Call of Duty
Posted on 01/26/2021 @ 7:25am
Edited on on 02/09/2021 @ 9:17am
Mission:
Men Of Good Conscience
Location: Starbase Lotus
Timeline: 88724.0
When Captain Kheren stepped down from the transporter pad, he was greeted by Fleet Captain Allen Samji himself. His smile was friendly enough but the tension in his brown bearded face made it look like a theather mask. His voice was cordial enough, but the tension in it was unmistakable. And there was something else in his dark fixated eyes.
Anger.
''Thank you for answering our summon so promptly, Captain. I hope the situation with our new colony will not be compromised by your sudden departure.''
The way he spoke, the Andorian's antennae clearly perceived that the tought he expressed, although sincere, was farthest from his mind. But he answered nevertheless.
'' Our colony in the pocket universe of the Azimuth Horizon is quite secure at this time, Fleet Captain. The new alliance with the Draxx over there is proving to be mutually benificial and no immediate threat is present... over there.''
Samji almost smiled at the effort from the Andorian captain to curb his usual directness. he responded in kind.
''Let's hope we will manage to keep it that way... over here.''
Kheren looked around in the highly secured war room he unexpectedly found himself into. He could see most of the Lotus Fleet starship commanders were already seated near the central podium; Grey-haired Wyatt of the Republic; bald-shaven Onia of the Wisconsin, the Deltan being the only female present; Speaker-Of-Names, the towering Kzinti of the Pittsburg; Dark-haired Crist of the McKenzie; fair-haired Summers of the Spectre; even youg Vincent of the Academy ship Aurora. Only missing were Jureth of the Alsea, Gould of the Lotus and Syntron of the Phoenix. And the way Samji stayed before the transporter alcove, it was clear that he expected to greet them presently.
The Andorian almost expected even Captain Felez, would be here too; until he remembered his former commanding officer was on an extended leave of absence and not currently assigned to any command duties. So where also a few senior captains that had served in Lotus Fleet over the years.
No one, not even the customary security guard, nor even a recording or monitoring device or personnel, were to be seen. There was no one in this room with less than four pips on his collar.That only active ship commanders had been summonned here, even of the academy and testing ships, clearly meant if only by itself that this was not a social call.
He nevertheless exchanged polite greetings with the others before taking a seat that had been clearly left for him at front and center; as captain of the flagship, he would have to lead any fleet action Lotus Fleet was about to engage in. There was no doubt in his mind this is what this was all about.
But what? Romulans were deep in their reconstruction effort of their shattered empire, Klingons were struggling with their own house conflicts, the peace with the Undine endured, nothing brewed in either the Gamma or Delta quadrant, the Federation was back to it's noble and fruitful engagements in exploration and colonization...
In the eyes and faces of the others, he could plainly see they were as much in the dark as he was; and did not like it anymore than he did.
Kheren took his seat and crossed his callused hands before him and waited. Some obscure instinct nagged at him that this was not a meeting he was going to enjoy.
It had taken Jureth a long time to return to Starbase Lotus once he'd ended the security alert on the Alsea and released the ship to the work crews that had been prevented from coming aboard when the Bajoran had locked down the Prometheus Class warship in order to ensure he was not disturbed while responding to the Omega message. In fact, he'd remained locked in his ready room for nearly another 8 hours pouring over the ship's sensor data from the Omega detection again and again making certain without a doubt that he'd done the right thing. Of course he knew he had, the Omega Directive itself left little room for debate on the actions that were to be taken, but that didn't stop him from wondering just the same.
Jureth knew that he'd ruffled even the normally calm Fleet Captain Samji's feathers, and so he had made a point to steer clear of Lotus Fleet's commander after the initial incident. This was mostly because he knew there would be questions he wasn't permitted to answer and also because he was half afraid Samji would lock him in the starbase's brig. He'd seen Cat of course who had her own questions, but a simple "It's classified" had sufficed to placate his fiance for the time being. He was in his quarters finishing up paperwork for the Discovery's arrival when the call came.
"Samji to Oseno."
"Yes Sir,"
"Stand by for transport Captain."
Without another word Jureth felt the familiar touch of the transporter beam grip him as he rose from his desk and his quarters were replaced with the small, yet full secure war room of Starbase Lotus. He noted all the faces in the room, all of them familiar but it was Samji's that caught his attention the most. The Fleet Captain made no effort to hide his emotions from his subodinate, and Jureth required no effort to read the man's face, he was angry.
"Captain." Samji greeted him almost coldly
"Sir." Jureth replied for once not knowing at all what to say to the only other pesron in the room who knew why they were there.
"Have a seat."
"Aye Sir."
Jureth could feel eyes on him as he scanned the room and quickly picked out a chair as far away from any of the other commanders as he could possibly get. He wasn't ready to speak with anyone yet.
Kheren's head lifted up towards him with the very Andorian gesture of respect. Although officially new to command, the Bajoran for a long time proved himself a natural leader and a courageous, intelligent and ressourceful officer. The flagship commander felt his presence ensured cool heads would face whatever awaited them.
As his transported molecules completed formation, Syntron subtly nodded an acknowledgement to the Fleet Captain then stoically worked his way to an empty chair. Although slightly intrigued by the unusual vista of pips suddenly assembled in one confined space, his keen senses noted that the room nevertheless possessed an almost eerie silence within: especially considering the number of high-ranking officers present.
He sat down and patiently waited for whatever was about to transpire.
Kheren nodded to the bearded Vulcan as he came to join them. Having Syntron present had a calming effect on the Andorian. He was not his chief of science or even his first officer anymore but a respected starship commander. Nevertheless, Kheren had relied on him for so long during his command of the legendary USS Artemis, having him near felt like he was back in those days, when they faced impossible odds and still prevailed.
He hoped this would be one of those times again.
Everyone's attention was suddenly drawn to the central stage of the amphitheater as Samji stepped behind the podium.
'' I remind you all that this meeting is classified to the highest level. Proven violation of any security protocol will result in immediate expulsion of Starfleet, life sentencing in a penal colony without possibility of reprieve or parole, and this in addition to any possible court martial or civil and criminal charges. Captains; the C in C.''
'' I remind you all that this meeting is classified to the highest level. Proven violation of any security protocol will result in immediate expulsion of Starfleet, life sentencing in a penal colony without possibility of reprieve or parole, and this in addition to any possible court martial or civil and criminal charges. Captains; the C in C.''
And as quickly as that, he stepped back and the starship commanders present barely had time to stand up that Rear Admiral Kotari came from the transporter pad to walk up and take his place. He had but a single PADD with him; the rarely seen and used large flat ones that were so secured, a tricobalt device could not even scratch it and Borg nanoprobes were deactivated at the mere contact with it, direct or otherwise. With barely a glance to the officers, he put his padd down.
''As you were.''
As the Boslic admiral placed it on the podium, a light flashed on his hand and another in his eye; evidence of a combined genetic and retina scan. The admiral then looked at all of them.
''To put it succintly; the Federation has barely over 90 years to live.''
As if on cue, the giant multi-paneled screen behind him lit up. A one single image on a white field appeared in plain black a single symbol. It was from Earth's antiquated Greek alphabet; like an inverted, fully rounded u with both ends broken on each side.
Hearing the warnings of the Fleet Captain, Kheren had recognized the word for word recitation of part of the text fromt a certain Starfleet General Order; one that was not supposed to exist. He was not surprised then when he saw that symbol; but he still was in shock.
It was the Omega symbol.
It was the Omega symbol.
A brow on the Vulcan captain and scientist was raised significantly in a reaction of astonishment as the Omega symbol accompanied the announcement. The unstable molecule was considered the most powerful substance known.
“Rear Admiral Kotari,” Syntron addressed the Fleet commander with a mixture of perplexity and inquisitiveness. “Ordinarily a specialized team would be sent to handle this highly classified and equally dangerous mission. Why is this discovery being presented to this specific configuration of Lotus fleet officers?”
Jureth was curious too why Lotus Fleet was being involved in the Omega event. The directive called for an Omega Team to be dispatched from Starfleet Command. The Bajoran had wondered why Admiral Nova had instructed him to "stand by for further orders" and was now very curious to hear Kotari's answer to Syntron's question. He leaned forward in his chair slightly his eyes trained on the admiral.
Kotari fixated his eyes straight into those of Syntron. But he was addressing everyone in the room.
''Because, gentlemen, you are to be the Omega team.''
Landing a photon torpedo in the room would not have made a bigger impact.
Jureth sat back in his chair now, the gravity of Kotari's announcement hitting him like the proverbial ton of bricks. Surely this was not what Starfleet Command had intended when the Omega Directive had been written. While the officers of Lotus Fleet were, as they had proven time and again, among the best Starfleet had to offer this assignment was stretching that concept a bit far. The Omega molecule was highly volatile and the only known encounter since the original experiment had been by Captain Janeway millions of light years away from Federation space. It took the Bajoran only a moment of contemplating this before he spoke up.
"Admiral, Sir, with all due respect, this is highly irregular." he gestured to the other commanders in the room "we all have the same Omega training and none of it deals with how to safely eliminate the molecule. The Directive specifically states that Starfleet Command would handle that aspect of the process. What exactly are they thinking?"
''What exactly is Starfleet Command thinking is for Starfleet Command to know. And you are right; Starfleet Command is the one to handle that aspect of the process. And they are doing just that; they are tasking us.''
The way his face remained pale and frozen, like that of a marble statue, it was evident to all that Admiral Kotari shared the overall sentiment in the room. But it was also clear that he would have none of it. yet, his response was as calm and firm as ever.
''Indeed this is highly irregular. And we are the ones closest to problem and most experienced to deal with this most irregular situation.''
On the screen behind him appeared a map of the galaxy. The focus of the visual zoomed in at a dizzying speed towards the area of space they all easily recognized as the Hromi sector, their theater of operations at the crossing point of the Alpha and Beta Quadrant nearest to the Delta Quadrant. It zoomed in on a point about two light years rimward from where Starbase Lotus was located. All the while Kotari spoke.
On the screen behind him appeared a map of the galaxy. The focus of the visual zoomed in at a dizzying speed towards the area of space they all easily recognized as the Hromi sector, their theater of operations at the crossing point of the Alpha and Beta Quadrant nearest to the Delta Quadrant. It zoomed in on a point about two light years rimward from where Starbase Lotus was located. All the while Kotari spoke.
''This is where the USS Alsea, during an... impromptu cadet cruise, found a spacetime anomaly; it was the Azimuth Horizon flaring up into a newly formed subspace fracture; a subspace fracture of artificial origin.''
The visual deceptively slowly moved from that point towards the starbase as he continued.
''The cadets on the Alsea managed to close the aperture and ensured the anomaly and all disturbances to be confined again. But on their way back home, they encountered an unknown hostile presence.''
Another image surimposed itself to the space chart. It showed first three small egg-shaped crystalline, looking objects firing what looked like tractor beams at the Prometheus class starship; but they were clearly impacting shields and hull with destructive force. Their attack pattern was exceedingly methodical and efficient at first, but then started to slow down and fail as the Alsea started to maneuver and fire in a very chaotic manner, almost as if those aboard were drunk. But then, the three attackers were quickly disposed of. Then appeared an identical but much, much larger object. If the first three had been the size of runabouts, this one was at least as large as a Romulan Scimitar class dreadnought.
Kotari made the image froze and a very simplistic schematics appeared over the intruder's visual recording.
''As far as we can tell from the Alsea's scans, this is a singularity-powered vessel using gravitational waves for propulsion as well as offensive capabilities; a rapidly shifting tractor-repulsor beam also changing frequency and polarity as it shakes apart any form of cohesive energy or matter and overheat them through sheer atomic friction. All in all, it is not significantly more powerful than our own weaponry and our defenses can face it as efficiently as disruptors, the closest analogous type of weapon. But their defensive capabilites are another matter.''
The schematics concentrated on the jewel-like faceted outer hull of the vessel as Kotari went into details.
The schematics concentrated on the jewel-like faceted outer hull of the vessel as Kotari went into details.
''No form of energy shielding was detected. Instead, these... absorption panels collect and dissipate all form of energy touching them, be it from enemy fire or simply moving through space. Excess energy is then distributed to supplement power to all systems of the ship; including weapons. They can this way be overpowered to become significantly more destructive. Of course there is a limit to the capacity of those panels and overflowing them will destroy them; so it requires a lot of firepower although not that much more than what is needed to bring conventional shields down and damage one of our own ships. The big problem is that, when you attack them, you actually give them the energy they need protect themselves and to hurt you. Thus, they can keep their full main power on propulsion, life support and damage control; meaning they can more or less regenerate damaged systems as The Borg did.''
Captain Onia frowned, her delicate, alluring face drawing every man's attention fixedly to her.
''Forgive for saying so, Sir, but I am... disturbed. From your words, I perceive only a militaristic viewpoint to your analysis.''
The Boslic admiral sighed. But his gaze remained severe.
''Because, Captain Onia, from this moment on, we are at war.''
It felt suddenly very cold in the briefing room. Even the Andorian captain of the flagship shivered inwardly. It took a moment for the commanding officer of the USS Republic to bring himself up to say what was on his mind; on everyone's mind.
''Admiral; what is the relation between this... unknown presence... the prospect of war... and the omega molecule?''
''Captain Wyatt; the scans of the Alsea confirmed that the singularity they use as a power source is generated with an omega molecule.''
Before their eyes, the dreaded symbol appeared on the schematics, right at the center of the alien object.
This time, it was Josh Vincent of the Academy ship that broke the thick, heavy, cold silence around them.
''And that means... war, Sir?''
''It does, Captain, when you deliberately bring the most destructive force ever known into our galaxy with obvious hostile intent.''
The declaration of war coupled with the Omega molecule at the center of an unknown alien species’ power source began to evoke an unusual reaction in the normally stoic Vulcan: apprehension. It took a few minutes for him to express his concern.
“I recognize that in the aforementioned Voyager encounter, Seven of Nine constructed a resonance chamber to dissolve the inter-atomic bonds of Omega molecules, with the implicit intent of destroying them. They faced the challenge of somehow safely capturing these molecules from a stationary lunar facility then transferring those into the chamber on Voyager. Starfleet Command is placing orders for us to accomplish something similar but with a moving adversarial target of unidentified origin? Given the vast number of unknown factors involved with such an attempt and without even calculating a likely number of risks involved, such a mission seems improbable at best and likely disastrous in consequence if endeavored.”
''Correct, Captain Syntron. And the situation is even worse than you suspect.''
The starchart focused on a very specific part of space that seem to follow a very straight trajectory from Federation Space towards the galactic rim. Kotari explained what they were looking at.
''The most densely populated region of our galaxy, the farthest being the Rigel Colony and it's billions of inhabitants on five planets; then what was known a century and a half ago as systems LG-370; LG-371; LG-372; LG-373; LG-374... all the way straight to the galactic barrier.''
Daniel Crist frowned, looking at the distinctly scant astrometrics after the area of Rigel.
''Admiral; there are only asteroid fields, no planetary systems around those stars.''
''There were; but not anymore.''
The scanning data stopped at the edge of the galactic elipse where complicated astrometrics described the energy phenomenon that was located there. The tension in Kotari's voice went up a notch.
''And here is why.''
''And here is why.''
The computer-generated image zoomed again until appeared what looked like a gap in an energy field, a funnel of sorts.
''Twice during the 23rd century, the galactic barrier had been breached at this specific location, directly in line with those lone stars and the center of our space. This is where our intruder has come; from outside, from another galaxy. The Andromeda galaxy to be exact. And it didn't come alone.''
''Twice during the 23rd century, the galactic barrier had been breached at this specific location, directly in line with those lone stars and the center of our space. This is where our intruder has come; from outside, from another galaxy. The Andromeda galaxy to be exact. And it didn't come alone.''
The image moved slightly past the barrier. Then they all saw the tiny image of the ovoid faceted vessel. Behind it could also be discerned, barely visible in the black intergalactic void, an elongated shape, like a mere tube with a tapered end and an open front like some huge glowing maw.
And there were three of them.
Syntron scrutinized the projections with an uneasy intensity as he spoke.
“Admiral, are you conjecting that we would confront an adversary utilizing a range of weaponry potentially on the scale of a doomsday device… also described as a planet killer? This is in conjunction with probable spatial rift breaches and Omega particles? Just one such device alone ultimately decimated planetary systems, destroyed the USS Constellation and nearly crippled the USS Enterprise of the 23rd century.”
Kotari's gaze bore into the Vulcan.
''This no conjecture, Captain; three of those... doomsday machines are on their way to meet with the intruder.''
The Vulcan officer gradually leaned back in his seat as he contemplated the situation further.
“What is Starfleet recommending in regard in how we would proceed with such a small number of operatives against such overwhelming forces and odds?”
''As we speak, Starfleet is spread quite thin accross the quadrant, and beyond, with our recently renewed and expanded policies of exploration and colonization. Most of our military power has not yet been fully restored after both the Borg Invasion and the Azimuth Horizon crisis; and what we have is already engaged with the various factions still intent on exploiting the Federation's current weakened status. And that's only those we are aware of. Still, we are regrouping our forces to face this unprecedented threat; but space is vast. It will take time... time we do not have. This threat must be contained, or at least slowed down long enough for us to be able to face it with any chance of success.''
The Boslic admiral looked in the eyes of each one in turne before he spoke again.
''Starfleet's orders to Lotus Fleet are clear and simple; seek and destroy.''
Jureth was concern, slightly surprised, and uncomfortable at the same time as he listened to Kotari speak. It was extremely drastic for Starfleet to issue such an order against a species they'd barley had contact with. A hostile first contact didn't have to equal war...even the tactical officer in him knew that. Just look at what had happened recently with the Undine...
"Admiral, is Command positive this is our only course? Have appropriate experts examined the Alsea's sensor data to verify it? Waging war against a species we've barely come into contact with is...unsettling for lack of a better word Sir. There is no one in this room who isn't aware of the horrors of war, and to enter into it so easily seems....extreme. Perhaps these beings aren't aware of the Omega's destructive capabilities...how can we be certain without vessels in the area that they are meeting with the planet killers... there are far more variables here Sir than even myself with my tactical background are comfortable with."
Syntron scanned apprehensively at his fellow officers as if to verify that he was not misinterpreting what he was hearing, then gradually leaned forward as Jureth expressed his concerns.
“I must concur Admiral,” Syntron chimed in immediately as the Bajoran concluded. “Even in a potential crisis situation we must proceed rationally. The act of intentionally initiating warfare on a new species itself would be a violation of Starfleet Directive 10: Before engaging alien species in battle, any and all attempts to make first contact and achieve nonmilitary resolution must be made.”
Kotari nodded, his lips clapsed tight to let a sigh come out from his nostrils alone.
''Spoken like true Starfleet officers. Your objections were already voiced to Starfleet Command and then by Starfleet Command itself to the Council. The Council itself made the decision.''
''Admiral; may I speak candidly, Sir?''
''This is the place for it, Captain Kheren.''
''Sir; since when does Starfleet receive orders from the Klingon High Council?''
''Sir; since when does Starfleet receive orders from the Klingon High Council?''
Kotari reddened at this.
''What do you mean, Captain?''
The Andorian looked straight into his eyes, antennae pointing agressively forward.
''Everyone here already explained it in no uncertain terms. To put it bluntly in my own words; violence is the last argument of the imbecile. And here, Starfleet makes it our first response? This not only highly irregular, it is contrary to everything the Federation ever stood for. Opening hostilites with people we don't even know just because they scare us...''
The Boslic leaned forward to interrupt him.
''We do know, Captain Kheren! The data from the Alsea was thoroughly analyzed and correlated with recorded data and we have actually identified who this intruder is; they are Kelvans.''
Some old Starfleet records obviously dating back to the 23rd century showed on screen as he continued.
''The Kelvans were encountered only once before; a scouting expedition that lost it's ship going through the galactic barrier, then hijacked one of ours to get back to their point of origin, the Andromeda galaxy. They were, by their own admission, the advance of an intergalactic invasion.''
The image behind him shifted back to the space record of the approaching objects.
The image behind him shifted back to the space record of the approaching objects.
''These... doomsday machines were also identified back then as planet-consuming war engines from another galaxy, encountered a scant few months before the Kelvan incident. And now, we see their trajectory matches exactly that of the Kelvans back then and the intruder right now; an intruder which opened fire from ambush on one of our ships without provocation, when it was even undetected, lurking in our space.''
A tactical display then appeared which he proceeded to summarize the scrolling data.
''Stardate 4202.5; the USS Constellation and the USS Enterprise encounter the planet-killer automaton. Stardate 4657.5; barely five standard solar months later, the same USS Enterprise is lured by a fake distress call to a crashsite where intergalactic invaders hijack her in an attempt to report to their central command. These two events involving the same ship in so short a time within the same region have now been correlated, thanks to the Alsea encounter in the same corridor of space. The giant attack robot was used to punch a hole into the galactic barrier so that their ships can fly in safely and then support their assault. This deployement that we have now indicates a much larger force is coming in. Our scanners can not yet detect them through the intergalactic void because of their small size, cosmic-scale-wise, until they can come close enough to reflect our own galactic radiation; and we know now that they have some form of advanced holographic camouflage anyway. And as one legendary admiral once said, good guys don't sneak around.''
He looked again at each one in turn.
''We were once surprised when the Romulans, then the klingons, came for us. Millions of lives were lost in both wars. It would have been so again, had it not been for a chance encounter with an unscheduled cadet cruise. We were still complacent and unprepared when the Borg threat came. Sheer luck limited casualties to a few tens of thousands; we are now just as dulled and depleted as this new threat is emerging. We were slow in responding against the Dominion threat; the result was billions of lives lost and the heart of the Federation bled almost to death. This time, we will not be.The Federation Council, for better or worse, is determined not to make those same mistakes again.''
The screen went dark behind him. His own expression darkened to match. There was anger in his tone; but it was deadened by resignation.
''When the war Of A Thousand Cubes fell upon us, Lotus Fleet's rapid response is what saved the Federation. The Federation, if not the entire galaxy, is now counting on us to do so again. Starfleet has been created first and foremost as the peacekeeping force of the Federation. That peace is now threatened. Our duty is clear, our orders have been given and confirmed. We will set out to intercept the enemy while it is still in intergalactic space and nullify the threat by any and all means necessary.''
In the silence that followed, Captain Kheren stood up.
''With all due respect, Admiral Sir; I refuse to comply.''
Kotari reeled as if punched in the face. His mouth open, he blinked several times before his heavy brow furrowed. His voice cut like hot steel.
'' You, Captain Kheren? You of all people would refuse a direct order from Starfleet Command? From the Federation Council itself? These orders even bear the seal and signature of the President of the United Federation of Planets!''
The silvery eyes of the Andorian did not flinch from the burning gaze of the Boslic admiral.
''Admiral Sir; on the grounds of the Preamble and Chapter 1, Article 1 of the Constitution of the United Federation of Planets, I consider these orders illegal, Sir. Regardless of who or what is issuing them, no officer is required to obey illegal orders, Admiral Sir. I will not endanger with such narrow-sighted foolishness the lives of my crew or the soul of the United Federation of Planets, Admiral Sir. ''
''Your interpretation or understanding of orders is irrelevant, Captain! As a Starfleet officer, under your oath of service, it is your duty to obey them to the best of your abilities!''
''Not anymore.''
Kheren stepped up to the stage, unpinned his combadge and placed in on the lectern, right on top of Kotari's large open pad.
''I hereby resign my commission as a Starfleet officer.''
Kotari and Samji looked at one another as if to confirm to each other that they were not hallucinating. The Boslic admiral was so agahst, the Fleet captain was the one to address the obviously angry Andorian. Kheren might have looked composed to the eyes of others but he knew him too well; the fire he saw melting his silvery eyes could disintegrate duranium and the powerful hands, capable of wrestling even a Gorn to the ground, were clapsed so hard behind him they were turning indigo at the knuckles.
''Captain... Kheren; you of all people would do this? You would abandon your command, your career and everything you ever worked for, fought for and stood for?''
''Fleet Captain Sir; I said this to you once during my court martial and I will say it here again; if we let go of our values when they are being tested, they are not values; they are hobbies.''
Kotari found his voice again.
''Captain Kheren; I... I understand your... concern. To be candid too, I share them. But if we all put our personal feelings above the need of the Federation...''
''We end up attacking everything that frightens us.''
The Andorian stood straight.
''We end up attacking everything that frightens us.''
The Andorian stood straight.
''I'm sorry, Admiral, Fleet Captain, If I finally prove to be a disapointment to you. But it would be worse to be one to myself and what I beleive in.''
As the Admiral continued to forcefully double down on the apparent direct orders from Starfleet Command and the Federation Council to his former commanding officer, it was as if the foundation of what these esteemed pillars of the United Federation of Planets stood for crumbled before the Vulcan captain’s eyes and ears. The principles of universal rights, liberty, equality, peace, justice, and progress were being steamrolled by a singular mindset of first strike attacks and intentional destruction of the unfamiliar. Just as his Andorian counterpart laid his combadge on the lectern, Syntron stood up and once again addressed the decorated figure steadfastly commanding from the podium.
“Admiral, the incident occurring approximately around stardate 4658 between the Enterprise crew and the Kelvans were alarming due to the advance nature of those beings along with their willingness to put their personal needs ahead of all else. In perhaps a twist of irony, the culmination of these orders you have presented are equally myopic and diametrically opposed to the core of Federation philosophy.”
The Vulcan captain calmly walked over to the podium.
“Under these extreme circumstances Admiral, I too cannot condone let alone participate in such a mission. Since this would be a direct violation of the order given, effective immediately, I too resign my commission as a Starfleet officer.''
Syntron removed then placed his combadge adjacent to the one returned a mere moment before.
Kotari looked transfixed, unable even to breathe. He watched both men as they walked towards the transporter pad to be expulsed from a meeting they were no longer authorized to participate in, and they were already at the pad when he finally straightened and hardened his voice.
''I remind you that you are both still bound by the Omega Directive and the highest classified nature of this meeting!''
Kheren nodded.
''I would never throw the book away before the last page, Admiral.''
The sparkling lights of the annular confinment beam seized them and whisked them away.
Jureth was aghast at the scene before him. Two officers whom he respected, perhaps even idolized a bit, had just resigned from Starfleet right in front of him. More to the point his confidence in both Starfleet and the Federation was being shaken at the same time. The revelation that the Federation Council has decided on this course of action, on this warmongering, was more than concerning, but that Admiral Kotari was doubling down on their argument bothered him even more.
At the same time, he had sworn an oath to defend the Federation. What if they were right? What if these Kelvans were coming for all of them and Lotus Fleet was the only thing that stood between them and the rest of the Federation? The only way to find out for sure would be to go out there, and he couldn't go out there if he resigned from Starfleet. At that moment Jureth had an idea and he rose from his seat...
"Admiral...Fleet Captain...I will lead the task force. Give me the Alsea, the Wisconsin, the Pittsburgh, the Republic, and the McKenzie. The Alsea's computer has the tactics that our industrious cadets used to defeat the Kelvan ships. We can disseminate those to the other vessels and with the Alsea's multi-vector mode we will have enough firepower to get the job done, or at least delay them until Starfleet can assemble a battlegroup."
As he finished speaking the wheels in Jureth's mind were moving at warp speed. What he had proposed was a gamble to be sure, but he reasoned, if he were in command of the task force he would have the power to stop this nonsense once they were well away from Starbase Lotus. If it came down to it, the other ships in his proposed battle group were no match for the Alsea...he could easily disable them all...he would just have to make sure the Alsea was staffed with officers he trusted. The plan in his mind was shaping up even as he waited for the two senior officers to respond to his proposal.
In the room, the other commanding officers had remained just as speechless and dumbfounded. Then, one after another, they offered their own decision.
''For better or worse, the Spectre will do her duty, Sir.''
''So will the McKenzie, Admiral.''
''The Republic awaits your orders , Sir.''
'' The Wisconsin will comply, Sir.''
''The Pittsburg is at your command, Admiral.''
'' The Aurora will be at your disposal if required.''
Kotari almost sighed. But there was no joy in his voice or in his face.
''Captain Summers, Captain Crist, Captain Wyatt, Captain Onia, Captain Speaker-of-Names, Captain Vincent; thank you for your service. Captain Jureth Oseno, your offer is most appreciated and, as commander of the most powerful tactical vessel at our disposal, I welcome your proposal. In normal circumstances, the Horizon would lead the fleet; but as promising as Commander Redding is, I'm afraid the... departure of Captain Kheren will deeply compromise the flagship's operational status in the short term; maybe too much for us to launch her in time. And time is of the essence. I'm looking forward to hear your proposal for our operation against the intruder.''
He turned to all the rest of the assembly.
'Any questions?''
"No Sir," Jureth replied "I only ask you give me 24 hours to crew the Alsea, and consult with the other captains."
''You have twenty-four days; it's the best we can hope to do if we are to prepare the whole fleet for this task. The intruder obviously has some type of transwarping technology, judging by the speed with which it reached across ten thousand light years from our area to the galactic rim where it currently is, above the ecliptic. Most of our ships do not have that capability yet. Fortunately, neither do those doomsday machines. It would take almost fifteen years for all but a few like the Horizon to meet them while they are still out there. And I'm certainly not sending just one ship against them all, and what else may be following in their wake across intergalactic space; not even the most powerful starship of the Federation.''
Kotari displayed on the monitor a detailed timetable with officers and personel assignments, orders for parts and material and priorities for facilities and computer ressources.
''It will take almost a month with the entire ressources of the Fleet to convert the others even temporarily to Quantum Slipstream technology like Voyager did some years back. But we will do it and we will do it in time to stop them on our doorstep. You have that long to prepare yourself, your ships and crews, Captains.''
Captain Wyatt asked to be heard.
''Admiral; the Republic and the Pittsburg are older designs; too old to take the stress of quantum travel. The Aurora has no crew but a skeleton one of retired officers, cadets and noncoms. They would have to stay behind; especially considering that if the Spectre, the McKenzie and the Pittsburg are pulled out of their patrol duties, Klingons and hostile Romulan factions may see this as an opportunity to strike. If the Pittsburg, the Wisconsin and the Republic assume their duties, then we will have to rely entirely on Starfleet to provide what we need to convert all the other ships. And all this under the Omega protocols. The logistics alone are... nightmarish.''
Samji nodded.
''Hence also why we need at least that much time before engaging the... threat, Captain Wyatt; and the focus of everyone. But that is our problem for us, starbase people. You gentlemen, ready your ships and be ready for what we will all come up with as a plan to face this... situation.''
''Hence also why we need at least that much time before engaging the... threat, Captain Wyatt; and the focus of everyone. But that is our problem for us, starbase people. You gentlemen, ready your ships and be ready for what we will all come up with as a plan to face this... situation.''
Kotari Looked at them all.
''If nothing else... this briefing is ajourned. And I remind you all, classified to the highest level, on pain of the second most severe sentence in the books. Dismissed.''
Jureth vaguely heard the admiral say they were dismissed, but didn't rise immediately, his brain was too busy already thinking about the best way to handle the Kelvans, never mind the planet killers. In truth he hoped that he could prevent the mission from ever getting to that point, but it didn't hurt to be prepared either. He briefly remembered the Kelvans from his Academy history classes. First encountered by Kirk they were described as militant with a superiority complex, but at the same time that also perfectly described the Undine. Had Jureth himself not been part of the events leading to an uneasy truce with the Undine he might not have believe befriending such a species was possible. So, he reasoned, if the Undine could be convinced perhaps the Kelvans could too. As for the planet killers, the only solution to those was explosions, very large explosions. When he finally realized the room was mostly empty Jureth rose from his chair and started for the door to the war room.
By Kheren on 02/09/2021 @ 3:46pm
As jureth was the last one present, this should conclude this post.