Stardate: 60329.1524
Title: Drawing the Line
Author: Captain Khavok
Time: after "Fireworks"
Scene: USS Relentless


Relentless' Captain sat calmly waiting for the remainder of his officers to assemble in the conference room. Looking like a battered tomcat and wearing only a hospital smock Alex still managed to radiate an indomitable will and barely restrained energy. Abby wondered, not for the first time, how much was Alex and how much was the drug. Abby sighed inwardly, the Captain was magnetic when he wanted to be, damn him.

As the remaining officers assembled officers seated themselves the Captain stood and paused a moment, looking at each of his officers in turn and giving them ample time to observe first hand his treatment and condition. When he was satisfied that each of them had had time to let his condition sink in he spoke, leaning on his chair back for dramatic effect. Abby resisted the urge to kick him under the table.

"Gentlemen, no doubt by now, most of you have heard the rumors flying across the station concerning a renegade captain," Alex stated.

"The rumors are partially true," Captain Khavok continued

The Captain created a spell binding telling of the events surrounding his arrest and subsequent escape. Alex left no detail out and didn't particularly embellish any part of the story but Abby and Maxine could see the effect it had on the assembled crew. Relentless' XO looked on as the disparate group of officers began the first steps of becoming a cohesive crew. Alex continued his tale, explaining the risks and what they were up against. Abby wondered if the Captain even was aware of what he was doing. She realized why Burgle hated him so much; Alex was something Frank would never be, a leader.

Abby thought about kicking the Captain again, but as she looked at him she noticed that this was not an act nor was it simply ego. It was simply the way he was.

*I should still kick him for being good looking on top of everything else*

"In short gentlemen, I'm asking one simple thing, follow me into battle. It is a question I will no doubt ask you many times before our time together is finished, and one I had hoped not to ask so soon. Any of you who after weighing the facts chooses to leave, you may do so freely, you will not be harmed. I ask you to choose now, after this there is no turning back." Khavok concluded.

Captain Khavok looked at his officers awaiting the decisions. He was relieved when no one chose to leave. He smiled inwardly; this was the first thing that went their way. Alex welcomed them aboard officially and dispatched them with orders to prepare to get underway as soon as possible. As the officers filed out Captain Khavok motioned to his XO and CSO and as the doors slid shut Alex slumped into his seat.

"How close are we to being underway?" Khavok asked.

"At least six hours sir," Lt. Cmdr. Winters replied.

The Captain nodded, "Maxine welcome to your first day, but we need to be ready within two hours, its not going to take Burgle long to figure out what's going on. He can't legally remove me from command or hold us here at the Starbase, but as we've already seen he's not that concerned about law."

"Yes sir," Maxine said, preparing to do what she could, "Sir why do they want this ship so bad, and you if I may ask?"

Khavok smiled the smile of a proud father of a brand new baby.

"This is of course, classified and not to leave this room," Captain Khavok spoke, bringing up the main diagram of the Relentless.

The CSO and XO did not need to have the differences pointed out, the restructuring necessary for the isokinetic canon was clear. Alex pointed out the other differences and some of the things that had seemed out of place with Relentless' layout started to fall into place. While the diplomatic facilities of the Relentless were smaller, they were of an advanced nature allowing for a variety of environments.

"She seems very fast and heavily armed for a scout and a first contact ship," Abby said, with some disappointment and apprehension.

"We learned a few lessons about first contact from the Dominion," Alex returned, a cold distant edge creeping into his voice.

"Of course sir," the commander said, stiffening at the edge in the Captain's voice.

"Can you have us ready, Lieutenant?" Khavok asked.

"I'll do my best sir," Maxine responded.

The Captain nodded, "Abby stay in contact with the Horizon, we need to make sure Burgles people don't try a run on them for me."

"Aye sir," Abby said. As she exited the briefing room she heard the small hiss of a hypo-spray.


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Captain Alexander Khavok
Commanding Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
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