Things may be getting complicated

Posted on Fri Aug 6th, 2021 @ 9:00pm by Captain Xavier Carey & Lieutenant Commander Diane Doctrine

Mission: The Mentarin Effect
Location: Ready room/Bridge
Timeline: Current- prior ti dinner in captains mess

Xavier closed the computer, reports on the Klingon fronts, did not sound well. If things did not turn around, there would be war with the Federation and the Klingons. There were actually rumor's of them withdrawing out of the accords. If that happened, any Federation ship would be susceptible to an attack at a moments notice, and Klingons usually didn't need an excuse or reason to attack. He did not know Drex other than the dinner he had prior, and he had one planned for the afternoon before negotiations. But he knew of someone who did know Drex and quite possibly know the truth of what was going on in the empire.

"Commander Doctrine, report to the ready room please." he called over the intercom. Usually he would have Sandoval in the office with him, but at this current time, she was needed elsewhere. At the moment, he liked keeping the commander at his side, as precaution, especially since HQ has probably pegged him to fail. After all sending an officer to take charge of the Negotiations.

Moments later Commander Doctrine stood before him, "Captain?" she asked, "I'm assuming this is about reports of the possibility of a shooting match between the Federation and the Klingons?"

"What I am hearing is not good news. I would prefer not to get into a fight with one of the larger ships in the Klingon fleet currently breathing down our neck."

Diane stood with her hands folded behind her back, "I don't think Captain Drex wants to start a shooting match. I know what his mission parameters are and so long as he isn't provoked there'll be no shooting. He's somewhat of a stickler for rules that way. He's been told this encounter with us and the Mentarins is to be a diplomatic one. I'm confident he'll stick to that. As for the rest of the Klingon fleet," here she offered a worried half grin, "It's hard to say."

"Good to know. Anything else I should know about him."

That was the tricky part wasn't it? Diane mulled how much she should divulge at this time. They had somewhat of a working history but it was mostly classified. "He is, for the most part, a typical Klingon. He values honor above most other things. He will not lie directly, but if the need arises he would leave certain facts out. I have worked with Drex before and I can tell you from experience, that's kept to a minimum. He is also highly regarded by the High Command... but Drex doesn't return that trust. He sees them as mostly ineffective politicians."

"Say war breaks out... what's he do... chancellor Gowron orders the Gree'tok to claim the planet for the empire?"

Diane's brow wrinkled with concern, "Should that scenario play out, I think Drex would warn us before the shooting started. I think you've earned some of his respect. I can say for certain I have some of his respect."

"I will get Johnson to make sure our weapons and shields of in working order... just in case." Xavier replied leaning back, however Johnson was prepping security. "Forget that. I will head down myself and make sure myself. With the crew doing everything... I am left with nothing."

Diane smirked playfully, "Captain, you're in charge, that gives you plenty to do."

"Perhaps exaggerating when I said nothing to do." Xavier admitted. "But I will still visit tactical."

"Is there anything I can help with?" she asked.

"Any tips. I'd like an upper hand if possible if it came to it. Obviously not to cripple, but to avoid being crippled."

Diane was quiet for almost twenty seconds with a pondering expression, then she spoke, "The K'Vort class Bird of Prey, like Drex's, have somewhat sketchy driver coils in their defensive shield generation systems. Some have been upgraded over the years, some have not. I do not know if Drex has upgraded his... Also, he knows I have this information. He may have made made repairs once he found out I was on this mission if he hasn't installed the upgraded coils already." She shrugged, "but an ionic pulse fired at the right frequency would reset the system and his shields would come down for a few seconds."

"Last resort Commander, care to join me at tactical. Its been a while. just want to make sure everything is up to par."

"I'd love to," She replied.

Standing. "Its been a few years since I stood behind the console, in fact the Wellington was at a wall console not a rail behind the Captain." He paused as they walked onto the bridge. "Ionic pulse, would that be through the deflectors?"

"Yes, but a few minor modifications are needed in the wave-amplifier section," Diane replied, "It's nothing that takes too long."

"I do not intend to use it Commander, I'm not here to make enemies. You can mention my concerns with him if you would like."

"If I know Drex, he has the same concerns," Diane said, as they approached the tactical console, "He keeps a close eye on Klingon politics."

Kneeling down Xavier looked at the inner workings of tactical... then closed it up. "Bringing up the diagnostics, everything seems fine. Could be tweaked a little."

Diane smiled, "Yes, everything could always be tweaked a little. Spoken like a true starship captain."

"Do you think I should discuss my concerns with Captain Drex..."

Diane's brow wrinkled in thought. After a few seconds she said, "You could. Bringing those concerns to him will also gain you a little more respect from him. Despite being Klingon, something Drex admires is honestly. Honesty is honorable after all."

Thinking about it for a second. "Sounds like good advice Commander. You will make a good first officer when your time comes," Xavier replied with a smile looking over to her. "Once we get done here. I shall speak with Drex."

Diane felt she was a long way from being first officer anywhere but she accepted the compliment gracefully. "Thank you sir."

"There is a 0.5 discrepancy of the shield emitters. and a 1.7 variance of the phaser arrays." Xavier replied. In truth they were perfectly normal numbers for a ship to have, but it was something he liked having above.

"Those are normal specifications for a Galaxy class ship," Diane mentioned, "But they could be improved."

"It is normal, but I don't like normal."

"Spoken like a true perfectionist... in other words, every starship captain I've ever come across," Diane replied while tapping various areas on the tactical control console.

"Only when I have a Klingon ship breathing down my neck."

Diane looked at Xavier, "The Gree'tok is hardly breathing down anyone's neck at the moment. She's not even cloaked... and besides, like I've mentioned before, I think you've earned some respect from Drex."

"Just figure of speech Commander."

"Diane leaned against the console and folded her arms across her chest, "Are you sure?"

"Also, I hope for the best, prepare for the worst."

"As any sane person traveling in space does," Diane countered.

"The adjustments I need to do I can't do from here I gotta go to the main battery." Xavier replied as he stood up brushed off his pants.

Sensing the captain might need someone to talk to she followed. Besides, Diane was still getting to know him and the rest of the crew. It was a good time for her to study. She needed to know how people would react in a variety of situations.

"Anything you want to ask me?" He asked as they walked into the turbolift.

Diane tilted her head while thinking of the proper words to express herself. "Being tossed into the command chair unexpectedly, I'm curious as to how you think you're adjusting."

"No time to actually think about it. Actually it's not how I wanted it but I'll take it."

"You're not the first commander to suddenly find themselves in charge of a starship," Diane said, "If it helps, I think you're doing fine so far."

"Much appreciated Commander." Xavier replied as he walked out as the lift stopped. "I was not the first choice, It was because they had no one else to take it on such short notice."

"Some would say that is fate. You were meant for this command at this time," Diane encouraged.

Smiling, "You believe in fate Commander?"

Diane folded her hands behind her back and thought a moment. "Depends on what exactly you mean by fate, Captain. I believe we are all going to be where we need to be to do the most good."

"True enough." Xavier replied as the walked into tactical control