Face the Music

Posted on Mon Oct 5th, 2020 @ 6:00pm by Lieutenant Shri'Rao Sh'veqan

Mission: Survival of the fittest
Location: Commodore Hansen's Office

Frank straightened his uniform and took a deep breath before entering the waiting area outside the Commodore's office. He felt justified in the actions he had taken during his confrontation with the Kazon. The ship had sustained damage and loss of life, but he had done everything he could to minimize it. The craving for a cigar gnawed at him, but he knew he'd have to wait. Standing before the Yeomen at the desk he said, "Captain Kamar Jr. reporting as instructed."

"Yes Sir, the Commodore is expecting you. Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes please, I prefer to drink it black," Captain Kamar answered.

The young attractive female yeoman pressed the intercom button.

=/\=Sir, Captain Kamar from The USS Pennsylvania is here to see you.=/\=

=/\= Ah good! Send him in. =/\=

"Right this way Sir", The Yeoman said getting up and escorting Captain Kamar to the Commodore's office.

Commodore Jacob (Jake) Hansen was a very tall handsome man with short sandy blonde hair and an athletic build and deep brown eyes. He looked like he may have been of American or Canadian decent. He had a blonde mustache and a short beard. He spoke with no accent perfect English. He had a deep commanding voice. He looked to be in his late forties.

The Commodore stepped around his desk and offered his hand.

"Frank, congratulations on getting your cripple in, that was quite a piece of captaining. Of course you know there will be an official board of inquiry so we can understand exactly what happened out there. I called you in to inform you that for the time being the Catapult is offline by order of the Federation council. Apparently starships and freighters that have been catapulted back to the Alpha quadrant are crashing into planets and stars. A total number of seven ships have been lost. Due to the political pressure the Federation Council has ordered us to deactivate the catapult until either we find a cause or solution or they do." The Commodore said.


Frank stood shocked, that easily could have been the Penn, "Sir was it due to sabotage? We had no issues with our trek through it. I understand it is non space while traveling through and i wont begin to try to understand the science but it has worked fine for the last two years. I read all the safety reports when i learned i was assigned to this quadrant."

"That's the problem we really don't know yet. Sabotage is a possibility. It seems to only happen to ships that are going back to the alpha quadrant we haven't lost anyone on this side of the catapult. Until we or starfleet can figure it out the catapult is off limits." Hanson replied.

"Understood Commodore, in the mean time can I get access to some of the stations engineers for assistance? I'm worried that we won't be able to get all the repair parts we need with no access to alpha and the communication cut off." Frank was genuinely concerned with how he was going to get the Penn operational.

"No need to worry Frank. We have assembled 4 industrial fabrication plants and are building two more. Since your ship is so badly damaged I am moving you to the top of the repair/refit schedule. Now do you want to tell me what happened out there. What did the Kazon hit you with? Hansen asked.

"Would you like a drink Captain? Seriously relax". Hansen asked in a friendly tone.

"Your Yeomen gave me a coffee Commodore, I'm just a bit high strung, as you know we are currently the biggest federation ship in the quadrant. I'm worried the Hirogen or some other aggressive personality may try to take advantage of the situation. I'm also worried about my crew's well being sir, we've unloaded some of the more serious cases to your medical team. I was hoping you could spare a Counselor for the crew," Frank took a sip of the coffee the yeomen had made before continuing. "My apologies Sir, I've not had much sleep this week. As far as the weapons go, it's unlike anything that's been recorded technologically by the Kazon. It did some major damage. My Chief of Security has obtained all of the logs already and has been studying them intently. If you wish I can forward you a copy of her report."

"Yes that would be fine also I'll have a counselor assigned to your ship immediately, Captain. The Pennsylvania is the biggest Federation ship in this quadrant. There really aren't that many ships here which is why it is imperative that we make as many new friends as possible. We are planning to build a shipyard here and build new ships. Of course that has been put on temporary hold. This new weapon by the Kazon really has me on edge. I also find the timing a bit suspect too. We are still considered to be a fledgling outpost rather than a full blown starbase. We have limited supplies although we are becoming self sufficient it will take some time." Hansen replied.


"I understand Commodore, we are the little fish in the big pond here. I just want to take care of my ship and her crew the best that I can. I'm assuming since the Graviton is shutdown there will be no more colonists for Tabula Rasa either."

"A colony ship arrived a week ago before the catapult was shut down with 5000 colonists aboard. however no new colony vessels will arrive for some time. As for your ship give the dock master a copy of your ships manifest I think we can accommodate your needs however we are admittedly short on engine parts due to the catapult maintenance. Hopefully we can help get you fully space worthy. Meanwhile please feel free to give liberal shore leave to your crew. Your mission will still be to establish a colony on Tabula Rosa as soon as your ship is repaired and restocked."
Hansen clarified.


"Thank you sir, we can work to integrate them with the survivors on the planet. Is there anything else sir?" Frank asked as he finished his coffee.

"Not at the moment Captain, if you don't have anything else you are dismissed." Hansen replied.

[End]

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A post by:

Commodore Jacob Hansen Played by:
Lieutenant Shri'Rao Sh'veqan
USS Pennsylvania
Chief of Security

&



Captain Frank Kamar
USS Pennsylvania
Commanding Officer