Chapter 8: Dock Break, Heart Ache
The tactical officer, Karin Boelin, could hardly believe that the captain already needed to discuss any type of security issue. She'd glanced at the view of Earth on the main view screen as she followed her superior officers to the ready room. Her Great Britain was not shown; it would be night there, now. She smiled to herself, hoping that Kevin was soundly asleep.
She began to regret leaving him with Lisa. Kevin was an extremely bright child; eager to learn, and eager for any Starfleet experience. Had it been that she felt unsafe aboard the Callandor? Had she just wanted him to stay in one place, with one school, and one family? Lisa, Karin thought, was always better at mothering, anyway. She swore she never wanted children, but Karin knew that her sister would be the most able caretaker of her son. She knew, though, that the true reason for leaving Kevin on Earth had been because she did not want him to see her in action, or peril. She was afraid that having him there would affect her duties or her willingness to risk her own life, at all costs, for her crew. And now Riker called her into the ready room, so soon.
Riker took a full breath and began, leaning over his desk but not sitting down. Boelin and Troi both stood as well.
"The details of this mission are very sketchy," Riker announced, "and I don't like it. However, the mission appears to be diplomatic in nature. We are merely a vessel of the peace that the Envoy brings. Still, I will trust my intuition."
"Sir, do you sense immediate danger?" Boelin asked. What a stupid question, she thought. Why would he have me in on this unless it was a question of safety?
"Yes. While I cannot further question Admiral Covey or anyone at Starfleet about the details of this mission, there isn't a rule against being prepared, and I see no harm in it. Boelin, I want you to assemble a small team prepared to respond immediately."
"Is there anything specific we should train for? Anything to be suspicious of?"
"That's your job," he grinned, "be suspicious. Pick five people, no one else from the senior staff. Tell them what you need, but no one outside of your task force."
"Yes, Sir."
"Counselor," Riker turned to Troi, "you and Lieutenant al'Vere have a similar assignment. Be on the lookout for suspicious behavior once the Envoy arrives. And do not limit that suspicion to members outside of our crew. I'm not trying to create paranoia here, but a safe environment will ensure the success of this mission."
"Yes, Captain," Troi replied.
"Lieutenant," he addressed Karin Boelin, "I want the names of those officers on your team. You are dismissed."
"Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir." Too many 'sirs,' she reprimanded herself, exiting.
Riker looked at his Imzadi.
"I'd like for you to interact more with our rather odd doctor," he asked. "See what your instincts and abilities tell you. And… I would like to ask you to dinner."
"I will gladly perform both duties," Deanna responded, her tone warm. "I will see you at dinner, and let you know how things go with Dr. Lawenhauer."
"Good."
She sensed his pride in her; not just a personal pride and affection, but a professional pride as well. Knowing how important duty was to Riker, Deanna felt honored.
"Also, I'd like to mention that my assistant and I are planning a concert for our first social activity. It will take place just after we embark…" she raised her eyebrows, and he knew she was about to ask him a favor. "I would like for you to play trombone."
"What?" Riker's eyes widened.
"The crew must know you're not just an officer, but a kind person. A lot of the crew seem to find you… unapproachable."
"That's ridiculous, I—"
"You intimidate them, Will. Please perform at this concert."
He nodded. "I'll work on it. Now you are dismissed," he tried holding back a smile as she walked back onto the Bridge.
The tactical officer, Karin Boelin, could hardly believe that the captain already needed to discuss any type of security issue. She'd glanced at the view of Earth on the main view screen as she followed her superior officers to the ready room. Her Great Britain was not shown; it would be night there, now. She smiled to herself, hoping that Kevin was soundly asleep.
She began to regret leaving him with Lisa. Kevin was an extremely bright child; eager to learn, and eager for any Starfleet experience. Had it been that she felt unsafe aboard the Callandor? Had she just wanted him to stay in one place, with one school, and one family? Lisa, Karin thought, was always better at mothering, anyway. She swore she never wanted children, but Karin knew that her sister would be the most able caretaker of her son. She knew, though, that the true reason for leaving Kevin on Earth had been because she did not want him to see her in action, or peril. She was afraid that having him there would affect her duties or her willingness to risk her own life, at all costs, for her crew. And now Riker called her into the ready room, so soon.
Riker took a full breath and began, leaning over his desk but not sitting down. Boelin and Troi both stood as well.
"The details of this mission are very sketchy," Riker announced, "and I don't like it. However, the mission appears to be diplomatic in nature. We are merely a vessel of the peace that the Envoy brings. Still, I will trust my intuition."
"Sir, do you sense immediate danger?" Boelin asked. What a stupid question, she thought. Why would he have me in on this unless it was a question of safety?
"Yes. While I cannot further question Admiral Covey or anyone at Starfleet about the details of this mission, there isn't a rule against being prepared, and I see no harm in it. Boelin, I want you to assemble a small team prepared to respond immediately."
"Is there anything specific we should train for? Anything to be suspicious of?"
"That's your job," he grinned, "be suspicious. Pick five people, no one else from the senior staff. Tell them what you need, but no one outside of your task force."
"Yes, Sir."
"Counselor," Riker turned to Troi, "you and Lieutenant al'Vere have a similar assignment. Be on the lookout for suspicious behavior once the Envoy arrives. And do not limit that suspicion to members outside of our crew. I'm not trying to create paranoia here, but a safe environment will ensure the success of this mission."
"Yes, Captain," Troi replied.
"Lieutenant," he addressed Karin Boelin, "I want the names of those officers on your team. You are dismissed."
"Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir." Too many 'sirs,' she reprimanded herself, exiting.
Riker looked at his Imzadi.
"I'd like for you to interact more with our rather odd doctor," he asked. "See what your instincts and abilities tell you. And… I would like to ask you to dinner."
"I will gladly perform both duties," Deanna responded, her tone warm. "I will see you at dinner, and let you know how things go with Dr. Lawenhauer."
"Good."
She sensed his pride in her; not just a personal pride and affection, but a professional pride as well. Knowing how important duty was to Riker, Deanna felt honored.
"Also, I'd like to mention that my assistant and I are planning a concert for our first social activity. It will take place just after we embark…" she raised her eyebrows, and he knew she was about to ask him a favor. "I would like for you to play trombone."
"What?" Riker's eyes widened.
"The crew must know you're not just an officer, but a kind person. A lot of the crew seem to find you… unapproachable."
"That's ridiculous, I—"
"You intimidate them, Will. Please perform at this concert."
He nodded. "I'll work on it. Now you are dismissed," he tried holding back a smile as she walked back onto the Bridge.