Choices

Posted on Wed Jan 25th, 2017 @ 12:19am by Commander Bertrand Cuprum & Captain Elijah Michaels & Commander Cor Cordale & Lieutenant Sara'draphia T'eseri & Lieutenant Jarax & Lieutenant Valeria Mordin & Lieutenant JG Elliot Keller

Mission: All the Kings Men: Wargames
Location: Observation Lounge, Deck 1
Timeline: 30 minutes after 'Bang you're dead'

The Captain sat at the head of the table in the Observation Lounge, Agent Smith and Bertrand were flanking him on either side. What was being proposed by Agent Smith was for the most part a dereliction of duty and came with it a severe consequence, but in some cases this man was responsible for so much pain.

"Everyone as you know, we are the only ship in this fleet with direct knowledge of the Jennarri and the immense power they possess." Elijah said looking at the staff. "But something we have been coping with for nearly a year has reared its head once again." The Captain pressed a control on the table to display a three dimensional display. "Rear Admiral Sebastian Gates, Director of Special Projects for Starfleet."

Agent Smith was not hard to read. It didn't take a Betazoid to feel the hate wash off him.

"A lot of you remember our dealings with him and the R47W project that forced us to that Station on the Border of Breen Space, we saw some things that will haunt us for eternity." The Captain said before a momentary pause. "Agent Smith here has come to us because this same man has taken control of a Federation Archive in an uncharted System and he needs us to help apprehend him." Elijah looked at his Crew. "We have our orders to stay in War Games and prepare for the Jennarri, but I myself am going with Agent Smith to stop this man before he does it again, this is not an order it's your own personal decisions and does not change my respect for each and everyone of you."

Smith let out a long breath, "Thank you, Captain."

Tarlee looked towards the Captain. "Where my Captain goes I'll follow." The Bolian said with a nod towards Elijah. "Gamma Shift can deal without me for a while."

Elliot Keller was next. The Diplomatic Officer had grown a lot over the last 18 months and he knew what he had to do. "I'm with you Sir."

Kevin looked around the room at those assembled, and listened to what was being said. His own choice was simple, "I'm staying on the Victory to carry on with the war games. I make no apologies Captain, our orders from Starfleet HQ are to prepare for a Jennarri attack coming, through these series of war games. In no way, shape or form do these orders say anything about going after Admiral Gates. Don't get me wrong Sir, the Admiral needs to be caught and brought to justice over what he's done and the misery, pain and death he's caused, but, orders are orders, and as Chief of Security of this ship, I follow orders from Starfleet HQ. Anyone going with you and Agent Smith are in violation of those direct orders from Starfleet HQ and with that in mind, you'll be going AWOL and will be in dereliction of duty. I'll have to report all those who go with you to Starfleet HQ and tell them you're AWOL and why, and 'if' you return back to this ship from your time away, there's every chance you'll be arrested and could be put on a Court Marshall charge."

"I accept those consequences, but I shall take myself to Earth in shackles alongside Gates of my own volition and my own terms." Elijah said to Kevin. "Wouldnt be my first Court Martial or my my first stint in Jail because of this man."

"Forgive me Sir, but that sounds like you're boasting about the Court Marshall" Kevin said "and if I'm perfectly honest, it's shameful. Regarding the other situation, as much as Admiral Gates needs to be brought to book, you're putting the whole of the Federation at risk through not having a fully staffed Starfleet vessel with ALL of it's essential crew in place so it can defend the Federation against a formidable enemy. I believe the Jennarri pose a bigger threat than the Admiral, as do Starfleet HQ otherwise they'd have sent us after the Admiral themselves. I shall do 'my' duty to the people of the Federation and defend them against the Jennarri unless otherwise ordered to, for any of us to do otherwise is just wrong to me."

Valeria waited for a moment before she spoke next, "I must agree. We have to address the larger threat, and while the potential for a rogue Admiral is terrible, I am one of the few crew on board who has fully read the report on the Jennarri's capacity and capability." She then motioned to Kevin, "And Lieutenant Kilbane is one of the others." She acknowledged him for just that moment before continuing. "We have to address the clear and present danger, and that is the Jennarri threat. We need to develop working strategies and counter strategies, develop weapon deployments to maximize our chances of deterring the threat, and potentially even defeating them militarily."

"The Admiral MAY be a threat, but I feel that the Jennarri ARE a threat." She paused to glance over at Bertrand, "I don't need standing orders or jurisdiction to make my decision. I'll stay to combat the threat."

"Though Bertrand's got a hell of a point." Cordale was the next to speak up, "And Lieutenant Kilbane brings up some good points too, our orders are to stay here, and do something very important. But what if the next set of orders comes from a rogue Admiral?" the Thux pointed out. "I mean, he's pretty high up there as far as ranks go. He could start ordering ships into pointless regions to just waste resources, or order poorly outfitted ships to their doom. Hell he may be working WITH the Jennarri, and we'd never know because he'd order us to go water flowers on Mercury or something."

"You have enough brain power here on the ship to work out the 'How to defeat the Jannarri' issue. I'm going with the Captain to cut off the next problem before it grows out of hand. Before it starts making rogue orders that cause chaos while officers like us debate which orders to obey." Cor stated, before he gave Elijah a nod.

"Many many things could happen Commander" Kevin replied to Cordale "However, as it is, 'current' up to date standing orders from Starfleet HQ are that we prepare for conflict with the Jennarri through war game simulations, nothing more, nothing less. Anyone doing otherwise is failing to take up on their oath to follow their Starfleet obligation and carry out their orders, and that's dereliction of duty and desertion."

"I'm going to protect the Federation from an enemy. One that I feel could do a lot of damage to Starfleet from within, and could jeopardize our standing with allied races and possibly provoke civil war or even folks to break off."

"So our standing orders are to participate in war games, but I'm pretty sure that if a fire broke out in your quarters you wouldn't wait for orders to put the blaze out." Cordale took a moment to take a breath, "The Admiral is the fire. I'm gonna go put him out."

"We're not dealing with hypothetical fires Commander, we're dealing in actualities like given orders, orders from Starfleet HQ" Kevin replied "and you can try and justify your going AWOL, desertion of duty and dereliction of standing orders if you go off with Agent Smith to try and capture Admiral Gates, but understand this, the moment you come back and step foot on board this vessel, I'll place you and anyone who's gone off with Agent Smith under arrest."

The Thux actually gave Kevin a nod, "I can respect that. I'll tell you what, when I get back I'll tell you everything I'm allowed to about what we accomplished. If you still feel it your duty to arrest me, after that, then I'll go with no quarrel."

"I have no interest in having any discussion with you about what you get up to whilst you're away Commander" Kevin replied, "Just know that if you return 'after' we're called to go into action against the Jennarri, your ass is grass and I'll be the lawn mower."

Elijah nodded towards Cor. The Engineer always had his back in times like this and he appreciated the Commander speaking his mind. "Thank you Cor for bringing us back to the matter at hand." The Captain turned to the others, "A no from Kilbane, a no from Val where do you stand on this Jarax?"

The Denobulan intelligence officer had been silent and unnoticed thus far. He sat in a very relaxed position, leaning back with his hands joined and resting on his belly. At the question directed at him, Jarax cocked his head. "Our orders cannot be superceded by one man. The fact that this deviation is even being considered is laughable Captain."

"I'll take that as a no." He Captain said to him.

Elijah nodded. "And you Doctor?"

Taking off her combadge, Sara looked at it for a moment before placing it on the table infront if her, "although I can understand all of your points of view as well as the need for these 'war games', I choose to go with the Captain. And to make things easier for Lieutenant Kilbane, I shall resign from Starfleet. As my species is not part of the Federation or Starfleet, I cannot be charged with treason or leaving my post if I lawfully resign"

"Thank you Doctor." Elijah said with a polite smile towards the blue skinned alien. "Your resignation won't be necessary, I think Kilbane gets the point."

"Actually Sir, if the doctor wishes to resign her commission to make it easier for me because she has decided to go with you, I have no objection" Kevin replied.

All eyes turned to the first officer. He had remained silent through the entire discussion now he did the last thing that was expected of him. He burst out laughing.

"Bahahaha!" he rocked back in his chair. "By the Great Bird, Kilbane, for someone who doesn't see eye to eye with me on most things you sounded just like me then."

He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye with his left hand, "Our orders state we are to participate in these war games. We are currently in a down time, and will be for another two and a half hours. Until that time the crew are free to perform their duties how they see fit. Until that time is expired, any crew man may leave or return to the ship. You cannot be arrested for saying you intend to break orders. At that point however, any crewman who does not report for duty is AWOL and I will instruct the Chief of Security to make a note in the log. The penalties are harsh, more so for you Captain who has already faced a court martial over Gates, than any one else here."

"You do not need to convince anyone here of your motivation. You will need to convince the JAG that your actions were acceptable. I will not be going with you."

Bertrand was back to his serious self by the end of the speech, "Captain, if it is your intention to take members of this crew on an extended tour of this alleged facility, I suggest you do so with all speed. With your permission I will return to the bridge, along with Kevin and Val and any others who wish to remain behind."

Bertrand leaned in and glowered at the Captain, "And if you do not get back in time, an I have to take the USS Victory into battle as her captain, you better hope the Starfleet Security nail you to the wall, because if I get to you first...."

He let the sentence hang for a moment then sat back in his chair and mumbled barely audibly, "I knew taking the promotion was a mistake..."

Agent Smith cleared his throat, not quite sure what to make of the exchange, "Well then, can I recommend that those whoa re coming assemble in Transporter room 2 and we will get going at once?"

Kevin looked at the XO with incredulity and said "Do you honestly think that those of the Victory crew who go with Agent Smith just now will be able to seek out, fight, capture and return Admiral Gates within three hours Commander.....seriously??? It'll probably take the best part of three hours to just track him, if he can be tracked that is. I'm all for putting those who go in the brig 'if' they return, but Gates is an astute Senior Officer, and he'll have thought through very well how to avoid capture. I have no love for the man, and think he should be hunted by the whole of Starfleet till he's found and then dragged through the streets in chains and then locked in a room defenceless with the family members of those he killed, but he won't be found in three hours, hell, we tracked him for days before and didn't capture him and look at the help we had then!"

Elijah turned his head. "Then so be it. We have made our choice, we now stand or fall by the decisions we make." The Captain looked around. "Go around your Departments and see if there are those who wish to volunteer, assemble in Transporter Room 2 in half an hour."

Kevin shook his head slowly as he said "No, I'm sorry Captain, I will not ask anyone in the Security Department if they'll volunteer for this action. It's not sanctioned by Starfleet HQ, instead it's coming from a single Intel operative. Someone who's going with you will have to ask them, however, if any of the Security personnel do volunteer, I'll remind them that at two hours thirty minutes and one second, if they haven't returned to this ship" and at this point he looked at Commander Cuprum, "I'll place them and everyone else who's been away with Agent Smith under arrest, because it's a more serious offense and carries greater consequences so warrants more than just entering it into the ships log! The charges will be desertion and dereliction of duty."

"You've made your point Kilbane." Keller said to the Lieutenant. "We've all made a choice for ourselves, and as the Captain rightfully said we will face the consequences on our own terms so how about you save your speech for our hearing?"

"That's Lieutenant Kilbane when you address a Senior Officer, Lieutenant Junior Grade Keller, or didn't they teach you that in the Diplomatic Corp?" Kevin asked rhetorically, without turning to face the junior officer.

Tarlee chuckled. "Hope you've got a Brig big enough......."

"Oh, it's big enough Lieutenant Tarlee" Kevin replied to the Bolian "Believe me, it's big enough..."

Tarlee stared at him intently. "That's good I'll be sure to take a tour of it."

Kevin leaned in close and stared back at the Bolian, saying "I'll be sure you get one, from the inside of a cell."

Valeria approached Kevin from behind. Were she any other species, she'd have a hand on his shoulder to hold him back, or at least alert him to her presence. Though, she was not any other species, she was a Ts'usugi. As such, she kept her hands to herself. "Lieutenant, their decision is made. Antagonizing them won't suddenly change it." she said, in more of a comforting tone then anything else.

"I also will not ask my staff for volunteers. This ship is going to need everyone in the medical staff if it is taken into battle" Sara stated, "I am confident they will do their work well without me"

Cordale turned to Elijah after his request, and actually shook his head, "I'll meet you there." Truth be told, this was a volunteer only mission as far as the Thux was concerned, but he wasn't about to head to Engineering to ask for more volunteers. He'd get half the ship's compliment, and the Victory needed her engineering crew more then he did. More than this mission did. For a moment, just a moment, he almost seemed reluctant as to the choice he was making. Was it the right call? Was this more important then the training?

Could a rogue Admiral really do more damage than a race of slavers?

"I'll meet you there." he said again, only this time, perhaps it was more to convince himself. With that, the Thux turned to leave the Lounge.

"Alright everyone you're dismissed." Elijah said one final time as he glared at both Kilbane and Tarlee. "Both of you and the XO stay......"

Kevin remained where he stood.

Bertrand had remained silent during Kevin's vitriol, and now just nodded to the captain without moving from his seat.

The Captain waited until everybody apart from the two Lieutenants, the XO and himself were left behind. "I'll make this clear and I will make it brief, both of you are Senior Officers on my Starship and as such I expect a level of professionalism." His eyes darted to Kilbane and Tarlee. "You both made your decisions on the matter at hand, you might like them but you will accept them."

Elijah looked towards the two men. "Whatever issues you both have with each other it ends now." The Captain had an air of seriousness to him. "Mister Kilbane if you want to remain as Chief of Security whilst I am in Command here is a little word of advice, don't use regulations to show off how much you think you know." Elijah glared at him. "Sniping at a fellow Officer during a briefing is not what I expect regardless of my personal feelings am I clear? If not I am sure I can find a Security Chief who will."

Kevin's face showed no emotion as he listened to what the Captain said and in reply to the question he answered "Yes Sir, clear."

"Tarlee, I made you Gamma Shift Officer of the Watch because I saw the Command potential in you," Elijah turned his attention to the Bolian. "That being said I do not expect a Watch Officer to antagonise in such a way that you did." Elijah scowled. "Am I clear Lieutenant?"

"Crystal clear Captain." Tarlee said towards the Captain.

"Do you have anything to add Commander?" Elijah asked turning to Bertrand.

Bertrand was silent for a while. Eventually he leaned forward and spoke, "Captain, you are aware of how serious I take regulation; how much I have studied and memorized them. As per Regulation HS-32.5, all personnel applying for short term leave need to be registered. I will need a list of anyone who volunteers so that their roles can be filled in their absence. Normally I would ask for an estimated return date, but I will accept a 'to be confirmed' for now. If they fail to report for duty it will be noted in the logs, as per Section 29. There will be no arrests without warrant, as this would be just as much in breach of regulation as would going AWOL, though I personally share Mr Kilbanes dislike of your blatant disregard of orders. On a point of order, if you note the crew as having taken voluntary leave, then they are all responsible for their own choices. If you note that they are under your instruction to take leave, then the entirety of the fault lies on you and you will protect the rest of those with you from court action."

He finally stood up, "In your absence, I intend to use Valeria as First officer and Kilbane as Second officer. Tarlee will remain third officer due to his rank."

"Tarlee has volunteered to come with me." Elijah said in response. "I will note that they did so under my instruction, no point in having them share the same fate as myself on this matter."

Bertrand nodded in acceptance, "While I do not agree with your decision, I do wish you success."