Star Trek: The Journey Ahead.

[Curios_Gelatin]

Episode 1: The Journey Ahead.


Despite the presence of the stable Bajoran wormhole just ahead of Deep Space Nine for almost twelve years, the Federation hasn't even begun to chart the deeper mysteries and civilizations that lie in waiting for them almost half a galaxy away. To this end, a ship has been commissioned to undertake one of Starfleet's most dangerous exploratory missions yet. The galaxy class USS Beyond— commanded by one Captain Rhydian T'kel— journeys ahead armed with the drive to see just how many mysteries the Gamma Quadrant has yet to offer.​

The USS Beyond, docked at the ports of Deep Space Nine, was absolutely frantic. Today marked the day she would be leaving on her maiden voyage— her true maiden voyage— her first long term mission. The crew buzzed about, tending to absolutely every minor detail imaginable.


Engineers crawled and stretched over and under every nook and cranny of the ship to check, double check, triple check all systems were in order. Science officers read and re-read equipment manifests and poured through the labs, medical personnel did their best to drag in impatient crew members and families for last minute body scans as ensigns flitted back and forth between them with data pads. Not a single soul was without work and even in the ship’s lounge, officers hounded each other over preparations.


It was in this lounge that the Chief of Security was addressing a detachment of security officers, her usually penetrating voice somehow hardly audible above the rush of officers and civilians milling about.


“Duty rosters are accessible from both the personal interfaces in your quarters and the crews designated interfaces around the ship, but not on the public interfaces. As always do not share the roster on public interfaces and— yes lieutenant?”


Howell, her stone grey eyes milling over the officers under her command, paused to look at one who seemed to be finding it difficult to hold her tongue.


“Sir I don’t want to interrupt.” she said hastily.


“These are basic regulations Lieutenant Rosa I hardly expect this is news to any of you. If any of you have any urgent questions I’d rather address those. Do you have a question?”


“No sir, I—” Rosa seemed to hesitate but an urging shoulder pat from her peers steeled her, “Actually… we do sir. Is it true the new First Officer is a Cardassian?”


The question took her by surprise. Howell pursed her lips.


“Are you thinking about transferring from security to command, Rosa?”


“Well, no sir I—” Rosa stammered, losing her nerve at the glint of anger in her superior’s eye.


“Do you have any questions relevant to the security of this vessel Lieutenant?”


“...No sir.”


“Do any of you?” Howell took in the face of each officer. Many were human, but some were Bajoran. Other species caught her eye but she knew the Cardassians were not popular among any race, even half a decade after the end of the Dominion War.


“Sir I think as security officers we ought to know exactly whose security we’re in charge of.”


She didn’t catch the face of the one who spoke above the noise but looking around at the detachment she could tell it didn’t much matter who had said it. The sentiment was shared all among them.


“...Gul Damek Makar will be joining this crew to serve as First Officer to Captain T’kel.” Howell acquiesced, weighing her words carefully as she spoke them.


There was a visible tenseness that immediately overtook the detachment. Howell tentatively looked over them. She clasped her hands together behind herself, then, standing straight, continued.


“It’s no secret the Federation and the reformed Cardassian Union have been working to improve relations and this is just the opportunity to do so. As Gul Makar is serving here on the Beyond, so will Starfleet officers serve aboard Cardassian ships. We’ve done the same with many other races in the past.”


“But sir the Cardassians are-” began one, voice high with disbelief.


“I won’t hear another word on the matter.”


She was met with reluctant and doubtful looks. Howell allowed her officers a few moments of dissatisfied murmurs.


“As I was saying, do not share details about the duty roster on any public interfaces…”


As Howell rattled off regulations, an ensign—one of the many young, red-faced and flustered dashing about the ship— burst into the area and looked around, wide-eyed and panting. In her arms she balanced various data pads bearing the insignias of various divisions.


The ensign caught sight of Howell, who stood almost a head above her group of security officers. In a moment of distraction the chief had caught her eye. Normally the Commander would have paid the ensign little mind but the young officer had locked eyes with her and refused to let her look away.


“Commander!”


The ensign darted forward, almost dropping one of the pads in her arms as she did, and stopped short of Howell. Howell bid her own officers a dismissal and sent them off on their duties with a few quick words before the ensign took her full attention.


“Commander Howell, do you know where the Captain is? I’ve been trying to contact him but— I’ve got medical reports, engineering reports— even the science officers are having some, kind of— problem—I’m sorry— if you could, just—”


Howell raised her hand and the girl fell silent.


“Breathe, ensign.”


The ensign, still somewhat flustered, straightened her posture and attempted to reassemble the pads in her hands. She took a deep breath and pushed some strands of hair—clinging to her face with sweat— out of her eyes.


Once the young ensign seemed to regain herself, Howell took one of the datapads and flicked through it. Standard updates. Issues with misplacements and late arrivals. Nothing unexpected.


“Have you tried raising the Captain on his comm badge?” Howell asked, keeping her voice even.


“Yes sir. No response.”


Howell contemplated this for a moment before pressing her hand on her own badge.


“Commander Howell to Captain T’kel.”


No response.


Howell pressed upon her badge again, this time with a firmer hand and voice.


“Commander Howell to Captain T’kel. T’kel?”


The ensign watched her nervously, her eyes darting around to the officers around her. Howell pursed her lips.


“I’ll take these off your hands ensign.” the Commander prised the data pads away from the girl.


“Sir?”


“I’ll make sure these get to the Captain myself. And ensign-”


The girl seemed to tense, eyes still wide, hands still in the same position from when her charges had been pulled away.


“-take a break. You look like you’re on the verge of a breakdown.”


The ensign seemed not to understand at first, frowning, but then smiled, her shoulders sagging with relief.


“Yes sir.”


The Commander gave her her a pursed smile before marching out of the lounge with an armful of reports and a heavy sigh.


The rush of crew members moved out her way as she made her way up the decks and to the bridge. She tried the intercom to the captain's ready room and awaited a response. None came. She tried again after some seconds of waiting but again, no response.


Howell frowned and adjusting the data pads into one arm pressed a hand upon her comm. badge again.


“Commander Howell to Captain T’kel, respond if possible sir.”


“....espond if possible sir.”


She heard the faint echo of her own voice from within the room and her brow furrowed. This time she ignored the courtesy of the intercom and entered the room, striding in without hesitation to the captain’s desk. The room was empty, save for the captain’s personal belongings. An outsider may not have known what to make of Captain T’kel’s ready room- a mismatch of peculiarities and souvenirs from every planet he’d ever had shore leave on and gifts from grateful civilians. If it had not been so carefully ordered, Howell would have called the room a mess. Instead it seemed adequately clean and spacious. Her eyes glanced over to one of the walls— more like a book case really— lined with nothing but hardcovers she didn’t care to investigate at the moment. She turned her attention to the desk near the back of the room.


On it, placed neatly over a datapad, was the comm. badge. She picked up the badge and then, spotting the pad beneath it, replaced the badge on the desk and picked up the pad instead.


Her eyes narrowed as she read it and then widened. Sharply inhaling and exhaling she dropped the pad, letting it clatter onto the desk and marched purposefully out of the room.

 

[Curios_Gelatin]

While preparations for the USS Beyond were going on, a Cardassian transport ship was making its way dutifully to Deep Space Nine.


“Estimated two hours to arrival to Empok Nor, sir.”


“Good, good.” responded Gul Remok from the captain’s seat. The officer who had given his estimation nodded and returned to his station. Beside the captain stood Gul Makar, stone-faced and hands locked together behind his back. The bridge of the transport ship had been quiet for most of the journey, with occasional remarks between officers and estimates of arrivals declared to the Guls. Makar had remained silent all throughout this time and had barely moved an inch from where he stood since boarding.


Remok looked over at the man and crossed a leg over the other. The captain seemed to be waiting for something from Makar. When Makar only stood there—watching the viewscreen with the same burning eyes he’d managed to keep going for most of the ride here and even before coming aboard— Remok decided to prod him.


“You seem positively glum Makar.”


Makar glanced down at Remok, and then back at the viewscreen. His jaw was clenched. His silence only seemed to amuse Remok, who chuckled softly under his breath before addressing him again.


“Could it be you’re not looking forward to your new command?”


Makar, once again, did not respond, but Remok noticed him clench his hands a little tighter.


“Ah wait, my mistake. It’s not your command at all but rather, Starfleet’s command-”


“Does this amuse you Remok?” Gul Makar snapped, losing the little patience he had maintained throughout the journey so far.


“It most certainly does!” Remok responded brightly, unfazed—in fact quite pleased— by the other’s impatience with him.


“Oh pray tell, why is that?” Makar muttered, turning his head away in irritation. By chance he caught an officer apparently watching their conversation. His lips curled back into a snarl and the officer nervously looked down at his console, evidently pretending he had heard nothing.


“Well let’s review facts shall we—”


“Remok.” Makar interrupted, his hands gripping along the arms of the captain's seat, voice stiff, loud and regretting his choice of words. He was now very much aware the bridge officers, like most of his people, were eager for gossip.
Not that Remok particularly cared about his fellow Gul’s pride.


“—first, you are ‘transferred’ from one warship to the next—”


“Remok—”


“—then you are ‘transferred’ from warship to cruiser vessel—”


“You are oversimplifying—”


“—then from cruiser vessel to patrol vessel—”


“That is not how—”


“—and now they are just entirely skipping any Cardassian vessels at all and shipping you off to Starfleet.”


The two Guls regarded each other, Makar with fierce anger, lips pursed into a thin line and Remok cool and calm, a smile curving up on the edge of his lip.


“To serve as a first officer, no less,” Remok added after a moment, as if he’d just remembered, “essentially stripping you of the rank of Gul. You cannot tell me any of this is not even mildly humourous.”


There was a stony silence as the two watched each other. Eventually, Makar relented and his hands loosened and slipped off the captain’s chair. He resumed proper posture and clasped his hands behind himself, facing forward once again.


“This is ridiculous.” Makar muttered under his breath.


“That’s what makes it funny.”


“That’s what make it infuriating,” Makar retorted, then added in a mutter, “and humiliating.”


There was a silence wherein Remok’s smile slid away and he began to look sober, the mischievous glint in his eyes dulling away. He lowered his voice to a low mutter now, so he was certain only Makar could hear him.


“What are you going to do Damek, start a coup? We should be thankful there’s even a ruling order to be angry with.”


Makar looked down at Remok. It seemed the captain was no longer in the mood for games, instead regarding the view screen with a vague disinterest and a mulling look. He did not respond and let the hum of engines and machinery dominate the room, both Guls merely watching the progress of the transport ship as it sailed through the stars.


“...Hail the Beyond.” Makar ordered.


“Yes sir. Hailing, sir.” came the rapt response of a bridge officer.


Remok looked up inquisitively at Makar who responded with a vague head tilt.


“I should know who I’m dealing with.”


This answer seemed to satisfy the captain and he sat up straighter in his chair, eyes on the view screen.


“No response, sir.”


Both Gul’s frowned at the communications officer, then shared a doubtful look with one another.


“Hail them again.” Remok ordered, and looked once again at the view screen.


There was another pause.


“No response again sir, I am uncertain as to why… wait, it appears they are responding now, sir.”


“On screen.”


The bridge was immediately full of the sounds of officers barking orders and crew members submitting reports and weaving between each other. Dominating most of the view screen however was a young woman with a severe expression, one hand holding a data pad and the other typing impatiently onto a station on the bridge. The spotted markings along her face and racing down her neck identified her as a Trill. She hardly gave the view screen a passing glance.


“Yes, yes, this is the USS Beyond, who is this and what do you need?”


The woman glanced once again at the her view screen and seemed to realize something. She left her station, leaving the view screen blank save for the officers milling about in a rush behind her.


There was a flicker and the screen cut away from the personal station and over to cover the main bridge.


“Cardassians. I take it one of you’s the ship's new first officer? What do you need? Is there a probl— hey you!”


She grabbed someone off-screen. The Guls looked at each other, wide-eyed at the scene before them. They could vaguely hear her growling orders to a person with a much meeker tone.


“Take this to engineering and tell them we need Ajano up on the bridge— Look I don’t care if you’re ‘supposed to go down to medical’ whatever it is, it can wait. Get Ajano. Now.”


The woman— whose uniform identified her a science officer— looked back at the screen, shaking her head in apparent disbelief.


“It’s impossible to get anyone to do anything around here. Look if it’s not urgent I—” she began, raising her hands.


“To whom are we speaking?” Makar interrupted.
The woman blinked, frowned and then sighed drearily. She rubbed the bridge of her nose for a few moments before folding her arms.


“Commander Leda Nix, chief of science, and this really is not—”


“You speak to Gul Remok and Gul Makar. Where is your captain?”


“That’s something all of us would like to know.” Commander Nix gave them a big, exasperated smile and threw her hands up as she motioned to the chaos behind her.


“He must be somewhere on the ship. Hail him. We demand to speak to him.”


“He’s not responding to hails, sir.”


“Then go find him. Now.”


The Commander seemed taken aback by their tone and gave them a dismissive smile. Her words were slow and deliberate.


“With all due respect, sir? I don’t have time for this.”


The view screen blacked out. On the Cardassian ship, the entire bridge looked on silently. No one could quite believe their eyes.

 

[CeJay]

A promising start here, even if it isn't so much for the crew of the Beyond, with a missing captain, general chaos and a seeming lack of order and discipline. Just the right environment then for a Cardassian officer who not only appears to have fallen out of grace but is also rather reluctant to have to serve on a Starfleet vessel.

This promises to be the start to a fascinating yet rocky ride.

 

[Curios_Gelatin]

A promising start here, even if it isn't so much for the crew of the Beyond, with a missing captain, general chaos and a seeming lack of order and discipline. Just the right environment then for a Cardassian officer who not only appears to have fallen out of grace but is also rather reluctant to have to serve on a Starfleet vessel.

This promises to be the start to a fascinating yet rocky ride.

Thank you for the positivity CeJay!

 

[Curios_Gelatin]

On the bridge of the Beyond, Nix rubbed her temples. At the sound signifying a hail coming through again she cursed aloud and marched over to a communications panel.

"Damned Cardassians..." she grumbled under her breath, "where's the damn mute— Ah~hah there you are..."

She bowed her head in relief as the pips cut out.

“Commander Nix.” came a panting voice from behind. She cursed under her breath and swerved around.

“What, what is it now?”

Three science officers stood before her, all sweating profusely— one even trembling—although it was difficult to tell whether this was because they were exhausted or nervous about confronting their superior.

“It’s about the research equipment, sir, we—” began one of them, a young man who had a distinct pallor accentuated with heavily bagged eyes.

“Yes, yes have you finished assembling it yet?”

The three officers followed their superior anxiously she she darted here and there on the bridge, checking data pad after data pad. They gave each other fearful looks before once again addressing her.

“No, sir, we… we can’t unload it ourselves it—”

“You haven’t even unloaded it yet?”

Nix stopped moving around the bridge to look at the officers.

The pale one gulped and his mouth gaped open nervously several times. The others seemed too nervous to speak, their jaws clenched tightly shut.

“Well?”

They started at her sharp tone.

“Sir we just can’t physically—” the sickly looking one started, finally able to force his words out.

“If we could just get a detachment of security officers to help us get it to a transporter—” another insisted.

The Commander laughed loudly.

"And let those brutes damage my equipment again? I don’t think so. One day you kids will learn you have to do things yourself if you want them done right. No, no, no. Get back down to the cargo bay I want my lab up and running before the day’s end.”

“Un… understood, sir, we’ll…”

The ill looking young man’s eyes rolled back into his head as he sank down onto the floor with a thud. There was a cry from the two that had accompanied him but the rest of the crew around the bridge seemed not to notice, and Nix seemed more annoyed than concerned. The two officers looked up at her, too shocked to respond.

“Well don’t just stand there. Pick him up and get him out of the way!”

 

[Curios_Gelatin]

Down at the medical bay Dr. Stollan was dragging a Benzite security officer between throngs of medical staff who stood scanning impatient crew members and their families as they typed out notes on nearby interfaces.

"Doctor please, I simply don't have time for a medical check at the moment. Perhaps in an hour or..."

"This will take all of twenty seconds, lieutenant," Stollan stated, sitting the Benzite down on an empty bed near the back of the room, "Trust that I don't want to keep you here any more than you want to stay."

The doctor took a medical tricorder from the nearby counter. The Benzite gave a resigned sigh. Beyond the crowd, chief Howell wove into the room, alongside her two science officers with their arms interlinked, carrying a sickly look friend between them. Howell raised an eyebrow at them before diving into the busy-ness of the med bay.

"Your last scan report indicates you had some issues with your Nitro-Oxi implant that resulted in some lung inflammation..."

Stollan frowned as he read this off the scan. There was a short beep as he reset the tricorder and began a new scan, carefully pointing at specific areas on the Benzite's face, neck and chest. He promptly replaced the tricorder on the desk and began to rummage through a cabinet above it.

"I believe that was treated for at my last post doctor, I assure you—Commander Howell!" The officer was surprised at the appearance of the Security chief, who seemed to be looking around the room at the faces of each person in earnest.

"Lieutenant." Howell offered in greeting, giving him a quick glance.

The officer made to stand up but Stollan— noticing this— resolutely placed two hands firmly on the officer's shoulders and sat him back down. Then from the cabinet he brought a hook-like instrument to the officer's face. The benzite froze and gave the instrument a fearful look.

“Doctor I don’t know if I’m comfortable with— oh”

Leaning in close to the Benzite, Stollan placed the hook like instrument up the officer's nasal cavity before he could resist any further.

"It seems you have some minor scarring from the treatment. When I countdown to one breathe in deeply. Three, two…”

Howell watched the doctor’s procedure with vague interest, but was far more interested in Stollan himself, a Vulcan whom she did not recognize. Stollan— apparently noticing her interest— looked up at her.

“Is there something you need, Commander?"

Howell gave the Benzite officer- who seemed quite frozen with fear with the hook still deep in his nasal cavity- an uncertain look, but Stollan’s attention seemed to have completely waned over to her.

“I’m looking for Doctor Vela, I need an updated general medical report.” Howell responded promptly.

“I see. I believe I sent an ensign off with an updated report some time ago.” Stollan replied, returning their attention to the cringing officer on the bed.

Howell’s brow furrowed at Doctor Stollan.

“Doctor I think you’ve misunderstood, I need a report from the chief medical officer.”

Stollan’s attention was once again taken away from the Benzite, who was beginning to look cross-eyed at the instrument being held up by the doctor.

“I am the chief medical officer. It seems Doctor Vela had to attend to an emergency family situation back on Earth. I am her replacement.”

Howell’s frown deepened, “I wasn’t told about this.”

“I’m certain hardly anyone has had time to notice— ah, yes, one.”

The Benzite started at the sharp spray of the instrument and breathed in hastily a half second too late. As the doctor pulled it back out the officer doubled over and coughed harshly.

“I’m chief of security doctor, it’s my job to know.”

Stollan didn’t seem to hear her, instead giving the Benzite a pat on the back.

“Take slow, deep breaths.”

After a few moments the Benzite sat back up looking rather dazed. Stollan took one of medical pads in Howell’s arms.

“I’ll link this up to the real time system so you can receive updates as they come.”

“Thank you doctor.” Howell responded with heavy gratitude. After a few moments and checking alongside the med bay’s mainframe Stollan handed her back the data pad. As Howell turned to leave however, they called out, and Howell reluctantly turned to face the doctor again.

“Commander, I would ask if we’d had any communication with the Cardassians?”

This gave Howell pause and she attempted to recall if they had. As far as she knew there had been no communication with the Cardassians yet.

“I don’t believe so, doctor, but I’m sure they can’t be more than a few hours away from arriving. You can talk to them then.”

“You see, I was told we would have received the first officer’s medical files and information on cardassian biology by now, but there are no such files in the med bay data-banks.”

“I wouldn’t know anything about that, doctor. You’ll have to talk to communications on the bridge about that, maybe they can set up a comm line with the Cardassian ship.”

He opened his mouth to speak but before they could recall her again Howell swept purposefully back into the crowd.

 

[Esirprus]

I like it a lot. The Gul and crew relations I like a lot. I admit, in my own work U had little idea for the post Dominion politics of the Cardassian Union. I think the ship needs a better name. While Beyond conveys it's going beyond Starfleet's prior limits it's kind of forced sounding. Perhaps Endeavor? Just a suggestion. I think including this to some degree in my own work of the Gamma quadrant would be excellent. I only read post one and the start of post two due to a time crunch so keep that in mind. And keep writing. I's good!

 

[Curios_Gelatin]

I like it a lot. The Gul and crew relations I like a lot. I admit, in my own work U had little idea for the post Dominion politics of the Cardassian Union. I think the ship needs a better name. While Beyond conveys it's going beyond Starfleet's prior limits it's kind of forced sounding. Perhaps Endeavor? Just a suggestion. I think including this to some degree in my own work of the Gamma quadrant would be excellent. I only read post one and the start of post two due to a time crunch so keep that in mind. And keep writing. I's good!

Yes I've had some trouble with a ship name. I didn't want to recycle any of the names in the expanded wiki since they belong to other authors who might feel uncomfortable with that. As far as I can tell 'Beyond' has not been used in either the canonverse or the fanonverse.

What do you mean including this in some degree?

 

[Curios_Gelatin]

The promenade of Deep Space Nine was calmer— albeit not by far— than the ships decks. There was certainly a different mood in the air- jovial, relaxed. People milled about at their own pace, laughing, sharing conversation and shopping. At the center of the promenade was Quark’s, a bar and gambling establishment infamous and vastly popular with both the locals and visitors alike.

Inside, patrons staked their bets at dabo tables with rambunctious shouts and gulped down synthehol by the keg, much to the thrill of the Ferengi running the bar. On a second floor table sat Rhydian T’kel, crowded by a sizable variety of people all quietly watching him with open mouths and wide eyes.

“...and then it was quiet. Me and my best security officer—crouched on this hill behind the gutted belly of this great, stinking, rotting carcass of a beast larger than a transport vessel— holding our breath for so long that it felt like we would die right then and there.”

They hung on his words as he spoke and leaned dramatically towards them, his voice lowering to almost a whisper. Below them on the first floor, security chief Howell strode into the bar. She looked around herself, her lips tightened into a thin line as she looked up to the second floor.

“One sound, one tiny breath and we knew the Galnaian’s would smell our alien breath exhaling in the air of their dank marsh and smash us to pieces with these ancient, ceremonial war hammers they carried slung across their backs. But what they didn’t know, what they didn’t expect—”

“Captain T’kel.”

T’kel started and looked behind himself. There Howell stood, the same thin-lipped expression and an arm mounted with data pads. She looked down at T’kel expectantly. Behind him the crowd seemed to scorn her interruption.

“Commander Howell! Incredible timing, as always. I was just telling them about that mission in Galnaia, you remember that, yes?”

“Captain there are urgent matters that require your— oh for…”

The captain had stood up and promptly rounded on her, swinging an arm around her shoulder—as best he could given her height— as he presented her to the onlooking crowd.

“My best security officer, Commander Luna Howell!” T’kel exclaimed loudly, mouth twisted into a playful grin, “go on and tell them how you got us out of that cesspool, Commander.”

Howell gave the onlookers—and T’kel— a reluctant look.

“Go on!” T’kel insisted.

“The Galnaian’s have an excellent sense of smell, but their other senses, I noticed, were fairly weak. I heaved the carcass of the beast we had hidden in down the hill and the momentum caught the Galnaian’s by surprise.”

“Without taking a single breath she lifts this huge corpse and slings it down the hill! It was incredible! And with the Galnaian’s down we then had to traverse this maze of a marsh which—”

“Rhys.”
Howell interrupted sharply. For a moment, T’kel looked as if he were about to continue on anyway but instead his lips curved up into a relenting smile.

“I’m sorry friends, it seems my shore leave is over. Thank you for the drinks.”

With some grumbling the crowd slowly dispersed, some even shaking the Captain’s hand or offering a pat on the back. He sat down at the now lonely table and motioned an empty seat to Howell.

She placed the data pads in front of the captain and sat down opposite him. A Ferengi waiter nearby, noticing the empty drinks on the table, attempted to come to their table but a scornful look from Howell bade him away quickly enough.

“These are the updates on progress so far. As you can see things are going about as well as they ever do during a pre-exploratory all-systems check.”

T’kel didn’t offer a word, instead vaguely nodding in agreement as he read through the engineering report, leaning his head on one hand on the table as he did.

“From what I’ve read myself medical is doing just about all it can to round up as many crew members as possible but it doesn’t seem they’ve been in-keeping with their previously appointed times. You should also know Doctor Vela is on a return trip to earth due to some—”

“Family emergency yes I know. I specifically requested Doctor Stollan to replace her as Chief Medical Officer, have they arrived yet?”

“Yes sir, I spoke with him some time ago in the medical bay, he’s concerned the files on Cardassian biology haven’t been transferred to the med bay’s data banks yet.”

At this T’kel frowned.

“That is odd. Though I suppose knowing the Cardassians they’ve never been particularly willing to hand us any valuable information on their species…”

There was some silence as T’kel read through the report. Howell leaned back in her seat. After a time she decided to voice what had been on her mind most of the day and, speaking in a low voice she carefully said;

“Rhys I’m not sure the crew will respond well to having a cardassian as a first officer.”

T’kel looked into her eyes, noting her unease, and then looked back at the report.

“A little bit of a pessimistic view, Luna. It doesn’t suit you.”

Howell raised an eyebrow.

“Have you been around any of the crew today? It’s just about the only thing they can talk about—”

“Commander.” T’kel sighed, raising a hand to silence her.

Howell pursed her lips but acquiesced and did not persist. She stood up and made to walk away.

“Then by your leave captain I have other duties—”

“Oh come now Luna, don’t make me drink alone.” the Captain laughed from over his shoulder.

“We should both return to the Beyond. Captain.” she added the word ‘captain’ in a deliberate tone.

“And we will. After one last round.”

Howell did not bother to hide her skepticism. She folded her arms and regarded the captain, eyebrow raised.
He raised a finger.

“Come on chief. One drink and then back to work. The ship won't leave without me.”

Before she could refuse again he had already waved over one of the Ferengi waiters and ordered their drinks.

 

[Cyfa]

This is good! I really like how the sense of urgency and preparation comes across, and I'm really looking forward to the arrival of Gul Makar to the Beyond (I think the name is quite fitting for a Galaxy-class ship). I think the somewhat chaotic atmosphere on board could do with some Cardassian organisation!

Small (possible) nit-pick: You mention Empok Nor, but should that be Terok Nor (aka DS9) instead? Or are the Cardassians actually going to Empok Nor first (which, according to the events of the DS9/Section 31 novel Abyss is now in orbit around Cajara - 7th planet in the Bajor system)?

 

[Curios_Gelatin]

This is good! I really like how the sense of urgency and preparation comes across, and I'm really looking forward to the arrival of Gul Makar to the Beyond (I think the name is quite fitting for a Galaxy-class ship). I think the somewhat chaotic atmosphere on board could do with some Cardassian organisation!

Small (possible) nit-pick: You mention Empok Nor, but should that be Terok Nor (aka DS9) instead? Or are the Cardassians actually going to Empok Nor first (which, according to the events of the DS9/Section 31 novel Abyss is now in orbit around Cajara - 7th planet in the Bajor system)?

Thank you very much I'm glad you're enjoying it so far!

Oh you're right! It was my mistake, I mixed the two up. I'll correct it right away. Thank you very much for pointing it out.

EDIT: Oh dear it seems I can no longer edit that post.... What a shame. It's going to nag at me forever now. : /

 

[Cyfa]

Nah, just have the Cardassians stop off at Empok Nor for some brief, (probably) unimportant reason (dropping off spare parts? nostalgic sight-seeing tour? collecting something they'd left behind?) before heading to DS9

 

[Esirprus]

I mean I like the characters and premise you've created. I think as much as I've created quite a bit of the Gamma quadrant there's more that not me or anyone I've worked with has come up with, yet. If possible I kind of like potentially turning this into a screenplay and series for television. Naturally I'd like the aspects of Gamma I know about to be included. That's what I mean. And I think in one place you refer to Deep Space Nine as Empok Nor. Terok Nor is what Dukat always called it. Empok Nor was the abandoned Cardassian station that Deep Space Nine featured in one episode. Hope this helps. I like the writing style too. I haven't read the last piece yet. But. I like the rest. Although I suspect the Vulcan doctor is a Romulan imposter. He doesn't seem quite compassionate enough for a Vulcan.

 

[Esirprus]

Cardassian anatomy is kept very secret. That doesn't surprise me. What species is T'Kell? He reminds me of a character I know. If you want to talk in more detail about "including this" follow my contacts link.

 

[Curios_Gelatin]

Nah, just have the Cardassians stop off at Empok Nor for some brief, (probably) unimportant reason (dropping off spare parts? nostalgic sight-seeing tour? collecting something they'd left behind?) before heading to DS9

Great alternative! I'll try working something like that in.

I mean I like the characters and premise you've created. I think as much as I've created quite a bit of the Gamma quadrant there's more that not me or anyone I've worked with has come up with, yet. If possible I kind of like potentially turning this into a screenplay and series for television. Naturally I'd like the aspects of Gamma I know about to be included. That's what I mean. And I think in one place you refer to Deep Space Nine as Empok Nor. Terok Nor is what Dukat always called it. Empok Nor was the abandoned Cardassian station that Deep Space Nine featured in one episode. Hope this helps. I like the writing style too. I haven't read the last piece yet. But. I like the rest. Although I suspect the Vulcan doctor is a Romulan imposter. He doesn't seem quite compassionate enough for a Vulcan.

I don't want my story to be affiliated with any other fan work right now, I very much want to have free reign over what I can come up with. I appreciate the offer though.

And yes, the Empok Nor mention is a mistake, another poster suggested that since I can't change it (the post is too old now.) I should just sneak in some minor reason they would be stopping at Empok Nor before Terok nor.

Cardassian anatomy is kept very secret. That doesn't surprise me. What species is T'Kell? He reminds me of a character I know. If you want to talk in more detail about "including this" follow my contacts link.

T'kel is a Human-Vulcan hybrid who prefers his human side over the vulcan side.

 

[Curios_Gelatin]

The Cardassian transport had stopped at a docking port on Empok Nor. Aboard the ship there were barked orders as crewmen filed in and various portions of machinery appeared about the cargo bay in neat formations.

“It would have been so much neater to strip the station down before it was evacuated.” Remok sighed as he looked on.

“There was no need to disassemble it.” Makar responded from next to him.

“Perhaps not at the time, but once it was clear we weren’t returning to it, it seems only rational to have sent someone to collect it, instead of leaving it to the scavengers.”

“I assume the military didn’t think they would ever be this desperate for materials.” Makar stated as he turned around and left the cargo bay. Remok followed suit.

“How long will this distraction take?”

“No more than an hour. Eager are we?”

“That ship’s a disaster.”

“Well, yes, but... Makar wait.”

Remok grabbed him by the arm and forced him to a stop. Makar gave an impatient sigh and faced him.

“Let me speak to the council, I can convince them to—”

“No, Remok. It is humiliating enough to have been assigned this task at all, I will not run back to the council and beg for a different command.”

Remok’s jaw clenched. His voice became low.

“Your pride is blinding you.”

Makar gave his fellow Gul a hard look.

“And your sentiment is blinding you. I will not disobey orders simply because I do not like them. That is not how we do things.”

“My sentiment?” Remok hissed, his grip on Makar’s arm tightening, “How many of our friends have been retired or transferred away from Cardassia prime? With every man we lose we are diminished in power, and that is no perception based on sentiment. Swallow your pride. You’ll earn it back a hundredfold. Let me talk to the council on your behalf.”

Makar seemed hesitant, but only for an instant. He wrenched away his arm.

“Tell your men to be done before the hours end. I have much to do aboard the Beyond, I will not tolerate further delays.”

As he walked away Remok gave a quiet sigh in defeat.

The Cardassian crewmen worked with no idle chatter, gathering as much they could of the old station within that hour and returned to their posts after they completed their surveys and updated the ships manifesto. Remok and Makar returned to their place on the bridge and gave the order to continue on. Although they tried —many times— to hail the Beyond, much to their annoyance they received no response.

The journey to Deep Space Nine was a quiet one, and without incident.

Upon reaching the station, the ship hummed through docking procedures. In the transporter room, the Guls were offering each other a short farewell.

“I suppose there’s nothing I can say to convince you not to go then.”

“I’ve made up my mind, Remok.”

Remok raised a brow at Makar.

“You are always so stubborn,” Remok said rather sullenly. He looked to the officer standing by to operate the transporter, “Have you made contact with the Beyond’s transporter staff?”

“Yes sir, though I’ve been told their schedule is rather hectic at the moment. They can only hold off for us for the next few minutes.”

“Then I’ll not keep them waiting.” Makar responded.

“Yes sir.”

The Guls regarded each other once more.

“Then… Good luck.” Remok offered Makar a polite nod.

“I’ll need more than luck.” Makar responded with a grimace as the transporter locked onto him. Remok watched him energize. When he was completely gone, he looked to the officer. The officer nodded back, and the Gul left the transporter room.

The moment Makar arrive, he could see the utter disarray.Without so much as a welcome he was bade out of the transporter room by agitated crewmen and thrown into the rivers of officers rushing back and forth through the decks.

Squaring his shoulders and clenching his jaw Makar strode through the ship and into a turbolift, where he marked the bridge as his destination.
There were other crewmen in the turbolift, many of who peeked at him with alarm, and went quiet when he entered. He kept his eyes resolutely on the screen monitoring the ascent through the ship.

Once at the bridge, he looked around. No sign of a commanding officer. He headed to the Captain’s ready room and pressed the intercom. No answer. He squinted and pressed it again. No answer.

Hesitant, he took a few steps into the room and looked around. Aside froma strange clutter of odd objects and archaic text, there appeared to be no one here. He pressed his hand to the bridge of his nose and sighed. He took a moment before striding back out of the room and back into the bridge.

He looked around at the steady hum of working engineers and, catching the eyes of one officer standing just atop a counter next to one of the interfaces before he hurriedly averted his eyes and stuck his head up a removed panel.

“Where is the Captain?” Makar demanded, marching to the crewman, his upper body hidden above a panel he had removed as he worked. There were sounds of clattering and scraping as the ensign loudly responded. Around them on the bridge officers worked with heavy focus— although occasionally their eyes were drawn to the cardassian standing among them.

“Uh… I’m busy at the moment, if you could just find someone else to—”

“Everyone is ‘busy’, everyone has ‘things to do’ but I will have someone take me to the captain or—”

“None of us know where the captain is… sir. He hasn’t responded to hails since before noon.”

“Are you telling me the captain has been missing for over six hours and no one has bothered to try find him?”

There was another clatter and the ensign stooped his head down to look Makar in the eyes.

“I think Commander Howell went to look for him,” he offered non-committally.

“And where did Commander Howell say they were going?”

“She didn’t. If you don’t mind sir I’ve got an appointment with the med bay”
Before Makar had time to protest the ensign had whisked over to the turbolift. Squaring his shoulders, he marched to the center of the raised level and boomed;

“Whoever is doing non-essential work report to me. Now.”

There was hesitance in the room. Makar met the eyes of the officers who had stopped their work to pay attention, but each quickly averted their eyes. His jaw clenched and his eyes flared. Just as he opened his mouth to launch into a tirade someone replaced a panel with deliberate loudness. A single officer, an aged bajoran woman wearing operations gold, came to the center of the bridge to face Makar. She dusted her hands and readjusted her uniform.

“Lieutenant Commander Ena Ajano, sir, chief of engineering. I’ll assist you in finding the Captain.”

Makar regarded her with a raised eyebrow. Of all the crewmen he had not expected for any Bajoran officers to respond to his command at all, but there she stood. He nodded at her.

“Thank you, Lieutenant Commander.”

 

[Sgt_G]

So far so good. I haven't seen any issues with grammar / spelling and wouldn't nit-pick if I had (unless it's something obvious and done wrong repeatedly), and I like the writing style. It is a little heavy on dialog and light on descriptive text. We all fall into that trap, I do believe.

In this last post, I think you did a location shift from the abandoned station to the starship with no transition, not even a row of asterisk, and it was very jarring to the reader. Other than that, good job so far. Keep it up.

 

[Esirprus]

Understandable. Completely. I was unaware edit doesn't work after a time. Or do you mean too many people have read it this way?

 

[Sgt_G]

They set a time limit on editing a post. I'm on another board that uses (I think) the same software, and I was able to edit a post from two years back. This board gives you a day or so.

 

[Curios_Gelatin]

So far so good. I haven't seen any issues with grammar / spelling and wouldn't nit-pick if I had (unless it's something obvious and done wrong repeatedly), and I like the writing style. It is a little heavy on dialog and light on descriptive text. We all fall into that trap, I do believe.

In this last post, I think you did a location shift from the abandoned station to the starship with no transition, not even a row of asterisk, and it was very jarring to the reader. Other than that, good job so far. Keep it up.

Luckily my post was still open for editing this time. I've added a new section to try and ease the location shift.

As for the dialogue, yes I've been told my writing is dialogue heavy before. I'll try be more descriptive in the future, but I think in the current situation, given that everything is supposed to feel very chaotic I feel like too much description would slow down the pace.