Post Briefing Talk

Posted on Tue Aug 8th, 2017 @ 12:21am by Fleet Admiral Donatella Figueroa

Mission: S01E01 - At the Brink of Night
Location: Deck 6 | Briefing Room

Vic watched all of the others file out of the room, and as soon as they left, "computer, privacy protocol Alpha, authorization Miller-4-Bravo."

A chirp in response was all that Vic needed before he began to speak. "There's going to be another major factor in play at Zaran II."

Well, you certainly made yourself at home she thought as she listened to the man give secured privacy commands and his authorization command codes to do so. You just got those damn things. Takes me forever to memorize mine she thought privately, not that she was about to admit they were not so securely located in her quarters in case she forgot them.

With the room secure, the man's news was not expected and caught the Commanding Office off guard. "If this about Romulans and Klingons and dirty little deeds over cloaking technology, I don't want to hear it. Whatever those pointed eared Vulcans heard through the grapevine doesn't match up with Starfleet Command's intelligence on Klingon-Romulan relations" said Fig.

She studied the man's face for a moment for a response. "Okay...not about Romulans....you have my attention" she said genuinely intrigued. "Who's the other 'major factor' coming to the tea party?" asked the Captain.

"Rigelian pirates. Specifically those who were my former crew..." Vic trailed off, "what I am about to tell you does not leave between us."

Fig looked at her Executive Officer peculiarly. Poor word choices she thought. She cleared her throat. "Let us not forget, Commander that your are my Executive Officer" she said with some emphasis. It was her way of yanking on his leash and reminding him who ran this show. "Continue" she added.

"I used to be a pirate, attacking and ransacking ships as soon as I was able to understand what I was doing. After my father retired, I took over and formed a rather formidable crew, we were looking at coming up with an agreement with Zaran II when I shot and killed a Klingon diplomat." He ran a hand through his hair, "that is why I carry my disruptor everywhere, I'm not skilled with a phaser, but I've known how to use disruptors since I could hold one."

"Anyway, back to the pirates. They'll come because they want a piece of the action. They probably also will try and ransack the ship, claiming to come as diplomats or ambassadors."

Figueroa groaned and let out a heavy sigh. "Pirates" she said shaking her head. "Why does it have to be damn pirates" continued the woman. "I've dealt with pirates in the past, not Rigelians, but pirates nonetheless. Thank you for being forward about this information, I will be ready for these unwelcomed guests" said the Captain.

"They're mine." Vic said, "I'll deal with them myself, no one else needs to be involved." He pulled his disruptor and smirked.

She nodded understanding his personal vendetta. Who was she to argue with that? Fig had it out for the Klingons, especially one in particular. "Look, I am not one to sit here and argue about cowboy diplomacy, but so long as you are on my starship, this becomes my problem to deal with" the Captain quipped.

Fig grumbled. "I have a crew aboard this starship that I am held accountable for" she said looking his squarely in the eyes. "You get yourself killed, fine. Get anyone else on this crew killed and it will be your career" she said firmly.

"No one is getting killed except some pirates." Vic muttered, "I know what I'm doing, and I'm also responsible for this crew too."

"Yes" she said simply. "Yes, I suppose that you are responsible for this crew. Pirates are pests, nothing more nothing less. You may deal with them if they get in the way, but we are not going to kill anyone unnecessarily" said the Captain. "Frankly, I have bigger fish to fry" she added.

"Yes ma'am." Vic said, running a hand through his hair.

She looked at him and shook her head disapprovingly. "Never ma'am" she said quietly sternly. "Not a fan of it. Sir will do just fine" added the Captain sharply as she thought of the many times she was belittled in Starfleet because of her sex. It was the 23rd century and though the vast majority accepted people equally, there were some who seemed stuck in the Victorian period.

The Captain looked at her First Officer. The man had been assigned to her as Chief Engineer, but she needed an XO and appointed him on a whim. A whim that I am starting to regret she thought privately as the thoughts of having a former pirate as the ship's second in command weighed on her. "Thank you for informing me. Now, I think it is best that we get to work immediately, Commander" finished the Captain as she stood up and gestured towards the door.