Questions & Answers

Posted on Sat Mar 18th, 2017 @ 1:22pm by

792 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: New Faces and Terror Beyond
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: After Resolute Arrives

Captain Havrelli displeased with the turning developments unfolded before him had given orders for the ship to get underway as soon as the data package was submitted to the Resolute. A bitter taste lingered in his mouth and many questions remained unanswered which for him didn't settle well. What started off as helping the tragic and innocent turned round and bit him and as a result 17 lives were lost. The Colonel was right and Ra knew, it that it was not right, it was not fair but everyone who put the uniform on knew that fairness was seldom achieved.

Losses to combat was always easier to accept, because there was someone to blame, someone to point the finger at. This mission however was not one of those times and the only person he could blame was himself. He gave the orders that started this whole disaster ball rolling and now he would have to accept the losses, write to the parents and loved ones of those lost and lie to them.

That for Ra was the hardest part to swallow, that he couldn't tell anyone how or why but instead give a typical blanket explanation and how promising an officer they were with a brilliant future and well liked. Not the truth as he wanted it, that they died trying to save people only to be set upon by those people and then be told to leave because Starfleet Intelligence said so, because of some operation that because nobody mentioned anything, cost lives.

Ra was standing gazing out the rear viewport in his office eating his dietary nuts when a communications signal came through, not that he was expecting it but when the logo of Starfleet Intelligence appeared, his blood began to boil.

Ra sat down at his desk again and opened the link which required his voice authorisation. It activated to reveal a Commander, she sat in front of a row of holographic monitors with streaming information and data. "Captain Havrelli, I am Commander Carol Middleton. I'm the Intelligence attache to the sector."

"I have been expecting you Commander." Ra replied. While not strictly true he had hoped.

"I'm sure you have Captain." Carol spoke.

"Commander, I trust you are aware of the situation of the last 24 hours?" Ra asked.

"Your data package was forwarded on by the Resolute yes." Carol answered.

"You are aware that because I was not notified about your operation I have lost 17 members of my crew." Ra posed clearly annoyed.

"While that is unfortunate Captain, your presence has jeopardised operations underway on the surface and the area."

"Did you just hear me Commander?" Ra interrupted. "17 of my crew are dead because nobody had the informed me that an operation was underway."

"It would not be an covert operation if we told everyone such an operation was underway Captain." Ra watched the woman answer.

Typical, a beat around answer to everything. "What do you suggest I tell the families of those lost, Commander?" Ra put to her. "That they died because Starfleet Intelligence neglected to inform their Captain of an operation that they came across and as a result our their sacrifice to aid the wounded, homeless and starving they have inconvenienced covert operations in the area?"

"The same thing we tell all the fallen in such situations Captain, that they died serving the greater good upholding the finest traditions of Starfleet."

"Does that help you sleep at night Commander, a quib blanket answer?" Ra asked. "I will not be held accountable for the losses suffered today, I intend to submit to the Federation Council that an inquest be made to look into who caused these deaths. I will not sit here and be spoon fed a lie and expected to forward it on."

"Captain, that would be a fruitless endeavour, all operations are classified." Carol spoke.

"Yes Commander I've little doubt they are, but when I return to Earth I will make sure that this incident is looked into, I will not lie to those families, I will not take the blame for doing my duty as I saw it, as it presented itself and then have you with the audacity to tell me I inconvenienced operations in the area." Ra exploded. "If being apart of Starfleet Intelligence means you surrendered what ever measure of morality and decency then I question the right you have to tell me to lie to those families. Good day Commander."

Ra snapped the button harder than he wanted and as a result hurt his fingers. He was not going to be blamed for those losses. He would take this to the Council, he'd get answers, he'd find those responsible.


Because it was the right, moral and just thing to do....

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