Chapter 14:
Rank and File
"Tuvok to Team Sigma, please acknowledge," says Tuvok over the comm. badge.
Picard keys her insignia.
"Picard here. Go ahead,"
"Cadet Picard assemble Team Sigma in the ready room at 14:00,"
"Understood commander, Picard out,"
An hour later Tuvok is in the ready room as Kirk, Picard and Worf arrive together.
"Sir, Spock and Riker are off ship and are en route to return to the Enterprise," says Picard.
"Very well," says Tuvok. "Please take a seat."
Kirk, Picard and Worf take adjacent seats to Tuvok.
"Cadets, each of you are hereby promoted to the rank of bridge officers," states Tuvok.
Kirk and Picard exchange glances.
"Your first task is to assist in the operational readiness of the Enterprise-A," says Tuvok.
"Cadet Kirk, you are hereby promoted to acting captain of the Enterprise-A. However, in accordance with Starfleet officer protocol, Cadet Picard has ascertained the rank of Commander and therefore outranks you," says Commander Tuvok.
"Uhhh...I don't quite understand, sir?" says Kirk confused. "I'm the captain, but she out ranks me?"
"Acting captain, yes; she out ranks you, yes," replies back Tuvok.
"My father had something to do with this!" protests Picard.
"This is not a discussion commander,"
"Off course not, sir," cynically replies Picard.
"How is that going to work?" asks Kirk.
"As I stated before, according to Starfleet protocol, Commander Picard outranks you. However, as acting captain of the Enterprise, she and all crewmembers of the Enterprise-A must follow your orders and serve under your command in order to complete the mission. Under section 107.9 an enlisted bridge officer can be at any time promoted to any rank including that of captain in the event of emergency or war. Your command of the Enterprise is temporary and contingent on the successful outcome of the assigned missions."
Tuvok activates a large display viewer. A detailed interactive map of Federation space is displayed on the screen. Enterprise is depicted as her insignia.
"NCC-1701-A, U.S.S. Enterprise's first mission is to safely escort the United Cargo Freighter Leviathan on a supply run. U.S.S. Enterprise will rendezvous the U.C.F. Leviathan currently stationed at Star Base 375 and escort her into sector 3-0-9. Leviathan under escort will rendezvous with the U.S.S. Gallant and deliver all cargo aboard the both ships to the Gallant."
The interactive map zooms out to depict the locations of the Enterprise and Starbase 375 in reference to sector 3-0-9 and the Gallant.
"That is just a stone's throw away from sector 3-1-0," remarks Kirk. "What about the Breen?"
Tuvok zooms the map out further.
"Starfleet command is confident that 3-0-9's proximity from 3-1-0 is distant enough to avoid any direct engagement with the Breen. Once Enterprise and Leviathan have completed the transfer of cargo to the Gallant you are to immediately escort Leviathan out of sector 3-0-9 and return to Star Base 375."
A blue trail emerges from the insignia and crosses the map ending at a region designated Jajor.
"To conceal your warp signature you enter the Jajor nebula."
"The Jajor Nebula?" quips Kirk.
"Yes, the Jajor Nebula is one of only a few known nebulae that contain tectryon particles. The Enterprise and the Leviathan will enter the Jajor Nebula in order to acquire residual tetryon particles that will adhere to the hulls of both ships inhibiting their warp signatures for a temporary period of time,"
"Interesting," remarks Picard.
"Indeed commander. Enterprise will then reverse course and warp jump to Starbase 375 to further camouflage Enterprise's and Leviathan's movements at which point both ships will make a final warp jump to sector 3-0-9. Enterprise will jump out of warp first and scan the vicinity for Breen presence. If none is detected, Enterprise will signal the Leviathan to exit warp. Enterprise and Leviathan will then rendezvous with the Gallant at the prescribed coordinates,"
"Understood," replies Kirk.
"Dozens of Federation starships and thousands of officers are depending on the arrival of these supplies to sustain the effort,"
Kirk, Picard and Worf nod in unison.
"Once you depart from Star Base 375 with Leviathan under escort, you are to maintain total communications silence,"
Tuvok faces Kirk.
"As acting captain of the Enterprise the responsibility for a successful outcome to this mission lies with you,"
"Yes, sir," empathically replies Kirk.
"Very well, this concludes your mission briefing," says Tuvok.
Alexander, Genevieve and Jonathan stand at attention. Tuvok stands up, nods a subtle acknowledgment and takes his leave of the cadets. Alexander then snickers at Genevieve.
"Excuse me!" says Picard.
Alexander quiets down.
"I want to talk to you right now," says Picard to Kirk.
"Oh, this is not going to be fun," remarks Kirk.
"Privately!" demands Picard as she eyes Worf.
"Where?" asks Kirk.
Alexander smiles deviously.
"No need to relocate for private settings..." slyly says Worf. "…I will report to the bridge, acting captain."
Jonathan nods in acknowledgment and Alexander takes his leave and makes his way to the bridge, leaving Jonathan to contend with Genevieve alone.
"Yes," says Kirk.
"You know why you're the 'acting' captain, Jonathan," snaps Picard.
"Permission to speak candidly, granted," sarcastically says Kirk.
"Get over yourself Jonathan," replies Picard.
Kirk scoffs.
"Ok," says Kirk as he makes himself comfortable in a chair. "Well it's clearly not because of my rank,"
Genevieve takes an open chair facing Jonathan.
"No,"
"Look, I'm sorry…"
"No you're not," snaps Picard. "'You want command just as badly as I do,' you said that yourself."
Kirk subtly nods.
"The difference is that you left the moment the Enterprise needed you," states Picard.
"I figured I just stay out of the way," replies Kirk.
"And now they just hand her to you on a silver platter," says Picard as she throws her hands into the air in disgust.
"Genevieve I wouldn't deliberately take away the Enterprise from you, I know how much she means to you," says Kirk.
"Then?" exclaims Picard.
"It's because of your father. Admiral Picard," says Kirk.
Picard turns her head away in pain from Kirk's statement.
"I don't understand," says Kirk. "Why would he deny you a chance at command?"
"Because he is scared," bluntly replies Picard. "He's scared that if something goes wrong on this mission or any other mission with me in command that he will get the blowback. It's his way of mitigating the risk of me tarnishing his reputation. I guess Klingon's aren't the only ones worrying about the 'dishonouring' the family name."
"So I'm captain, just in case there is a screw-up!" says Kirk. "Huh."
"No, you're in command because when you do screw-up, they fry a Kirk not a Picard," states Picard.
"Very encouraging," remarks Kirk.
"Sorry but it is the truth," replies Picard. "In any case, the Enterprise will be fully operational and ready for active duty."
"And better than ever," optimistically says Kirk.
"So it would seem," replies Picard.
"Look, you'll make a great captain," states Picard
Jonathan smiles with optimism, "Thank you,"
"Just not as good as me," adds Picard.
Jonthan's board smile reshapes to pursed lips. Despite Genevieve's sentiment, Jonathan enthusiastically slaps the top of his legs and stands up.
"Well my number one; first order of business, show me to my quarters."
Genevieve cringes.
"Don't call me that," warns Picard. "It's Commander Picard to you, sir."
She rolls her eyes as she stands up.
"What?" innocently says Kirk.
"This way," says Picard as she gestures towards the exit.
###
Genevieve and Jonathan arrive on deck 2. She swipes her hand down the biometric panel and the silver metallic doors part to reveal the quarters are full, ceiling to floor, of crates of standard issue Federation rations.
"I guess I'm bunking with you," remarks Kirk.
She cringes again.
###
Genevieve leads Jonathan down a corridor on deck 4. They stand at the entrance as the biometric panel chimes for entry. The doors part with Worf looming at the entrance.
"No!" Grunts Worf.
The doors then suddenly close shut.
"What? Hey? Wait? Open up!" Exclaims Kirk as he tries to pry the doors open with his bare hands.
Genevieve throws her head into her hands in frustration.
"He can't do that, I'm the captain of the ship?" yells Kirk at the tightly sealed titanium doors.
Jonathan then shrugs his shoulders and then smiles again at Genevieve.
"Don't get any ideas Jonathan, you're definitely not staying with me," bluntly states Picard.
Jonathan's broad smile shrinks yet again.
"Don't worry, I've got an idea," says Picard.
Genevieve leads Jonathan out of Turbo Lift 2 as they arrive on Deck 15. They walk a fair distance and notice the ambient humming sound of the warp engines. Genevieve comes up to a secluded quarter door's entrance and chimes. The doors part with Engineer Gates at the entrance.
"Captain!" exclaims Chief Engineer Gates. "Please come in."
Genevieve enters with Jonathan in tow.
"Sir, this is such an honor," exclaims Engineer Gates.
"Kinda dark in here," remarks Kirk.
"I've reduced the ambiance for a more intimate setting."
"Huh?"
"No need to worry, sir. I promise that the female company I entertain will always maintain the modesty of an enlisted Starfleet officer."
Genevieve chuckles to Gate's inference. Jonathan however is angered by Genevieve lack of respect and addresses her with the cold ire formality of a senior officer.
"I am not amused commander,"
Genevieve responds with a cavalier shrug of her shoulders.
Kirk turns back to the Chief Gates. "Thank you chief for the gracious offer to put up the captain of the ship, but I respectfully decline."
"Captain?" exclaims Gates.
Jonathan turns back to Genevieve.
"Commander Picard, have my belongings transferred to the ready room," says Kirk and angrily leaves the quarters.
"What, wait!" exclaims Picard.
In distress, Genevieve quickly follows him out and catches up with him at Turbo Lift 2. When she catches up with him she sees Jonathan is fuming.
"I'm sorry." says Picard.
"Commander, I don't think this is the way to build confidence and respect of the captain with his crew."
"Jonathan, I'm really sorry," says Picard.
"No you're not, commander. You've made it perfectly clear you don't want me in command. That said I have a mission to complete. You'll know where I'll be," snaps Kirk just as the Turbo Lift 2's doors close.