Chapter Eighteen
29 December 2376
Star Station Echo
Office of Admiral Morgan Bateson, Commander-Border Squadron 7
Tap
Commander Inga Strauss stood at rigid attention, eyes fixed on a point 18 inches above the seated Admiral Bateson.
Tap
Admiral Bateson studied the padd containing Strauss' after-action report of the Bluefin's recent encounter with the Horace Greeley, his face impassive.
Tap
Inga winced internally each time Bateson brought his stylus down on the edge of the padd. If he was trying to unnerve her, she would be damned if she would show it!
Tap
Bateson finally set the padd down on the desk, leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. He stared at Commander Strauss without speaking for a protracted amount of time, his expression neutral. Inga thought the office was unusually warm.
"I am in a quandary, Commander Strauss," Bateson said, at last.
"Sir," uttered Strauss. It was the most innocuous thing she could think to say.
"I don't know whether to write an official reprimand or an official commendation."
Strauss decided silence was the best answer at this point.
"You see, on the one hand, you disobeyed your commanding officer's directive and took your ship into a potentially hazardous situation. You did so without notifying your squadron commander, that being me, or any other senior commander who could provide you with back-up! That was reckless, immature, and stupid!" Bateson's voice rose in volume and intensity. Still, Inga did not flinch.
The Admiral glared at her for another moment, before resuming. "But, on the other hand, you did manage to capture and arrest Syndicate operatives on a Starfleet vessel. Those involved had been acting unbeknown to us and with complete impunity until you intervened. You and your crew showed courage, initiative and some creative thinking in capturing that rogue ship quickly with no loss of life and no significant damage to either ship."
"Sir, it was Lt. Commander T'Ser's quick thinking . . ."
"SILENCE!" Bateson roared. "I'll tell you when you can speak!" He paused as the echo of his voice in the office faded. "I am fully aware of Commander T'Ser's part in this. It is not lost on me that she, in fact, probably saved your life and that of Lt. Bane. She most definitely will receive a commendation for her actions."
Strauss was both relieved and pleased to hear that. It would make whatever punishment befell her more bearable.
Bateson stood from his chair and walked around the desk, standing before Struass with his arms folded. At 6 feet three inches, he loomed over the petite Strauss. She swallowed and focused on his commbadge.
"I do have one question for you, Commander," he said, his tone softer.
"Yes sir?" she replied.
"Your after-action report is very detailed, save for one point. You neglected to say how you knew there was a Syndicate operation on the Horace Greeley."
Strauss swallowed. This was the question she had feared.
"Sir, with all due respect, I wish for my source to remain confidential."
Bateson lifted his eyebrows, but no eruption came forth.
"I could order you to answer," he pointed out, not unkindly.
For the first time, Inga's face faltered slightly. Her mouth twitched with barely concealed emotion.
"Yes sir. You could," she said softly.
Admiral Bateson continued to gaze at the young woman's face, then nodded slightly. "Very well, Commander. I'll let that pass - for now." He moved back to take his seat.
"As I said. You've left me with a quandary, which I must resolve. Therefore, my decision is to neither reprimand nor commend you for your recent actions. You are clear to return to your duties as Executive Officer of the Bluefin."
A feeling of pure relief washed over Inga.
"However!" his voice again took on an edge of steel. "If you ever act in such a precipitous manner, I'll have your pips and you'll get your walking papers! Are we clear?!"
Strauss came to even more rigid attention.
"Yes sir!"
"Good!" Bateson growled. Now, get out of here and ask your Captain to come in!"
* * *
USS Bluefin
Star Station Echo, berth 12
T'Ser stood before the door to Lt. Sarnek's quarters and hesitated. She took a deep, calming breath, not wanting to show the turmoil of emotions that churned within her. She pressed the annunciator.
"You may enter," came Sarnek's voice.
T'Ser walked into the Vulcan helmsman's quarters. As she had anticipated, it was austerely decorated, in keeping with Vulcan tastes. The temperature was very warm and the air very dry to more closely approximate the planet Vulcan's arid climate.
Sarnek stood, hands clasped behind his back, his face neutral. He inclined his head in greeting.
"T'Ser," he said. For the first time that she could recall, Sarnek had not used "Commander" when initiating conversation with her.
She nodded in return. "Sarnek, I've come with my answer."
Sarnek said nothing, but merely stood impassively.
"I must decline your offer of Talyut Kalifah," she said, managing to keep a tremor out of her voice.
Sarnek's expression did not change, though she thought she detected a slight upward tick of an eyebrow on his forehead.
"Very well," he replied, with no acrimony in his voice. "May I ask why you have decided to decline?"
It's not you . . . it's me . . . suddenly flashed into her mind. She fought the urge to giggle nervously. She pursed her lips, again calming herself. "Sarnek, I understand that this is an 'exploration of destinies.' Well, to be truthful, I am very unsure of my own destiny at this point in my life. Look . . . can we sit down?"
Sarnek indicated the sofa. She sat and he did likewise, albeit rigidly. She took a chance and reached for his hand. This time, his face registered surprise.
Giving his hand a squeeze, she continued. "Sarnek, I'm more Human than Vulcan in how I live, how I think, how I feel!. And at the moment, I'm feeling very confused." She gazed into his dark eyes. "I've come to value you as a person, Sarnek, not just as a competent officer. If things were different in my life, then . . . yes, I might be open to exploring our destinies."
"Different in what way?" he asked, quietly.
"If I had not loved and lost Dale McBride," she began, "if our families were not at odds, if I had grown up in a different place or time . . ." her voice trailed off.
Sarnek's face showed he was listening intently, trying to understand. "A Terran once wrote of two ships that pass in the night."
She smiled at him. "From what I remember, it was part of a pretty cheesey song."
He frowned, puzzled. "Cheesey?"
She laughed. "Never mind. Your quote is appropriate, Sarnek. Our destinies seem to lie in different directions. Impulsively, she kissed him on the cheek. He looked startled and he put his hand to his face.
"Please explain the significance of this action," he said.
T'Ser smiled. "On Earth, we call it 'letting you down easy.' It means I would still like to be your friend." Smiling, she stood. He also stood, still looking puzzled, but nodding.
"That is acceptable," he said. He lifted his hand in the Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper, T'Ser of Earth."
She returned the salute. "Peace and long life, Sarnek of Vulcan."
* * *
Star Station Echo
Office of Admiral Morgan Bateson, Commander-Border Squadron 7
Akinola entered Bateson's office with a cup of the Admiral's premium coffee in hand.
"Should I set this down, or does the cat o' nine tails come later?" asked Akinola.
"Shut up and have a seat," groused Bateson. "I see you helped yourself to the good stuff."
"Your aide offered it to me."
"I've got to talk to him about being a better judge of character." Bateson leaned forward and clasped his hands together on his desk. "Joseph, what the Hell were you thinking?"
Akinola sighed and shifted in his chair. "Honestly? I'm not sure that thinking played a big part in it. Tanya contacts me out of the blue, the next thing I know I'm off to Verex III for some medicine I've never heard of. All for a little boy I never met until a few days ago."
"So, how is the boy?"
Akinola smiled. "I spoke to them this morning. He's already showing a positive response to the medicine. In a few weeks, they can address the leukemia. His outlook is excellent."
"Good, glad to hear it," said Bateson. He stood and walked over to the viewport, his back to Akinola.
"Why didn't you tell me what you were planning to do?" Bateson asked, quietly.
"I knew what I had to do, Morgan. I also knew that it would probably be dangerous and possibly illegal. If I told you, and things went sideways, that would make you culpable," Akinola shook his head. "I couldn't have that."
Bateson turned. "I appreciate that, Captain, but I can't have my cutter commanders taking off on every personal whim or vendetta that comes their way!"
"Do you want an apology? Okay. I'm sorry I put you in such a position."
Batson's eyes flashed. "Dammit, Joseph! Don't be flip! You took off and left your XO in the dark. She had to dig to find out what you were doing, for which I don't blame her! Then, she goes off on her own crusade to try to help her CO! That's your fault, Captain! You abandoned your ship, your mission and your crew without so much as a by-your-leave! And you kept me completely out of the loop - that is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!"
Akinola took the tirade stoically, but a realization dawned. Bateson wasn't so much angry as he was hurt.
"You're right," said Akinola, quietly.
"What's that?" asked Bateson.
Akinola raised his head. "I said, you're right, Admiral. I screwed up. I should have told Inga what I was doing and I should have let you know too." He fixed his eyes on Bateson. "But I would do it all over again, if I had too."
Bateson glared at Akinola, then sat at his desk, pulling a padd from a drawer. "I'm filing a formal reprimand, Captain. You may, of course, request an inquest if you wish to challenge this."
Akinola shook his head. "No sir. I don't wish to challenge."
Bateson nodded as he took his stylus to the padd. Without looking up he said, "Dismissed."
Without another word, Akinola stood and exited the Admiral's office.
* * *
USS Bluefin
Star Station Echo, berth 12
Commander Strauss entered the bridge for her duty shift. T'Ser stood from the center seat.
"The Captain wishes to see you," said T'Ser. There was a look of sympathy on her face.
Inga nodded. "Thanks," she said flatly. We who are about to die salute you, she thought, with gallows humor. Steeling herself, she walked to the door of Akinola's ready room and touched the annunciator.
"Come!" came the muffled reply.
Taking a deep breath, she entered to face the encounter she had most feared.
Captain Akinola was seated behind his antique oak desk eating a bowl of ice cream. He gestured to one of the chairs opposite him.
"Have a seat, Commander," he said as he scraped the last bit of cherry-vanilla from the bowl and set it aside. Strauss sat on the edge of the chair, her body tense.
He leaned back in his chair and regarded his young XO. His features were relaxed and his eyes serene. Strauss was puzzled, having expected a repeat of Admiral Bateson's reading of the riot act. Akinola noticed the puzzled look on her face and chuckled.
"At ease, Inga. I'd be a first level hypocrite to take you to the mast after you've received your tongue-lashing from Captain Gunderson and Admiral Bateson."
"Sir, may I ask - how is your grandson?"
"You may ask - he is doing very well, thanks. It looks like the medicine is going to do the job. The oncologists predict a full recovery for him."
Inga smiled. "I'm very glad to hear that, sir."
Akinola nodded. "Thanks." His expression became somewhat more serious. "We do need to talk about what happened, though. We both made mistakes for which I must bear the responsibility."
"Sir, with respect, I'm willing to face up to my own errors."
Akinola nodded. "I know that, Commander. And you made some big ones. But you did so because of the position in which I placed you." He cleared his throat as he struggled to parse his thoughts.
"Inga, I make no apologies for what I did regarding my grandson. It was a breach of protocol and I accept that I've got to take my lumps for that. So be it." He turned in his chair to face her fully. "But I do apologize for putting you in the position of defending me."
Strauss frowned. "Defending you? I'm not sure I understand."
"You took a big risk to help me, Commander. Part of that was risking my anger over violating my privacy and reading private communiques."
Inga felt her face redden, but she remained silent.
"And I was angry - at first. Marge - Captain Gunderson helped me realize that you did it because you had to. In a strange way, it demonstrated your loyalty to me. That loyalty is what got you in too deep."
"Sir, we were concerned for you. Your actions were so . . . out of character."
Akinola smiled. "I guess they seemed that way, didn't they? But you didn't know me back when . . . well, that's another time." He stopped to gather his thoughts. "Inga, I want you - us, to learn from this. I appreciate, and am grateful for the loyalty that motivated you to try to help me. That's very commendable. But a commander's primary responsibility is to his or her ship and crew. I didn't set a very good example for you when I took off so suddenly. Perhaps if I'd explained what I was doing more fully . . . if I'd trusted you as I should have, you might have thought through your actions a bit more."
Inga considered his words. "Yes sir. I suppose that's true."
Akinola leaned back and laced his fingers behind his neck. "I am curious as to how you discovered the Syndicate operation on the Greeley."
Strauss swallowed. "Respectfully sir, I'd rather not."
"It was Bane, wasn't it?"
Strauss' expression showed surprise. Akinola grinned. "You've got to work on your poker face, Inga! You're like an open book."
"How did you know, sir?"
His smile faded. "Nigel told me himself. He came by this morning, told me about his brother's Corellan acid addiction and how he got caught up with the Syndicate. Nigel felt torn between his loyalty to Starfleet and love for his brother. He offered his resignation."
Strauss felt chilled. "He did?"
Akinola nodded. "I refused to accept it. I think I understand how family can make you do strange things. He agreed to take some time to consider his future."
Inga nodded. Nigel had not shared any of this with her.
"He was also concerned that he had hurt your career by his actions." Akinola gazed directly at Strauss. "I assured him that was not the case."
Inga was silent for a moment, pondering this. She looked up at Akinola. "Captain? What did the Admiral . . . what did he do to you?"
Akinola shrugged slightly. "A formal reprimand and a royal chewing-out. Nothing I can't live with."
Strauss' face fell. A formal reprimand basically ended any chance that Akinola would reach flag rank. The captain noticed her expression and smiled.
"To be honest, he did me a favor. I would resign before I'd accept a promotion. I'd go nuts behind a desk on a station somewhere. I'm doing what I know best." He glanced at an old wooden chronometer on the bulkhead. "I best let you get to the bridge - you're late relieving Commander T'Ser."
She stood, her mind still not processing the surreal nature of the meeting. She walked to the door, then stopped and turned.
"Captain?"
"Yes, Commander?"
"Thank you for the second chance."
He nodded. "You're earning it. See you later, Commander."
* * *
"Have a seat, T'Ser," said Akinola. The Vulcan Ops officer had come by after Strauss relieved her.
T'Ser sat primly in the proffered chair.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Captain. I know you're trying to get settled back in, but . . . I wish to request leave."
"You've certainly got enough accumulated, T'Ser. What do you have in mind? A week on Risa might be good for you."
"Actually, I need some time . . . to think. I'd like to visit my parents on Earth." She looked up. "If possible, I'd like to take extended leave . . . " She looked past Akinola out the viewport at the stars. "I . . . don't know if I belong out here any more."
Akinola's face registered concern. "You've never really had a chance to grieve Dale properly."
She tossed up her hands in a helpless gesture. "No . . . maybe . . . I don't know. That's part of it, sir, but I just feel - unsettled."
"You know," began Akinola, "you have the seniority and experience to make a fine first officer on any ship in Starfleet. You showed a lot of poise and savvy against the Greeley! Lord knows, I'd hate to lose you, but you should keep your options open. You're name's on the short list for full commander. And scuttlebutt is that the stop-loss order will end soon. A lot of positions will be opening up."
T'Ser gave a slight smirk. "Sounds like you're trying to get rid of me."
"You know better! I'm just saying, this ship may hold too many memories for you - good and bad. Go on and visit your folks. I'll approve a three month leave of absence for you. You've got more time than that accrued."
T'Ser nodded. "Thank you, Captain - I appreciate it!"
"Don't mention it. Get some rest."
T'Ser smiled and exited the ready room. As she did, Akinola's smile faded. He turned and stared at the stars through the viewport. The familiar stars of the Borderlands were a comfort to him. But change was coming - of that he was certain. He did not fear it, but neither did he welcome it.
END
* * *
Just when I thought you were winding things down! Excellent combat sequences providing counterpoint to Gunderson’s debrief of Strauss & Company. Hold on tight, this ain’t over yet…
