The Regent and the Captain

[Cptn Jack DeChevel 0]

The dim lighting of the Ready Room contrasted sharply with the bright monitor on the Captain’s desk. Though he’d had the pleasure of meeting the Lord Regent, it had only been more than an idle handshake at some diplomatic function or the other when Jack was serving as the coordinator for an Archeological dig on the Danteri homeworld, which in Imperial speak, meant the one cracking the whip.

 

He’d spent much of the trip to Psi Velorum studying what he could about the Regent from the Imperial Database, glancing out the window he looked towards the starship approaching his own. The Soltok. The very name sent shivers up his spine.

 

“Captain,” the cool voice of the communications officer chirped into his solitude. “The Lord Regent is signaling you.”

 

Subconsciously smoothing the dreadlocks, he pressed the reply button on his desk unit, “Put him through to the Ready Room.”

 

“Aye, Captain.”

 

The screen turned from a LCARS screen to the glowing red-yellow eye of the Elasian Prefecture. It was an ominous symbol, one DeChevel felt sure was intended to only add to the cult of fear the Regent seemed to propagate. Moments later the screen filled with foreboding image of the Lord Regent.

 

“Captain DeChevel,” Koshic’s voice sent a cold shiver, even through the speakers.

 

“Your honor,” DeChevel tipped his head in a slight bowing motion. “The Imperial Star Ship Agincourt greets you with the respect and honor you deserve.”

 

Placated for the moment, Koshic let a small smile cross his lips before continuing. “I assume that Starfleet informed you of your orders?”

 

DeChevel nodded slightly, “That would be correct, though…”

 

“Though you’re not quite sure why you’re here…”

 

Telepaths, Jack avoided letting that thought escape into his scanable thoughts.

 

“Quite simply,” Koshic continued before Jack had time to respond, “Because this planet has taken on a very important…”

 

“The possible Iconian ruins…”

 

Koshic lifted a brow not used to being interrupted, let alone by some half-breed upstart Captain. “That would be correct…”

 

“Have your men had any luck confirming that?”

 

“Would you be here if they had?”

 

Jack scowled slightly. “No.”

 

“Then don’t waste my time with inane questions.” Koshic glowered. “I will have them send what information we have to you.”

 

“Thank you.” Jack was quick to take on apologetic tone. “Have you any further commands for us, Lord?”

 

“Only that I will not tolerate failure Captain,” Koshic’s voice was commanding, rising several decibels. “I am not a man to suffer the inadequacies of others, and if I am not pleased with how you carry out the orders, I will not hesitate to arbitrate as I see fit, Captain.”

 

“As you're entitled to do.” Jack fought every urge in his body to close the communiqué and launch a salvo of torpedoes at the arrogant bastard. “I do not anticpate that being a problem.”

 

“See to it that it doesn’t.”