Just when you thought it was safe

[Chirakis 1]

Just when you thought it was safe
Chirakis Kirel, Captain SI-5
Jon Kelley, Captain, USS Iowa

 

USS Iowa and USS Kole were safely docked.   Because of their classified nature, security details were posted in and around docking bays A-23 and A-25, where the ships berthed.  Nei’rrh and Argos II were under repair.  According to Aegis Medical, no one contracted radiation poisoning from the massive EM waves that passed through the nebula and caused ships to lose power.  In general, Aegis was slowly returning to normalcy.  Except for command.  Their world has a different normal.  As soon as one situation ends, another rears its ugly head.

Many grapevines exist within command. Kirel's most trusted was Rendezvous October, the covert base of operatives that activated at the dawn of the Argesil Conspiracy. Though she had little contact recently, rumors suggested that there was more to the nebular links than furnishing transportation for the Alien Alliance.  If there was more, and that more became a threat, Rendezvous October would be at her door.

*   *   *   *   *

Iowa’s Captain Sean “Jon” Kelley flaked out on the couch in Kirel’s office, nursing a pint mug of vintage Romulan ale.  Kirel relaxed in a new leather armchair, courtesy of Starfleet for reasons unknown.  Most of the office had been refurbished, though she had no idea why.  Captain Ramson was meticulous with everything, including her office.  

“Hellofa situation, Kir,” Kelley continued in the conversation.  “Not sure which is worse—saving the galaxy or trying to pound some sense into command.”  He straightened up, facing Kirel straight on.  “You ever have trouble with that in your line of work?”

“My line of work?”

“Yeah. You know.  SI-5.”  Kelley downed the rest of his ale and went for a refill, grabbing a bowl of mixed nuts on his way back.

Kirel chuckled softly, tossing him a slight grin as she studied her glass.  “SI-5,” she repeated thoughtfully.  “Unfortunately, I belong to Starfleet Command as long as I am here. But to your question, it is the same everywhere, Jon.  There is always someone who chooses power over the actual need.  Your guard against that would be a mentor. Someone you can trust.  You have often mentioned Admiral Slater.”

Kelley nodded, handing her the bowl before relaxing on the couch.  “He’s more than a mentor, Kir. Much more.  If it hadn’t been for Slater, your ships wouldn’t be here now.  The crews would be dead, fried in the next wave that was coming at ‘em.”  He paused to shake his head.  “You know... those waves were only a few minutes apart, Kir.  The power that registered on our sensors was almost off the charts. Like I say, it was a hellofa situation. We’re sending you all that information.”

Nodding thanks, she gently sipped her ale, savoring its nuances as if it was a fine wine.  The bowl of nuts next to her seemed entirely appropriate. She’d known a few in her time. “Status of the planetoid?”

“Not sure.  But it’s time to put that area off limits.”

“We have posted a navigational hazard report,” Kirel replied setting her glass aside.

“That won’t work, Kir,” he snapped suddenly. “Put the whole damn nebula off limits. And I mean the whole damn thing.  It's....”  His deep breath faded into a sigh.  “It's important.”

Kirel eyed him, somewhat concerned. Kelley put his glass aside, ran a hand through his hair and down the back of his neck, then leaned forward to rest his forearms on his knees. His hands clasped as he stared at the floor for a minute, then looked up. 

“Can we get some  privacy?”

“Of course,” Kirel responded, pressing a button next to her. Lighting softened to a blue tinge.  Sound in the office muted.

Kelley nodded, thought a moment, then began. “You know that the nebula string is a conduit for the Alien Alliance, right?”

"I do," she said, nodding minimally.

He gestured as he spoke, as many Terrans seemed to do, and Kelley was a master.

“I know you’re wondering about how we got so far away from our area of responsibility—besides fighting command for it, that is—and why we ran dark for so long.”

Kirel listened, assessing every word.

“You know that there’s a cartel in nebula 236A, and we know where they are.  There’s a division of that cartel hiding in the nebula that powered down your ships.  We were stalking them and were close to finding ‘em when we intercepted your ships’ transmissions.”

“Yes.  I suspected that there were others within the nebula string,” Kirel mentioned casually. “Cartels seldom work from only one area.”

“Umm…” Kelley nodded, lips pursed.  “Well, the Alien Alliance is not only establishing themselves throughout the nebula string, they’re taking over planetoids and large asteroids in strategic positions and forming a cordon around the Joint Allied Powers.”  He stopped as though waiting for a response.

“Go on,” she said, a little less casually.

“Iowa and Kole leave tomorrow to join the strike force.  Je’rit’s task force, along with DeVoll’s and Kirsch’s groups, are joining with other elements of the Joint Allied Forces to plan strategies that will keep those bastards at bay. Intel on their ships and armaments, most of which were stolen, is unbelievable.  If they bring us to war, Kirel?  It’ll make every other war look like a party… and Aegis will be in the center.”

“Kahless,” she whispered as she stood slowly and moved to the bar, put her glass aside and went for something more potent.  “I cannot say that I am surprised, Jon.  But it's not exactly what I wanted to hear at the moment.” Turning to lean against the bar, she examined the amber in her glass, swirling it gently.  “We were hoping for a respite, but don't we all,” she said wryly. “But tell me, Jon. Why Aegis?”

“It has more bells and whistles than any other in the galaxy, Kir.  It’s new and it’s in neutral space.  Perfect place to establish a command station.”

“Which is exactly why we are here,” Kirel added, still leaning against the bar. “Though we appear to be a commerce hub, we are actually a watchtower.  What is Starfleet's initial strategy, if it has one?”

“Well, here's the deal.” Kelley settled back into the couch, continuing to gesture as he spoke.  “The best deterrent is a visible presence, right?”

"I believe so."

“So far we have Missouri’s task force, Iowa’s strike force, Toronto’s task force, and Calgary’s strike force, along with the Romulan, Klingon, and Ferengi strike forces. Aegis will never be alone.”

“You left out Captain Nero.”

He snapped his fingers.  “Right.  We’ll add him to the mix, but he can’t be read in to anything. He’ll be backup.”

“I doubt that,” Kirel countered, moving back to her chair.

It stopped him cold.

“Captain Nero’s family, and the families of the miners, live on this station,” Kirel continued in a direct, serious vein.  “In the event of an attack, he will be here before you even know what happened. And….” She held up a hand when he began to protest.  “He is aware of our protocol, as well as our emergency transmitting frequencies.  His leadership is as good as—or better than—anything you will find in Starfleet. As are his men. And you may quote me if you wish. 

“Now, please continue.”  Her Sindar brandy was tasting better and better.

It took him a while to process that, but he finally replied, “Okay.  So.  Our groups will be making  random pass-throughs.  They’ll occasionally stop for a while. Sometimes it’ll be the whole force, sometimes only a few ships while the remaining units sit tight within reach.  Sometimes cloaked, most of the time not.  But, when all hell breaks loose, Aegis strike forces might not be here, but the RSE sure as hell will.”  At that, he drained his glass.

Half an hour later, Kelley left to board USS Iowa for departure.  Kirel remained in her office, staring out the window and mentally formulating an internal strategy.  Commander Coleridge would be the first to be advised.  Then Security, CFG* Commander Apex, department heads, and possibly a few others would be read into the situation later.  The rest might notice a difference, but in essence time would move on as though peace reigned throughout the galaxy.
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CFG - Commander Flight Group