Stardate: 60514:1222
Title: The Calm Before the Storm
Author: Captain Khavok
Time: After "The Ghost and the Machine"
Scene: Various locations on the Relentless


The escape from the station did wonders for the Captain of the Relentless. Alexander felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders and could literally breathe a little easier now that they were underway. No longer was he caught like a rat in a trap. He now had room to move and some very handy teeth. 

Captain Khavok had finally had time to get into sickbay where he belonged. Prolonged treatment and abuse from Relentless' quirky EMH had brought the Captain to the point where he could function without any further need of his drug. Alexander was relieved not to have to depend on the substance anymore. Using it carried as many risks as the benefits it delivered.

Relentless' Captain was disturbed. The crew of the Relentless was small. Rumors and innuendo passed through the ship like wildfire. Doubt, misinformation, and the occasional outright lie flew through the departments with shocking regularity. If things weren't changed soon, it wouldn't take enemy action to cripple the ship, she would implode under her own fear.

Alex made his way to the holodeck. A good workout would clear his mind. The Captain spent the next two hours pouring all of his soul and energy into his martial arts workout. He practiced various forms and combinations until he was soaked with sweat. He kicked and punched until his extremities were like lead and every muscle burned. Still he pushed himself harder, executing ever more brutal and deadly combinations on imaginary opponents. Block, counter-strike, joint lock, break, the workout went on until at last Alex was too tired to move and his mind had cleared. Alex reached for a towel and came to a decision.

Once he'd caught his breath Khavok keyed a nearby COM station, "Ops, please have the senior staff in the conference room in 30 minutes, give them my regards."

[Yes Sir.]

=/\= 30 Minutes Later =/\=

Freshly dressed, Alex was feeling better than he had in a long time. The fact that he'd decided on a course of action helped immensely as well. He faced his officers and began to speak.

"I’m sure you're all aware of the tension on the ship and the circumstances surrounding us. I won't waste time covering again what you already know. As of this moment your respective clearances have been updated and you now have full access to the ship's entire capability. I trust you will use that knowledge appropriately and responsibly. We will be taking a short detour en route to system 814A. I want to start running combat drills. I also want this crew so busy that they don't have time to spread rumor and innuendo. Understood?"

There was a chorus of affirmatives.

"Engineering I want all of our weapons systems fully operational immediately."

"Aye sir."

"Security, continue your patrols, and Lt. McFrey you have a valuable resource in Ensign Adams, I suggest you use him."

McFrey kept his mask firmly in place but inside he raged, "Yes Sir."

"Science make sure that we see anything looking for us first. Coordinate with Engineering as needed."

"Yes Sir," Maxine replied.

"Dismissed. Number one, a moment in my ready room?" 

"Of course Captain," Abby replied.

The officers filed out to carry out the tasks set before them. Abby and Alex stepped into the ready room.

"Captain," Abby said insistently, "may I speak freely?"

"Granted."

"What is it you think you're doing? Morale on the ship is already in the tank, a bunch of drills is not going to help matters."

"Why do you think we were able to escape the station so easily?"

"The Horizon? Admiral Foster?"

"Both absolutely necessary, we wouldn't be having this conversation without Scott's help. But whoever is hitting us is powerful enough to snatch a captain, do you think they really have to worry about public opinion or insignificant things like the Starfleet Charter?"

"There are still agents on board," Abby stated with dread certainty.

"At least three would be my best guess, perhaps more." Abby thought for a moment, "Engineering and Security would be the most logical places, perhaps a reserve in another department."

Khavok nodded, "they have to know they can't communicate or we'd be on them, the only real option they have left is the crew."

"And by having the drills run, you keep every body busy and working together, which will make anything odd that much easier to spot," Abby said grasping the Captain's plan intuitively.

"That is my hope. We'll stop for some weapons tests and some various simulations. I've even planned an orbital drop," Alex said with a wicked smile.

"See you dirt side then, hot shot," Abby parried without hesitation.

Khavok laughed then, a deep laugh that dissolved the tension, "last one down, buys the next round."

"Done."

Captain Khavok sobered slightly, "if we don't get trust built within the crew soon, then they've already won. It won't matter what we find at 814A."

"We'll be fine Captain," Abby smiled.

Alex returned her smile, "I'll be in Astrometrics if you need me. One other thing, keep an eye out for Ensign Adams, I have a bad feeling about McFrey."

"Yes sir."

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Captain Alexander Khavok
Commanding Officer
USS Relentless
NCC 11966
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