And So It Begins Part II
Posted on Tue Apr 25th, 2023 @ 2:05pm by Captain Julien Naal & Commander Steven Greco & Lieutenant Evelyn Stewart & Remy Naal & Lieutenant Commander Keishara Davaris
Edited on on Mon Jul 3rd, 2023 @ 11:22pm
2,540 words; about a 13 minute read
Mission:
Prologue: Centre Predominate
Location: Starfleet Command - Main Conference Room
Timeline: MD 001: 0930 hrs
Remy approached the podium and took a breath to calm his nerves. He grew up around many of these officers, but it was still nerve-wracking to have to address them all at once. His eyes drifted for a moment to his father, sitting stoically across the table, listening intently. “Ladies and Gentlemen, as many of you know it was discovered last year that the binary stars in the Glintara system of the Romulan Empire will go Supernova in what was approximately thirty years.” Naal explained, “Unfortunately, that is no longer the situation. We received confirmation last night that the stars have prematurely gone nova. They took with them the population of every planet within a fifty light-year radius, including most of the densely populated planets in the Empire. The Romulan Empire is gone.”
Stryvek stood up and addressed the podium. "With all due respect to present company. In years past the Romulans have been a very isolated people. Rarely do they seek aid or give aid for that matter. So, one has to ask. Do we know if they want our help?"
Admiral Shaw stood up as well. “Indeed. Wouldn’t this fall under the Prime Directive, to not interfere with internal matters?”
Remy grabbed the edges of the podium with both hands to ground himself, even as his grip was tight enough he could feel his hands ache. This was exactly why he left Starfleet. He glanced at his father again, remembering the principals the man instilled in him.
“The Prime Directive…” He said almost more to himself in disgust than to answer them. “Gentlemen, this is a catastrophe on a scale that is unfathomable. This is not a matter of the Prime Directive!” He said, his indignant anger coming through in his voice. “Billions died instantly and millions more are flooding into Federation space as we speak. A civilization is about to go extinct…”
Remy took a calming breath and looked around the room, softening his resolve. “They are asking, pleading for help. They are dying. They know it as well as we do.” He said more softly, remembering the reports he read through the night before. “Are you prepared to deny them because of old wounds and failure to ask through normal channels?”
Keishara had risen to stand next to her Captain. "No-one is saying we deny them. I believe in helping those fleeing a disastrous event but what kind of resources do we have? The shift in that kind of power will see those who seek to exploit it. We cannot divert all our attention to help the Romulans when others wait in the wings to take advantage of not only them but us as well."
Remy held his ground, being just as combative as the woman. “Need I remind you, Commander, that if it was not for the Romulans providing aid we would have lost the war with the Dominion?” He asked sarcastically, pointing out what many of the officers didn’t want to admit, much less here. “The Klingons have refused to provide aid over their grievances with the Romulans but have pledged to stay out of the situation. The Cardassians are still rebuilding from the war and Bajor has also decided to stay neutral in the matter.” He snapped at the assessment of the situation from a tactical perspective.
“The URC is fully prepared to provide the actual aid and resources for this people, we have only asked Starfleet to aid in the logistics as well as provide protection.” He turned his attention back to the room as a whole. “As you all know, relations with the Romulans are at an all time low after the Shinzon incident.” Naal mentioned about the attempted assault on Federation space by a clone of Captain Picard, and the tensions it caused between the former allies.
“Neither the president’s office, or my organization feel this mass migration of Romulans will go over well amongst Federation citizens. That is why we need your help.”
"No, you needn't remind me." Kei muttered quietly to herself as she retreated back into her seat. She knew all too well what happened during the war and fully appreciated the Romulan's decision to enter the war and support them. She had met several during that time and still keeps in contact with a few.
As if on cue, the CNC stood and moved to Remy’s side. “And Starfleet is going to provide that assistance. You all received your orders for transfers a few days ago in the event the initial rumors were true. We are reassigning crew based on where they are better suited. Many of you will be assigned to planetary survey missions. Right now the Romulans are mostly gravitating to our most densely populated systems. It’s not only a security issue, but a resource one. We need to start finding worlds for their colonies.” He explained.
“The Moore, Zulu and Aurora will be conducting escort missions for civilian transports from the Neutral Zone to various planets as well as resource transportation. You are under orders to protect these people and supplies at all costs. Do I make myself clear?”
Stryvek failed to see any logic in anything that had been said here. He decided that he would make his objection known in the most public way possible. "Sir, I understand my orders and will carry them out. However, in accordance with Starfleet procedure I would like my objection to said orders to be on record. My ship and my crew are being put into undue danger by escorting something that may not be wanted. If it were wanted there would not be need for escort. What is left of the Romulan fleet is more than adequate to defend transports from anything that would attack. So, since the request for Starfleet is being made then logic states you fear an attack from Romulans. So I restate my previous query do we know if the Romulans want us there. If you cannot answer that then place my objection into record." The Vulcan may have been stone. Nothing moved save for his mouth while he spoke.
Amarok stepped up to the podium. "If I may?" He asked Remy and the President.
The CNC stepped back to allow Amarok to approach again.
"I ask you, you just lost your government. Your family, if they were on your homeworld, and your capital world that you saw as a beacon in the darkness of space." Amarok said to those gathered, he didn't feel what he was describing but he could somewhat know what those among his people would be feeling.
He continued after a moment of letting his words sink in. "You now have no idea what your future holds now that there is no imperial leadership from the empire you were once proud of. Suddenly what seemed like stability around you has fallen and broken into tiny pieces that the feared now attempt to put back together in their own image by putting those around you against you for survival." Amarok went on. He felt pity for the people of the former Romulan Star Empire.
"I highly doubt that the majority of the Romulan people will be seeking hostility against the Federation, which is now considerably more powerful and now apprehensive of you because of Shinzon's actions." Amarok offered. "They will be scared, hungry and in the Federation's debt for coming to their aid over and over again despite the constant political and domestic machinations of their governments."
He gestured to the crowd. "How would you feel and act if you were in their shoes? How can a supernova be a natural development of a species? It is external influence by the universe not biological or sociological within the Romulans themselves, is it? If the Federation ever seeks to have peace in known space, the only way to get help is to give it." He finished.
Remy cocked an eyebrow at the exchange, proud of Amarok for stepping up on behalf of his people. It’s one for a human man to plead for the lives of strangers, another for one of their own to do so.
Nodding in agreement, the CNC stood at the podium again. “Captain Naal is taking command of the USS Madrid. The Madrid will coordinate with other ships in the fleet to conduct patrols of our borders and look for any signs of other powers looking to take advantage of the situation and maintain the peace.” The CNC explained. “Any objections will be noted in the official record. Captain Stryvek, I am also assigning Doctor Amarok s'Lovok to your ship to act as a scientific advisor and Romulan representative as yours will be closest to the Neutral Zone.”
“Understood, Admiral.” Captain Naal said curtly, showing no personal emotion on the situation, focused only on the mission.
“The URC has the full backing of both the President and myself in their efforts. We will not forget our allies or those in need. Is that clear?” He asked rhetorically. “Questions?”
Stryvek had no questions, well none that could be asked at the moment. He wondered why Romulans were referred to as our allies. They were never the Federation's allies. They entered the war for their own gains not to help the Federation.
The CNC quickly dismissed the assembled party and turned his back to the group to chat with the Federation President, Remy and Amarok. It was clear to anyone watching them how angry and frustrated Remy Naal was, especially with Captain Stryvek and his official objection to be added to the record.
Steve sighed heavily as he took it all in. “Well…that happened.” He said of his assessment, trying to work through his astonishment that the Romulan Empire was gone.
Kei nodded and looked at Stryvek. "Looks like we are getting fresh blood sir. At least Com-Captain Hendricks got a promotion out of it." she referred to the previous XO. He shot a wave over at them, Kei returned it but did not think the Captain would. She'd never seen a Vulcan wave.
"Yes indeed. Captain Hendricks deserves all that they achieve and then some." Stryvek knew that one's XO being promoted is part of being a Captain. However, he did not desire teaching a new person how he preferred his ship to run.
Greco nodded before standing. “Ready to get underway then?”, he asked.
"Yes... Please recall any crew that is on leave and prepare to depart as soon as possible." This was not an assignment that Stryvek wanted to do. However, for the moment he was satisfied with his objection being on record. Besides that orders were always orders.
Lieutenant Evelyn Stewart was waiting in a chair just outside of the atrium leading to the conference room. A PaDD in hand, she was looking over the transfer order she had received three days ago as well as the specifications to the USS Madrid. A small smile on her face as she thought about how she was finally going to be under Captain Naal's command properly.
She glanced up from her reading when she heard passing officers talking about the recent influx of Romulans to Earth. Before she could think more on it, the doors to the conference room opened and officers slowly milled out. She stood out of respect, waiting for her old mentor at the Academy to approach her.
Steve saw a lieutenant waiting as he walked out with the Captain and Tactical officer. He glanced at his PaDD causally. “Is there anyone else we are picking up?”, he asked when he realized the woman was expecting someone.
"Ah yes thank you XO. Lieutenant Stewart here is going to be taking our helm." Stryvek replied as he paused his stride to look at Stewart.
Stewart noticed the Vulcan captain looking at her and eyed him at first until she realized he wasn’t going to stop. “May I help you, Sir?”, she asked eyeing his small party of officers, holding her hands and PaDD behind her back while still being alert for Captain Naal.
Stryvek stopped long enough to acknowledge Stewart. "Yes Lieutenant you can either come to the USS Moore now or report in by 1000. Either way it is up to you. However, your new orders are to report to the Moore as the Chief Helm Officer."
Stewart looked at the Vulcan with bemused confusion that grew to more genuine as she shook her head, reviewing her PaDD with her orders, seeing that the transfer had been amended. “You’ve got to be kidding me…”, she intoned to herself. “Someone in personnel must have a sick sense of humor to change the order.”
"I do not believe so. It is your talents will be better used aboard the Moore and so you have been assigned there." Stryvek replied to her challenge of the orders. He knew that she would be a challenge especially now. However, he knew that her service on his ship would be mutually beneficial.
Evelyn just set her jaw and blew her frustration out through her nose in a long, pent up breath. “Yes, Sir.”, she said in acknowledgement of her orders.
She glanced at the door to the conference room, she would find out from Captain Naal what the hell happened later.
"You are Captain Stryvek?" Amarok asked as he approached, though he said it as if he already knew. He stopped to stand a meter or so away as per the Captain seemed unfriendly to Romulans. This was a situation that Amarok wished he wasn't Romulan, he quickly sent of a prayer of forgiveness to his parents and the elements or whatever they kept trying to instill in him as to whatever their people believed in.
Stryvek turned to the Romulan that approached. This mission being one to assist the Romulans was bad enough. Now he had to talk to them of course he could see the logic here. However, there were just somethings he did not like regardless of logic. Either way in typical fashion he made sure that no one could see his true feelings. "Yes I am Captain Stryvek. What can I do for you?"
Amarok gave a slight bow, though once he got a good look at the Vulcan he recalled why he was so familiar. Though it occurred to him that bringing up their encounter near the end of the Dominion War was probably a bad idea. "I do apologise that you have to deal with a Civilian on your ship Captain, however, I do not want to refuse an order from the President."
He put his hands behind his back. "Do I have enough time to collect a few of my things before departure?"
"Yes Doctor we will not be leaving for at least twenty four hours. I will make sure that our Quartermaster assigns you quarters. Now if you would excuse me." Stryvek had a lot more to do before the ship left and he wanted to get right to it.
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