NEW HORIZON: meeting concludes

 "You have my ear, Commander."

"Sir, who is this Nathan Cross? He approached me, yet I didn't hear him coming. That should not be possible. We spoke, yet despite my repeated challenges to his presence he ignored my requests for his clearance. I very easily could have and by instinct should have apprehended him; yet, here I am talking to you...I do not like it."

"Well, He's our former bartender on the flagship, an El-Aurian... I think. I don't know that much about him really... except that he's very good at his job. I don't think there's a drink he doesn't know or what snack food goes with which race."

He got a quizzical look on his face at the idea. Then he shrugged.

"A bartender is a specialized social field, they read people, listen to our problems and supply us with libations to help relax us. “

He frowned a little.

“But he didn't identify himself? that's odd... How do you find out his name?"

"He told me his name, but when I questioned the clearance of a bartender to be present in a mission briefing I was ignored."

"He has been commissionned as an acting Ensign and Mission Advisor by Starfleet Command," then said Captain Kheren sitting right next to Redding. "I know because he is coming with us both, Mister Aron'Son."

Aron'Son turned to the Andorian.

"Perhaps then, Sir, he should learn to respond to an order from a security officer, especially a higher ranking one...Were he Jem'Hadar, he would be shot for not answering to his superior."

"I agree," answered Kheren. "and I will make sure that he does as well; I mean the proper protocol between officers, not the shooting part.."

His four oculars went to the image of the flagship as he spoke almost for himself.

"There will be no passengers where we are going."

"Well, Captain Kheren, as both personnel in question are to go with you, I'll leave it to you then. But it sounded to me like Mister Cross did identify himself as a member of the crew and last I checked, this isn't a closed event anyway."

"As a matter of fact, it is," the Andorian corrected him. "Only Starfleet personnel serving aboard our ships are allowed in here. Had Mister Cross still been a civilian, even as a crew member his presence would not have been allowed. Commander Aron'Son was right in questionning him. "

"From the sound of it, the Commander is more concerned with a perceived personal slight."

He spoke earnestly to Aron'Son.

"I don't know if he managed to sneak up on you or you simply missed him, but the hall is busy and noisy. It's quite possible you just didn't see him; no one is perfect."

He didn't want Aron'Son to think he was underestimating him. He didn't want to make that mistake again.

"But I'll leave it to you two to sort it out. Good luck to you both. I have a ship and crew of my own to worry about."

And with that he excused himself.

Redding wondered to himself what Kheren's mission entailed that he'd need a bartender.

The Andorian turned to face the Jem'Hadar.

"It is this very unfailing thoroughness and unquestionable devotion to duty and service you just showed here that has singled you out to join me in my... transfer. You just proved that estimate to be accurate; and I guess this is exactly the reason why this... incident occured. Mister Cross has been granted field promotion and assignment by the same authority that selected us both and all of my former crew of the Artemis... and, Commander Rogers."

Aron'Son inclined his head slightly.

"It is mine only to serve, Captain."

From across the room Cross watched the conversation seemingly without interest, but taking it all in despite the rooms activity.

*Mission summery, my attempt to provoke Commander Aron'Son into a seemingly unprovoked overreaction failed despite the projected ninety-seven point seventy-two percent chance of success. I believe his interactions with subject Redding have altered his base personal response index, It should no longer be necessary to monitor Aron'Son's progress.*

To only Cross' perceptions, movement in the room slowed down to a crawl and finally froze all together.

*However, subject Kheren's following interaction is projected to destabilize my efforts, so I will attempt reintegration into this timeline at negative thirty seconds and attempt to intercept Captain Kheren before he can interrupt Captain Redding and Aron'Son's conversation.*

Slowly time reversed and Cross walked calmly retracing his steps catching up to his prior self.

*Initiating reintegration, chance of success eighty-nine point thirty-four percent, transferring all data at this time.*

And with that he calmly stepped into himself, knowing full well that there was a better than ten percent possibility that he would be utterly obliterated.

Time started again fluidly as Cross moved to intercept Captain Kheren, allowing him to first overhear the conversation.

"Captain Kheren, if you would hold off your intent for a moment?" and with a smile glanced in the direction of the two talking men.

The Andorian froze as he was about to join his former exec and his chief of security to clarify the issue. He turned away from his two former officers and looked at the man with obvious surprise as his antenae swished from side to side.

"My... intent? Are you telling me that you are a mind reader, Mister  Cross?"

"My dear Captain, I'm a space faring adventure bartender most recently aboard the Federation flagship, of COURSE I can read intent."

Kheren bowed his head in acknowledgement.

"I stand corrected, Mister Cross. I should have come to that understanding myself; Andorians and duellists are by far not the only ones able to discern body language, looks and facial expressions. You are my teacher today. Still, I did not think I was that easy to read."

Nathan's smile was flawless and his voice pitch perfect. To ANY other person, even another Andorian, his voice would have been soothing... calming... but Kheren was not a normal Andorian. Something seemed odd.

"I've seen your intent too many times to count; the rapid movements, the defensive posture as well as the focused attention. If this were a holo-novel and we were in a bar, I'd say you were going to defend a lady's honor."

His eyebrows went up questioningly as he sipped on his drink. But he held a hand up defensively.

"Not that I'm suggesting attraction of course; only that you might have a subconscious need to protect Commander Aron'Son. You are, in many ways, kindred souls."

He seemed quite sincere. Kheren thought for a moment then nodded.

"I am not sure how much of this is true, but your argument is sound, Ensign. Although I am left with this question; why would you come to me and request that I should not act to resolve a misunderstanding between two of my officers?"

"That's a complicated answer better said in private. But for now, I will admit my own intent to incite Aron'Son, and ask for your patience until then. In the mean time..."

He motioned at the two talking men.

The Andorian was not one to let things simply go by with a smile, especially when something seemingly so trivial had suddenly raised unexpected questions earning him only so few and vague answers; but he was a patient man. And he knew who specifically had assigned Nathan Cross to his command... and could already start to guess what this might be about. So, as suggested he followed the man's lead... for the moment.

A little way off they could just overhear the conversation between Redding and Aron'Son.

“But he didn't identify himself? that's odd... How do you find out his name?" 

"He told me his name, but when I questioned the clearance of a bartender to be present in a mission briefing I was ignored."

"Well, he was commissioned as an Ensign so he did have the clearance to be there." But his look was a questioning one.

"Perhaps then, Sir, he should learn to respond to an order from a security officer, especially a higher ranking one...Were he Jem'Hadar, he would be shot for not answering to his superior."

"A little extreme, but I agree with the point Commander." He thought it over.

"I don't know if he managed to sneak up on you or you simply missed him, but the hall is busy and noisy. It's quite possible you just didn't see him; no one is perfect." he said, not quite convinced

"But I think we should take it up with Captain Kheren since you'll be under his command, and Cross is leaving the Horizon." He half smiled at at him.

"I trust your instinct Commander, you should follow it."

Aron'Son inclined his head slightly.

"It is mine only to serve, Captain."

Looking around, they spotted Kheren and Cross together and moved over to them.

Redding, looking annoyed, spoke first.

"Captain Kheren, Mr. Cross." He said cordially.

Cross immediately looked apologetic.

"Captain Kheren and I were just discussing my transgression with Commander Aron'Son, Commander... OH, I mean Captain Redding don't I?" 

He brightened up a little as he said it, as if the news of Redding's promotion affected him personally.

Redding seemed slightly confused as to which way to take the conversation.

"Uh.. yes, thank you, Nathan."

"But I digress. I owe you an apology, Commander. So focused on another matter, I failed to realize that you were being serious. I really don't get a chance to mingle with that many Jem'Hadars and I just assumed my answer was sufficient."

He seemed perfectly sincere.

Aron'Son leveled his gaze at the "bartender" though the security officer suspected there was something more to the man. He just couldn't quite discern what. He resolved to find out when the opportunity presented itself.

"Mister Cross, I am always serious. I am a security officer and a Jem'Hadar soldier. My oath to serve, and Starfleet regulations demand that I give my full attention to anyone, or anything, who may be out of place and you... were out of place. Captain Redding has informed me that you have the required clearance, but it is in your best interest to not ignore future requests of that nature."

He then turned to the senior officers.

"Captain Kheren, with your permission, Sir, I will go prepare for our assignment, whatever it may be." 

"See you tomorrow morning, Commander. And Mister Cross," said the Andorian turning to the man, "once we are confirmed in our... assignment and before we implement it, you will report to my ready room and we will properly finish our discussion. And this time, Ensign, please present yourself in a proper uniform."

(Tag: Cross,  Aron'Son)

As the agitation subsided among the various groups of officers, Allen Samji called again for silence and their full attention.

"Captain Redding; you and your ship will go back with the Phoenix to Eden space. Since the initial contact with the USS Horizon, the Federation is eager to establish relations with the Draxx, the first spacefaring civilization found in that pocket universe beyond the Azimuth Horizon. But like all first contact missions with an unknown species in uncharted space, this is one is as perilous as it is promising. We need the best ship and best crew out there and a commanding officer familiar already with them... and to them. That's you, Captain."

"Thank you Admiral, I intend to fulfill your expectation sir." and with a nod took a step back.

The starbase commander nodded to Redding and then looked at the colossal felinoid under the new Luna class starship projection.

"Captain Speaker-Of-Names; there has been reports of renewed undefined activity in Patriarchy space. You will take the USS Hoshea to investigate. As our best contact with your Kzinti people and the relationships you have built for the Federation with them over the last years, you are our best asset to do so without provoking them from the get go. But after what had happened with the Undine and way back with the Romulans, we have to be vigilant. Details of your orders will await you on board."

Speaker merely grunted in response, ears flicking quickly with the sound. "Understood. We will begin preparations." He looked around at his crew. "New-undefined-activity is not welcome news. We will begin undergoing preparations at once. Once this meeting is concluded, I suggest we all familiarize ourselves with the new-ship quickly."
There was a pause, where the old Pittsburgh crew made their various assents, and during that time, the Kzinti looked towards Captain Kheren. Concern was reflected in the Hoshea Captain's eyes for just a moment. He then turned to Commander Bankole. "Commander, coordinate our efforts. I will need to attend to something when this is over."

Samji now brought everyone's attention to the only Bajoran captain in he room.

" Captain Jureth; you also have a new ship to shakedown. I recommend that you do so in a safe zone within Federation Space. But since yours is our best explorer vessel along with the Phoenix, it would be useful for you to do so in the vicinity of both the Neutral Zone and the Organian Peace Treaty Zone. Romulans ships will not cross the Neutral Zone to start a war and no violence is possible between the Klingons and us on this side of our common border. And no other hostile will dare go too near the borders of these two major powers. At the same time, you will be in a good position to do surveillance on both and, doing so openly with a new explorer ship under the command of an accomplished diplomat like you, one well known to the both of them, this should send a clear message; we are watching you, we are ready for you but we are out there to discover, not spy or attack. A task tailor-made for you, Captain."

The fleet captain was obviously done. But before he could dismiss everyone, the deep voice of Captain Kheren was heard.

"Sir; may I ask about my orders?"

Both Kotari and Samji looked at him with an undefinable expression; or maybe it was contained frustration because it took then a few seconds before Samji answered, obviously in order to keep his emotions in check.

"No, Captain Kheren, you may not. Report tomorrow with your designated officers as scheduled."

Before the Andorian could even try to insist, Kotari stood and addressed everyone in a clipped tone.

"You will all receive your specific orders once you report to your assigned vessels. Meeting ajourned."

And with that, he walked out of the vast room with Samji and Schmidt in tow, not looking or answering anyone.

  David watched the Admiral and Fleet Captain leave the podium and gave a slight sigh. There were questions to be sure, but it appeared there would be no further answers forth coming from command at this time. Turning about he proceeded toward the rear of the hall in the direction of where Shelly was standing. The large crowd of personnel were mingling and moving about, slightly impeding his progress. Even after getting numerous looks from curious crew and staff, no doubt to do with his dismissal of duties, David reached the rear wall and countered the flow that ebbed toward the exits. Only moments more passed and he reached his sister. She smiled toward him, a partial expression of bewilderment showing in her blue eyes.