Lost Trust

Posted on Sun Aug 22nd, 2010 @ 1:55pm by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Earlond

Mission: Episode 1.2 - "A House Divided"
Location: Ready Room, USS Pandora
Timeline: Day 19, 0920

ON: [[Ready Room, USS Pandora, Day 19, 0920]]

The stars drifted slowly by outside as the Pandora continued along the Neutral Zone at impulse power. It seemed almost foolish to attempt to draw any kind of line out here, but they had and it had survived for nearly two hundred years. This line in the sand was made by blood and maintained by fear. Now the Romulans were struggling to maintain order amongst the worlds of the empire and it appeared, for all intents and purposes, that they were a house divided.

A soft chime pulled Iluvar from his thoughts. Without turning from the viewport, he called out, "Enter."

Earlond stepped into the room, not even focusing on Iluvar as he stood at complete attention. "You called for me, Sir," he said, much more formally than even he usually was with Iluvar.

There was silence in the room as Iluvar continued to look out the viewport. It had been some time since he had been forced to concern himself with Earlond's activities. Ever since the incident at Sierra-129, Earlond had demonstrated an incredible dedication to his work as well as both ship and crew. Iluvar had felt that he could depend upon Earlond to the point that he had even asked the man to serve as his executive officer. In light of recent events, however, that confidence had been shaken deeply.

"I trust you know why I've called you here," Iluvar said quietly as he continued to watch the stars. He felt that there wasn't really any point to beating things around the bush. Things had changed and they both knew it.

"Yes, Sir," Earlond said, but did not elaborate. He knew what he had done, and Iluvar did as well. There was nothing to be gained in trying to defend that which was undefendable.

Mentally, Iluvar let out a little sigh. "You sent four crewmembers on an unauthorized mission into potentially hostile territory," he said slowly, his voice barely audible. He paused to let the words sink in a moment and composed his thoughts. Slowly, he turned to face Earlond, a look of intense disappointment on his face. Looking his number one directly in the face, he asked, "Why?"

"I did what I deemed necessary, Sir," Earlond replied. "The situation there remained unresolved." He didn't add that he would have gone himself if he could have.

"You know very well why we had to leave," Iluvar said curtly. He had been just as frustrated with the situation on Nerus V as anyone, but in his position, he also had to remember to look at the greater picture. Earlond's actions had not only undermined his authority aboard the Pandora, but it had put the Federation's relationship with the Romulan Empire at risk.

"Yes, Sir," Earlond replied, just as curtly. "And I also knew that your hands were tied. You couldn't have gone back, because you more than any of us must follow the law to the letter. I knew a small team could go unnoticed, but still fulfill our goals there."

Iluvar was slightly taken aback. The fact that Earlond was so willing to operate outside of traditional authority should not have surprised him, but the fact that Earlond felt that he was acting where Iluvar could not was surprising. He may have been an admiral and a task force commanding officer, but the fact that Earlond had decided to act on his behalf in such a manner was disappointing at best. "Regardless of how we feel about the situation, we were finished the moment they asked us to leave," he said slowly, "What ever possessed you to think you could send them back in?"

"That colony is dying," Earlond said heatedly. "And no one seems to care about it - not even their own leaders!"

"Those lives have been put at risk, unnecessary risk," Iluvar said, "You of all people should know how dangerous that is."

"The risk was justified," Earlond shot back. "If they are able to complete their mission, that colony might be saved."

"If we were able to dedicate the resources of a starship or even a task group, I might be inclined to agree with you," Iluvar replied in a calm voice, "but the Federation Council still recognizes the authority of the Romulan Senate and it was their envoy, the IRW Seras, that asked us to withdraw."

At this, Iluvar let out an audible sigh. It pained him that he was brought to this moment, but Earlond's actions had forced his hand. "When we first met, I told you that I would not tolerate any action that would put this ship or the lives of her crew at risk," he said, "You violated that trust when your association with the Organization almost killed a member of my crew. I could have had you arrested right there, but I forgave you and gave you a second chance. In time, you regained my trust. When I was in need of a first officer, I could think of no one better suited to the task. After today, I cannot help but feel as if we are back at square one. You've violated my trust again and, this time, it will not be so easily regained."

Earlond nodded silently. There was little more to be said; all that Iluvr said was true. It was time to see what further punishment Iluvar had in store - though the loss of his trust was punishment in itself.

"Let it be noted in the ship's log that as of this moment, you are relieved of your duties as executive officer," Iluvar stated, "You will report to Lieutenant Commander Fala and assist her in locating the Carnauba. Once they have safely returned to the ship, you will be confined to quarters until I have had time to consider this matter further. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Sir," Earlond said formally, straightening even more. So this is what his attempt to do what was necessary brought him. He expected nothing else from Iluvar.

"Dismissed."

OFF

A JP by:

Rear Admiral Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora

and

Commander Earlond
Executive Officer
USS Pandora