Strength in Adversity

Posted on Mon Jan 20th, 2025 @ 11:07pm by Lieutenant Alexis Ryan & Lieutenant Didrea Zade & Lieutenant JG Astrja Kyan
Edited on on Mon Jan 20th, 2025 @ 11:19pm

Mission: Pandora's Box
Location: USS Edison, Meeting Room
Timeline: MDO2 - Midday
1925 words - 3.9 OF Standard Post Measure

It was a good thing there wasn't any sort of emergency going on.

Outwardly, it had taken Alexis many years to build up the kind of composure that lead to suppositions that she was adept at holding herself together. There was certainly no way she could have made any advancement in her chosen field without some carefully cultivated focus, and the patience to deal with setbacks in a methodical, systematic way. It was touted as a scientist's imperative, after all, and had certainly become a temperament that she'd actively pursued over the years. With that in mind, sitting around cramped meeting rooms as the chronometer above the door marked the passage of time in increments of tardiness really shouldn't have irked her too much. Starships were busy places and it wasn't as if there wasn't a plethora of initial data for her to continue to review.

Someone definitely needed to have a word with Lance about the temperature controls.

There was something to be said about punctuality, however, especially in the midst of a joint mission of such unparalleled significance. As she shifted carefully in her seat and glanced up from her reading once again to check the time, Ryan permitted the faintest of frowns and then shook her head as her eyes returned to the PADD in her hand. Under the circumstances, whilst she certainly felt at liberty to expect better, it might have been easier to apply some benefit of the doubt had the subspace conversation prior to the intended collaboration not left her taut with anticipatory displeasure. It had nothing to do with the fact that Lance had practically offered her the position first, she'd reassured herself several times. There was nothing covetous about an expectation of professional respect, even if she was struggling to believe that the Captain's second choice constituted the next-best option. She was more than content to work alongside Amaya's Chief of Sciences and might have gone as far as to look forward to it, had Lance not selected someone with the manners of a toddler.

At this point, the delays and discomfort felt practically intentional.

"We may need to offer to host the next meeting." At least her tone sounded even, and the presence of the young Andorian to her right was no doubt the reason for Ryan's display of poise.

"We do have the best computer system on the Athena," said Astrja. "I have a proposal to network all of the sensor networks from the ships through the Athena's core to maximize coverage and analysis of the planet killer and the surrounding area." She was almost bouncing on her heels. "This is so exciting, the planet killer is legendary. I made a model of one when I was in school."

She smiled at her companion. "First Q and now a planet killer, it is quite amazing."

Had she been in a better mood, Ryan may have seen some personal resemblance to the young Andorian's eagerness. As it was, it certainly didn't hurt the Science Chief's tolerance levels to endure optimism in exchange for her own mounting frustration. "It's certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, or one would hope." The Lieutenant's tone was dry but not without humour. "You may prefer to keep some of that excitement to yourself, however, I get the feeling our impending host may not share any positive anticipation for getting our hands dirty with this one.'

Astrja frowned. "How could they not? This is a one-in-a-lifetime, possibly several lifetimes, opportunity."

The doors slid open, though it wasn't their host. A woman slightly shorter than Ryan stepped through the threshold, a PADD in her hand. A teal headwrap circled her head, a hint of some grey-speckled brown hair peeking out from where where the fabric made a simple twist above her forehead. She looked up from her reading when she entered, knowing it was rude to not pay attention to present company, then lightly furrowed her brow in confusion before glancing back at the door she just entered. They were missing someone. Turning back to the two officers, she said, "I'm Lieutenant Adri Hadzin, representing the USS Valiant. I..." For good measure, she looked at the placard by the door, confirming it was the right meeting room, before turning back. "I'm not interrupting another meeting, am I?"

Paused partway towards pushing herself to her feet, Ryan hesitated and then continued to rise, mustering a professional smile for the newcomer. It wasn't the most anticipated arrival but it was certainly a step in the right direction. "Not at all, Lieutenant Kozlov has evidently been delayed." She held out a hand. "Alexis Ryan, we spoke very briefly." What she didn't say was that her request for the woman's presence at this meeting had first required an aggravating amount of talking in circles with the officer they were currently waiting on.

"Astrja Kyan, Lieutenant jg," said the Andorian rocking on her heels. "You friend in Operations for this mission. Pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant Hadzin."

Adri gave the Andorian a smile and a nod as she shook their hands in turn. The news of this planet killer intrigued the woman, because these things were theorized to take advantage of quantum mechanics, so she practically annoyed her boss, Lieutenant Commander Sazo, to be involved in the research. As such, she was practically buzzing with barely-contained excitement. "Pleased to meet you both. I..." She let out a breath of air in a quiet 'whoo', hoping to dispel some of her enthusiasm for rather devastating machinery. "... am honored to be involved. Being able to examine something capable of destroying planets up close is a once-in-a-lifetime dream, and will make for one hell of a publication."

"It is a fascinating machine . . . device . . . ship?" said Astrja. "I am hoping we can work out how it projects its sensors beyond its surface and how it propels itself. While I am in Ops, I have been doing a deep dive into the workings of neutronium and how it can be mined and applied. Did you know that the planet killer uses more neutronium in a single section than the Federation has produced over its existence?" Astrja produced a datapad. "I think we could use the ship's phasers and tractor beam array to peel a molecular thick layer from the surface for deep analysis. That might give us the ability to work out where it was made."

Before Ryan could interject, the doors to the meeting room once again opened to admit a singular figure. A slight woman with a posture that exposed the kind of disposition better suited to cacti, or potentially a glacier. Alexis squared her shoulders, and though not normally a woman prone to vanity, drew herself up to full height to enjoy the advantage.

"Orders have been given," Kozlov launched into her intention by circumnavigating introductions. The slightest hint of an accent didn't add any warmth to the woman's delivery, who stood before the trio with a rucksack slung over her shoulder. "Collaboration will occur on the Athena to make use of your recent sensor upgrades. Lieutenant Ryan and I will coordinate our efforts once security teams have secured us an opportunity to beam investigative teams down." The woman's pale blue eyes observed the trio from beneath slightly arched eyebrows. "We appear to be missing people."

"Lieutenant Gozek has been delayed and the Vanguard's ETA was never going to permit Datari to attend." Try as she might, Alexis' tone strained under the burden of frustration. She'd already been over this via subspace.

The twitch of a displeased sneer ruined Kozlov's otherwise pristine features. "Our priority is establishing a base of operations. Captain Lance has indicated this is to be aboard the Athena despite the Edison's orders to process any information gathered to provide recommendations. It is inefficient but these are our instructions." The Lieutenant's gaze fell finally upon Hadzin. "You should have packed a bag."

"Do not worry," Astrja said to Hadzin, "we can replicate you anything you may need on the Athena." She checked her datapad and entered a quick query. "Transporter room two will be ready when we get there."

Adri gave Kozlov a surprised look, not expecting such a cold demeanor. "I mean... we aren't camping in the wreckage... right?" she asked. The idea of even being inside a planet killing machine, while exciting, also carried the weight of its destructive capability, and spending all of her sleeping hours in addition to her waking hours inside of it was not what she had envisioned for this mission. The woman spared a glance toward Ryan before her attention turned to the Operations officer, giving the Andorian a faintly strained smile. "That's alright. I have the supplies requested, I just didn't think they were necessary for this meeting."

Astrja smiled, "Ops is here to help. Shall we get going?"

"Operations is here to provide support as required, when requested."

The snapped retort took no pains to avoid reprimand, and somehow the look Kozlov shot the well-meaning Andorian was both derisive and dismissive, followed immediately by a shift in focus as the woman turned to address Ryan.

"Perhaps it is a good time to remind our junior officers of the necessity of the chain of command, Lieutenant, particularly given the intricacies of a Task-Force-wide collaboration. There will be many voices in the days ahead." With a parting look towards the other pair, Kozlov added, "It would be best if those that need to be heard aren't forced to rise above the rabble. I have asked my team to meet us at the Transporter Room," the woman continued, her back already turned as she made her way towards the door. "This meeting is adjourned for now."

The brittle silence that hung in the air as the doors closed behind the blonde was equally as persistent in pointing out whose duty it was to lead the response. As it happened, Alexis wasn't sure she trusted herself to speak, and was finding it increasingly impossible to mask the heat in her gaze as she stared at the empty space where the officer who had insisted on meeting on her ship had just abandoned them, without so much as an apology for the wasted time.

"You have time to beam back and gather what you need, Lieutenant."

The redhead's tone was alarmingly calm.

"Just send a message when you're ready and we'll be happy to welcome you on board."

And with that, Athena's Science Chief followed her colleague. It was only as the doors shut behind her that her conscious effort to unclench her fists became clear.

Adri didn't say anything, not when the witch left and not when Ryan stormed out. All she could really do was stand there, shocked by the disrespect Kozlov displayed. The stifling silence blanketed the room for a few seconds before she turned to Astrja. "I, uh... I guess an extra set of hands to get the equipment wouldn't hurt," she shrugged with an awkward smile.

"I am happy to help," said Astrja with a genuine smile. "I am all for chain of command when there is an emergency and all. But during planning sessions? We are supposed to provide useful information as required. It is a time for open discussion. If Kozlov wants obedience, she should go join the Cardassian fleet." She added with a wink.