Premonitions (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 18 Sep 2018 @ 3:43pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Aren Ban & Lieutenant JG Sofie Ullswater
Edited on on 18 Sep 2018 @ 3:44pm

2,291 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Rigel II - Avondale Shipyards Administrative Complex
Timeline: MD 117, 1139 hrs

[ON]

"Captain," the young ensign's grin vanishing slightly "I haven't seen my own homeworld in over three years now. I'm not looking backwards and the number of star systems I have visited in my life can be counted on one hand," she did a quick mental calculation to check, actually Rigel made it 6 but correcting herself now would look rather silly. "Sure at first I only considered Galileo because of someone else's recommendation but after taking some good time considering it," no need to mention it had only been 2 weeks "I think its what I need. I can make a mark out there doing real work. If I'd just wanted science I could have stayed at home but Starfleet is meant to be for explorers right? I want to see things nobody has ever seen before, do things nobody has ever done before, I want to be part of the team that does that. You can't do that from Earth."

What she had just said may have sounded like the words of an eager young ensign looking to make it big as an explorer but peel back just a single layer and a strong scent of bullshit would greet you. However like cow farmers of old she ignored the smell and powered through with confidence and bravado. If there was one thing that Sofie Ullswater had always been good at it would be her ability to turn out a string of words with enough confidence to make them sound genuine. In truth she was scared - scared of leaving he safety of the Academy, scared of letting down Poln'rean, scared of letting herself down, scared of trying to integrate with the new crew, and rather scared of the big dark expanse they were heading into. Why was she really here then? She didn't know, she was just coasting along on recommendations and circumstance, but saying that doesn't usually play well at interview.

"I see." Lirha couldn't argue with the Human's logic. To truly be an explorer, one had to embrace the unknown with all the associated risks. She'd learned that lesson herself in a very harsh manner -- one which had almost ended her life and career several months ago. And it was that thought which prompted her next question, for she would be doing the young ensign a disservice if she did not ask. "Are you aware of my record as a Starfleet captain and my recent court-martial?"

And to think - earlier Ullswater had thought the worst thing to come of not reading the Captains record would be the shock of realising she was an Orion - now she was some sort of criminal too. Her previous bravado was shattered into a thousand pieces. She realised now with an awful sort of certainty that in the future she should definitely read captains' service records before going into an interview - why didn't the Academy tell her any of this? Sofie cleared her throat "Erm..." she was confused, in a state of disbelief. She coughed again "Sorry, what did you say?" She spoke with a tone of nervous incredulity.

"I was recently charged and convicted of treason against the United Federation of Planets, willful destruction of Federation property, and disobeying standing orders regarding the Klingon Neutral Zone," Saalm pointedly and succinctly explained. "I was then dishonorably discharged, stripped of my rank as rear admiral, and sentenced to five years of labor at Perth's rehabilitation facility." She briefly wondered how well the ensign would take the news but reminded herself that it was necessary to get everything out in the open in order to foster a culture of trust between her fellow officers and NCOs.

The ensign's mouth hung open, suspended in the air as her mind jumped into action trying to work out what was going on. "Captain," she said slowly "I did not know that." She tried to give a smile but it ended up looking rather week and half hearted. She wasn't entirely sure what to think about all this.

"Yes. It was quite the trial if I recall correctly." The captain looked to her XO with a knowing glint in her light green eyes.

Aren quickly glanced at Lirha, before turning his full attention to Sofie. "It was a difficult time for everyone involved." Aren said as he remembered the events that transpired over those several months. He studied the ensign for a moment before putting on a diplomatic tone, not wanting to undermine Lirha's command. "Regardless of the results of her trial, the captain has been cleared to return to full duty, and given the command of the Galileo-A. She has Starfleet's support, the crew's, and my own. If you think that this may be a problem for you, please say so now. This will not reflect negatively on you or your record if you feel that you would be able to accept and execute orders from the captain in light of this information." Aren said, giving her an out if she so choose it.

Still slightly shocked but quickly regaining her composure Sofie responded with confidence "I don't think I can see it being a problem sirs. If Starfleet is confident then I can't see any reason why I shouldn't be." She tried to keep a light tone to her voice but on the inside she did wonder what sort of maverick captain she was signing on to serve under.

"Actually, I cut a deal with the Director of Starfleet Intelligence," the captain replied with little hesitation in an attempt to clarify the complex nature of her early release and return to command. Everything her XO had said was correct, but she wasn't without her share of detractors back at HQ. "Needless to say, I have become a somewhat," she paused to consider the correct Human word, "'controversial' figure in Starfleet."

Controversial. Exactly the sort of word Sofie had not been looking to hear. She took the moment to raise one of the points that was worrying her. "I don't want people to think..." she paused trying to find the right words to express her anxieties "I don't want them to think that I've chosen to be here because of this." She waved her hand a bit to indicate by this she meant the whole controversial situation. "Joining Starfleet from outside the Federation - people might already think that I don't exactly have the right set of values for this job."

Lirha broke eyes with the young ensign and looked down to her desk where Sofie's personnel file lay contained in a PADD. As much as it was her duty to protect her crew from the dangers they faced under her command, it was also her responsibility to not put anyone in harms way who wasn't prepared in the first place.

"What you speak of is something I know much about," the captain replied while slowly looking back up. "Look at me." She motioned to her body and vibrant green skin. "I am not a Human or from one of the Federation's founding worlds. I'm an Orion and Starfleet is the last place anyone would assume to see one of my kind. I am...aware of the prejudices I face because of my people and their history -- for its good and bad. My family took shelter on Earth when I was a young girl during the Dominion War and it became my home. Starfleet became my chance to do something I could never accomplish on my own."

The captain paused and briefly reflected back upon her Academy graduation. "It wasn't easy being accepted by the other Federation races. Especially as a teenager." Her light green eyes turned to Sofie. "But I learned to not care what others thought of me or my decisions. Your decisions must be your own and shaped by your own strength. Do you think Galileo, the great Human astronomer, stopped his work when his religion tried to suppress his scientific knowledge?"

Sofie wasn't sure what to think of what the captain said, it was a nice way to think about things but it doesn't stop how others are going to act towards you. She found herself tripping up on her own prejudices as well - what had been her first thoughts on seeing the captain was an Orion only a few minutes earlier? Clearly she wasn't the only person who had held similar thoughts. From deep inside she could feel emotions welling up that were not entirely pleasant and she became conscious, and glad, of all the layers of defence she could put up. "I wouldn't know to tell you, sir, but by the fact he has a ship named after him I'm guessing the answer is a no." she responded meekly.

Lirha slowly rose from her chair after seeing the ensign's deflated response. She hadn't meant for her words to convey such emotion, but then again, her people were emotional by nature. She walked around the side of the desk and rested an olive green hand on Sofie's shoulder. "I think you have a good conscious. And you're a smart woman. The job is yours if you want it," she decided with finality followed by a small smile when she looked down at the Human.

Guilt and fear and excitement and momentous anticipation. These and a whole host of other emotions rushed through Sofie as she looked up to the Orion at her side. A lot of both fortunate and unfortunate circumstances had led her here and as she felt the inexorable machinations of fate pushing her helplessly towards this future she felt awfully small and awfully powerless. All she could see to do was to plough forwards with that indefatigable bravado and then maybe, one day, it would all fit together. The question implied by the captain's question still lingered - did she want the job? But to Sofie the answer wasn't important, this is where she found herself so she might as well get on with it. "Thank you sir." the words stumbled out of her mouth picking up confidence as they went along "Yes, I'd love to be a part of your crew." She smiled back to the captain.

"Good. And I will be pleased to serve with you as well. Commander?" Lirha stepped back then looked to her XO for any final thoughts which might be wandering through his inquisitive Trill-symbiont mind.

Aren smiled and stood. He had a feeling that she would do well on this ship. "I second the captain's sentiment. You are going to be a welcome addition to the crew. I look forward to working with you in the near future ensign." Aren said.

"In that case," Saalm extended her emerald hand for the ensign to shake, "welcome aboard Galileo-A," she smiled. "Will this be your first time aboard a Nova-class starship?"

With a slight hesitation the ensign took the hand and shook it firmly "Thank you again!" She spoke brightly now and responded quickly "I've never been on board one before."

"She's a small vessel with few amenities. And the accommodations can be tight. A pure ship of science, as they say. But we've all grown to used to the close quarters and each other. A family away from home." Lirha had wandered back over to her desk while speaking and now procured a new commbadge and a small blue keycard. She handed both of them to Sofie.

"These are for you. The new commbadge has been re-coded with our transponder and this passcard will give you access to all non-restricted areas aboard the starship while we're in drydock." Saalm looked to her XO once again. "Commander Ban can assist you with your onboarding, then you are to report to Lieutenant Sandoval, the CSO, for duty. Any final questions?"

A thousand questions were running through her mind but none of which she thought would really be appropriate to ask and probably most of them would be answered by reading up a bit on the mission. One thing she had noticed was conspicuously absent in her skim through the briefing though came to mind "Where exactly are we going to be going, sir?"

"The southern Federation border. Once we arrive in the Pleiades Cluster, we will report to the deep space research station Regula I and assume our new area of operations," Lirha concisely answered.

"I look forward to it." Sofie smiled and stood up with a renewed confidence and extended her empty hand to the captain. "I can't wait to be part of your crew." If what she had felt like earlier was falling off a cliff now she was in mid air and hurtling towards the ground with increasing velocity - nothing to be done about it now, might as well try to enjoy the journey.

Saalm shook the woman's hand with a firm grip of her own. "Very good. Dismissed, then," replied the captain with a curt nod to both her XO and the newest member of Galileo's family.

Ensign Ullswater, now a Galileo officer, nodded back to the captain and also to the commander and replied politely "Thank you sirs." She paused and gave them a slightly less than professional grin "I'll see you on board!" She headed out of the office and as she heard the doors close behind her she let out a long sigh of relief. It was over...

Or rather, the easy bit was over.

[OFF]

--

CAPT Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo-A

Ensign Sofie Ullswater
Science Officer
USS Galileo-A

CMDR Aren Ban
Executive Officer
USS Galileo-A

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