Sirin Norn looked alarmed. He had not been aware of the timing. An insane amount of stuff had happened over the past hour. "Is security monitoring the patient in sickbay?"

He made a mental note to check the cargo bay logs for sabotage and to make sure sickbay was proof from future tampering.

It's possible that this was picked to target him specifically. Looking into the crewman's record might give us some insight. I would suggest that security and Comander Brynn review his personnel files: someone who knows the old crew might have more insight."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:33, Wed 23 Mar 2022.

"Security?  No," Devon replied, her frown deepening.  "I've got no fewer than three Sickbay staff keeping an eye on him, though.  But if you're going to send a security detail down there, make sure you tell them not to touch anything.  Everything's enough of a mess as it is."

"Security team six to Sickbay. Protection detail," Valéria ordered over the com.

"Captain, there could be a serious security threat to this vessel, beyond the sabotage that we know of. The inclusion of Sub-Commander Calaar as well as the, as far as we were aware up until this point, illegal cloaking system, I suggest we cease our current course and return to Starbase. The best way to inspect our systems would be for us to take them offline and utilize other isolated systems to inspect them anyway. To say nothing of the numerous orders that we have to confirm..." the Tactical Officer said, her voice calming.

"Negative. We were given orders and we shall carry them out and we shall do so acting in the best tradition of Starfleet. We shall comport ourselves well at all times as befitting the crew of a Starfleet vessel. This situation, whilst less than ideal, is one we shall have to adapt to."

She looked at each member of the crew as she spoke.

"Wolf 359 left a gaping hole in our defences and we are called upon to protect the Federation which is exactly what we are going to do. Make what inquiries you need to make, perform admirably, and carry out the duties which we have been assigned. Dismissed."

Great scene everyone. No shortage of independence in this fractious crew!

You’ve come up with some exciting story hooks, as you head off to your duties in the ship, let me know what you’re up to:

-looking into the use of Maxwell’s codes for sabotage

-investigating the shuttle accident and McLearen’s service record

-checking on the authenticity of the order to field the Phoenix’s experimental weapons pod

-preparing your department for patrolling the Romulan Neutral Zone

-something else?

Iren clasps his hands firmly together.  “All data must be considered.  The presence of the Sub-Commander is strong evidence for the legality of the cloak.  I advise consulting Admiral Kirchner regarding the Romulan presence relative to the new equipment.”

"I fully intend to, Commander. I have had quite enough surprises on this deployment already. I'll call for another staff meeting once I receive clarification regarding these issues. Dismissed." The Captain stood up, signaling the meeting was quite over.

Though she didn't much like the sound of another staff meeting, possibly very soon, Devon stood up as soon as she heard the magic word, 'dismissed'.  "If anyone needs me, I'll be getting Sickbay straightened out," she said, in a tone that indicated serious trouble for anyone or anything she found to be out of order.

[To: Sickbay]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:00, Tue 22 Mar 2022.

Kotar stands to attention when dismissed and leaves the Ready Room to return to the Bridge.

"Aye Captain. If you need me, I will be down in Security beginning my investigation and coordinating the Security teams. You will have my preliminary reports soon," the Lieutenant said, standing to attention after she had been officially dismissed.

That done, she left the Ready Room and headed for her offices on the lower decks.

To: Security

Iren stands.  “Captain.  If you have any specific tasks for Science I will see that they are set in motion.  Otherwise I will proceed to my station on the Bridge and check the science systems to see if they are functioning correctly, and free of sabotage - so far as I can determine”

"Nothing at this time, Commander. Carry on," she said, waiting for the room to be clear before sitting back in the seat and looking out the window for a moment.

She poured herself a drink and took a few sips before entering the command to call the Admiral. It was time for answers.

—> Bridge

>>Priority transmission
>>Command channel alpha-three
>>Subspace encryption enabled

After a few moments, the channel is open to Admiral Pressman in Starfleet Intelligence "Ahh, hello Captain. I trust that it's been an uneventful day since the Phoenix came out of refit and left Starbase 211." he says in a suspiciously knowing manner. "Your orders should come as no surprise, mere confirmation of what the rumor mill had already known. Report to sector Z-6 and establish patrol operations between Outpost 4 and Outpost 7 along the Romulan neutral zone. You are to report your findings directly to me and, most importantly, be prepared to use your experimental pod should you encounter the Borg."

That confirms your suspicions, Phoenix had been banished by Starfleet Command to patrol Federation backwaters looking for ghosts and whispers in the dark.

"With respect, Admiral, but I don't like surprises on my ship. I was told there would be an envoy but not that it would be a Romulan whilst we patrol the Neutral Zone, with an untested crew, a treaty that is, at best, on uncertain legal ground, and unproven technology in the form of this cloaking device. My crew has expressed severe misgivings already and not knowing about such things undermines their faith in me."

Her gaze sharpened as she looked at the admiral. "Are there any more surprises of which I have not been made aware?"

"I can appreciate that this must be particularly challenging," he replies with a mix of humor and condescension. If you weren't a Vulcan, the way you are being talked down to would have your blood boiling. "But let's be absolutely clear, Captain, after the losses at Wolf 359 there aren't all that many more experienced crews out there. I'll be frank, we've cobbled your crew together undertake a delicate mission. Your thoughts on the choice of attache to accompany your crew and the revised Treaty of Algernon are noted, but irrelevant."

Over steepled fingers, he continues with an annoying smile "As for further surprises, when you get to Outpost 4 you will need to check in with the Starfleet Intelligence liaison there, Commodore Reynolds. I'm certain she will have something..."

The transmission is suddenly (and thankfully) interrupted by a priority alpha distress signal.

Parting is such sweet sorrow... how do you sign off with this obnoxious Admiral?

T'leera looked over at her comms and shook her head. "Apologies but we have an incoming Alpha Priority distress signal. I shall consider your words and continue our mission. Any further concerns shall be raised with the Admiralty in due time."

She held up a hand. "Live long, and prosper, Admiral Pressman," she said before ending their transmission.

She tapped her console and brought up the distress signal.

>>>Priority Transmission
>>>All channel distress call

"zzzt science vessel Horizon en route zzzt Gamma Lilsis 26 Dubhe Sector zzzt attack, ambushed we lost our sensor array and zzzt zzzt unknown can't tell if zzzt still out there zzzt zzzt impulse malfunction, warp offline, dead in the water zzzt zzzt zzzt ... mayday mayday, science vessel Horizon..."

You get most of the message before the subspace channel collapses.

A quick look at the mission logs for Horizon confirms that the Oberth-class science vessel was heading for the Lilsis systems to collect data on dangerous tekasite deposits in the system.

That system is in exactly the wrong direction from your assigned mission sector, but answering a distress call is more than enough reason to delay in reporting for whatever morally ambiguous duties Pressman has in mind for you...

T'leera ran quick calculations to determine the most optimal course and speed, stood and left the Ready Room.

It was time to put ship and crew through their paces.

-------> to: Bridge

<-----From: Bridge


T'leera walked in and stood before the window, looking at the eddies and swirls that moved through warped space as the ship traveled. She normally found it a comforting view but today there was no comfort to be found. Not today, not in the face of everything that was happening.

From: The Bridge

"I have already forwarded the information that Security has found while searching through the computer. We are coordinating with Engineering. We are narrowing down the suspect pool for who could be the saboteur, and are conducting interviews in known affected areas. I have an old friend in Starfleet Intelligence that I reached out too. He will be giving me more in-depth information on Sub-Commander Calaar and any potential Captain Maxwell diehard or other flagged trouble makers. He also says that the Treaty of Algeron was in fact legally changed, with both the Romulan Senate and Federation Council signing off on it, though in secret. My contact says that in return for antiquated cloaking technology, and the right to install it on a handful of ships, we passed over our tactical and technological information on the Borg. And Starfleet is apparently being a lot less forthcoming with higher-level decisions to the lower ranks as a new security measure to avoid letting the Borg know our plans if one of us gets Assimilated," Lieutenant Serrano reported quickly and efficiently.

"And...on a personal note Captain, I very much got the impression that the higher ups are scared of the Borg. Sensible, but not at the expense of maintaining the laws and principles of the Federation. I am...concerned Captain," she finished, hesitating when revealing a small portion of her feelings.

"Concerning but not wholly unexpected. Starfleet faces an enemy unlike any previously encountered, Lieutenant. There is no reasoning with the Borg, no appealing to their better natures. They are merciless and uncompromising and bring with them a threat worse than death - the death of self. Alive but unknowing, able to perform the most terrible of acts without remorse. One ship cost tens of thousands of lives at Wolf 359 and wore the face of the best amongst us in doing so. We don't know from where they are from or when they will strike again."

She turned from window and sat down. "The Borg frightens people and in the face of such a threat, the first loss is idealism. I am also concerned that this is but the beginning. Where Starfleet goes from here is unknown. One can hope we do not sacrifice too much of our ideals in the face of this threat. I brought up our concerns to the Admiral and was left...less than reassured by his response."

"I was there Captain. I am well aware of how existentially horrifying they can be," Lieutenant Serrano replied, in a kind of detached way.

"I'm...afraid that this kind of thinking is born out of ignorance. History shows us again and again that sacrificing ideals for safety is not only rarely successful, it is unnecessary. Every generation thinks the latest threat is an unprecedented horror that will require...hard decisions. And they are foolish enough to think they are the first person to come up with that idea. Não sei...Captain, I'm just a Lieutenant. These matters seem far above my ability to affect or even fully understand. Besides follow our orders for now, is there anything for us to do?" she asked, clearly frustrated.

"You are, I believe the phrase is 'preaching to the choir', Lieutenant. I agree with everything you have said but have no answers for you. Changing the path of a massive organisation, like Starfleet, is quite beyond anything I am capable of, no matter how I might wish otherwise."

She sat back in her chair.

"All we can do is perform our duties to the highest level of our training and stay true to the ideals of the Federation. The very ideals that led us to join Starfleet; we lead by example and show that we do not need to abandon our ideals in the face of danger. Nós nos mantemos fiéis a nós mesmos e uns aos outros."

"...Aye Captain." Lieutenant Serrano replied after a long moment of digesting Tleera's words.

"Will there be anything else, or shall I return to my station and prepare for what might be a hot entrance?" she asked, trying to focus on the moment despite the heady topic that she herself had broached.