CHAPTER 3
Supplemental (USS Independence)
Admiral Ross wasn’t too upset about the Independence’s delay to start their first mission. The fact that Aurelia got to DS9 several days ahead of schedule didn’t hurt his disposition, Aurelia thought, as she returned to the bridge after escorting Ross to transporter room 2. The doors parted. As she entered, D’nas called out, “Captain on the bridge!” Instinctively, some of the crew came to attention. Aurelia noticed two exceptions, Bin Nadal and Kimula; whom both looked playfully at Sintina. She was compelled to return the smile as she ordered, “At ease.”
Military traditions such as polishing boots, announcing the captain, and other such “prettiness” was abandoned by the Midas crew with Aurelia’s blessing. They seemed trivial protocols during the war.
Bin Nadal didn’t break the captain’s gaze, indicating to her he had something to say.
Still smiling her security chief said, “I’ve established a new game room in an empty crew’s quarters.”
“Great, where?” came Aurelia.
“Deck 4, room 12.”
Kimula stood from her seat, interjecting, “I assume you both realize we don’t need a game room anymore. This ship does have holodecks, you know.”
Early on in the Dominion War, one of the casualties was the holodecks. The chief engineer recommend improving the shields and weapons systems, but at the cost of drawing power from non-critical areas. Captain Camar agreed; hence, the holodecks went unused. By the time Aurelia was forced to take command, the ship was in such bad shape, no one would even consider doing anything to take power from the defensive systems.
Aurelia crossed her arms, “True, but I’m used to playing D&D the old fashioned way, now.”
Bin Nadal added, “It won’t be the same without the rest of our players.”
Kimula looked at Aurelia and said with purpose, “We’ll just have to introduce the game to new people.”
The allusion was lost on the captain, “Yeah, but Bin Nadal’s right. It won’t be the same.”
Kimula, decided to be less subtle, “That’s the nature of existence, captain; things change.”
Aurelia seemed to get the message this time, “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.” With a sigh, Aurelia rounded the safety railing, heading for the center seat. “At any rate, we have our first mission, now. What crew members haven’t gotten on board yet?”
“Twenty-three crew members haven’t reported, including the CMO and the 1st officer,” volunteered Kimula.
Aurelia stopped short of the command chair, “I know about the XO, but we need to get the doctor so she can start processing people.” She looked up to Bin Nadal, her next order embedded in the statement, “We are going to have to move up our schedule.”
Bin Nadal curtsied, “I’m on it.” He moved to the turbolift aft of the bridge as the door slid open he nearly ran into another form.
Karim took a step back in confusion and quickly assed the situation. Another officer, a commander, stood centimeters away. The Commander didn’t seem nearly as startled as Bin Nadal was. The security chief experienced a quick sense of disappointment in himself because of the fact. He was disappointed because of that? Karim had almost managed to push the events at Starbase 375 out of his mind. A terrible wave of guilt washed over him. … He forced himself back to the present situation. “Oh, welcome on board commander. I’d chat more, but I’m on a mission.”
The Commander stepped aside, allowing the ‘mission’ to continue without comment. Bin Nadal disappeared behind panels joining together.
Aurelia was rather proud of herself as she produced a polite smile. “Ah, Commander Windslow, welcome onboard the Independence.”
Kimula rose and turned aft to see her new superior. Her genuine smile served to make Aurelia’s much more artificial.
The barrel-chested man straightened up, “Commander Ethan Windslow reporting for duty.”
The Captain gestured to her right, “Commander, this is ship’s counselor Kimula.” Her hand then moved to the bow, “There at the helm is our Tamarian exchange officer, D’nas.”
D’nas only minimally moved to make eye contact and nod at the commander.
Aurelia then moved to her original position, her arms again crossed. “And you briefly meant our chief tactical officer, Karim Bin Nadal.”
There we’re others on the bridge, including an ops officer, but Aurelia didn’t remember her name yet. So she left the introductions unsaid.
Kimula moved to up to the higher level where Windslow was still standing with an outstretched hand. “Welcome, Commander.”
Windslow cordially, but not enthusiastically, accepted the invitation.
Aurelia made no indication of following suit. “Well, we have a mission already. Let me brief you in my ready room,” as she motioned in the proper direction.
“Yes sir.” At the indication of Aurelia, he entered first. Aurelia made a quick glance at Kimula after Windslow couldn’t catch it. Kimula wasn’t entirely sure why. Then the captain joined him in the ready room.
*****
Windslow stood ‘at ease,’ not wanting to take a seat until he was offered it. Aurelia made her way to the far side of the desk. “Have a seat, Commander,” as she did the same.
As he pulled the chair out, “Thank you, sir.”
Aurelia crossed her legs and rested an arm of the edge of the desk. “Oh don’t do that. I prefer ‘ma’am.’”
Windslow nodded, “To be honest, I never thought it was necessary to call female officers, ‘sir.’”
The stray thought entered Aurelia’s mind. What about addressing species with more than two sexes? She was about to vocalize it, but decided not to look for problems just yet. In a tone of fake optimism she said instead, “We’ve made our first agreement. That bodes well for our relationship.”
Sensing the comment was synthetic, Windslow moved on, “And our mission?”
Aurelia shifted position, now fully facing the man, “We are to track down a rogue Cardassian vessel. It hasn’t surrendered to Federation forces. It was last seen in the Badlands.”
Windslow stood, “We should get moving, impulse signatures don’t last long in the plasma storms.”
Aurelia looked up from under her eyebrows, “We will. The doctor still needs to get on board.”
“I’ll go get her,” as he starts for the door.
“I already have someone on it.”
Windslow turns on his heel. Frustration brewing in his eyes, “Other than her, do you have all hands yet?”
Aurelia leaned back in her chair and her defenses went up, “No, we have several crew members that are either on the station or nearby ships.”
In quick succession, the commander stepped forward, leaned down and placed his hands on the desk. “What have you been waiting for? I’ll issue an immediate recall order and we can get underway.”
Aurelia immediately meant the challenge. Even though she was a head shorter and full 30 kilograms lighter, she had faced down more imposing figures than the man that now stood before her. By god, she would not be intimidated by, what she considered, a sub-standard officer.
“As you were commander. First off, this is a new ship. We’ve detected a defect in the warp core and my engineer needs several hours to repair it. We can’t go anywhere until then. Second, don’t take that tone with me. And third, I know you have more experience as a captain than I do. But whether you like it or not, you’re not in command here; I am!”
Aurelia used amazing restraint by not mentioning the investigation. She didn’t quite want to tip her hand on that yet. Besides, “Commander, we have to work together for now. So let’s just do what needs to get done.”
Fire burned behind Windslow’s eyes. It extinguished somewhat as he recognized she had valid points. He gathered what composure he could as he raised himself to a more respectful posture. He took a deep breath, “So, how can I help get things done?”
It took a minute for Aurelia to feel comfortable enough to return to her seat. She remained standing as if to confirm with the commander that she won the argument. “We weren’t supposed to leave DS9 for several days until this assignment came up. The crew will be taken off guard.” She paused to consider the fact that Windslow thought of something she hadn’t yet. “Go ahead and issue that recall order. Get everyone onboard so they can get familiar with the ship.”
Windslow acknowledged and began for the exit. Then as if Aurelia simply couldn’t end the encounter on a conciliatory note, “Then I suggest you talk to our department heads to get a feel for our situation.”
He made the slightest ‘humph’, then turned, “Aye, ma’am.”
“Dismissed.”
The commander was more than ready to abide to that order.
END OF CHAPTER 3
Sounds like Commander Windslow collected his fair share of psychological scars during the war. I'm curious about his losing his captaincy, as well as the ongoing investigation that appears to center on him.
