Chapter 1.1
Posted on Sun Feb 19th, 2023 @ 2:28am by Commodore Dazad Targaryen & Captain Iy'dan Brell & Lieutenant JG Ace Tidebreaker & Addison Talbert MD & Fiona "Fee" Maccafferty PhD
2,854 words; about a 14 minute read
Mission:
Begin Again
Location: Deep Space 12
Timeline: 2399-09-21, 09:00
ON
The briefing room Iy'dan had selected for the first meeting of the senior staff that had already arrived was in the Starfleet Building over looking like the same park that had been used for the change of command ceremony. A bright room, large floor to ceiling glass walls on one side looking out over the peaceful vista of the lake and park. "Something to start the day with" he muttered to himself as he placed a platter of pastries down, he was convinced it was a Human tradition called a continental breakfast. Servings of fresh orange juice and hot coffee set on the table also.
Iy'dan had passed his pile of reports to the duty officer in Ops to make a start on, delegating some of his workloads now becoming something of a necessity given the station was finally starting to come online, but he now found himself a moment, however fleeting that would be, to just stop and appreciate the view.
Ace adjusted her tunic for the third time as she stood outside the briefing room, working up the nerve to enter. "Deep breath. Ok, Ace, go in there and be professional," Ace smoothed her hair and knock before stepping into the room so as not to scare whoever was already inside.
From behind Ace, a woman's voice can be heard. "We meet again." It was Addison arriving just shortly after Ace did, the blonde Doctor having laughter in her eyes. She stepped in and called out in greeting.
"Hello again, Doctor!" Ace greeted warmly as she stepped to the side to allow the Doctor entrance.
"Hello Commander Brell, lovely day isn't it? And ooh looks like some good food as well." Addison remarked.
"Our Morale Officer would encourage us to start the day right or not to start it at all so... I bring food to help make the day start a little easier!" The trill cooed feeling somewhat pleased with himself for the idea.
"Well this certainly makes a great start to my day." Addison smiled, as she picked up some pastries and having some coffee to go along with it.
Commodore Dazad entered into the large conference room a few minutes later than he would have liked to have been. It had been a rather intense few hours since he had arrived aboard the Station, but he was looking forward to getting the adventures of Deep Space 12 started for this next generation of leadership. There was a lot of talent and brilliant people assigned to this station and he was looking forward to seeing what would come.
"Good Morning all," the Commodore greeted as he approached and took a seat not at the head of the table, but on the side. "I hope all have enjoyed their time on the station so far. It has certainly been an exciting day so far."
Iy'dan just smiled, his time on the station totalling a little over two years now, but he had to admit the last few days did show promise for the future and a real push for Starfleets presence in the area to once again be a driving force.
Ace came to attention as Commodore Dazad walked in. Then when he started wandering about, Ace slipped over to the pasteries and selected one as well as grabbing a cup of juice before making her way to a seat.
"Indeed it has been quite the exciting day so far." Addison agreed, taking a seat with her coffee and pastries in one hand. "I am looking forward to seeing what else is in store."
"Then you are definitely in luck, Doctor," the El-Aurian answered as he looked around the table. "Starfleet Command and I have spoken at length already about this station and the first mission that it will undertake under my command," He tapped on the controls and a holographic image of a humanoid creature appeared to hover above the table with the head and tail of a bull and the body of a man, ". We're going to the center of the labyrinth on this one. Allow me to introduce you to the Kessok - the natural rulers of the Maelstrom Sector. Starfleet wants us to reconnect with them."
"That's...that's...that's a Minotaur!" Ace slapped her hand across her mouth as her face flamed. "I...that is...er, sorry, Sir," Ace gulped and dropped her head, wishing she could either disappear, or had a mini time machine.
Fee was late. Or at least, on time, which she *hated*. She preferred to be early, but she'd gotten a bit lost; the large area of the Starfleet building was imposing and overwhelming-her kind was used to smaller, stone buildings and having a small, sparse population; she wasn't used to this many people in one place. She ducked in, quietly, and took a place in a corner, against the wall, to watch. She spoke, her voice barely a whisper. "Good morning."
Ace's ears picked up the soft greeting, and she turned her head to the source. "Good Morning," Ace greeted in return, smiling.
"Good Morning," the Commodore said in response as he continued his briefing. "While they may look like a Minotaur, Lieutenant, they are much more frightening. The Kessok are incredibly xenophobic and highly intelligent, and their ships are surprisingly advanced for what we consider a minor galactic power. Our science and medical teams will be fascinated to know that they are atypical from most galactic species by multiple chemical and societal reasons, but key among them is that Kessok is silicon-based and lack any notable genders."
"In the two years I have been on the station we have seen nothing of them so our most recent data is at least that many years out of date!" Iy'dan chimed in, already knowing he was likely more acquainted with the workings of the area than most in the room.
"This is most intriguing, I do hope I will have the chance to be in on meeting these people?" Addison piped up. "I've not seen this race before but they are resembling the minotaurs of the legends. Makes me wonder if they had at one time ventured on Earth?"
"Wow. I don't suppose I could, this one time, of course, request permission to also attend said meeting?" Ace figured she was probably on thin ice, but a part of her was too excited about possibly meeting the Kessok.
Ens Tanors, stood nearby the Commodore listening to what they had to say and had her uniform straightened and was standing Sternly, listening to every word he said, and kept quiet through the whole thing.
Fee listened silently, as was her way. As a Science officer, she was going to have to come in contact with these...silicon beings that the Commodore spoke of. She shivered a little, from the apprehension and uncertainty. "Silicon should be easy to phase, at least..." she offered. She knew little about that kind of thing, rather more content to be in her lab, safe and alone.
"One step at a time people" Iy'dan chipped in trying to calm the younger officers and the scientists in their midst's. "We need to work up towards any form of contact with the Kessok first which means absorbing what information we have, then finding an in route with the Kessok."
"Agreed, Commander," the Commodore continued as he looked around the Briefing Room and the myriad of attendees. "The Commander is very correct, everyone, when he says our knowledge is out of date. The Federation leaving the Maelstrom led to a falling out. After we rescued the Kessok from the True Way the Federation entered into a relationship with the Kessok. When Mars was attacked and we limited our exploratory assignments the Maelstrom was, as you all know, one of the first regions Starfleet withdrew from. The Kessok were the first victims of that decree.
The El-Aurian typed on the small keypad on his part of the table, "Starfleet Command has begun assigning vessels to the region to begin reestablishing contact with the planets and species out here, but the Kessok are a special case. An away team will travel to the Kessok Colony world of Omega Draconis aboard the Geronimo to try to reestablish contact," He glanced at his First Officer, "Commander Brell will be leading the mission."
Ace was writing furiously on her PADD: making notes, drawing pictures, and calculating how low or high her possibilities were of going on the mission.
Fee piped up again, her voice still low and a bit sing-songy. "If we can get air samples, I can get a feel for the atmosphere if you want to send a team out. I can prepare a trawler for that."
Addison watched the information that the Commodore had brought up, having had gone quiet in doing so. "Well, I'd like to be a part of the away team, would be most invaluable and perhaps if there is a chance of getting more of a perception of their physiology would be something that would add to the medical journals."
"You're all going," the Commodore answered. "But, I will preface this mission with this, I am not certain what you're getting into with this mission. While they were friendly, the Kessok hospitality had always been tainted by their first contact with the Cardassians and the ensuing conflict. Our departure from the region did way more harm than good to keep things copacetic with them, which is why the Geronimo is being used for this mission over the Saratoga or the Khitomer. Geronimo was MacCray's ship during the conflict and helped to save the Omega Draconis Colony. I can't think of a better ship to host our second first contact," the El-Aurian smiled. "Now, are there any further questions?"
"What might be the expected climate, Sir?" Ace asked, wondering just how frizzy her fur was going to get...not to mention whether or not she should purchase a new pair of specialty shoes. Her current ones met their demise on a Holodeck adventure that almost caused her injury...but thankfully only succeeded in shredding her shoes.
Deep Space 12's Commanding Officer shrugged, "Even though we were aware of the colony, we have never visited it in person, Lieutenant. The Kessok are very secretive, borderline xenophobic, they limit their interaction with carbon based life."
"If I may sir, when do you expect us to depart, and do we have any other orders or secondary objectives?" preparing to jot further notes into his PADD just as another thought hit him. He had said he wanted Iy'dan in command of the away team, did that include Geronimo?
"Who will be in command of the Geronimo?"
"No secondary objectives this time," the El-Aurian answered. He looked around the room, "Because of the high profile nature of this mission Starfleet had asked me to lead the mission; however, I am more than supportive of Commander Brell's ability to lead this mission. You will be departing in an hour. Just enough time to get packed."
[Whewy! Only an hour to pack! This'll be one heck of a ride!] Ace thought as her fur stood on end in anticipation.
Fee's ears perked up. Well. As much as humanoids' ears could, besides, you know, the Vulcan's. Had she heard that right? SHE was going to be going on an assignment? With STRANGERS? Where she'd be expected to interact and discuss things. Like TOPICS and stuff. Oh, no. Her stomach hurt, and there was that stupid buzzing noise in her ears that happened when she was about to panic. *Breathe, Fee* She did, the breaths coming in fast, gulped air and she lurched forward, almost passing out, into a chair, where she sat. "Why am *I* expected to go? Surely, Astrometrics isn't useful in this case." If they already knew the terrain, they already knew the weather!
'Whoa there, Missy! Here, just sip it till you get your bearings," Ace stood, grabbed a water from the replicator, and handed it to Fee with a soft smile.
Lela was in the room looking for a place to sit or probably have to stand waiting and listening to what's going with the mission, so she stayed quiet and listened to others as they spoke. Lela nodded as she continued to listen to everyone talked as she looked at Security padd and took notes on whats going on during the meeting.
"Thank you," Fee whispered to Ace. "Sorry. Must be the change in atmosphere or something because I nearly passed out!" The name Kessok was sort-of familiar to her; what quadrant were they in? Or maybe one had joined the Youth program? Something. She knew they weren't a close planet to her own.
"Welcome. No worries, Fee, it happens to the best of us. You should have seen me a few times," Ace whispered softly, flicking her tail with a giggle.
"Anyone else have anything?" The Commodore inquired from his seat.
"No, I do not have anything else to add." Addison replied. "I'll be ready though without any trouble." It wouldn't take long for her to get kitted out, she normally had a go bag ready, just in case she had to run to see to a patient when she was on a ship. Old habits die hard.
When he confirmed that there were no others with comments, Commodore Dazad offered a polite nod to the group, "I suppose since there is nothing else for the good of the order, I will add one last part to this meeting. Lieutenant Commander Iy'dan Brell," he called out in an official tone as he rose, "please stand."
'What have you do Iy'dan?'
'Are we in trouble?
Instantly two of his previous hosts started chattering, his own nervous energy only heightened when the pair started like this.
"Sir!" he rose, covering the instant anxiety he was feeling.
"By my authority, as granted to me by Starfleet Commander Kirsten Clancy, I hereby promote you to the rank of Commander with all the rights and privileges therein," DS12's commander pulled a small box from his pocket and handed it to his Executive Officer.
Addison clapped at the raising of the Commander Brell's rank. She also gave a quiet cheer, "Bravo, congratulations!" she remembered when she had gotten her own pip, it seems many years ago. Now though she was a civilian but in charge of a vast Medical operation on DS12.
"Oh my!" The Trill was stunned. Back on Styx outpost he had been a Lieutenant still struggling to find his own within the fleet. How much difference two years could make. "Commodore, I don't know what to say!"
"You've earned this, Commander," the Commodore answered with a smile. "I still remember when I was first promoted to Commander back on the old Yorktown at the beginning of this Century. You never forget the first time. It's an amazing experience," sometimes he had to remind people that he was an El-Aurian. When he had his first career in Starfleet he had served on several ships and rose to the rank of Commander and First Officer on the Yorktown, but he left to spend time with his family. He couldn't help but return, but Starfleet didn't advertise sometimes they made you start from the beginning.
Fee was slowly starting to come around, and offered a weak smile to Ace. "Thank you." She had an hour to pack. Maybe she could toss herself off the nearest tall building? Nah. She had to get it together. She would be OK, even though she wasn't exactly excited about the number of strangers she would be going with. As a civilian, she was allowed to wear regular clothes but sometimes, a CO would insist on those ugly purple tunics. Hopefully, the Commander would not. She noticed the Commodore was speaking, and forced herself to pay attention. A promotion! Nice. She gave a polite clap though she really didn't understand the pomp and circumstance of the Starfleet's ceremonies. She DID understand it was a great achievement, though. "Congratulations, sir," she said, quietly. "I will have an atmospheric report for you soon." THIERS, for purposes of transporting.
Ace grinned at Fee, then clapped happily as Lt. Commander Brell was promoted to a full Commander! [Awesome! He's earned it!] Ace thought, twitching her tail excitedly.
Lela was drinking a glass of water, she brought in," and with being the new kid on the block She clapped her wrist while others were clapping their hands as Ltcmdr Brell,made full commander herself, and smiled trying to be everyone else being cheerful for him as she enjoyed her glass of water.
As the congratulations subsided the Commanding Officer of the Station nodded and smiled, "Alright then everyone. You have a mission to attend to. The Geronimo awaits!"
Commodore Dazad
Sector Commander
Maelstrom Station
Commander Iy'dan Brell
Station Executive Officer
Maelstrom Station
Dr. Fee Maccafferty, PhD
Astrometrics Specialist
Maelstrom
Lieutenant JG Ace Tidebreaker
Chief Flight Control Officer
Maelstrom
Addison Talber, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Maelstrom
Ens Lena Tanors
assist Security
Maelstrom
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