Prologue
Posted on 02/26/2012 @ 11:10am by Captain Tyrel Sterling
Mission:
The Resurrection of Icarus
Location: Starbase 39
Timeline: 2388
''Vice pacem, para bellum''
(''If you want Peace, prepare for War'')
Saying of Ancient Rome (Earth)
PROLOGUE
“Peace?” asked the human Captain Ronald Walsh, incredulous. He stared across the briefing room table at the admiral and the three Starfleet ambassadors. A PADD lay between them.
“Surely, you are joking!” the Captain commanding Starbase 39 responded, doubtful of the implications.
“Vulcans do not joke,” replied Admiral Kelek. His serious dark old gaze, none the lessened for the wrinkles on his face, met the captain’s. “Even if such a thing were logical, I assure you this is not one.”
“But- peace? With the Romulans?” Walsh said, obviously trying to wrap his brain around the idea.
“This is OUTRAGEOUS!”
The irate bellow shook the room.
Walsh winced, and Admiral Kelek turned to give Ambassador Murtag his full attention. The Klingon slammed his meaty fist on the table, which creaked dangerously.
“Those honorless petaQ? No! They know no peace! They are lying, sneaking cowards who will betray us as soon as they can benefit from it! We should attack; eliminate this threat while they are weak,” he hissed. “The Klingon Empire will NOT stand for this!”
“Then you may sit,” Admiral Kelek said, “because the Klingon Empire has objected fifty nine times; sixty, counting your emotional outburst seven point nine seconds ago, and the verdict of the Federation remains the same.”
Murtag glared at him, then at Walsh.
“You are fools. Be careful you do not find an Honor Blade, or a Klingon dk’tang, lodged in that bleeding heart of yours. There will be repercussions,” he snarled.
Taking out said dagger, he thrust it into the table with all his considerable might. Hand forged steel cut through the tabletop like a hot knife through cheese. It embedded itself a good two and a half inches into the plastic and wood surface, quivering. Ambassador Murtag stalked out the door in a clank of steel and a flurry of robes.
Walsh watched him leave, wide eyed. Admiral Kelek resisted the urge to sigh. Such an emotional, volatile species… even more so than Humans. He had no doubt the Klingons would keep their word on their threat. But it was impossible not to help the Romulans: to seize the chance for peace while it presented itself.
He turned back to Walsh.
“Well, Captain, since the Hobus Supernova and the destruction of virtually the entire Romulan Empire barely two weeks ago, they find that suddenly they have bigger worries than the Federation. Five hundred light years of territory, obliterated…”
The Vulcan Ambassador shook his head sadly for the loss of life. The man next to him spoke.
“There are several more hostile governments that are now eyeing them like jackals do a wounded wildebeast.” responded Ambassador Jahari, a human of African descent. “They cannot wage a war on two fronts. It has happened before.”
“Yes, Praxis; but the Klingons at least have their code of honor. The Romulans will just as soon stab you in the back as shake your hand,” muttered Walsh.
“Be that as it may,” Admiral Kelek said, “the request for formal peace talks between Romulus and the Federation is real. It sits there in your hand. To deny such a request would be highly illogical.”
He paused. Dressed in the uniform of an admiral, red and gold, he cut a distinguished figure with his silver hair and stern demeanor. His ears stuck out, pointed, like the nacelles of a Prometheus class vessel.
“Fortuitously, he resumed, I had already been working on a proposal of an acceptance of cessation of all hostilities between the Romulans and the Federation… even before this incident occurred. We’re merely updating and modifying the doctrine to fit our current circumstances.”
He then slowly slid the current incarnation with part of the drafted document across the table to Walsh and then added;
“The talks are tentatively scheduled to be held in an undisclosed location on the planet Khii, which lies on the border of the Neutral Zone… in about six months time. This will allow them the necessary time to sort through a quagmire of issues emanating from this disaster, while also providing us the time needed to make our own… arrangements.”
Walsh didn’t say anything; he didn’t have to, as his body language made it quite clear that he thought this was going to be a fool’s endeavor. Peace with the Romulans… What is the universe coming to? He mused, discontent. He picked up the PADD, reading it.
Then, he paused.
Ah, Kelek thought, and so it begins… as he began to share with the Starbase commander the main reason for this meeting and how his direct involvement would transpire.
Upon seeing the Admiral’s and the Federation council’s plan, he jumped up in the middle of the conversation, interrupting.
“…Sir? You want the Icarus to ferry the Romulan delegation to Khii?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. “That old hunk of junk hasn’t been used for anything but the most routine missions for decades… and I even think it’s now set to be decommissioned.”
After reflecting further on the possibilities Captain Walsh pointed out:
“And…. since the Icarus Incident… Well, I’m not superstitious, but some people say that the ship is… unlucky… cursed even. I know, it’s illogical, but why not use a more modern vessel? An antiquated Excelsior class that’s literally falling apart at the seams is… well… it is hardly practical or a way for us to make a good impression on any delegation they are to meet with.”
“True. But tell me Captain, what do you know of the Icarus, besides its role in the Icarus Incident?”
Captain Walsh thought for a moment, and drew a blank.
Kelek continued.
“Well then, allow me to enlighten you. On one of its earlier missions, led by Captain Marcus Sterling, the Icarus detected a Romulan vessel that had apparently moved into the Neutral Zone and then into Federation space. Icarus was on a routine patrol at the time. Unbeknownst to them, this vessel was carrying a… shall we say ‘significant’ passenger when it experienced a ship-wide malfunction that left it powerless and drifting aimlessly in Federation space.”
The Captain’s posture had not changed, except perhaps of an inkling of intrigue and curiosity that almost imperceptivity cast itself across his agitated expression.
The Vulcan proceeded on with his anecdote.
“Due to the proximity and circumstances of this ship in Federation space, the Icarus would have been justified in merely destroying this ship where it stood in space… Yet this did not occur. After thoroughly scanning the entire ship for energy readings and life signs, the Captain was informed by his crew that vital operational readings were all severely low, including life support; which was almost nonexistent. Captain Sterling then attempted to hail the ship, and, when he received no response, despite concerns and reservation by his senior crew, choose to transport over all life signs to his ship through a series of group transports. Though the Romulan crew were all unconscious, he managed to bring them all aboard in time before all systems failed, thus saving their lives.''
He paused to let the details sink in before continuing.
'' While the Romulans were being cared for, he worked with his engineering staff to bring the disabled ship in tow and eventually brought it and the crew back to Romulus under a flag of peace. The ‘significant’ passenger it turned out was the son of the current Praetor, the Supreme military leader of the Romulan Star Empire. The Praetor, who despite initial suspicion and objections to this federation vessel traveling in Romulan space, was sincerely grateful and expressed admiration to this brave Federation officer coming to the rescue of this Romulan ship and its passengers; especially his son. The Praetor bestowed upon the Captain of the Icarus a blade of Heroism and Courage, which he appreciatively accepted. It was one of the very rare times in Federation and Romulan history that members of the two governments have worked peacefully together. Romulans are as long lived as Vulcans, and they have an equally adept memory. Sending the Icarus is, therefore is not only the logical choice, but significant as well with its history with the Romulans.”
Changing topics, the Vulcan Admiral said:
“As for the current status of this ship, this is not of significant concern… it will be properly repaired and significantly upgraded.”
“You’d need to practically rebuild it from the ground up!'' Walsh protested. ''The time involved and the resources are staggering. You’d need a bunch of engineers and a starb… Oh no. No, no...”
“Yes, Captain Walsh. Starbase 39 is not only ideally situated, but it contains the necessary personnel and equipment essential to repair and refurbish the Icarus thoroughly and in the time allotted,” Kelek said steadily. “After which, she shall receive a new captain and crew for their mission. I have already talked to the Federation Council on this matter. We are in agreement.”
Not without effort, however. It had taken some convincing, especially regarding this ship and the potential new Captain. The Federation Council was all for peace with Romulus, but agreeing to rebuild the Icarus itself had taken some… shall we say… very delicate negotiation to reach an agreement.
However, this is all logical... the Vulcan thought as he recalled a certain young ensign on the Icarus, several decades ago. It would be good to see the grand old ship not only functional again but in superlative condition.
He looked stoically back toward the skeptical human Captain.
“This is not just a basic and functional refit, either Captain Walsh. Although it may look like your old excelsior class from afar, when completed it would actually have all of the ‘kick’ of a Sovereign class ship ‘under the hood’, as you humans might say.”
Walsh stared at him. This was madness, the lot of it. But he had his orders, even if they were insane.
“Yes, sir. We’ll get right on it,” he said with hesitation and a degree of resignation in his voice, knowing that they would need this starship to be prepared for anything, whether diplomatic in nature or confrontational.
