Unexpected Assignment

Posted on Sun Apr 2nd, 2023 @ 3:09pm by Captain Xavier Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey
Edited on on Sun Apr 2nd, 2023 @ 3:12pm

Mission: Starship Side Quest
Location: USS Resolution

Soran stepped into his office and heard a faint beeping, he sat at his desk and pressed a button. An older man in an commodore's uniform appeared on the computer monitor, the Angosian leaned back in his seat. "What do can I do for you, Sir."

"Commander Wagnor, I'm Commodore Smith. We have a delicate situation, we've been contacted by salvage operation. They have a ship that was being used by Starfleet Intelligence there were several bodies onboard. Two of them are Angosian. We need you to see if you can identify them."

Soran rolled his eyes. "There are millions of Angosians, Sir. We don't all know each other."

"That's the thing I hate to be the bearer of bad news…" Smith said. "An Angosian, one Kip Kepek, was affiliated with the intel operation. He's been unaccounted for three months, I understand you know him."

"We served together his family is influential in the Angosian government," Soran said. "Which is why you want me to identify the body before informing them."

"Yes," Smith nodded. "I'm sorry, this must be difficult for you..."

The man continued speaking but Soran's mind was reeling he could feel a knot forming in his stomach. He couldn't believe that this was how he was finding out about the potential death of a dear friend. Life was so cruel sometimes…

A young Ullian woman appeared at Smith’s side. “Forgive my interruption Commodore, Commander” she handed Smith a PADD. “The presence of your ship’s Counsellor has also been requested. The salvage crew have no Counsellor onboard, and have requested the services of a Starfleet Counsellor.” She retrieved her PADD, nodded and headed on her way.

"I'll inform your captain, we'll need you on a shuttle in an hour Smith out." The screen went blank.

Soran exited and headed for the Captain, his mind was a blur. What had Kip gotten himself into? He and Kip had lived through so much the idea that Kip might have been killed in some kind of Starfleet black Ops tomfuckery was too much. If the Fleet had gotten his comrade killed he wasn't going to let them cover it up, he owed Kip that much. The knot in his stomach was replaced by ice in his vains, there was a look of determination on his face as barged into the Captain's Ready Room.

"Sir! We need to talk." Soran blurted out.

Sky was already in Xavier’s office, she’d been enjoying relaxing on the office sofa, and spending time with her new husband when the Commodore had contacted Xavier. “I’ve got a pretty good idea what it’s about too.” She looked at Xavier.

"We are still waiting on one person to arrive before we finish... the order has come in, so its just a matter of going through the process of getting both of you off."

Sky nodded as she looked towards Soran. “I was here when the Commodore’s call to Xavier came through, I know what’s going on.”

Soran was surprised to see Sky and a little embarrassed by his lack of decorum. "I'm sorry Sir, death may have claimed another of my comrades. They want keep this quiet, I hate for this black bag shit! They can't make Sky go can they?"

Sky looked at Xavier then at Soran. “They need a Counsellor, I’m the only one available. It’s not like we’ll be away a long time, hopefully we’ll get to finish our honeymoon when I get back.” She gave Xavier an apologetic smile.

"I guess even if I was against it, its an order higher up." Xavier replied as he noticed the door opened.

"You wanted to see me sir?" Tony came in and was surprised to find Ren and Sky here.

Soran took a seat and waited for the Captain to explain, he was reeling from this situation.

"Yes Commander, the Commander and the Lt have been requested due to... personal reasons. They will depart in under an hour."

"The details are classified, Fleet needs my Angosian expertise, they haven't sent the location yet, but we should be back in a day or two."

Soran spoke in a cold clinical tone, he hated that they couldn't tell her more... That one of his oldest friends might be and can't the one he loves.

"But why Sky? She is pregnant. Couldn't they send Kay with you? She is combat trained as well."

“We’re not expecting combat Tony, besides I’m not going to not go simply because I’m pregnant. If Xavier is happy for me to go I’m going.”

"With all due respect, Sky. You have been having a hard time managing with fewer hours. Going on an away mission right now is an unnecessary risk in my professional view. Both as a command officer and a counsellor." She knew that her opinions may still not be taken seriously since her illness, but she had to speak out.

Sky nodded. “You’re right, I haven’t been coping very well lately.” She paused as she looked at Xavier, she hadn’t admitted that in-front of him before. “But...” she looked back at Tony. “This trip will give me a chance to get away from that for a couple of days, even if it’s just a busman’s holiday, as the saying goes. I can cope with that.”

Tony shrugged. "I would still advice against it but it is not my decision." She was not going to get into a fight over this, not now.

"We be careful," Soran said quietly.

"You had better." Tony said equally softly. She would also be losing the support of the two most important people in her recovery right now. Although she was back on duty and doing well she did not relish doing it on her own. "Hurry back."

“We’ll do our best” Sky smiled warmly.

{OFF}