Debriefed

Posted on Tue May 24th, 2022 @ 7:29pm by Commander N'Garzi Zora & Commodore Jacob Kane

Mission: Ares Ascending
Location: USS Athena
Timeline: Post-Rondac
868 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Kane had been unsettled since the Battle of Rondac - as some of the lower decks were calling it.

It should have been the end of the story; the final pieces of the puzzle laid out in front of them. Checkmate. The endgame. Insert cliche.

But it wasn't. The loss of Lieutenant P'rel and her aide Tolbar had weighed on him heavier than it should have. He wasn't going to openly admit it to a soul, but he was sorely going to miss his Intelligence Officer. Despite any misgivings Commander Zora might have, she was good at her job and cut through the usual bureaucracy he loathed. And she got results.

Zora herself was standing there waiting for him to speak. He wasn't sure how long he'd been silent, but the way that he'd been the last few hours, it could have been minutes.

"Fleet Command reports that Admiral White's ship was destroyed attempting to flee the Rondac system," he said quietly, looking up at her. "The Vesta combed the debris for survivors, but he wasn't among them. So we must assume he's dead. And with the head cut off from the snake, we're to assume his plans ended with him."

"Then that should be the end, right?" Zora asked a note of scepticism in her voice. Kane's word had made her think of the old Earth legend known as the Hydra, cutting off one head only meant that more may grow in its place. She wondered if she should vocalise this to the Captain, but thought against it. The last thing he needed right now was to focus on something that may not be true, instead of focusing on the well-being of the crew, and most of all himself.

"It sort-of feels like it should be over, doesn't it? Like we should move on." If it was me, I'd want my enemies to think that too. But then again, that was paranoia. He eyed Zora a moment longer. "I know that you and Lieutenant P'rel weren't on the best of terms, but it's the XO's responsibility to arrange for the collection and return of personal possessions, as well as see to any memorial on board. Is that something you're able to do?"

Zora nodded her head solemnly. "Regardless of my personal feelings towards P'rel, she was a colleague and she died doing her duty, I will always respect that," she said earnestly. "As her friend, is that something you would rather do yourself? I know it goes against protocol, but maybe it will help you ... come to terms with everything that has happened recently?"

"Friend?" he echoed, surprised. "I think you overestimate the relationship, Commander. Lieutenant P'rel was a trusted and talented officer under my command, the same as everyone else." His tone was dismissive, though there was a tiny sliver, just beneath the surface, that almost wanted to accept what she was saying and go along with the suggestion. Doing so would imply that she was correct, however. And he had made it clear many times that as Captain he didn't have 'friends' among his staff.

"Understood," Zora said, with a slight nod of her head. She felt his reaction, albeit not entirely surprising, was slightly disappointing. "I'll see to the arrangements at once. Has there been any official statement from Starfleet Command?"

"I'm to report to Admiral Minawara on the Vesta in an hour," he said. Not necessarily a conversation he was looking forward to either. "I suspect they'll be filling me in on the 'official' word then. Honestly, I feel like all I just want to do is pack up and leave the system already."

"I'll make sure that we are ready and underway the second you're back on board Sir," Zora said, fully understanding when he wouldn't want to hang around a second longer than he had to. "I might even try and find you a bottle of whiskey from my personal stores," she added, trying to bond a little with the man she barely knew.

His eyebrow twitched. On another day, he might have chastised her for thinking that she could try to get into his good graces in that way. But he was drained, and the offer of a drink was a welcomed one. What had he said to Lieutenant Zade? Finding ways to deal with it generally involved alcohol or a bag filled with sand. "That would be a welcome change. Perhaps we should share one?" he suggested. "If only to honour those left behind."

"I would enjoy that," Zora said honestly, a smile on her face. "I doubt very much Lieutenant P'rel would have found it a good use of our time, though I think she secretly would be honoured by the gesture."

He laughed. Probably for the first time in a little while. "Yeah. I think she would have." Shaking off the moment of sentiment, he straightened his uniform. "I should...see to this report for the Admiral," he grunted, clearing his throat.

"Aye Sir," Zora said as she composed herself. "Good luck with the Admiral." She turned and left his office, wondering what kind of whiskey he would like.