A Difficult Request

Posted on Fri Nov 19th, 2010 @ 5:52am by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Fala Awen

Mission: Episode 1.3 - "The Time of Trial"
Location: Fala's Quarters, USS Pandora
Timeline: Mission Day 07, 0730 hours

ON: [[Fala's Quarters, USS Pandora, Mission Day 07, 0730]]

Awen sat back in the chair at her desk, a hot cup of jumja tea cradled in her hands. Although the trial was finally over and Iluvar once again had command of the Pandora, the Bajoran was still somewhat on edge. Then again, it seemed that she wasn't the only one - many seemed rather uneasy. She'd contemplated stopping by to check on Iluvar, but had decided against it, wanting to give him some space.

The screen came to life with the familiar emblem of Starfleet Command before being replaced with the visage of a stern-looking woman with graying hair. She seemed to be the kind of person who would not tolerate any sort of nonsense and her composure was strictly business-like. "Lieutenant Commander Fala," she said in a crisp voice, "I'll get right to the point. By the authority of Starfleet Command, I am promoting you to the rank of full Commander and assigning you to be the Pandora's new Executive Officer."

Not quite sure what to say at the sudden interruption and new orders, Awen simply sat silently for a moments, narrowing her eyes slightly at the screen. Of all the assignment changes and promotions she'd gotten, none had been even remotely like this. "Excuse me, ma'am?"

"I believe you heard me, commander," the admiral said curtly, "After all that has transpired, Starfleet Command feels that it would be best for everyone if some semblance of order was restored to this situation."

Awen raised an eyebrow, "With all due respect, ma'am, I am much more qualified for my position as Chief Security/Tactical Officer. Surely there's another Executive Officer candidate that would be able to fill the position..." The Bajoran hadn't been comfortable as Acting Commanding Officer and, although Executive Officer wasn't quite the same, she wasn't very eager to take on the new role at this point.

"You seem to be under the mistaken impression that this is a request, commander," the admiral said in an even sharper tone than before, "Starfleet Command has appointed you to be the Pandora's new Executive Officer. Furthermore, we expect that you will help to ensure that things aboard the Pandora run as smoothly as possible. If anything should be amiss, it is expected that you will report such information immediately."

The more she heard, the less she liked these orders. Able to read between the lines, Awen replied, "As far as I'm aware, since you're forcing me into the role, ensuring smooth operations on the ship are one of the standard duties of an Executive Officer. Being a spy is not."

For a moment, the admiral did not say anything in reply. It was almost as if her silence was only serving to confirm the conclusion that she was asking the commander to "be a spy". When the admiral spoke again, her tone was thin. "Let me make myself perfectly clear, commander," she said slowly, "Your responsibility is to Starfleet and the Federation, not to one man. You will carry out your duties as ordered." Immediately, the screen went dark as the admiral severed the transmission. The discussion was over.

The Bajoran shook her head slightly once the admiral disappeared from the screen. As difficult as it had been, it seemed that everything had been so much simpler when she was just a member of the Resistance. Artori had been a good leader and they had had a good team. They would have done anything if they felt it would bring about the freedom of their people. This, however, was a different matter entirely. Awen had joined StarFleet to try to make a difference and, truthfully, to protect herself from being murdered after her escape. Science had become her passion. Now it seemed she just got further and further from where she wanted to be.

Barely a minute had passed since the admiral's face had disappeared from the screen when the ship's intercom signaled an incoming message. "Iluvar to Fala," the captain's voice called, "Please report to my ready room, commander."

Impeccable timing, she mused. If Awen had to warrant a guess, Iluvar had just received the same news she had. Well, probably not the bit about her new role apparently involving spying... Tapping her comm badge she replied, "On my way. Fala out."

[Ready Room]

Still reeling from the...conversation...with the admiral and knowing that he was expecting her, Awen didn't bother to ring the doorchime. As the door hissed open in front of her, the Bajoran made her way to Iluvar's desk, a grim look on her face as she stood before him. "Captain?"

"Have a seat, commander," Iluvar said, motioning to one of the open chairs across from him as he deactivated the desktop terminal. He could tell by the look on her face that it was entirely possible she had just received the same news he had.

Giving a slight nod, the Bajoran sat in the chair closest to her. Awen sat quietly, waiting for Iluvar to speak.

"I just had an...interesting...conversation with Starfleet Command," Iluvar began without preamble, "Come to think of it, it wasn't so much a conversation as it was a message." He continued to watch Fala's reaction. If she had received a similar message from Starfleet Command, then it was likely she could relate to what he had just experienced.

His words confirmed her suspicion. At least she didn't have to tell him. Awen shook her head slightly and scoffed, "They seem to have perfected that today, sir. I believe I got a whole three or four sentences in, not that they made any difference."

Iluvar looked across the desk at the woman seated before him. He could not argue against the qualifications that made her a prime candidate for the position, but he was none too thrilled with the method in which Starfleet had chosen to act. Was this something he was going to have to expect from now on? Was Starfleet Command going to question all of his staffing decisions? Would they continue to make those decisions for him?

Remembering that the commander was still waiting, Iluvar turned his attention back to the present. He carefully set a small box on the surface of his desk and pushed it in Fala's direction. The look on his face was difficult to read, but it could not betray the mixed feelings that were wrestling with one another just beneath the surface. "Congratulations, commander," Iluvar said, "You've earned it. I must say, I would have preferred..." His voice trailed off and he looked to the woman seated across from him to see what her reaction might be.

Awen's eyes went from Iluvar to the box and back again. Iluvar didn't need to finish his sentence; he wasn't the only one that would have preferred that things had happened differently. Reluctantly, the Bajoran picked up the box, but did not open it. "Permission to speak freely sir?"

Without a word, Iluvar gave a single nod for her to go ahead.

Seeing him nod, she took a moment to gather her thoughts before saying, "To be honest sir, I was not...am not really interested in being Executive Officer. Once I was in Academy after leaving Bajor, I studied science. Having been in the Resistance, it was a breath of fresh air to be studying something more academic. However, because of my skills, I ended up in the Security/Tactical department. I didn't really mind; I certainly had the background for it. But this...it's not what I wanted, sir. I would have been perfectly happy staying in Security/Tactical."

Awen paused, taking a deep breath as she did her best to calm her frustrations. "That said, sir, I will do my best in the role. I don't plan to just halfheartedly go about the position. Not that either of us appears to have much choice anyway."

"I'm pleased to hear you say that, commander," Iluvar said slowly, "Unfortunately, it appears that we will all need to get used to doing things that we do not have much choice in. If Starfleet Command seems to feel..." He paused. It would do them no good to take out their frustrations upon anyone else, not even Starfleet Command. All they could do now was to carry out their orders and try to make the best of what they were given.

Nodding slowly, the Bajoran remained quiet for several moments. He didn't need to finish his sentence; she could tell that what had happened bothered him judging by what he was saying and how he was saying it. However, it was only the day after the trial...after he'd heard the verdict. Awen would keep an eye on him to see if it continued. "What will happen with Commander Earlond and those who went on the unauthorized away mission? Or has something happened already?" Thus far she hadn't heard anything, but since she was apparently now the ship's Executive Officer, Awen thought it might be good to ask.

Iluvar slowly settled back into his chair as he considered the commander's question. He had not yet heard any word regarding the fate of the away team and, while he did have his own thoughts as to what should be done about them, he could not rule out the possibility of his authority being overruled by Starfleet Command.

"Commander Earlond has taken an extended leave of absence from Starfleet," he said after a brief moment of silence, "He should be disembarking within the next thirty minutes, I expect. As for the away team...I haven't heard anything yet."

Awen raised an eyebrow; she hadn't expected that Earlond would take a leave of absence. "I suppose it would have been difficult for him to remain here," she said finally. "Do we know anything about the away team or their whereabouts, sir?"

"The last I heard was prior to our arrival at Deep Space Four," Iluvar replied, "Captain Edwards of the USS Intrepid informed me that they had located the Carnauba and would be sending them to rendezvous with us. I assumed that they would have diverted to DS4 when they learned of the inquiry, which means that they should have reached us by now."

Frowning, Awen replied, "So you think something happened to them? Should I start an investigation, sir?" Since the team had obviously already been discovered and apparently sent back to the Pandora, it seemed odd that they hadn't been contacted. There was no more reason for radio silence unless something had gone wrong or they'd decided to go back to the colony anyway.

Starfleet had yet to inform Iluvar of what the Pandora's next assignment was going to be, which meant that it might be possible for him to get permission from Admiral Bullock (NPC) to take the ship out in search of the missing shuttlecraft. At this point, he didn't really see any reason why they shouldn't at least look into the matter. "Take a look around and see what you can come up with, commander," he said slowly, "We may not be able to go out looking for them just yet, but it would be nice to have some idea of what has happened to them."

The Bajoran nodded, "I'll see what I can find. Is there anything else you'd like me to do, sir?" As she asked, Awen's thoughts went to those in her dep...former department. Who would take over? Would they all stay? How would she tell them? So many things to think about.

"That will be all, commander," Iluvar replied.

Awen stood, giving a slight nod to Iluvar before turning and walking towards the door. It appeared she had quite a bit to do, especially with her new position. She still wasn't happy about what had transpired or about her job, but she had little choice in the matter. For now, all Awen could do was make the best of it.

OFF

A JP by:

Captain Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora

and

Commander Fala Awen
Executive Officer
USS Pandora