The Cat's Cream

Posted on Thu Oct 8th, 2009 @ 6:37pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Lieutenant Jimmy Cooper

1,326 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave - Welcoming Old Friends and New
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Current

ON:

Captain Lane quietly sat in his ready room, stationed in Drydock. With Command now fully informed of the happenings onboard, and the stripped Captain Harwood now residing in the brig, a subtle twist of fate that was not lost on the Trill, heading back to Command Headquarters seemed in all likelihood the most prudent action to agree to.

As the once again familiar surroundings of his office enveloped him, the desk chair and the striping stars that whipped past his window held most of his attention. Breaking the silence, the door chime sounded through the room as Lane flicked his attention from the porthole to the door.

“Come,� he announced, straightening himself up in his chair.

T'kaarch dribbled into the room in his normal, slightly unsure fashion. "Capt -, You are captain now again, right?" The past events seemed like a blur to the new T'kaarch, who didn't know who to answer to now.

“Yes, T’kaarch,� the Trill replied, interlacing his fingers across the smooth table of his desk. “I am now commander of this vessel and plan to be for a long time to come.�

He extended his hand out to the empty chair situated opposite his and welcomed the new face to sit. “Now, I have asked you here this morning to discuss your situation onboard and, since I haven’t had time since we last met, ascertain what you wish to do now that we are en-route to Earth to receive new orders.�

T'kaarch sat down, and while still looking at his twiddling thumbs, said "Well, I've had a talk with the other captain, and she, well, she took my shuttle... So... well, I don't really have anywhere else to go."

“Took your shuttle?� Lane questioned, leaning across the desk. “Why ever would Commander Arkham do that?�

"Well, erm..." An awkward silence filled the room. "The shuttle isn't... mine, so to speak..."

“How have you come into possession of a shuttle that isn’t yours, T’kaarch?� Lane sternly questioned. “Who’s was it?�

"It's a Starfleet Academy shuttle... An old one, now, I reckon. You see, I used to be in Starfleet Academy, and then an accident happened you see, I think I overloaded something, and then I ended up in warp, you see, and they thought I stole it so I got scared and ran, you see, and I should've just gone back and explained but I was afraid, I hadn't done anything wrong, you see..." T'kaarch blurred it all out, and though the coherency of his story was slightly lacking, it was the truth.

The Trill’s face softened as he broke eye contact with the cat-like alien sat in front of him. “Unfortunately, Mr. T’kaarch, I have to concur with Commander Arkham’s decision. We can’t allow you to keep, albeit, innocently stolen technology. Least of all from our own organisation. Have you been in contact with Starfleet at all since your… disappearance?�

"No, well, not as far as I can remember... There are these faraway outposts, you see, where people just don't ask any questions, and, well, I just lived in the shuttle, docking at these places when I needed something, you see, so that's why I haven't had any contact with Starfleet until, well, until now." The Caitan seemed to relax just a little. "I totally understand that I'm unable to keep the shuttle, but..."

“But, what, T’kaarch?� Lane asked at the pause.

"Well, for one, it was my home, and, well, I would need somewhere to stay." T'kaarch was staring at his shoelaces again. "Also, I've made a bunch of holo-programs, including Holly, which are on the shuttle's computer... I... I would really like to keep them."

“The modifications you have made are your own property, T’kaarch,� Lane replied, with sincere honesty. “And provided they can be removed without further damaging the shuttle, you may take them with you. However, that leaves you without a home…�

"Well, I was.. thinking... maybe I could be of some assistance... here? I can help out in Science or Engineering, and... well, I can even fly ships, if necessary... I did fly a shuttle for 20 years..." T'kaarch's eyes rolled a bit.

“That may well be so, T’kaarch, but without the necessary training and qualifications, protocol doesn’t allow me to permit any unauthorised personnel to wander around the ship at their own will. Least of all on the bridge which is where you would have to be stationed should you wish to navigate the Archimedes. However, there may be a solution to your problem. It took some digging but,� he continued, picking up a padd that lay on his desk, “I have managed to locate your Academy service record. Looks like you were well versed in the Sciences, judging by your grades before the disappearance.�

Lane sighed a little and then fixed his blue eyes onto T’kaarch. “Once we reach Earth, I will have a word with Command. See if you can serve onboard the Archimedes in a provisional capacity. Our Science department is in need of an assistant, and with Lieutenant Lar… With a new Chief still to be despatched to us, the department is lacking in personnel.�

T'kaarch looked up. "Provisional? Assistant?" He knew he was in a pinch, but it seemed awfully... downgrading.

“With your home now impounded, you’ll need somewhere to stay and it looks like you have little option, T’kaarch.�

"Yes, you are right..." T'kaarch answered while looking at his thumbs. Then he flared up again: "What if I prove what I have learned over the years... I'm sure, combined with my years in the Academy, I would pass the Academy in no time!"

Lane smiled at the cat’s enthusiasm. “Then, that would be for the Academy and Command Headquarters to regulate. But, if you do pass the necessary requirements and gain your rank, then I’ll be sure to do everything in my power to request your official services onboard the Archimedes... If that is what you desire. Remember, once you enlist in the Fleet again, and this confusion with the shuttle is brushed under the carpet, then you could have your pick of assignment orders on any ship in Quadrant. You could even run your own department, T’kaarch.�

T'kaarch eyes positively twinkled at the thoughts of what he could see and do when he'd be a Starfleet Officer, the same twinkle, in fact, as he had in his eyes all those years ago when he got the PADD which told him he was accepted into Starfleet Academy. "But mister, don't you think my shuttle will... get me into trouble... again?"

“I honestly cannot tell you how the Admiralty will react, but, I will do everything I can to paint this as a misunderstanding. I’m sure that they will agree.� Lane sat there pondering and winced slightly. “I wish I could just not report the shuttle, T’kaarch, but I have no choice.� Inhaling deeply and sitting back further in his chair, Lane continued. “Either way, the situation is out of our hands. So, there’s no point in worrying about the consequences now. How about you head to the shuttle, retrieve the items you want and then maybe pop into the Science department? Meet the crew.�

"Yes, you are right." T'kaarch lifted himself from the chair.

“Oh, and Mister T’kaarch, just so you are aware, the Archimedes uses a rolling holographic emitter system planted throughout the entire ship. Your… Holly, will be able to roam wherever you do.�

"Oohh..." T'kaarch flashed a smile, "Holly would be thrilled to hear that. I'll be going now, Holly would want a tour of the ship!" Without further ado, T'kaarch walked towards the door.


OFF:

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Captain Coltan Lane
Commanding Officer

Provisional Ensign T’kaarch
Assistant Chief Science Officer

 

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