Stepping Down

Posted on Sun Aug 22nd, 2010 @ 3:07pm by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Fala Awen

Mission: Episode 1.3 - "The Time of Trial"
Location: Ready Room, USS Pandora
Timeline: MD01, 0720

ON: [[Ready Room, USS Pandora, MD01, 0720]]

There were days when Iluvar really began to wonder if Starfleet wasn't trying to drown him in paperwork. He'd hoped to avoid getting bogged down in the bureaucratic administrative side of the admiralty by maintaining his own command, but it seemed like those things knew no bounds. In addition to the standard reports and assessments that were on his desk every morning regarding the Pandora and her crew, he would also find several reports regarding the status of the task force and conditions on the relations with the Elyshans or the Romulans. It was days like this that Iluvar was eternally grateful for Oliver (NPC). The young man was quite detail-oriented and was extremely well organized. In fact, Iluvar was certain that his job would probably be twice or even three times as difficult if it weren't for his yeoman.

Paperwork wasn't the only thing that was on his mind at the moment, however. Even as he continued to wade his way through reports and assessments, he continued to think back to the events of their recent visit to Romulan space. Iluvar had already finished his official report to Starfleet Command shortly after they'd returned to Federation space, but he couldn't help but feel as if the official report glossed over the realities that they had witnessed at Nerus V. Would the admirals at Starfleet who saw his report be able to feel the burdens and struggles of the Romulan colonists on that world? How would they react to the evidence that the Romulan Senate had left their own people to fight for their survival without any assistance?

As if that wasn't bad enough, he also had the matter of Earlond's little sojourn to attend to. He still could not understand how Earlond had thought that sending the Carnauba back to Nerus V would have helped the situation in any way. Despite his frustration with Earlond for sending four men into such a volatile region, Iluvar had been extremely concerned for the safety of those men who had embarked on that mission. Thankfully, the USS Intrepid happened to come across the Carnauba. Captain Edwards (NPC) had been kind enough to contact him and assured him that the crew was alive and unharmed.

The situation was extremely difficult for Iluvar, especially given the complicated nature of his interactions with Earlond. He'd given the man a second chance at life, a chance to step out of the shadow of his past. It was an opportunity that Iluvar tried to give everyone because he felt that everyone deserved the chance to prove themselves without the baggage they carried with themselves. Perhaps it was a little naive, but over the years, Iluvar had found that it gave those people a greater sense of purpose and dedication to their ship and their crew.

The familiar chirp of the desktop terminal pulled Iluvar from his thoughts. He turned his attention to the screen that had already begun to rise from its concealed position within the surface of the desk. As it reached its full height, the screen came to life with the Federation emblem, signaling an incoming transmission. Iluvar reached out and, with the tap of a button, accepted the transmission. The emblem vanished from the screen, replaced by the gruff visage of a Starfleet admiral.

"Rear Admiral Iluvar," Gareth began. He had his hands folded neatly in front of him and a no-nonsense manner about him. Normally he would exchange some form of pleasantries with the Task Force Commanding Officer, but considering the gravity of what he had to tell Iluvar, he felt it best to be straight to the point. "I have some news for you."

Iluvar raised an eyebrow at the brief yet telling statement from the admiral on his viewscreen. Though he did not know the man personally, he had heard of Admiral Bullock from others who had interacted with him in the past. From what he knew, the admiral had been the station commander at Deep Space Four for some time. It was possible that he wished to speak of the Pandora's experience in Romulan space.

Gareth was not glad to give the news, but it was his responsibility. "Admiral, at this time, I must order that the Pandora immediately set course for Deep Space 4."

Deep Space Four was the largest Starfleet facility in this region of the Eighth Fleet patrol zone that included the Romulan border, which meant that it wasn't that surprising that the Pandora would be ordered there instead of making the two week trip back to Starbase 386. However, the admiral hadn't said anything about why the Pandora was to report to DS4, despite the strangely urgent tone that underlined the man's words. "I'm sure we could be there within twenty-four to thirty-six hours," Iluvar replied, "but if I may be so bold, sir, might I ask as to the reason for our presence at Deep Space Four?"

"I have received word that you are to appear before a Board of Inquiry. The proceedings will be held, here, at Deep Space 4," Gareth replied grimly. There was no sense in sugar-coating it, even if he could. This was one part of his job that he did not like, but he did what was required of him.

For a moment, Iluvar did not say anything. He had heard the admiral's words and understood them, but how was he expected to react to such a statement. The last time he'd ever been involved in any kind of personnel inquiry had been in the case of Major Palacios, who had, at the time, been the marine commanding officer aboard the USS Tethys. Outside of that, he had only been present for the formal inquiry into the Elyshan situation, which was quite different from your standard personnel inquiry. Then to add to that the fact that this was an inquiry being convened to investigate himself was not something he had been expecting in the slightest.

Raising an eyebrow, Gareth asked, "Do I need to repeat the information, Admiral?" Though he realized it had to be a shock, he had expected some form of response from Iluvar. Perhaps he was simply processing the information though.

"No, no...I understand, sir," Iluvar replied slowly, "The Pandora will arrive at Deep Space Four as ordered." There was no avoiding the situation. It could very well have been that this was simply a routine inquiry to assess his own performance. Even if it was not, his attempts to avoid appearing before the board would only serve to be detrimental to his own case. In the end, there was only one choice for him to make and he knew it.

Gareth nodded, "Preparations will be underway in the meantime. We will await your arrival in one or two days." For now, there was nothing more he could tell Iluvar. Most of the details still needed to be worked out and, even if more was ready, he could not officially divulge the information at this point in time. Gareth did not envy the other Admiral in the least. The time spent wondering for the next couple days would be bad enough, let alone the actual proceedings.

"Pandora out," Iluvar said. He reached forward again and tapped the control interface, causing the screen to go blank. As the terminal began to retract into its concealed position within the desk, Iluvar leaned back in his chair. The reports that he had been looking over just moments before sat waiting on his desk, but they were no longer important at the moment. He thought for a moment, then rose to his feet and started for the door.

[[Main Bridge]]

With the Admiral in his Ready Room, and Earlond currently relieved from duty, Awen had been left in charge on the bridge. It wasn't something completely unfamiliar, but it hadn't happened often on the Pandora. Nothing of particular interest had come up as of yet.

The door to the ready room slid open with a hiss, causing several people to glance over in the direction of the sound. Some of them smiled when they saw Iluvar emerging onto the bridge and returned to their work. For this, Iluvar was grateful. What he was about to say would no doubt cause a lot of confusion and he didn't want to prolong the matter any more than he needed to.

"Lieutenant Commander Fala," he called out, turning his attention to the Bajoran woman seated in the Pandora's command chair.

Awen stood from where she had been seated in the command chair, stepping aside so that Iluvar could reclaim his place on the bridge. "Yes, Admiral?"

Iluvar surveyed the bridge once without saying anything. Each individual present was as familiar to him as the consoles they worked at and the deckplating he stood upon. Some of them had been serving under him since he had first been ordered to assume command of the USS Tethys. When he'd been transferred to the USS Pandora, they had voluntarily chosen to follow. Regardless of what would come, he knew that, when it came down to it, it was this ship and this crew that were important. They had been through a lot together and he was certain that, no matter what happened, they would persevere through more to come. "The ship is yours, commander," Iluvar said calmly, "Lay in a course for Deep Space Four and proceed at maximum warp."

For a moment, all Awen could do was stand in silence. His words didn't quite register. Once they did, she shook her head slightly in confusion, "Sir?"

Without saying a word, Iluvar turned and started for the turbolift access. He entered the lift and turned around again to see one last view of the Pandora's bridge. All around the room, familiar faces were looking at him in confusion, questions begging to be asked. The doors hissed shut, cutting off his view, and he felt the lift begin its descent. Perhaps, when this was all over, he would be back amongst them again.

The Bajoran, uncharacteristically unsure, stood silently. Not only had Iluvar left her in charge of the bridge, he'd left her in charge of the ship. Why? But he had already left, without an explanation. Awen didn't know what was going on, but she had a bad feeling about whatever it was. Perhaps she should consult with Christopher and see if any of his contacts knew anything. Feeling the eyes of the rest of the bridge crew on her, Awen realized that, for the time being at least, she had to lead them. They were, naturally, as confused and in shock as she, but it was her duty to calm them. She gave a brief nod and took a seat in the command chair, "Helm, plot a course for Deep Space Four, maximum warp."

OFF

A JP by:

Admiral Gareth Bullock (NPC)
Station Commander
Deep Space Four
Played by: LtCmdr Fala

Rear Admiral Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora

and

Lieutenant Commander Fala Awen
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Pandora