Captain's Table

[Captain Halloway 0]

A joint log with Captain Sorehl, taking place aboard the starship Yorktown, docked at Camelot Station.

 

Captain Thomas Halloway lifted his glass of white wine. “Well, I’m glad you were able to join us, Sorehl.” Glass in hand, he gestured to the other senior officers seated in the formal dining room aboard the starship Yorktown. “I think my crew prefers it when we have a guest at our Captain’s Table."

 

The Vulcan nodded deferentially to those assembled.

 

“I’m sorry Ambassador T’Salik couldn’t join us,” Halloway added. “I’m interested to hear how she’s fitting in.”

 

Sorehl set down the spoon from his chilled plomeek and broccoli soup. “She has already assumed an active role,” he noted. “In fact, her absence is not for lack of interest, but due to a lengthy conference with the Dominion advisor.” He tapped the napkin to his mouth before adding, “However, she did indicate you offered more than sufficient attention during her trip inbound.”

 

Halloway sputtered a little on his wine. Several smiles appeared across the table, as the Yorktown crew appreciated the gentle ribbing.

 

Second officer Seiji Fujimoto came to his skipper’s rescue. “So, Captain Sorehl, the last time you were aboard was right after the transfer of Empok Nor.”

 

“Yes,” Sorehl agreed. “Just before I accepted this assignment. You were also conveying Ambassador Raumuk to Cardassia Prime.”

 

Halloway shook his head. “And here we are a year later, docked at a Federation starbase in the Gamma Quadrant, with the looming threat of a Dominion civil war. Back where we were, Raumuk is missing and Cardassia has its greatest mess since the war ended. Honestly, there are times I’m glad we can kick in the warp drive and move to the next problem – I don’t know how you can stand staying put.”

 

Sorehl leaned back, stroking his beard pensively. “Has there been any update on Raumuk’s whereabouts?”

 

Halloway furrowed his brow. “No trace,” he reported. “I would’ve expected some kind of ransom if he’d been abducted. Damn shame. I’m not a fan of diplomats, but I think he could’ve made a difference.”

 

“Then we’ve given up on him?” Sorehl ventured.

 

“No,” Halloway insisted, “but the political chaos makes the search harder. The security chief on Sky Harbor promised to keep me in the loop.” The human waited until his counterpart was sipping a glass of Altair water before adding, “You may remember her. She’s the one I overheard at the Aegis anniversary party saying you were ‘cute’.”

 

For his part, Sorehl did not bobble his drink. Setting it down calmly, he merely noted, “I have no response to that.”

 

“Well, this is an auspicious occasion.”

 

* * * * *

 

Dinner aboard the Yorktown continued into dessert.

 

“You’re kidding,” Halloway thundered. “The only response you’ve got is from the Interstellar House of Pancakes?”

 

“They do make incredible Bolian canapés, skipper,” Lieutenant Sabrina Tracey observed. Halloway smiled in agreement with his helm officer.

 

“It would seem,” Sorehl responded, “that many commercial interests feel the available market at Camelot Station is just too precarious.”

 

“Well, maybe once the colony gets underway,” Halloway considered. “It wouldn’t hurt if Starfleet posted a few more capital ships. I was surprised to hear they were scrapping Excalibur.”

 

“I received the word from Admiral Necheyev herself,” Sorehl indicated.

 

I’ll have to talk with Alynna about that,” Halloway trailed off.

 

From the other end of the table, the Yorktown’s chief medical officer stirred. “When is Morningstar due back?” Dr. Dana Kelley asked.

 

“Even now, they should be concluding their mission at Surmac with a diplomatic dinner,” Sorehl answered. “At last report, three days ago, things were progressing well.”

 

“Three days ago?” the doctor inquired.

 

“Without an established communication network,” the Vulcan captain explained, “Morningstar is forced to rely on the subspace repeaters it deployed enroute. Propagation delay is significant.”

 

“No contact with Command,” Halloway mused, “like some Napoleonic-era warship, setting its own policy. Kirk said he felt that way with his Enterprise.” He shook himself from such public introspection. “Strange that such a distant system would be interested in contact with us. We couldn’t provide much defense.”

 

Sorehl nodded. “The interest may be more symbolic. Semil once told me that the Dominion preferred peaceful acquisition of worlds – first working with a species and offering benefits in order to gain a firm grip. The Jem’Hadar were used only if a species refused such advances. Since the Vorta are forbidden to use aggressive expansion, the Surmac may feel free to explore other alliances.”

 

“Sounds like a complication for us if that policy changes,” Kelley remarked with skepticism.

 

“Indeed,” the Vulcan agreed.

 

Halloway set down his fork. “Alright, enough political banter,” he chided playfully. “Captain, after dinner, I’d like a word with you about how we can best use Yorktown while we’re in your neighborhood. Drop by my ready room?”

 

“I shall see to it.”

Edited January 22, 2008 by Captain Halloway