Chapter 2: All I Ask is a Tall Ship (part 2)

Chapter 2: ALL I ASK IS A TALL SHIP (part 2)

“Each of us here understands the risk involved serving in Starfleet and that we may be called upon to sacrifice our own life in the line of duty someday."

He turned back to face each of his new officers.

“However, it is unacceptable to reach a point like this through careless error or dereliction of your responsibilities as a Starfleet officer. There also may be times when your abilities and beliefs are challenged… maybe even stretched beyond your usual limits or tolerance... but these are often the times when we may discover our true capabilities and untested tenacity... and when we begin to mature as officers.”

He looked around again at each of his new officers as he concluded:

“We truly do not know what lies ahead of us in this…our first mission. But given the nature of the sentient beings within our galaxy, and knowing the passion and pride that beats decisively through their hearts, no matter where in their body it is located, in all likelihood there will be challenges to be faced and resolved… in some manner that does not conflict with the aforementioned rules and regulations.”

Frazetti was impressed.

Now that was a speech, she thought.

She agreed, too. Like it or not, they were all in this together, thrown from wherever they had come from and expected to coalesce into a Starfleet crew, one good enough to handle the sort of situation that they were going to be in. It would be her job to make sure they did.

She resisted the urge to grin. She was up to it. She had to be up to it. There was no other option.

Captain Sterling then turned to his First Officer.

“Commander Hartzer, do you have something to add before our officers present their department reports?”

"There isn't much t' be said dat Captain Sterling hasn't said, so I'll make this quick," she began, making an effort once more to dampen her accent and sound more professional. "We're all in this together, do or die. So," and here her professional demeanor cracked just a bit as she grinned, "let's do."

She sat back down, piece said. No point in extraneous speechifyin' that she wasn't much good at anyway, when Capt. Sterling put it so prettily.

“Thank you Commander,” Sterling replied as his gaze shifted from the First Officer back to the remaining officers sitting attentively around the conference table.

“Before we are to launch this finely restored and updated vessel, we first need to verify that she is ready. Therefore, as you are presenting your Department Reports, please indicate any work within your department that will require tasks to be completed here within Starbase 39. These will be our first priorities. The remainder will be completed enroute; unless it is necessary for any tasks to be finished while primary systems are offline. Then those also need to be concluded while we are still here. Therefore, I need reasonable time estimates of when your department will be ready launch to accompany each report. Please note... that once this ship is launched and is on route, there will be no turning back… for any reason.”

The Captain paused for a moment to allow this imperative message to sink in.

“After this, share with us how your department is looking overall… that is within this brief timeframe you have had to work with and observe your team… and also what your department is current working on... in addition to any equipment related issues.”

Frazetti piped up.

"Ops is ready t' go, suh. Minor diagnostics an' fiddlin' t' be done, but nothing we can't do on da way. Shouldn't take long."

As the conversation flowed for a bit, she couldn't help but notice that their counselor, Pasqual, did not seem enthusiastic. Like not at all. This worried her for a moment but, after thinking about it for a minute, she discarded the worry. It was the beginning; they were all strangers still. He'd come around. If he didn't, he would became her problem, which would be... interesting, to say the least.

Sterling then turned his gaze to his officer sitting in close proximity to the door right behind him.

“Lieutenant Commander Archer… the current status of security and tactical?”

Brian focused his gaze on the captain and gathered his thoughts a moment before responding.

"Captain we are...disorganized at the moment. Much of the department is still boarding, but we have completed inspections of the phaser control rooms, torpedo bays, brig, and armory. All of those spaces are ready, our full complement of torpedoes is loaded and my officers have taken over the armory from base security. I've also run diagnostics on all the ships tactical systems and so far they check out pending full on testing once we are clear of the base of course. As an added assessment Sir, it will be something of a challenge to train a security force in such a short time do we know--"

Brian was cut off as his communicator chirped.

"Strider to Archer,"

Brian tapped the device and responded "Cassie can't this wait?"

"No, it can't. I am standing here at the boarding airlock with Cadet First Class Thran and looking at a PADD with orders assigning him to this ship and our department."

If Brian had not been in front of the entire senior staff he may very well have shouted out loud, "A Cadet!?," he thought instead "Are they kidding?" In response to Cassie he said

"Stand by Cassie."

He looked up at Captain Sterling

"Captain surely this is a mistake, Starfleet can't possibly be assigning a cadet to this ship for this mission."

“Lieutenant Commander Archer, this is… highly irregular.”

Sterling pondered hearing this unusual exchange; and in the middle of their briefing.

“Mister Archer, Please go and meet this cadet and determine what this is all about; even if it requires that you contact Starfleet Command to get information and confirmation directly from whoever authorized this assignment. Afterward, apprise me of your findings. Dismissed.”

Archer had spoken, Hartzer had listened intently before he was interrupted. She arched her eyebrow.

A... cadet?

Her first reaction was an instinctive no. But then, she considered it. It would have to be one hell of a cadet. Or he'd better be. She'd look into it as well as soon as possible, along with Archer. She quietly pulled out her PADD and went about getting a copy of the kid's record, which she would look over when the meeting ended.

After the security officer swiftly departed, the captain looked at the newly arrived Romulan exchange officer; realizing that he hadn’t even acknowledged his advent to the ship.

“Sub-Lieutenant Falcar, first of all, welcome to the Icarus. We are very pleased and honored to be hosting the first Romulan exchange student in Starfleet’s history to serve as a bridge officer aboard a federation starship. From what I have read in your personnel file, you have been an exemplary officer in your duties with the Romulan Star Empire and as a newly arrived officer with the Federation.”

Sterling then looked down at some briefing notes that he brought with him and then looking up he continued.

“It looks like you had recently completed training on navigating and piloting Federation starships. Could you enlighten us on what your training involved Mister Falcar?”

Falcar looked up at the Captain, nodding to him. “Thank you Captain. I’ve been trained in everything that a pilot needs to know. I was primary helm officer while serving in the Romulan Fleet. And eight months as head helmsman on board the Galaxy. The recent training that you spoke of was just learning Starfleet tech, and how to use your systems.”

He looked around.

“As for my training, I’m relatively adaptive when piloting a large starship to shuttle or fighter. I can make pin point precision maneuvers, which is handy when maneuvering through an asteroid field, or something similar.”

He then looked at the table for a moment then looked back to the Captain.

“Captain, I haven’t had the chance to meet those under me, nor checked any systems, as I only came on board five minutes ago. In fact, from what I can tell, I have zero access to the main computer. If I’m to do my job, that will need to be changed. If I’m to do my job, I’ll need access to the minimum.”

Janus Falcar leaned forward to specify:

“Access to the sensors, stellar cartography, ship stats, ship schematics, and anything else I can’t think off the top of my head that is required for a bridge officer manning the helm.”

Too many open-ended issues going on here while Starfleet is also trying to push us out the space doors and on to this mission, the Captain thought. But this is not going to occur before this ship and this crew is fundamentally situated.

Captain looked intently at the new Romulan officer and could genuinely relate to his level of exasperation.

“Glad to see that you will be fully prepared to take the helm Sub-Lieutenant. Straight away following this meeting, please take a few moments and get set up in your quarters.

Immediately afterward, Lieutenant Commander Archer can arrange a meeting with your team members and also set-up your access codes to provide you with all of the requisite clearances that you require; even beyond what is currently emanating from the top of your head. If you run into any difficulties or obstacles, immediately contact Mister Archer or Commander Hartzer and they will see that these are resolved.”

He then looked down at his notes for a moment, but before proceeding he added:

“And please find your way back to the bridge, Sub-Lieutenant Falcar. I want you to run a level 2 diagnostic on all helm controls before we engage thrusters. I don’t want any surprises heading out of spacedock or anywhere else beyond those doors.”

Falcar leaned back in his chair, and nodded.

"Yes Captain."

He was rather upset, as at this point he was completely worthless. If he had the access as everyone else had, he'd do his job and more, certainly ten times more then what he was currently doing. This was exactly what happened aboard the Galaxy.

He just hoped that it wouldn't take as long here as it did over there.

Frazetti was glad too that Boss had decided to trust the Romulan like she had.

Guy probably gets 'nuff shit as it is, she mused.

They needed to set an example for those like the Caitian science officer, who, whatever her reasons, just could not afford to have her own personal issues interfere with this. They were indeed only as strong as their weakest link.

* * *

Brian sighed heavily as he entered the bridge turbolift.

"Surely this has to be a clerical error," he said aloud; "either that or someone at Starfleet Command hates me."

The lift carried him to the deck that had the boarding airlock and he strode down the passageway and stepped off the ship where he saw a very hesitant-looking Andorian being detained by Cassie and the two security officers manning the boarding checkpoint. Behind them a line of crew members waiting to board was beginning to stack up. Brian composed himself and stepped over to them.

"What's going on Cassie?"

"Sir, this," she said gesturing "Is Cadet Thran, and somehow he has a set of orders assigning him to this ship."

"May I?" he asked pointing to the PADD

Cassie handed him the PADD, and Brian examined it.

To: Cadet First Class Thran
From: Starfleet Personnel Command
Re: Fourth Year Field Study

Cadet First Class Thran, you are hereby assigned to the USS Icarus for your Senior Year Field Study. You will report immediately to USS Icarus and serve aboard that ship for no less than six months.

Signed
Admiral C. Poole
Starfleet Personnel Command

Brian handed the PADD back to Thran.

"Cadet, I am Lieutenant Commander Brian Archer Chief of Security. I don't know how this happened, but the Icarus is not any place for a cadet. Come with me please and we will get this straightened out."

"Aye, Sir."

Brian turned back to Cassie and the security officers

"Good work; now get the rest of these people boarded."

Brian walked back through the airlock with the cadet in tow.

"Tell me Cadet, when did you get these orders?"

"Two days ago, Sir."

"I see; and who delivered them to you?"

"The personnel officer at the Academy."

Brian sighed again. He had a feeling this was going to be a gigantic cluster of red tape that he was going to have to cut through to get the answers he needed.

"Deck 9," Brian commanded to the computer as the turbolift doors closed.

As the lift moved, Brian looked over at the Andorian again. He was young by Andorian standards and Brian estimated that Starfleet was his only training thus far.

"Cadet, what is your major?"

"Starship combat tactics, Sir. I love studying the various battles in history and examining the tactics used. There is a lot to be learned."

"I'm sure there is, I was a starship weaponry major myself, how are you faring in your classes?"

"I am top 10 in my class Sir." the Andorian said proudly, but Brian knew that doing well at the Academy did not always translate to making a good tactical officer, especially with the dual role as security chief that most tactical officers were asked to perform.

The turbolift stopped and the pair exited into the passageway. As they arrived at the security office, Brian entered his authorization code on the keypad outside the door and it slid open. He gestured to a chair in front of the desk

"Have a seat, Cadet."

Thran did as he was told and he was clearly intimidated by the Icarus security officer. Brian sat down behind the desk and opened the terminal

"Computer, open a secure channel to Admiral Kathryn Janeway, Starfleet Command, Earth."

"Working..." replied the computer and for several minutes the Federation emblem was the only thing displayed on the screen. Finally the computer stated

"Channel open; standby."

After another minute, Kathryn Janeway's angular face framed by short brownish hair in a tight bun popped up on the screen.

"Mister Archer; Admiral Kelek told me you'd arrived on the Icarus. How are you finding your new ship?"

"I'm doing well Admiral, thank you for asking."

"What can I do for you, Lieutenant Commander?"

"Ma'am I have a problem. I have an Academy Cadet here who has orders to the Icarus."

Janeway arched an eybrow.

"That is interesting, Lieutenant Commander; but why aren't you calling the Academy?"

"Well, I was hoping you might be able to cut through some of the bureaucracy for me."

"I see; you know you're running out of favors, Lieutenant Commander. If you weren't a Medal of Honor awardee, and I didn't know your father so well, I'd be tempted to tell you to handle it yourself. But consider this your last call in, Mister Archer. Give me just a few minutes."

The Federation emblem appeared on the screen as Admiral Janeway placed him on hold and Brian looked across at the cadet and gave his best attempt at a reassuring smile.

"This will be settled shortly."

After ten minutes, Admiral Janeway finally appeared back on the screen.

"Well, Lieutenant Commander, I've spoken with both the Academy Commandant, the head of Starfleet Personnel, and the Commander of the Third Fleet. Your cadet is just that, your cadet."

"Admiral... this mission is no place for a cadet, even a fourth year one."

"I don't know what to tell you, Mister Archer. There are obviously some people here in San Francisco who disagrees with you."

Brian sighed.

"Thank you for the help, Admiral."

Janeway smiled.

"Good luck, Lieutenant Commander, Janeway out."

The Federation emblem appeared on the screen again, and Brian closed the terminal and looked over at Cadet Thran.

"Well, Mister Thran, it seems there is no mistake. Report to the quartermaster and get a quarters assignment, and I will meet with you later. I have to return to a briefing."

"Aye Sir." Thran responded.

They left the office together and rode in silence in the turbolift with Brian continuing to the bridge after Thran exited.

He strode across the bridge and back into the conference room. He felt the eyes upon him as he walked back in but waited for the captain to address him rather than interrupting as he sat down.

Captain Sterling then was turning to the Engineering Chief Richard Hanson who had arrived rather late to the meeting. Not a wise thing to do on this ship; especially under these circumstances.

Hanson... Arrivin' late, not da way t' get on da Boss's good side.

Frazetti Hartzer watched mutely, reserving judgment… for now, anyway. As long as he didn't do it again. She had been late on occasion, after all.

“What is the current status of the Engineering department, Mister Hanson?” Sterling then asked, expecting a full account of all issues related to this department, as this information would be decisive in determining the actual launching time of this vessel.

Hanson was thinking through some things still as he had taken a seat and had totally zoned out when the captain called on him. He blinked and then finally answered:

"Sorry, Sir. There's been some minor power up problems with the impulse pre-fire systems, but I'm sure that I can resolve them in an hour, tops. There was also a slight problem with the EPS flow, but I was able to correct that very easily. As for the staff in general, everyone is aboard, and our access is straightened out. Other than the pre-fire systems still not ready, everything is good to go, Sir."

Not on time for the meeting and then distracted during the meeting, Sterling thought in consideration of the engineer’s reaction and brief response to his department’s report.

This is who Starfleet considers most suited for this ship and this mission? The Captain further pondered. There is no room for weak links here. I’ll have Commander Hartzer check his service records and perhaps have Counselor Pasqual strive to fill in the missing pieces the commanding officer decided before stating:

“Acknowledged, Mister Hanson, and welcome aboard. After the power-up issues are deemed resolved, run a series of engineering diagnostics and computer simulations to confirm that all systems are fully operational and ready to engage before we exit out of space dock. We cannot afford to risk power or energy impediments during any aspect of this mission.”

He then turned to the Chief Medical Officer,

“Greetings Doctor Cyl and welcome aboard. What is the current status of our medical department?”

After a quiet pause, Jayvin noticed everyone looking at him.

"Oh Umm yes, the medical department... Well..."

He looked down at his PADD.

"Seems everyone is on board... and ummm... everyone's training is up-to-date." He then nodded nervously and smiled at the Captain and XO.

Sterling looked curiously at the newly arrived CMO. Surprisingly, he seemed ill at ease for someone charged with the medical safety of the entire crew.

“Thank you Doctor Cyl for that… concise medical report. However, I have just a few follow-up questions,” the Captain informed the smirking chief medical officer. “First, have all the crew members on this ship had their preliminary medical exams conducted by your staff since their arrival on board, including our recently arrived cadet? If not, when would you and your team estimate that this process will be completed?"

Without waiting for the reply, Captain Sterling then added

"Secondly, have you set up a contingency plan in case we run into… complications while on this mission and require addition medical treatment facilities and personnel beyond the sickbay? We need to be prepared for any situation that may arise. Also, please conduct a series of medical drills with all shifts and determine the efficiency of their emergency medical readiness.''

Marking a pause to let the Trill register the orders he gave, the captain then continued:

''In addition, have you tested the EMH to determine its full functionality and readiness? Are there holoemitters on every deck and have they been tested throughout the ship?”

The Captain then concluded;

“Doctor Cyl, I would greatly appreciate if you would please provide a more detailed assessment of your department during our next officer’s meeting, so that we have a clearer understanding of our true medical status and readiness. Thank you.”

Oddly enough, the new chief medical officer seemed to ease up a bit after the captain spoke. The commanding officer of the Icarus understood visibly that this was his first job as a CMO and had been caught late and unprepared.

"Of course, Sir."

Now that I have time for it. he finished in his head.

Frazetti didn't raise an eyebrow like she wanted to, but she was surprised.

Now what's up wit' you, pally? Why you all nervous?

It was something to look into. He had seemed fine before... She made a mental note of it, attaching it to his face in her mind along with the rest of the crew and what she had gathered about them. If he kept at it, maybe a friendly suggestion to see Pasqual was in order. They needed everyone firing on all cylinders, especially the CMO.

She wasn't stupid enough to think everything would go off without a hitch, and with Romulans involved, well...

Her train of thought was interrupted by M'elena Ridchards, the Half-Caitan science officer now was addressed by the captain.

“Greetings and welcome aboard, Lieutenant M'elena.” Sterling began as he looked intently at the Caitian science officer. “What is the current status of our Science Department?”

"Science is ready. We had a few issues with one of the power couplings in science labs 3 and 1 but it's clear now. All is ready for departure. Science lab 2 will need to know departure time as they are setting up a gravity experiment. Most of our work for the next month allegedly will concern re-ignition of dead or dying stars. However, because of the Seyetik Incident, we are focusing more on working with stellar fusion than with protomatter systems as Doctor Seyetik did. There will be a slight delay with that as we need to transfer all data on fusion experiments from the Starbase's main computer. Doctor Timicin's work on the subject has been looked at for several years now and we are almost certain that we know why there was such a massive neutron migration within the inner core of the test star when he attempted to revive the sun of his own home star system."

As she detailed her department's projects, M'elena sneaked a peek at the first officer. She couldn’t place her but it seemed she was not someone to mess with. The Caitan did not need to notice her reproachful stare to know that she had to put personal thoughts and feelings aside for this mission but... perhaps, with any luck, this Janus Falcar would ask to change ship.

She was surprised Starfleet would allow any Romulan on a ship, especially this ship and at this moment, other than in a diplomatic role. Many people had been, or had had family members, on the wrong end of a Romulan disruptor. More than a few had less self control than M'elena and even she had good reason to toss a Romulan out an airlock.

However, she wasn't going to destroy her own career because of what she felt about Romulans.

''Not this time,'' she sighed soft and low, beyond the range of human hearing.

She was about to say something in a much clearer tone but thought better of it. Perhaps it would be best to put it in her log instead... if at all.

Richards could not deny that the death of four of her cousins on Cynus XI had hit her hard; what little remains had been taken back to the Caitian system of Ferasa had deeply affected her when she had attended their funeral when she was but still a kittenling. As was customary practice with the religion of half her planet, those remians had been placed into a torpedo casing and fired into the system's star. Many Caitians believed that their creator, the Goddess, had made their planet and taken star material to fashion the first Caitians and breathe life into them. It was natural for them to return to the star stuff they had come from now that they could do better than burning bodies with sunfire through glass lenses like the orthodox still insisted on doing with the dearly departed. But one way or another, they all believed that, billions of years from now, the life cycle which all Caitians believed in would start again and they would be born anew into another existence.

Captain Sterling listened attentively as the Caitian science officer delivered her report.

“I am pleased that the science department seems ready for our eminent departure. Additionally, while I appreciate the research that you were conducting on stellar matter, these priorities will now need to change to match the current needs of this ship and our upcoming mission.''

Sterling then clarified his directive to the science chief.

''The initial primary obligation in the science department during this mission will be to have your teams focus on monitoring and improving ship sensor readings. Your team needs to research and determine specifically more effective and efficient methods to detect cloaked vessels. This may also involve having your team members working in conjunction with the engineering department to recalibrate the sensory apparatus to detect a variety of possible cloaked signals at a greater range and accuracy.”

The captain then looked around at the entire bridge staff and firmly stated:

“We don’t know what types of resistance or confrontations we may encounter during this mission. But it is up to each of you and your departments to anticipate every possible contingency that may occur and find a series of ways to remedy each situation. Your keen eyes and alertness are essential, as is you ability think and respond accordingly at a moment’s notice. This is one of the reasons I am expecting each and every department to run through drills and practices followed by assessment meetings with your team and your crew to find and fix weaknesses that you don’t even know exist, and then to discuss among your department members ways in which to improve your plans, procedures and overall effectiveness.”

He then turned toward the ship’s counselor and stated:

“Mister Pasqual… your thoughts and assessments of our crew and their readiness thus far… followed by any recommendations that you may have.”

The ship's counselor blinked several times at his commanding officer, as if he had been daydreaming and suddenly brought back to the present. But it would take more than that to fool an experienced man like captain Sterling who could recognize it promptly for what it truly was: serious thinking before answering cautiously:

''Do you really want to discuss this righthere... and right now, Sir?''

Sterling looked intently at the ship’s counselor. There was no way that this man was as distracted and cavalier as his indifferent persona was attempting to convey. He had clearly made some disconcerting observations about the crew and was hesitant on sharing them openly at this meeting; especially perhaps if some of these concerns were regarding the very officers surrounding him; with their full attention focused on what he might have to say.

“This was my intention counselor, but if you feel a more… confidential setting would be appropriate, then you and I can discuss your observations and concerns after this meeting. “ The captain responded as he looked directly at the counselor and awaited his reply.

Ray was not a shy man by far; but he still was a professional and knew such assessments, like any other kind of medical file, were normally reserved for the Captain, the First Officer and the individual concerned. Having their psychoprofile publicly discussed was not only a breach of confidentiality, it was downright... dangerous.

Especially because of who this crew was made of.

And so, he opted for a very broad, general report, hoping the Captain would see it too... and satisfy himself with it, at least for the moment. Clearing his throat and sitting forward, his hands crossed on the table in front of him, he answered:

''There is the level of nervousness and anticipation to be expected for a brand new crew suddenly thrusted into a high stake-low profile mission. It will take some time for each individual to adjust... hopefully before we get to the mission point. But as with all living things, each will perform under such conditions according to his gifts... Sir.''

He looked briefly around the table then ended up looking at the Romulan officer when he said;

''As for recommendations for this mission, Captain... We will be dealing with the Rihansuu, those we call Romulans. Above all else, we must remember that this is a most proud, cunning and sophisticated Vulcanoid people which reveres duty above all else. Klingons may die for their personal Honor and claiming to do it for the glory of their Empire, even if it does not... but a Romulanlives only for the glory of his Empire. He will never eschew his duty, nor any means to fulfill it and will kill and die in an instant and without any second thought, even his own children and parents. You may negotiate with them in good faith; but, in any negotiation with them, never forget that he will concede nothing and feel bound to nothing if it does not also serve his people. That is the core of his being. Even the most self-serving Romulan will firmly and deeply believe he does so for the benefit of his people.''

He paused to look around again as he concluded:

''If you do not yourself show the same willingness to benefit the Romulan Star Empire, be you Romulan or not, he will not even listen to you... even if it looks like he does. To a Romulan, his Honor is his Duty and Duty is his life. And his duty is first and last to the Empire.''

Sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms, he refrained from smirking as he concluded;

''Hopefully, Starfleet knows what it's doing here... because some of us sure as Hell don't... Sir.''

Sterling listened carefully as the counselor tactfully presented his report. He noted that Pasqual was careful not to breach confidentiality protocols and instead changed the direction of the inquiry by sharing his insightful assessment of the precariousness of the upcoming mission in respects to general Romulan ethics and their duty-bound modus operandi.

He was indeed an interesting choice of a ship’s counselor. The question that remained in Sterling’s mind at this point was whether this was a man that he could count on and trust in his pivotal position as counselor and equally important in this mission, in his role as an aide and assessor to diplomatic negotiations with the Romulan representatives. He would make it a point to meet with him again once the ship was out of Starbase 39 and on their way to the summit.

Once the counselor finished his report, the Captain responded:

“Thank you for your assessment, Counselor. Regardless of Starfleet’s situation and readiness, Mister Pasqual, we need to know what we are doing in regards to these upcoming negotiations. As soon as the delegates arrive, please plan on meeting with them and assist us in determining the soundness of their course of action; although I doubt that they will willingly lay out all of their cards before the game has even begun.

He then looked at the Counselor and with a bit of a wink in his eye inquired:

“Are you much of a poker playing man, Counselor?

"Not much , Sir. With the kind of training Starfleet provides... and a few tricks I got from my own... upbringing... it is quite hard to make the game a real challenge anymore...."

He winked back at the captain then.

"Most of the time."

Sterling smirked.

“Well… in that case, Mister Pasqual, I am confident that this mission will suffice in a variety of ways of presenting you with what you have been lacking in regards to a challenge.”

The Captain then looked to Hartzer and the other officers sitting around the perimeter of the conference table.

“Is there any other information to be shared before this meeting is adjourned?”

Frazetti grinned, a more than slightly crooked thing.

"If yer settin' up a poker match, Boss, count me in," she said with a jaunty tip of her hat.

Cards was practically a national sport on Iotia, and both poker and even the mythical Fizzbin were games every Iotian learned in the cradle. On Vineya Prime, during the tougher times, cards had been her only income. Granted she had cheated at the time to make sure she won... but still. She wouldn't go hungry if she lost here, after all. She hadn't liked cheating, she was a woman of honor, like all Iotians; but then agian... she had done quite a few things she hadn't liked.

She shook herself. That was all quite in the past.

Fuhgeddaboutit, she thought, quoting to herself silently a moviethat had become an instant classic on Iotia.

Sterling looked a bit surprised at the joviality and eagerness at his first’s officer’s response to his inquiry to Counselor Pasqual.

It was meant more figuratively, but then again he had to recognize that with a Sigma Iotian sitting next to him, the offer of an impending poker game was like holding up a fresh juicy bone before a canine.

He turned to the first officer.

“Well, Commander Hartzer, let’s see first how successfully we are able to get through the high-stakes gamble we have awaiting us at Khii before we start setting up the chips and dishing out the cards… shall we?” he commented with a slight smirk hinted across his face.

Captain Sterling then stood up and stated in all seriousness as he looked at everyone seated around the conference table:

“Officers, prepare your stations for launch. Each department head is to check in with Commander Hartzer the moment your station is ready for departure. Dismissed!”

As the officers rose and began exiting the conference room, Janus Falcar stood and walked closer to the Captain.

“Captain, I have yet to be told on where we are going. Is Khii, our destination? I’m not familiar with it. With a list of locations we’ll be going to, I should be able to plot a much better course, to avoid trouble and danger.”

“Rightly so sub-lieutenant” Captain Sterling acknowledged to his new Romulan Helm officer. “Have Commander Hartzer provide you with the coordinates to Khii and fill you in on any related information that you need. Then let me know when you are situated at helm and prepared to initiate our departure out of spacedock Mister Falcar.“

"Yes Captain." Falcar nodded, then turning to Archer.

"Lieutenant Commander, the Captain said you could assist me in gaining more access. I'll allow you two to continue, I'll be on the bridge waiting."

He nodded and left the conference room. He entered the bridge, where he had been previously, for a short time. He moved towards the front and turned around so his back was facing the view screen and him facing the back of the bridge. He placed his hands on the two consoles in front of the Captains chair, and looked over both.

This seems to be ops, and this Helm. Good it’s just like on the Galaxy. Helm is the starboard one.

While this was going on, the Captain then turned his attention to his Chief Security Officer who just arrived back from a meeting with the most recent arrival to the Icarus.

“So, what have you ascertained, Mister Archer?”

While the others filed out of the conference room Brian approached the captain waiting until he was finished speaking with Falcar before he said:

"Captain, it seems that Cadet Thran is ours, Sir. I jumped the chain a bit and contacted Admiral Janeway. She spoke with several other people way above my pay-grade and they all told her the cadet is ours whether we like it or not."

''Hmm…” the Captain pondered. “This must be some … interesting Cadet that Starfleet is chomping at the bit for us to procure; especially at this specific juncture. What is this cadet’s specialty Lieutenant Commander?”

Brian grimaced before answering the captain's question regarding Cadet Thran.

"Well Sir, his specialty is tactical, Sir...so, unfortunately, he's mine. I'll do what I can to keep him out of the way. I haven't had a chance to look at his record yet, but someone in San Francisco thinks highly of him.''

The commanding officer of the Icarus then instructed the chief of security:

“See to it that his quarters are arranged and that he is teamed up with someone in his department that can guide him while keeping an eye out for him… at least during the outset of this mission.”

He then questioned the Security Chief as he began to slowly make his exit out of the conference room.

“Other than this surprising Cadet addition, how is security looking at this point… since we didn’t have a chance to finish your debriefing during the conference?”

''As far as the rest of security, Sir... I'm planning on getting my department together in one spot in a couple of hours. From there, I will begin training them as quickly as I can to work together and then I will try and devise protection for the various delegations. All these diplomats coming aboard one ship concerns me, Sir. It makes us a target...for the Remans, for the Tal Shiar, and anyone else that might want to see this mission fail."

“My concerns exactly, Mister Archer, which is why you and your team’s anticipation, recognition and swift response to anything suspicious or out of the ordinary will be crucial throughout this mission. It would seem that the potential for success to our mission’s objective would be relatively proportional to the level of opposition we may encounter; from any number of potential advisories.”

The Captain breathed deeply, as if trying to oxygenate his thoughts to an even greater degree in preparation for the potential maelstrom ahead.

“In regards to your new protégé… perhaps this eager young cadet will prove useful to you as you’re bringing your security team up to speed. Keep me posted on his progress Lieutenant Commander as well as the remainder of your team. We need our security department to be prepared for the unexpected in addition to what we know are prospective dangerous issues awaiting us beyond these spacedock doors. Dismissed, ” Sterling concluded as he headed out of the conference room and toward his ready room.

M'elena had made her way to the science consoles and had already started to hand out various orders. The Captain's new orders had been short and to the point, inside she would have sooner continued with the mission she had been given by Starfleet sciences.

She sighed softly as she sat down and started to work with the library computer. Finding a cloaked ship was still difficult even with the upgrades in sensor technology, she bit her lower lip. With some additional time, she might have something.

M'elena suspected that tetryons where the key to it all, finding the cloaked ship was not as easy as that. All the same an enormous amount of power was required to generate a cloaking field even with the improvements made.

Perhaps that was worth looking into, with the possibility of the tetryon emissions as well. Upgrading the sensor pallets would take time, but nothing the science department could not handle. She sent down orders that Lt Than would take over the upgrade of sensor pallets while she and others would work on a way of breaking through cloaking devices at long range.