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Cptn Swain

In a Handbasket

The ‘Round Table’ room of Camelot had been converted into a full on war room, something it had previously served as during the protracted Scorpiad Conflict. Gathered around the table, watching a holographic display, Vice Admiral Misha Abronvonvich furrowed his brow while the various members of the diplomatic and military members of what loosely consisted of the Joint Alpha Quadrant Allied Task Force watched on, each with varying reactions.

 

Next to him, the Federation’s new ambassador, S’Lan, was watching with typical Vulcan stoicism. She had barely been on the station a few weeks, and already was upto her pointed ears in the rather arduous mirk that was the dark quadrant. Across from her, the Romulan fill-in, Enarrain Taer Vaedan seemed equally dispassionate. Essentially conscripted into his role, the Enarrain was serving as the Romulan representative both diplomatic and military until replacements were assigned, and had already privately expressed his distaste for his role to the Vice Admiral. Standing a meter or two to the left, Governor K’Vorlag -- the most senior member of the group -- seemed much less disapproving. The meaty Klingon bass voice was growling and grumbling in barely audible tones, and though Misha only spoke a trifle of Klingon, it was abundantly clear the intent. Everyone else was an assortment of Captains, Commanders and lower ranking officers.

 

“It is unfortunate the Dominion has chose this course of action,” S’Lan said evenly. “I had hoped they would listen to reason.”

 

“The Dominon,” K’Vorlag said, “Reason? That’s far too much to expect.”

 

Abronvonvich simply continued to look at the display. The fleet was continuing to assault the orbital arrays, which were doing a surprisingly effective job of slowing the Dominion from moving into orbital bombardment position, still anyone with half a tactical inclination could see it was only a matter of time before the numbers game went in the Dominion’s favor. On some level he was not entirely sure why he was even continuing to watch. The Federation was not about to interfere directly, and so far the Dominion had refused their offers of mediation. (Also not entirely shocking.)

 

“I assume,” Taer said, “That Taela is silent on the matter.”

 

K’Vorlag grunted as S’Lan nodded. “The official line is that they’re still conducting military exercises and that there is nothing to be concerned about.”

 

“Never say the Vorta weren’t gifted liars” K’Vorlag said with snarl. “And that worm Semil has gone missing.”

 

Misha glanced over and shook his head. He knew bits and pieces of the governor’s relationship with the now Hundred functionary, and he sometimes wondered if that relationship was entirely healthy. “I’ve ordered the Rhongo fleet to take up sentry positions to help monitor the situation, the Clarent and Carnwenn fleets are on alert, though as you know Clarent is spread out trying to deal with the raiders.”

 

“My forces are deploying,” K’Vorlag said with a hand wave, “in the area around Tarwan as well, they will be able to give us some more intelligence soon.”

 

Taer frowned. “I asked for permission to redeploy our forces into a more defensive posture, but...”

 

“Let me guess,” Misha said, “Homeworld too busy to respond.”

 

“There has been a delay in processing, I am told, yes.”

 

Misha shook his head. He was about to launch into a diatribe when one of his aides tapped him on the shoulder. “Admiral, I am sorry to disturb you, but...”

 

Turning to see who was interrupting, Misha glowered. “Out with it...”

 

Remaining composed, the Lieutenant took a deep breath. “With respect sir, you might want to hear this in private.”

 

“Gods be cruel.” Misha said with a huff. “Very well, I’ll join you in the briefing room. Duty calls, gentlemen.”

 

With knowing glances they visually excused the Admiral who followed the Lieutenant through the double doors to the briefing room at the aft of the Round Table room. Smaller and less ostentatious, the briefing room was primarily used for station purposes and was almost cramped in comparison. “So what is it, Lieutenant?”

 

Short, red-haired and freckled, the young Lieutenant was surprisingly collected. It was his third full week on assignment as aide to the Admiral, and he’d learned to mostly tune out of the abrasive nature of the burly Russian already. “As you know, sir, with the Vatican still at DS9 making voyage repairs, we’ve been sorting through reports from Clarent fleet commanders directly.”

 

Misha nodded. “Yes, I am rather aware of that, sonny.”

 

“The Excalibur’s report just came in.”

 

Misha groaned. Nothing ever came from that ship that didn’t give him a heartburn. “I thought everything was largely on schedule with their construction and for a change nothing terrible was going wrong with their mission.”

 

“It was,” the Lieutenant said, “The situation was a little more... desperate on the mining base than we were lead to believe, but Excalibur was dealing with it well enough.”

 

“Until?”

 

“Apparently, from the reports, there was some sort of riot or something in the mining base proper, Swain didn’t have all the details yet, his people were still recovering. Anyway apparently his people medical and security people had been working on treating an outbreak of some left over Dominion bioagent when things got a little hairy and they were taken hostage. Nearest he could make out, his people tried to neutralize their hostage takers by introducing a knockout gas into the environmental systems.”

 

“I see, and so while this is all fascinating, and I am sure Swain is a bit miffed about all this, I am still not clear why I care.”

 

“Well, apparently, there was an unforeseen reaction with what they used and something in the atmopshere the Dominion had left over.”

 

“Oh,” Misha said heavily. “How bad?”

 

“The miners are all dead.”

 

Misha blinked, taking a few moments to process that. “Dead? That’s some kind of reaction.”

 

“Yes, Swain’s medical people were still piecing it together, though his CMO and her head assistant had been on the surface and were also affected, though luckily not as badly. They were still recovering when he phoned in. The array construction, though, was nearly complete anyway and the area involved was isolated enough that they were able to complete construction. He has asked for further orders.”

 

The Russian crossed his arms in thought for a moment before speaking. “So, if I have this right, his people, in the course of defending themselves while rendering humanitarian aide accidentally wiped out an entire mining colony?”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

“Well, while I am sure Fleet Command will be annoyed, not much to say there. Have him continue to follow procedures for investigating the matter and file a full report when he returns to base. Now, what to do with a mine full of dead bodies...”

 

The Lieutenant blinked at the rather matter-of-fact reaction, but quickly regained his composure. “Captain Swain was already in the process of giving them respectful space burials. He inquired as to what he should do about securing the site and what to do about future incoming traffic for the actual mines. Apparently several freighters had arrived on schedule for regular ore pick ups already.”

 

“Have him leave behind some of his fighters and an adequate security and engineering force to secure the base. If I recall, the Vatican is supposed to drop off a SCE team, yes?”

 

The Lieutenant nodded. “Yes sir.”

 

“Sad as it is, I see no need to alter that. As for the deliveries, just tell them the truth. There was an accident and the mine is no longer operational. Then Excalibur should proceed back to Camelot for further assignment and debriefing. As I said, we'll need a full report on the incident, but let him know I am not going to push the matter.”

 

The Lieutenant looked at him. "Sir? Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but there were several hundred miners on the planet that are now dead."

 

Surprisingly the Admiral's response was measured and even. "Yes, and as I said, I am sure HQ will want an explanation, but in the larger scheme of things, I have bigger worries. Besides, I figure I owe Swain one anyway."

 

"Of course, sir. It wasn't my place to..."

 

"Don't worry about it, now if you'll excuse me Lieutenant, I have to get back to the Dominion packing the Quadrant into the handbasket."

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