Stardate: 61106.2210
Title: The Young and the Relentless
Author: Captain Alexander Khavok
Time: After "Never Dull"
Scene: Relentless
Something had changed in the CEO's demeanor and carriage that Alex couldn't
quite put his finger on. Whatever it was it was a good thing he'd finally
decided so he had given his ok for the rather unusual request Vilmer gave him.
Let him handle things with the administrator. The engineer had given his
personal guarantee that things would be different with from now on with the
administrator. It was hard to argue with the engineer's logic. In the engineer's
own words, By hook or by crook he was an expert on Ferengi culture. By AND by
crook most likely the Captain corrected himself.
Khavok was somewhat amused when Kal told him what had happened. It seemed fairly
simple really. But some marvellous things had happened. The administrator had
promised to get off the collective 'ass' of one Captain Khavok and his first
officer Commander Winters. And miraculously the parts and supplies needed to
bring the Relentless' complement of shuttles arrived through a time-space
continuum precisely three weeks ahead of schedule. Repairs on the Relentless
herself were completed in record time.
Commander Trent had been somewhat inquisitive when Alex had asked that the
Ferengi held in connection with the theft be released without charge after a
short conversation with the Chief Engineer. Trent would have liked to see more
done to them, but he himself had larger fish to fry, and he didn't get to
Commander by not realizing when and how to make a deal. Kal himself wouldn't say
much other than he'd had them over a barrel and screwed them out of latinum bar
they had. It was quite obvious Kal had enjoyed every minute of it.
The Trokarn prisoner was transferred to Starbase 9 as the Relentless really
could not spare the space or manpower needed to monitor the alien. It was hoped
by all concerned that when the Trokarn did come to retrieve their fellow, it
could be done peacefully.
=/\= Conference Room =/\=
Alex looked at his assembled officers, across at the new and unfamiliar faces,
and the ones that were becoming familiar. He looked in turn, the extravagant and
flamboyant Ambassador, the new Doctor, and the ship's counsellor. Finally he
rested on his flight ops officer, the somewhat unconventional but effective
Yonaton Levi.
"Ensign Levi, how are your department members doing?"
To his credit Levi was able to recite the condition of his fellow department
members.
"As you know, each time we return to station, it is a time of change. With
crewmembers being rotated on and off the ship. The recent attack on the flight
deck has left several key chain of command members severely injured, and on top
of that some of the others are due for new posts," The Captain stated.
"So Ensign Levi, I have good news and bad news for you."
Yoni looked a bit uncomfortable at being singled out in the staff meeting for
such attention, "what is the good news sir?"
"You are being promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade."
The surprised looks around the table were soon changed to smiles, and the newest
Lieutenant onboard was treated to warm applause.
"The bad news sir?" Yoni asked.
"We'll have to wait on your wet-down as we've been ordered to jump again as soon
as the ship is ready."
Yoni smiled.
"There is one other thing, you are now acting head of operations and as such,
your duties and responsibilities will include a somewhat wider scope."
The Operations officer looked a little crestfallen at this last, the flight deck
was his home and where his heart belonged. "Yes sir!"
The Captain briefly introduced, the Ambassador, Doctor and Counsellor. There was
no one in the meeting who did not realize that the three new crewmembers would
be vital to their continuing mission.
"Kal, I want you to go through the forward phaser batteries with a fine tooth
comb. I saw an exchange between one of your engineering crew and Commander
Burgle."
"Yes Sir." The engineer replied.
"Ops, you've got your hands full, feel free to tap the other department heads as
you need."
"I want this ship ready to depart in six hours."
As the assembled officers departed to make ready, Abby turned to her Captain,
"are you ok Sir?"
The Captain thought for a moment. "Yes I believe I am," he said with a smile,
"I'm just ready to get under way."
"We'll be ready sir." Abby said returning his smile.
Six hours later the Relentless was hurtling through space at maximum warp
towards the jump point. Kal had reported an unusual set of sabotage that would
have caused cascading failure had the Relly had to open fire on something. Kal
was pretty sure he'd caught the entire scope of the plan.
Khavok was certain he had the last pieces of evidence he needed where Burgle was
concerned. There would come a time soon when Alex would take that fight to the
enemy with as much rage and fury as he took the fight to the Dominion. That time
was not now however.
Alex sank into his chair and ordered, "let's do it."
====================
Captain Alexander Khavok
Commanding Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
====================