To Be Daring

Posted on Tue Jun 23rd, 2009 @ 12:31pm by Fleet Admiral Alexi Kirov // USS Daring & Captain Elsie Halliwell

1,514 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Behind the Mask of Familiarity
Location: USS Daring
Timeline: Current

= ON =

- Captain's Ready Room -

Shortly after the Daring had entered warp, Kirov saw little point of staying on the bridge for the trip. Taking all the PADDs that Arinda had given him, had moved to his ready room. Reading through the history of the Citadel Sectors, he was fascinated. He couldn't understand that there had been no major push to bring the region into the Federation.

Suddenly the music paused, and the comm came alive, =^=Bridge to Kirov.=^=

Placing the PADD down on his desk, Kirov tapped his comm badge, "Kirov, go ahead."

=^=Commander,=^= the disembodied voice began, =^=You wanted to be informed before we crossed into the Citedal sectors.=^=

"On my way," Kirov stated, tapping his comm badge to close the channel. The large Russian hefted his frame out of the chair and walked down the corridor and to the bridge. Taking a seat in the command chair, he called out, "Yellow alert, raise shields."

"Aye, sir," the tactical officer called out, typing in the necessary command string. Shortly, the alert klaxon rang out and the amber alert lights began to flash.

"We'll be at Citadel Prime in..." the helmsman paused as he consulted the current readings, "fifteen minutes."

"Very good," Kirov stated.

As the small warship travelled through the sector to the planet it was completely quiet as none of the pirates harassed the vessel. Dropping from warp at the edge of the actual system, the Daring sailed through the system at full impulse.

"We're coming up on the planet now," Ensign Derrick Kelly called out.

"On screen," Kirov called out.

As the screen came alive with the view outside, the primary view at the moment was the dark side of the planet. As the ship moved, circling around the planet to the day side, the screen automatically darkened as the ship crossed the terminator into the sun light.

Situated in high orbit was a small Nova-class science vessel. As the vessel became larger, Kirov couldn't help but note the facts regarding both of the ships in oribit. One built for science and the other for war. Though war was not something that the Federation wanted, too much in the past has it seen war.

Taking a breath, Kirov ordered, "Match course and speed with the Archimedes and then hail them."

"Aye, sir," Derrick answered, typing away on his console.

Lane was stationed in his ready room also. The call had already come through broadcasting the Daring’s entry into the sector, and as it approached the planet, the Trill arose from his own ready room and made his way to the bridge. Stepping down to the main platform and rounding the hand rail, Lane nodded to the Ensign as he announced the opening hail. “Put it through, Ensign Wild,� he said, turning to face the screen.

The image blipped onto the little bridge’s viewscreen and the Trill was faced with Commander Kirov. “Commander,� he offered with a smile. “Allow me to welcome you and yours to the infamous Citadel Sectors.�

"Thank you, Captain," Kirov said, standing up and pulling off a perfect Picard manoeuvre, tugging on his uniform jacket. "Hopefully, our presence will help settle things down a bit."

“Commander,� Lane said, welcoming the sentiment, “if you would transport over and I can brief you to the situation in my ready room.�

"Understood, Captain, I'll be over shortly," Kirov responded, turning to head towards the rear exit of the bridge. Hearing Captain lane say more, he turned back around to face the viewscreen.

“Also, before you do that, Commander, I advise that you reset your ship-status back to green. I understand your precautions, but having shields raised may attract unwanted attention. We have the Nagasaki’s CIC keeping a close eye on the skies. We’ll both have plenty of time to prepare should anything require it.�

"Understood," Kirov nodded to his tactical officer off screen. Along the walls, the flashing amber light stopped and the shields were lowered. "Derrick, you have the bridge until Commander Howard arrives."

"Understood, Commander," the helmsman responded.

“Then I’ll await you in my ready room. You have my permission to beam directly there.�

As Kirov materialised in the space on the other side of Lane’s desk, the Trill walked over and shook his hand formally. Motioning to the vacant chair, Lane rounded the desk and took his own.

“Commander,� he began with, “I have to be honest with you. When Command informed me of your… reassignment, I wasn’t best pleased. I think that a Defiant class, although deemed necessary, sends out the wrong message to the sector. I believe that it relays that we are preparing for confrontation, not for peace.�

"I can understand your concerns, Captain," Kirov responded, "But we need to send a clear message to the people of this sector that we take their security very seriously. I think that more action should be taken against the pirates that are operating currently."

“Sounds like you just relayed the Admiral’s personal opinion, Commander.� Lane smiled at his own thought. “Saying that as we have, I am glad to have someone at my back,� Lane continued. “The situation here is… unstable at best. I merely need you here as an escort should the worst happen.� Lane sighed to himself and fixed his eyes upon the stranger before him. With Arkham’s loyalties wavering, and Captain Harwood’s intentions still unclear, Lane felt that he had no choice other than to trust the Starfleet Captain sat before him.

“Commander Kirov, I should be direct with you. Fighting for the Federation’s interests in this sector is paramount. A war between these three races cannot happen. However, I seem to be fighting my corner from two fronts… now, possibly three.� Lane had decided not to reveal the problem with Lieutenant Carter, Turoc and the gel-pack system, but instead informed him of their Mission Advisor, Captain Harwood.

“She is authentic, as far as Command goes. However, I believe she is here acting on secret orders. Not to say that she is a traitor, merely that she isn’t so black and white.�

"And you’re looking for an ally that you can trust," Kirov deadpanned, keeping the superiors eyes locked squarely in his.

“Exactly,� Lane returned, holding his stare. “I have no agenda here, Commander. My only concern is succeeding in this mission. Harwood wields a lot of power with her backers,� he continued, “but, this is my ship and I won’t be bullied using hierarchical politics.�

The Trill lent back in his chair, confident that he had managed to labour his point accurately. Allowing the tension to settle, his face warmed and the twinkle in his eye returned as he rested his mouth of his interlaced fingers. “Now, to matters of the day,� he said after clearing his throat. “Commander, I would like you stationed directly parallel to the Archimedes on the outward-side. The CIC can protect us from the planet-side, so we’ll be covered from both angles. Bridge a communications link with both Chief Warrant Jackson, my Chief Ops Officer and the CIC. Between them both, we should have all bases covered. Do you have any questions?�

Kirov sat there for a moment, judging the Trill Captain. Finally, he simply asked, "Will the Archimedes be able to perform," he paused for a moment before continuing, "if there are further complications?"

“You’re referring to the contaminant found within the gel-packs I assume, Commander,� Lane said, a wry smile on his face. “We… have that under control. But, I guess that is why you have been sent to protect us, too. We require something with a little more bite defending us should anything happen.�

"Understand, Captain," Kirov said, with a nod.

“Well,� the Trill replied, “I appreciate that, Commander. Anything that you can do to assure the safety of my ship and crew would appreciated.�

"The Daring will be standing by. You'll know where to find us," standing the Russian extended his hand to Lane for a goodbye for the moment. Turning, the large man headed out of the ready room and headed for the transporter room.

- Transporter Room, USS Daring -

After the transporter effect finished and dissipated Kirov moved quickly out of the room and straight for the bridge. "Helm," he started, as he crossed to the central chair, "Set us up in orbit directly opposite of the Archimedes and engage when ready."

"Aye, sir," the Ensign on duty called out, pressing away at the controls. After he did, the Daring began to sail away from the Archimedes, heading to the dark side of the planet.

"Ops," he said, looking over to the Lieutenant sitting at the OPS console, "Contact Warrant Officer Jackson on the Archimedes and the OPS personnel in the CIC down own the planet to set up a comms link."

"Understood, Commander," the OPSO responded, typing away at the console.

= OFF =

Captain Coltan Lane
Commanding Officer
USS Archimedes

&

Commander Alexi Kirov
Commanding Officer
USS Daring

 

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