What Is To Come

Posted on Thu Nov 28th, 2024 @ 4:47pm by Commodore Jacob Kane & Commander N'Garzi Zora

Mission: Pandora's Box
Location: USS Athena - Ready Room
Timeline: MD-01
1388 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Having briefed the commanding officers under his purview, Kane had summoned Zora to his ready room, primarily with the objective of briefing her directly and discussing plans. It had been barely a couple of days since the events of his XO's birthday party, and they'd not had much of a chance to discuss it outside of their official report to Command.

"Commander, come on in," he motioned as she arrived. Given the amount of time that had passed since her first assignment to the ship, he had to admit that he had grown a little more relaxed at her presence and insight. Both of them had grown on that journey together.

"I should ask how you are, but we have a pressing matter from Starfleet Command..." he passed her a summary of their sudden new assignment. "We're scrambling a little, as you can see."

Zora entered the room and took a seat. She gently waved the pleasantry away as quickly as the Commodore had uttered it. He wasn't usually a man to make small talk, especially when there was official business to discuss and right now they had more pressing matters to be dealing with. "So I see," she replied as she grabbed the PADD and reviewed all the data that Starfleet Command had sent them. "What kind of threat level are we expecting?" She asked in a cool voice. It was unlike her to ask a tactical question first but she knew that was Kane's strength and playing to them would be crucial for this mission's success.

"Potentially high," Kane nodded, picking up the mug from his desk and only realising after a sip that it had gone cold. "That's why we're bringing all of our friends." He set the cup down. "I'm going to be neck-deep in coordinating the big picture with a group of commanding officers that all want to be heard. It goes without saying that I'm going to need you to keep shipboard operations under a close eye. Especially with everything that has been going on lately."

Zora nodded in agreement as she crossed one leg over the other. "We have a good crew, I'm willing to bet my assignment will be easier than yours," she said with a wry grin. "Have you assigned roles to each ship in the squad?" She asked, thinking of the various classes they had at their disposal.

"Aurora and Edison will lead the scientific efforts. I'm putting Commander Lance in the lead on that. The Spartan, Vanguard and Valiant are on system patrol, with the Spruance on rapid support. Leaving Athena to lead command and coordination." Kane folded his arms. "We'll naturally be lending personnel to assist the site recovery operations too. It may leave us a little short-handed..."

"Mmm," Zora replied as she scratched her temple. "I'll speak to the department heads about rejigging the duty roster. We have a lot of eager junior officers onboard who I'm sure will be keen to help in any way they can. Having an entire task force show up might draw the kind of attention and conflict that we're trying to avoid," she added matter-of-factly.

"I can see how that might look. Honestly, given the circumstances I think Starfleet is betting high and hoping that it'll make anyone else think twice about a re-raise." He pondered that metaphor for a second longer. "Our hand is pretty solid. If things get super-hot then I don't doubt Command will have the Vesta come in all guns blazing. But I don't think it'll happen. Dare I say, Athena and her commander no doubt have a bit of a...reputation."

Zora couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. "One that you quite enjoy, no doubt?" She asked, unable to keep the humour from her tone. "Just don't go getting yourself arrested again...please."

"A reputation I have done very little to protest," he nodded, matching the smile. "Having a rap sheet too might even add to it. But, I'll also be juggling a few strong personalities along the way. I know you've met Commander Lance and if memory serves you've crossed paths with Commander Oya; have you bumped into any of the other Paladin Squadron COs?"

"Apart from Commander Shan, I haven't had a chance to meet any of the others," Zora said. "In person," she added, referring to the weekly calls she had with the other squad leaders in the task force. Kane had given her the responsibility of liaisoning with them all and she was grateful that he had. They were a spirited bunch and she was sure that he had his work cut out for him during this mission. "How well do you know them all?" She asked, conversationally.

"Fine officers. You'll like Lt Commander Wescott, he's reasonable. Captains Travers and T'Rin are a little more old school Starfleet though both very different. Travers is more action than thought - he'll want to make a decision then think about it later. Captain T'Rin is very much the opposite, just like most Vulcan commanders. You can see why managing them is going to be a little more involved this time around." Usually he'd have left it to Zora to coordinate on his behalf, but with all the command eyes on this mission and the number of potential problems, he was going to have to make that steady hand his own. "Besides, Commander: running the Athena for a few days is good practice for you, don't you think?"

Arching an eyebrow, Zora leaned forward slightly to get a better look at her commanding officer. "Are you planning on going somewhere, Commodore?" She asked in a slightly sing-song voice.

Kane smiled thinly. "Not anytime soon. But I'd be remiss if I didn't prepare my XO for all eventualities..."

"I assume that P'rel will be helping you with the squad's coordination?" Zora asked conversationally. She didn't want it to sound like she didn't need the Vulcan's help but the two of them working together under such stressful circumstances, might not be what the ship and crew needed right now.

His brow furrowed faintly, the smile fading. "I haven't spoken to her. Not since before your birthday." He paused. "Have you?"

"No," Zora admitted plainly. She had to admit she was surprised to hear that Kane and P'rel had gone this long without speaking. The two of them were close, or so it appeared from the outside looking in. What had caused their change of situation? "Maybe this mission will give you a chance to catch up?" She phished.

"If the time and opportunity presents itself," he noted. The spiky Vulcan's absence at short notice hadn't sat well with him, though he suspected Zora had seen it as a pleasant relief not to have to deal with their Intelligence officer's 'shenanigans'. "I'm not going to be able to play referee for you two during this mission, you know..."

"I'm another year older and another year wiser," Zora replied with a smile and a slight twinkle in her eye. Even though she made light of the situation, her rather public dislike of the Vulcan was one of her biggest regrets since serving on the Athena. She knew as a commanding officer she didn't have to like everyone, in fact, it was almost impossible to. But having everyone know that she and P'rel had issues didn't sit right with her. "We'll be fine," she said reassuringly. "But, just in case, I'll have Lieutenant Zade prepare one of the brigs," she added humorously.

"Hmph. You joke about it..." Kane shook his head, almost dismissive of the idea that P'rel wouldn't wrangle it into something else anyway. "I'd sooner lock her in a room with Captain T'rin and let them destroy each other with verbal barbs. Anything else you think you'll need before we arrive?"

"No, I think I have everything," Zora replied as she got up to leave. She stopped at the threshold and turned back to face Kane. "Oh, I heard that Doctor Solis received a personal dining invitation with you. I'll be expecting an invite soon, call it a belated birthday present," she added with a smirk. Before he could answer she stepped through the door and let it close behind her.