doctor and Admiral Leonard Mc Coy:

In this galaxy, he quoted in the silence of his own mind, there is a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets; and in all the universe, three million, million galaxies like this one. And in all that... and perhaps more... only one of each of us.

Kheren would never coldly accept the sacrifice of even one just solely for the sake of many. It was something that could not always be avoided, especially in Starfleet, of all places... After all, they all swore to do just that with their own lives, each and every one of them Starfleet officers... And at any point, a commanding officer might just have no choice but to sacrifice a few lives to save numerous others...

But that didn't mean he had to like it; let alone make it a life motto.

He never did... and never would.