20 Seconds to Oblivion

Posted on Wed Nov 11th, 2020 @ 4:05am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Lieutenant Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell & Ensign Bob Gomez

Mission: Diplomatic Masquerade
Location: Bridge

"20 seconds" Rhenora called over the din of the bridge. Another conduit exploded overhead showering them all in sparks and debris. "Diverting shields to aft, still only 30 percent"

It would serve to be the longest 20 seconds of her career so far. In 20 seconds anything could happen. The shields could fail. The shuttle could blow up. So many unknown variables. She took a deep breath as the ship rocked once more. And then the clouds broke, they were out. The screen before them was nothing but sky.

Bedee bedee be beep “Captain… uh… Lt. We are receiving a message.”

Well it was better than phaser fire. “From?” she asked looking around, her eyes falling on the Captain.

“The shuttle, ma’am.”

She blinked. “On screen then.”

The screen was filled with intermittent static and a face clearly Cardassian. Behind him six other Cardassians in various states of pain sat quietly. He spoke clearly and concisely. “I am Second in Command Glinn Mau’hal. I witnessed this day the cowardice of my Commanding officer and the heroism you have shown to save my life. I give you my word you will not be fired upon.”

He paused long enough for Bonnie to make one request, “What of the planet and her resources?”

He took a minute to mull over her request. “I will report to the council that you found life here at which point they will honor the treaty and allow you to make contact. Make no mistake this is a Cardassian planet under Cardassian rule. If we find the Federation in possession of our ore, the treaty will be null and void. Am I clear?”

Bonnie twitched her head to the side, “Crystal.” As the channel closed she heaved a sigh of relief, then refocused on the ship.

“Take us to yellow alert. Helm return us to orbit, maybe stop by and drop off our new friends. The rest of you, I need ship status reports.” It was risky and she knew it as she eyed the Captain. Sacrificing the ship and the crew to save an enemy who would normally want to see you strung up by your thumbs. But she was in temporary command and it fell on her shoulders to make the tough decisions, and face the tough consequences that followed.

“Yes Ma’am” Rhenora couldn’t help but parrot in the manner she used many many years ago. She rustled up the status reports from a half dozen different departments and collated them for Bonnie - who was technically still in charge. She transferred the data to a padd and rose from the rear tactical station, stepping down and approaching the command chair.

“ Your status reports Ma’am” She inclined her head and slipped into the XO’s chair, allowing Bonnie to complete what she’d started.

These uniforms blocked the flow and smell of sweat, but that didn't mean Bonnie wasn't sweating bullets. Having the Captain sitting next to her, watching her was unnerving. She looked at the data PADD in order to remain focused on the task at hand, and to avoid the Captain's gaze. For the most part the ship and crew fared pretty well. Only a few bumps and bruises. The overloaded EPS conduits would take some repair work but otherwise all was good. The shaking was even subsiding as they approached the boundary of space once more.

She could see the Cardassian warships on the viewer now. Their weapons and shields were off line, a most welcome feeling. She wasn't sure what to do next so she leaned closer to Captain Kaylen. "Um… are we sending down another party before we leave?" She whispered.

"I believe we have a team who would have taken refuge in the caves during the storm. Bob was among them and I don't believe he beamed back with the rest of us." Rhenora deftly brought up a topographical map overlaid with the current weather system on the main viewscreen. "Now that we have clear coms and the Cardassians are playing nicely, I would suggest perhaps establishing comms."

"Right. Erm… hail the team on the surface. Let’s see if they've had any luck making contact." The comm system beeped and crackled. There was obvious interference but through the static rose a joyful voice.

"Bob here...can only...just..hear you...established contact...ready for beam out….go us!! Weeeee!!" The static filled transmission filled the bridge, a few giggles could be heard at the young officers excitement.

They had made contact. Their purpose for coming to Orias III was complete.

"Tractor beam has released the shuttle into the hands of the Cardassians. Engineering reports we have warp drive at your command, ma'am."

Bonnie stood. "Transport our team from the surface and signal the Cardassians that we will be departing their space momentarily. Set your course for Vulcan." She turned back to the Captain. "Captain I return command to you as you are the most senior officer on the bridge and she is of course, your ship." She bent down and whispered, "sorry about all the damage. I accept full responsibility." She then stood at attention and waited to be dismissed.

Rhenora rose as well, in two minds as to whether to leave Bonnie in command for the rest of the shift or to relieve her of the impromptu duty she'd found herself in.

" I commend you Lieutenant, you kept your head and completed the mission despite the odds. I'll place a suitable notation in your record for such a performance. " She said honestly, extending her hand "Thank you Bonnie, job well done".

The smile on Bonnies face was full to the brim as she shook the Captains hand vigorously. "Thank you. It was nothing really. I saw someone in need. I'm sure you would have done the same. I’m… I’m babbling again." She released the Captains well shook hand then pointed awkwardly to the turbolift. "I'll go find and EPS conduit that needs repaired. Thanks again." Then she turned on her heel, avoided the tripping step and left the bridge.

It was the little things that made a Captain's day. A hot cup of coffee in the morning, the successful resolution of a mission and the stretching of skill and ability in a junior officer who didn't know she was capable of so much. The little things were important.

Settling down in the now vacant command chair the Captain smiled to herself as the vista of Orias III was replaced by the stretched stars as the Liberty headed towards Vulcan.