The Andorian and the Vulcan

[Sorehl 0]

or "Captain One and Captain Two"

 

    In the Control Tower of Sky Harbor Aegis, Captain Sorehl and Ensign Shawn Andrews manned the Mission Ops and Security consoles, respectively, as they tried to locate the sole Cardassian ship in the system.  Although many Aegis systems were locked in diagnostics mode, the two had managed to reconfigure these stations to utilize limited sensor functions.

 

    From behind them, Captain Frederic Meve got to his feet, slamming his fist against the tactical console.  "For all the... that's it!"

 

    Captain Sorehl raised one eyebrow and swiveled his chair in time to see the Andorian officer approach the main viewer.  Meve was flanked by Dr. Victor Images and Dr. Sheepy Jones, who seemed surprised at the outburst.

 

    The commotion had drawn Andrews' attention, as well.  "Sir?" he asked, looking over to the Vulcan.

 

    Sorehl held up his hand, signaling his intent to listen to the captain.  The Vulcan leaned forward in the Mission Ops chair, avoiding the mild ache in his lower back.

 

    Meve was pointing at something on the viewer.  "You see that?"  He pointed again, jamming his finger against the viewing surface. "Here! That... right there... the blinking light..."

 

    The doctors exchanged glances.  Dr. Jones was clearly eyeing a hypospray in his hand.

 

    Momentarily distracted, Sorehl heard Andrews blurt, "What in Kahless is he ranting about?"

 

    "Mr. Andrews," the Vulcan scolded in a mild command tone, "your scans..."  He let himself trail off, trying to focus on the forward area of the Control Tower.

 

    "No," Meve was asserting as he waved Jones off, "think for a moment.  What is it for?"  His gaze returned to the viewer.  "It's nowhere near the station... Not on a ship..."

 

    Sorehl watched the somewhat one-sided discussion, recalling a warning from the security chief, Lt. Commander Ethan Hawke.  Clearly not wanting to be disloyal, Hawke had nonetheless expressed concerns about the behavior of her commanding officer.  Still, this display might be how the captain usually consulted with his staff.

 

    "Sir," Andrews reported, "I've isolated a Cardassian ship."

 

    Sorehl turned towards the security console.  Andrews had isolated a signal in the vicinity of Cardassian IV, the next planet out from Prime.  His science-trained eyes studied the display.  "It appears they're trying to mask their presence by drifting in the magnetic pole."  Sorehl glanced at his own console, calling up the comm array diagnostics.  If he could alter a test procedure to utilize a tight-beam transmission...  But he was not the commanding officer here.  Attempting such a communication would require approval.

 

    He swiveled around toward Meve, who was still engaged in animated discussion with the doctors.  "Something has to regulate those buoys," the Andorian postulated.

 

    Dr. Images was trying to interrupt.  "Can you hear me, sir?" he asked.  "Who are you talking to?"

 

    Sorehl blinked.  Clearly, the crew was not accustomed to this type of interaction with their captain.  Perhaps he had not given Hawke's warning enough credence.   Sorehl tried to get the Andorian's attention.  "Captain Meve."

 

    Meve continued talking, looking toward the screen.  "It hasn't moved... has no purpose for being there."

 

    Dr. Images looked toward Sorehl.  "He won't listen to me.  It's like talking to a blue brick wall."  His open palm brandished the hypospray he had yet to administer.

 

    The Vulcan captain stood, walking briskly toward Meve.  If he was going to ascertain the situation, he needed to engage the Andorian.  He spoke again, more loudly.  "Captain Meve?"

 

    Meve turned toward Sorehl, as if no one else had been speaking to him previously, offering a nonchalant "Hmm?"

 

    Sorehl tugged briskly at his tunic, knowing the next statements could pose a challenge to the command of Sky Harbor Aegis...