Forward Thinking

Posted on Sat Dec 19th, 2009 @ 1:00am by Lieutenant JG Drew O'Connell & Captain Elsie Halliwell

1,847 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Balowlli System
Location: Captain's Readyroom
Timeline: Current

ON:

Drew stepped up to Captain Kerr's door for the fourth time since arriving on Archimedes. In contrast to most of the other officer's on board, he was certain his interactions were fewer with their commanding officer simply due to the nature of his position on the ship. Consciously or not, people tended to keep their distance from the resident Intelligence officers, otherwise known as spooks. Drew pushed back the unruly hair from his forehead, his previous haphazard haircut returning as a result of the time required to tame it on a daily basis. With a short breath, Drew depressed Kerr's announcement chime and once again awaited the response.

“Come in,� he could hear the Trill’s voice as the doors silently parted, inviting him in.

Drew had come to the Trill as a result of his meetings with Yvette LaFaal, Kathryn Martin and Ryan Warner. It wasn't that he didn't have faith in their abilities to keep the Archimedes secret from the Kal'Tashnar, it was just that he didn't have faith in their abilities to keep the Archimedes secret from anyone. It was a bad habit bred of Intelligence thinking and mannerisms. A healthy dose of paranoia never hurt anyone, least of all these people who thought of their personal universes as safe places. It was Drew's job to keep that illusion intact for them. So he had formulated a plan. Drew nodded pleasantly as he greeted his CO, "Captain, good to see you again, sir."

“You, too,� Kerr replied genuinely, smiling and offering the empty chair before him. “What makes me think, however, that this isn’t a social call, Lieutenant?�

Drew smiled as he crossed to the chair and sat down opposite Kerr. The Trill appeared both curious and...something else Drew couldn't quite put a finger on. Disappointment? "Because it isn't, Captain," Drew started the conversation. "Follow those instinct and you may just figure me out...eventually." Drew shifted in the chair, crossing his right ankle over his knee and placing his hands on the soft leather of his boots. "I've actually come for you to approve a plan, sir, to keep the Archimedes safe during her journey through the Balowlli system."

“Go on, Mr. O’Connell,� Kerr replied, deadpan.

"I've discussed multiple options with Lieutenants Martin and Warner. All of them implemented together would likely keep the ship safe, Captain, but a healthy dose of paranoia has kept me alive this long. If you understand my meaning, sir. So I have developed a fourth option for your consideration." Drew shifted again, opening his body posture so as not to appear closed to Kerr's suggestions. It was a subtle maneuver, but usually a successful one. Pressing on, Drew added, "I'd like to lead an advanced mission to Kashak, the homeworld of the Kal'Tashnar, in an attempt to complete two objectives. First, shut down the Kal'Tashnar's main communications and power relay stations. Both are centrally located on the western hemisphere. Second, Ensign Ral and I will run a misinformation campaign. The specifics are unnecessary to go into, but since the Kal'Tashnar are aware of aliens within their own solar system, my proposal is to run an unexplained flying object and alien interference misinformation campaign to keep their attention focused on the planet instead of the skies."

Kerr interlaced his fingers on the desk before him and narrowed his eyes upon his chief Intelligence officer. Naturally, Kerr knew, Drew wouldn’t be performing his job correctly if his appetite for paranoia wasn’t healthy, however, the accusation that the Security and Flight Control teams didn’t have the necessary wits about them to perform theirs, jarred him a little. “Drew,� he said, leaning in, “the specifics of any mission proposal submitted to me are necessary. Am I understood?� His tone softened a little as he leant back in his chair. “The asteroid field alone should prevent either planet from detecting our presence. I see little benefit in complicating this mission further by having you run off performing your own little Section 31 black ops missions. What if something were to go wrong? I’d have two separate issues from two different fronts to contend with.�

Drew shook his head slightly as he internally berated his commanding officer's judgment. Attempting to keep his own tone even, he tried not to chide his CO as he replied, "Captain, there are a few key words in your sentences. The asteroid field should prevent either planet from detecting our presence. What if something were to go wrong?"

Drew stood and moved to look out the window, his back to his captain. "You know as well as I, sir, that things almost always go wrong in these missions. Starfleet assigns simple testbed missions in inhabited space for more reasons than technology. They want to test you, sir, and by association, your crew. If we were to assume that the Kal'Tashnar were as advanced as our last intelligence suggests, they could easily detect us among the asteroids. Even if they can't do anything to us, we have an obligation to safeguard their neighbors. Let me propose a 'what-if', Captain. What if we are detected by the Kal'Tashnar?"

Kerr’s face hardened. He pursed his lips, inhaled deeply and spoke in a clipped manner that was very much unlike him. “You seem to have it figured out, Lieutenant. Why don’t you tell me?�

"I can tell you what I think would happen," Drew said, returning to his place before the captain's desk but not sitting down. "I can see the Kal'Tashnar taking up a more aggressive position, placing greater emphasis on developing their space-faring skills and achieving, if not warp, at least sub-light engines which would expose their neighbors to their brutal, militaristic regime. I see that being troubling at best, disastrous at worst. Think of it, Captain....an entire world of peace-loving quadripeds ripe for conquer maybe even enslavement. All because we weren't careful enough."

“Now,� Kerr blared, losing the peaceful demeanour he so often wore in favour of an angry mask that pierced through him. “Listen here, Lieutenant! You are on my ship, in my office!� He stood, placing both hands on his desk and rose to Drew’s height. “You will adjust your tone the next time you speak to me! I am making myself clear?�

"No offense meant, Captain," Drew replied placidly. He wondered if this wasn't the first time Kerr had seen Drew's adversarial side, he rather liked the Trill showing some emotion. Not betraying a hint of his approval, Drew pushed forward. "I apologize for my tone, sir."

“Good,� he replied, his face somewhat softening as he returned to his chair. “I can assure you that all necessary precautions have been taken under the advisement of our senior staff. However, if there is something that you feel has been… overlooked, then you are quite welcome to submit the amended proposal to me. But I will not have you come in here and accuse either me or this crew of being negligent! The mission proposal that we have embarked on has not only been outlined by Command themselves, but approved. It is with their intelligence that we are working from, their strategic maps that we have selected the appropriate site to conduct this. If you feel like you have an alternative plan, then you know I will listen. But I will not have you compromise my position or your own.�

"Captain, my intention was not to accuse either you or my crewmates of negligence. My only intention is to ensure that we take all the necessary precautions to keep every involved party safe whether they know it or not. I've discussed plans with both Lieutenants Warner and Martin, and I feel both have proposed excellent plans which could keep the ship safe. However, it is still my job to provide you with the current information regarding the indigenous species and plans to divert their attentions. While investigating the Kal'Tashnar, I read a report which indicates their technology may be slightly more advanced than Command is willing to admit. In fact, there are already plans on Kashak to move forward with First Contact with their nearest neighbors, the Malgor. Intelligence indicates they intend to create a slave race based on a number of personal reptiloid thought processes regarding mammalian lifeforms." Drew returned to his chair across from Kerr, having just let go a bit of information which had been deemed classified. He was certain even Kerr hadn't run across this bit of information yet.

“Lieutenant O’Connell, you are my eyes and ears when it comes to the information. Why would you not volunteer this before you detail your plan?� The Trill sighed a little, and broke eye contact with his Chief Intelligence officer, blowing the air out through his cheeks. “All right,� he conceded. “You may go. But I want Lieutenant Warner at the helm of the shuttle you take and Lieutenant LaFaal with you should anything go wrong. I also want you to speak again with Lieutenant Martin. You’ll need a security detail.�

Admittedly, Drew hadn't planned on taking much more than his own team, but he could see the Trill's determination and so he made only one addendum to the request. "Apologies Captain, but I think Lieutenant Warner should remain on the Archimedes. After talking with him about the other mission specific flight plans, it seems a little tricky to maneuver and having him here would better serve you and the ship." Placing his hands up in a placating gesture, Drew pressed on, "I'll consent to a pilot of junior standing with no problems, sir, and Lieutenant LaFaal is welcome to join the team, I have no arguments there."

Kerr let the silence fill the void for a moment, breathing in and out slowly and controlled. “I’ll have a word with Ryan myself. If he thinks that the away-mission warrants his presence, then he’ll come along. Is that understood?�

"Yes sir," Drew conceded. Tapping his PaDD, Drew made appointments to meet again with both Martin and LaFaal before the day's end to discuss mission specifics with both. "Captain, I've scheduled meetings with both Lieutenant LaFaal and Lieutenant Martin. I'm sure we can come up with the arrangements. Once finalized, I'll submit the mission specifics to you directly, sir."

“Good. If there’s nothing else, then you’re dismissed.�

With that, Drew nodded and stood to exit Kerr's office. The Trill had been more of a roadblock than he'd expected and had thrown more curves at Drew than he liked, in the form of LaFaal and Warner...but he would cope. As he reached the doors, Drew turned and offered, "Good day, Captain." He departed almost as soon as the words were out of his mouth, making a beeline for his office and a meeting with his department.

 

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