Departure USS Horizon part 2

The engineer shook his head as Jureth left,

"I'll get the work done, Governor, there's nothing to worry about. But please remember that Starfleet does not start wars. But they have an uncanny ability of Finishing them. And before you try to reject that theory, please remember that I've been on the other side, and yes, I've seen wars started by my own people, but never Starfleet."

Redding glanced up from his reports with a curious look, as if unsure what he had heard. It just struck him as overly.. insightful.. for a Romulan to admit anyway. 

He had yet to turn away from his display, but he could feel the burning stare of the Governor at his back. He really didn't mind it, as he'd worked under the same pressure before, while under intruder fire and starship volleys. This was child's play. And judging by the Sufra's prior reactions to simple comments, he could tell that she stood no chance in an actual firefight, or even minor stressful situation. He felt his unease slowly melt away the more she spoke. There might be a secret mission in her head that the Bridge Crew didn't know about, and it might indeed involve hijacking the ship, as the Children had done in the past, but it clearly did not involve her pulling a phaser. Though there was always the 'woman's weapon' of poison.....The engineer noted to make sure to eat only in his office with a modified replicator...

 "Starting or finishing a war is irrelevant, Mister," the bajoran woman said to Solius. " it is to be solely involved in war for most of the last decades that is of concern. Starfleet was founded as the police arm of the Federation yes; to safeguard peace and order... but not as an enforcer of policy; as a tool to promote that peace by ensuring prosperity and knowledge for all; to exemplify the values of the Federation; respect for life, freedom, self-determination and of the inherent right of every sentient being to this universe."

Kheren said nothing; yet, surprisingly but only to those who knew him too little, it was obvious that he was agreeing to her words as he showed no sign of stopping her from what was turning into an obvious sermon.

"But then came the Borg... and then the Dominion... now the Klingons and what's left of the Romulan Empire... We think we defeated them; but in truth, they won... because they turned too many of us into them... starting with those who were most exposed to them; Starfleet."

As she spoke, her gaze went to the stars on the main viewer. Then she closed them and joined her hands on her breast, fingers spread as if to make a blazing one over her own heart.

"But blessed are those who through all that darkness saw the light; the light that shows us the way to paradise."

Kheren now showed signs of impatience, but Sufra did not add anything else. She opened her eyes and took a step back as if to signify that she would not disrupt their work any further.

"Governor if I may?" Redding said softly. "As someone that has fought with or against the Klingons and Romulans as well as the Dominion if only diplomatically, I can explain why they keep coming back."

"It's because the Federation has no interest in 'defeating' our enemies, we stop them when we have to of course but we don't attempt to destroy who and what they are, we try to give them a chance, nothing more."

"And sometimes.." But he stopped and changed his sentence. "Compassion is a virtue of the strong, and its a risk we are willing to take."

To that, Kheren nodded with obvious approval.

"The goal is not to defeat an enemy, but to be without an enemy."

"Andorian proverb?" wondered Doctor Nasaro-Myth with a raised shaved eyebrow.

"Earth wisdom... from a twentieth century man named Morihei Uyeshiba, founder of a martial art called Aikido."

"We have cleared spacedock," then announced helmsman Snow. "We are free to navigate."

"Warpspeed," ordered the captain.

"Aye, captain; engaging to warp 5 bearing 135 mark 30."

On the large screen before them, the stars jumped at them, became streaks of lights until a brief flash of light whitenend everything. Then, they moved like snowflakes rushing at them from the blackness of space as they sped a hundred and twenty-five times the speed of light.

The Romulan was happy that he was not facing the Governor. With her chanting about darkness and light, all he could do was roll his eyes.

"All systems reporting in nominal. Warp bubble stable and we are cruising at warp 4.98." The engineer reported. He had wanted to contest the Governor again. But didn't desire another lecture. Starfleet was more militaristic than what it was in it's infancy. But that alone was due to their surroundings. How else can you protect your people without bulking up? He could not wait for her to cry for assistance and have him reply sarcastically that the new Starfleet 'doesn't start or end wars'. And then turn his back and abandon her and her foolish people to whatever threat they desired to face without support.

"Chief, start  reviewing a simulation about the ship's systems and the known effects of the anomaly on their performance," ordered Kheren. "I want protocols ready to deal with any disruption this phenomenon will throw at us when we get through. Same with you, Doc, as far as people aboard are concerned."

"Aye Sir. I already have Baoule and Blakely working on that simulation...I fully expect some chop. I hope we brought seat belts." The engineer responded. "The reports I've read on your first encounter with the Horizon are...not happy ones. Although the report seems to state that you were able to stabilize the anomaly, correct?"

"Thanks to Captain Syntron and to our very own Commander K'Leysha over here," the Andorian acknowledged with a nod toward the chief science officer. "Baoule and Blakely both have been through the anomaly themselves with me twice so they are the best experts you may find to help you on the subject. As for seat belts... that's what the PIDs are for."

"I still remember how it had been the first time," Elliago grumbled in response. "Sickbay is already fully prepared."

"Faith is the best way to prepare oneself, Captain," offered Sufra with a calm conviction.

"You will have a unique opportunity to demonstrate, Governor Sufra," shot back the Andorian.

He had his typical straight face, but his antennae were curving inward in amusement. He too had been inside the anomaly.

Aron'Son raised an eyebrow, as the governor began babbling about faith. He had faith once, in gods that had abandoned him, but it was never his basis for questioning his First or the Vorta and yet this woman had the arrogance to call into the question the decisions of Captain Kheren. In the Dominion such unmitigated foolishness was met with the point of a blade or the blast of a polaron rifle. Obviously he could not shoot her, not matter how much he would like to, but he believed this Sufra was a security concern, and was tempted to shadow her himself for he was certain that whatever her gods were they could not see through the Shroud. He began running security sensor sweeps of the ship as he formulated a plan to investigate this woman and the people she led. 

"Steady as she goes, Mister Snow," Captain Kheren then said . "Counselor Lyrya, Lieutenant Cheonghi, I would like you both to work with Governor Sufra about the details of settling down the colony and how the Horizon will support the operation."

"Aye, Sir," they Aenar and the Edoan responded as one.

"Doctor Nasaro-Myth, please keep a channel open for the Phoenix. If they encounter any difficulty, I want us to be able to respond istantly."

"Already on it."

Sufra for a short moment seemed about to protest; then, she recalled the words Kheren had given her about orders and priorities and understood that protesting against them would not only be useless, it would make her appear as fanatical as he had hinted her to be since they first met. And she had no intention of proving him right. She just stood there icily and silent.

The Andorian rose up from his command chair.

"All senior officers to the main conference room in six hours for mission briefing. All departments will be ready then to report on their preparations and readiness for a standard colonization operation. Oh and, Governor Sufra; your presence there will of course be most appreciated."

The Bajoran woman nodded with practiced dignity.

"Number One, you have the bridge."

"Aye captain" Redding said, switching seats. 

He looked over at Sufra . "If you would like Governor, you can use my seat." He motioned at it. "It's more comfortable than it looks."

Again she acknowledged the offer with a gracious nod and moved over to sit at the right of the large man. Once Kheren disappeared behind the door of his office, she kept her eyes to the moving stars on the screen as she spoke with a discreet tone.

"Tell me, Commander Redding; do you feel as your captain about this mission?"

Redding leaned back in the chair looking at her thoughtfully.

"I can't say I'm in total agreement, governor Sufra, but I have complete confidence in the captain and his dedication to duty."

Still looking at her he paused only a moment before finishing his thought.

"Let us simply say that you both offer good points on the subject, and leave it at that."

He may have had more to say on the subject or he may not, but he certainly wasn't going to voice such things in front of the bridge crew.

"Your attitude is commendable, Commander," conceded the woman; " and I do see that you have a more... open mind. For me, that certainly inspires much more confidence regarding our endeavor."

She fixed her gaze on Redding. She smiled to him but there was no warmth in her smile despite the softness of her expression and of her voice.

"Commander, I have read in your Starfleet regulations that a commanding officer may be required to... relinquish authority to his highest ranking officer if he is found to be... what was the term... ah yes; emotionally compromised. Now, I am not accusing your captain since he obviously works adequately to accomplish our mission... so far... But I have heard on the starbase that he just recuperated from a terrible ordeal. So, if it would so happen that his decisions could become... questionable, then command could legitimately fall to you next, couldn't it not?"

Redding smiled back at her, it seemed genuine enough if not overly friendly.

"I see your well versed on Starfleet regulations, Governor Sufra; and I assure you that, in such an event as the captain losing his objectivity regarding this mission, I would indeed seek to relive him of his command as is my duty."

A small smile crept over his lips as if that thought would not wholly bother him.

"But I can assure you that this will not be the case. Regardless of the captain's personal feelings, he will do his duty. Of this I have no doubt in the least."

He let out a sigh and looked back at the main screen.

"I suggest we both do as little as possible to hinder him in this, for whether or not we all agree on the particulars of the mission, we all want the same result."

He looked at her and smiled again, this time it seemed more light hearted.

"A new home for your people."

"May the Light be on us all then," the woman said with a convinced tone.