Meeting the Faltan Command Team
Posted on Tue Sep 22nd, 2020 @ 4:42am by Captain M'Mira & Captain Jack Colburn & Lieutenant Commander Aeryn Jameson
1,652 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Mission 3.5 Faltan proudly welcomes ... The USS Kumari
Location: M’Mira’s Office
Jack Colburn stepped into the command centre of Faltan Station. As he expected, it was a hive of busy officers going about their daily business. He expected that Kumari‘s Bridge would probably get this busy once she was fully operational.
He slowly made his way over to the Station Commander’s lounge. It had been a while since he’d been here, Captain Refelian had been the stations Commander at the time, now it was Commander M’Mira who oversaw the station.
He pressed the door chime and waited for permission to enter.
Aeryn was sitting in front of M’Mira’s desk going over reports with the Caitian female when the door chime sounded. She turned to look as to who it might be calling.
M'Mira was in a sour mood. Nothing was worse than going over reports. Why did she not have a yeoman do this for her? She made a mental note to find one of those. Or maybe she could just push the reports off on Aeryn. That might be enjoyable. M'Mira let out a delighted purr before catching it.
The chime going off was a pleasant distraction and M'Mira called out, almost too eagerly, "Come in!"
Upon hearing the ‘come in’ Jack moved forward as the doors opened. He walked across the lounge towards the desk where Commander M’Mira sat with another officer, who the Captain assumed was the stations first officer. “Commander M’Mira, a pleasure to see you again. Belated Congratulations on becoming Faltan’s newest Commanding Officer.” He said with a smile as he reached across the desk with his hand for the Commander to shake.
M'Mira daintily took the Captain's hand. Her red nail polish was immaculate, as usual. She purred, "Thank you, Captain. Howeverrr, I would feel more confident when I get Starrrfleet to get theirrr rrrespective heads out of theirrr asses and rrrealize that closing this base would be a huge mistake."
Aeryn smiled politely as she stood to greet Colburn. “I’m Aeryn Monroe, Station Exec. It’s nice to meet you Captain Colburn. I hope your crew take advantage of the Station while you’re here, it’s nice to have visitors.”
Looking over at Colburn she asked, "So, what brrrings you back herrre and what can we do forrr you?"
“Pleasure to meet you, Commander.” Jack said to the attractive station executive officer before he looking towards the stations Commander. “Orders and pick ups. The Kumari is taking on Civilians here at Faltan and any other last remaining crew before we head off into Klingon space. I was also hoping, with your permission, to be allowed some office space here on the station as this will be Kumari’s new port.”
Aeryn looked at M’Mira. “There should be an office available Commander, I can organise it for Captain Colburn.”
"Office space?" M'Mira replied curiously. "We can arrrrrrange it, but what do you need it forrr?" she asked as curiously.
“It’s somewhere else to work, means I can hide there when I want to get some work done.” Jack replied with a light hearted chuckle. “Also means I can have any information directed here for me when I’m on a mission.”
"Morrre places to worrrk?" M'Mira asked confused. "Why would you want to do that to yourrrself?" She then had an epiphany. "Oh! You want somewherrre prrrivate that you can take naps! I perrrfectly underrrstand." She gave Colburn a wink. "I am sorrrrrry that I did not pick up on that beforrre. I won't tell a soul. The Commanderrrr will help you out."
“I’m glad you’re seeing my point of view.” Jack replied with a telling look. “So, how’s things here? Have the Faltan’s been behaving themselves?”
“There hasn’t been a peep out of them while I’ve been here” Aeryn relaxed back in her seat. “They keep themselves to themselves, it seems they’re not interested in having anything to do with us.”
"Taga is up to something," M'Mira suspected with a snarl. "He does allow Ms. Templeton to come and go as she pleases, though."
Jack raised an eyebrow, “We have a hostile relationship with the Faltan’s but they allow a Federation News Service reporter in whenever she likes? Something's massively wrong with that. Have you informed Command?”
That was an answer Aeryn didn't know so she deferred to M'Mira to answer.
"No," M'Mira admitted. "I have found that Ms. Templeton has herrr uses."
“She’s a potential security risk. Perhaps it’s time for her assignment her to come to an end?” Jack replied, concerned.
"You have been herrre beforrre, rrright, Captain? The peace is kept herrre forrr now. If I sense that therrre is any prrroblems with Miss Templeton, I will have herrr shipped off the station. Captain Rrrefelian once rrrestricted herrr access. That got herrr in with the Falteans. Frrom what I hearrrd from Captain Prrrescott, she seems to be doing the rrright things. And, she has powerrrful frrriends now with the Rrromulans."
“Wait, Templeton is involved with the Romulans?” Jack asked shocked.
"So it appearrrs," M'Mira replied casually flipping a paw as if it was not a big deal. "Ever since Rrrefelian cut off herrr access to perrrsonnel and otherrr rrrrecorrrds, therrre have been holos of herrr rrrregularrrly going in and out of the Rrromulan Embassy."
Aeryn cleared her throat uncomfortably, “Our Romulan Ambassador seems very genuine in his desire to work with Starfleet.” She tucked her hair behind her ears as she looked at both M’Mira and Colburn. “Not all we Romulans are against Starfleet, some of us actually work with.”
M'Mira shot a warning glance over at Aeryn. Colburn did not need to know of the unspoken mutual protection arrangement between the Romulans and her. "Nonetheless, Captain Colburn underrrstands that the embassy may have designs of theirrr own. But, we do, as well."
“Of course, I’m not here to judge or interfere. This is your playground after all, I’m just a guest.” Jack replied with a smile. “I am here to help if and when I’m needed.”
"I cerrrtainly apprrreciate that, Captain. A lot has happened herrre and we have had to adapt," the Caitian explained. "I should leave you in Aerrryn's capable paws now. She will find you a suitable rrroom."
“I understand you’ve all had a difficult time here. I think you’ve adapted very well considering what you’ve been through already.” Jack replied. “Hopefully, things will get better once that shiny new space station we saw on the way into the system becomes operational.”
A low growl escaped M'Mira. "I do not wish to abandon this place. I worrrked so harrrd to get it operrrational. And I do not like the Falteans dictating to us."
“We can still keep this base alive Commander” Aeryn looked at M’Mira. “I don’t intend to see it abandoned either.”
M'Mira's tail swished once happily towards her XO and then swung down rapidly.
“What is Starfleet’s plan for the current base? Turn it into a full civilian habitat?” Jack asked curiously. He understood the Commander’s reluctance to leave the station after bullying tactics of the Faltan’s but it was to keep Starfleet officers safe.
"I don't know," M'Mira admitted. "I have hearrrd everrrything frrrom turning it back to the Falteans to scuttling it to making it a marrrketplace."
“I personally wouldn’t advise giving it up to the Falteans. It’s bad enough we’re withdrawing from the planet because of them. They don’t need the base too.” Jack replied.
“Agreed” Aeryn nodded. “We have to keep this base operational and show them we’re not going anywhere!”
M'Mira beamed at Aeryn, proud of her newfound fight. "Let us just say that I have been continuing the fight with Starrrfleet."
“Ah, a fellow officer after my own heart.” Jack said with a smirk. “I feel the couple of years have been a continuing fight with Starfleet.”
"What have yourrr issues been?" M'Mira asked interested.
“Starfleet not liking the way I handle situations. When your backed into a corner sometimes you need to come out fighting with unorthodox methods in order for you to succeed.” Jack Replied.
“Indeed” Aeryn nodded in agreement. “You need the leeway to do what you need to do at that moment in time. Delaying could cost lives.”
"So far, that has not been a problem herrre, but I do worrrrry about the quiet."
“I’m not surprised. I have you tried open communications with them? Try and lure them into open conversation to see if they’re hiding anything?” Jack asked, offering an idea to try and help.
“I guess it’s an idea” Aeryn looked at M’Mira. “We could have our Chief Counsellor on hand see if her senses pick up on anything.”
"We could trrry but open communications is not something that Taga often does," M'Mira responded with a frown.
“Perhaps you need to get the ball back onto your side of the court. If memory serves they’ve been pulling the strings since Starfleet reactivated Faltan Station.” Jack replied.
"I have some thoughts," M'Mira replied with a knowing smirk. They will just take time.
“Care to share with the class?” Colburn asked with a smirk.
“Please do” Aeryn nodded in agreement.”
"Not now," M'Mira purred pleasurably. "We shall see how the playerrrs play firrrst."
“Fair enough, but if you do want some help then please let me know.” Colburn said as stood up.
"I will," M'Mira replied proudly. If Colburn thought that he was going to come in here and tell her how to do things after successfully running this station, he was terribly mistaken.
“Very well. I’ll leave you to go about your business. I’ve taken enough of your time already.” Jack said with a genuine smile.