Stardate: 61026.1042
Title: The Gordian Knot
Author: Captain Khavok
Time: during "Intruder Alert"
Scene: USS Relentless
It is a strange thing, perhaps giving evidence that there is a creator or if not
a creator, then certainly a universe with a distinct sense of humor. That such a
small place like the Relentless is such a magnet and center for controversy and
struggle. Not to mention so much turmoil packed in one space at the same time.
The Trokarn prisoner; would be Ferengi bandits, a commander with an axe to
grind, and a burgeoning intelligence all managed to miss each other.
As Captain Khavok walked through his ship with Commander Burgle, coincidentally
enough, missing main engineering altogether. As a matter of fact managing to
avoid most concentrations of crew while keeping the tour interesting for his
guest. The pair stopped at one of the forward phaser turrets and the Captain
nodded to the engineering crew as they departed the space. Khavok did notice the
very startled look Robbins gave Commander Burgle as he hastily left.
Once the pair was alone Alex spoke keeping his tone mild, "Do you have a
personal dislike for me Frank?"
The Captain exercised his privilege of using a subordinate's first name on
purpose. Alex deliberately asked that question out of the blue achieving his
desire of startling the Commander for a moment. While Frank struggled to regain
his footing, none to sure to begin with, Khavok added.
"You may speak frankly, we'll forego rank for a moment and speak man to man."
Honestly, Frank had to think for a moment. It was an unusual question he first
thought, but a very good one. There was no question that Frank hated Alex as an
ideal- the young upstart with a golden path to the highest ranks in Starfleet.
Frank knew he was on the short list for command of the Relentless, but then so
were several other highly qualified officers. Being passed over for Relentless'
top spot was really no grounds for hate. Disappointment maybe, jealousy even,
maybe some anger. The more Frank thought the more he realized that his personal
animosity towards the young Captain was misdirected.
Khavok merely let the silence continue as the older man thought.
"No Captain, I don't have any personal feelings for you one way or another."
"Would you then care to explain your behavior in relationship to both myself and
Commander Winters? Without question you are senior to her, having been longer
and grade and with much more experience than either one of us."
Frank struggled to maintain control and scrabble for some mental footing. He had
supposed that a confrontation would come sooner or later with Alex, but he never
imagined the young upstart would be able to handle himself so well. Burgle had
imagined that Alex would come in phasers blazing, trying to provoke a physical
confrontation. Frank wasn't kidding himself, if it came down to a fight he knew
he would get the short end of the stick. However if Frank had been able to
provoke Alex into a fight it would give him further things to smear the younger
man with.
Both men knew there was no excuse for the Commander's behavior.
"I don't know what to say," Burgle answered lamely.
Alex nodded and said, "I was a guest recently, of Starbase security. As you no
doubt know my treatment was sub standard to say the least. From my apprehension
to my alleged escape."
At the last part of Alex's statement his voice took on a very cold edge and
Frank paled a bit. Burgle wondered for a moment whether younger man would try to
kill him, after all he was alone on a vessel not under his command. Frank looked
over at the other man and saw him lounging comfortably against a bulkhead, as if
he belonged there. As if he didn't have a care in the world, as if the universe
owed him something. Making life seem easy, mocking him. With a rush Frank's
feelings returned and he understood what it was he hated about Khavok.
"What is it you want, Khavok?" Frank said his anger and hate giving him
strength.
"Do you think I asked for the Relentless?" Alex said switching tack again.
Another thing Burgle in his rage and hate had never bothered to question.
"Let me tell you something," Captain Khavok continued, "we both know that no
officer worth his salt would turn down command of anything, certainly not a ship
like the Relentless. I knew when I got her I would be the target of envy and
dislike. Do you think for some reason I don't realize my age and time of
service?"
Alex did not give the older man time to respond when he continued, "most of my
career I've been treated the same way you've treated me and my first officer
since we've been here. Silver spoon kids who, when it comes right down to it,
don't know a warp core from a black hole. But yeah we're cute, we look good so
why not give them the most advanced war ship in the fleet."
"That about sum it up, Frank?"
The fact that Alex was right didn't do anything to ease the rage or jealousy in
Frank's mind if anything it just served to strengthen his feelings and justify
in his mind what he'd done to Alex and what he would do if given the chance.
Burgle's jaw clenched but he said nothing else.
"You see," Khavok said, pressing his assault, "you career types think that my
path has been easy. Popped right up the ranks you say. Did you for once think
that in my popping up the ranks, that it so happened I had to watch a lot of
good people die? Now don't get me wrong, the only way I'll leave the Relentless
is feet first. I just want you to understand the costs."
"Easy for you to speak about costs, you slept your way to the top, why if it
wasn't for your girlfriend looking out for you…"
Khavok snapped rigidly from his leaning position on the bulkhead, "I'll thank
you to speak of the Admiral with a little more respect."
Burgle smiled a knowing smile, he had the younger man's number now and he was
relishing being back on the high ground.
"O ho, thought you were more discreet than that eh? Well my boy seems as if you
do have a lesson or two to learn. Is she good? I mean, come on a young good
looking guy like you, surely you don't have any trouble…"
Khavok's fists clenched for a moment and he took a step closer to the older man.
Alex knew he could handily defeat Frank in a fight and he desperately wanted to
give him one at the moment. An icy calm settled over Khavok and he stopped
abruptly, making the sort of connections that enabled him to survive time after
time. Some of Frank's smugness slid from his face as for a moment he'd seen in
Alex what his enemies saw. That there was a man who would give any order
necessary to bring his ship home, without hesitation and without mercy.
There was a hostile silence as the two men measured and re-measure one another.
Frank for his part felt a little more certain he had Alex's number. He could
with enough though manipulate him through his feelings for Libby. Frank didn't
like the Admiral much, lumping her in the same category as Alex, albeit with
some complex mental gymnastics. Trying to get to Khavok thru Admiral Foster
would be risky at best. She was a powerful entity in her own right. Still Burgle
mused it could be worth it.
A brief red alert klaxon sounded for a second only, lessening the tension
between the two men, giving both of them an exit.
Feeling secure in himself once again Burgle couldn't resist a malicious comment
after the alert was clear, "problems?"
"Nothing my executive officer can't handle I'm sure," Alex returned, refusing to
be baited once again.
Burgle harrumphed and the two men strode warily out of the ship eyeing each
other. At last they reached a parting of ways and with weary sighs of relief the
adversaries took leave of each other. Frank made it partway down the 'gangplank'
and Alex stopped him.
"Frank, you're familiar with the Gordian Knot?"
"Yes, sir, is there a reason for this question?"
Alex let the insubordination pass answering, "keep in mind how it was solved
Commander, you have my leave."
With that Alex turned his back on Burgle and went to figure out just what
exactly was going on with his ship.
====================
Captain Alexander Khavok
Commanding Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
====================
