Commander Richard's thoughts lingered back to his sensor console. Thirty-two ships. There were thirty-two ships... and that was all he could immediately count. They had escaped with their lives. He was grateful for that. Kenyon figured Starfleet would send more vessels, and with Warlord in the lead, they would rout the Dominion before their influence would spread beyond Cardassia. In a million years, he never figured they'd send Warlord in... by itself... especially without her captain... not that he was in much condition to do anything. Still, Commander Kirk seemed so... young, even though he was only a few years younger than himself. When told of their mission, he was forced to admit to himself, he was jealous that Stephen had the nod as the ship's commander. Granted, he had the seniority on the Warlord, but only for five months! Besides, Richards had more starship experience. It wasn't until after the gravity of the situation hit him that he realized he didn't WANT to be the ships commander.
Lieutenant Kelly walked in stunned silence. To him, thirty-two enemy ships was entirely too many guns pointed at one ship, no matter what a computer simulation said. His ship was going to take a pounding. If a computer simulation said they would lose eighty lives, then, more likely, they'll lose more than that. On top of THAT, he thought, we don't even have a captain. Tom had stopped by to see Captain Bolerov before taking his manditory rest. He was unconscious in sickbay. The doctor had been pumping the alchohol from his bloodstream for almost an hour. Doctor Rass hadn't been hopeful to see the captain back in command for awhile, and that was before the admirals confirmed his suspension. His people were going to need him more than he needed to know what was going on with the bridge. "Excuse me, everyone," he said quietly, "I think I'll be better used in engineering." He spun on his heel and headed back down the hall.
Kirk nodded his approval to Kelly as he turned to leave. This certainly wasn't what he wanted. He didn't even want the first officer's position, for crying out loud. Now, ONCE AGAIN, as Stephen takes his ship and charges into a hostile situation with guns blazing, that'll just be one more comparison he'll have to live down. Then... it dawned on him. It was like the wisdom he had wanted to hear during the meeting, but couldn't calm himself enough to listen to. Him, him, him... he had been worrying about himself. Stephen had completely forgotten about the five Federation delegates being held hostage whom he would be sentencing to death by his approach. There was no way he was going to let that happen. There had to be a way to save them.
As the threesome headed to the turbolift that would take them to the bridge, Stephen gently nudged T'Nia with his elbow. She turned to him. "Thanks for the calming voice back there," he offered quietly with a smile.
She nodded slightly and almost smiled. She wanted to tell him how much she valued him as a friend. She wanted to be more encouraging. Despite his many successes, Stephen seemed consumed with his failures, even if they were only perceived by him alone. Unfortunately, with Commander Richards present, T'Nia couldn't convince herself to lower her guard and be Stephen's friend. Commander Kirk's subbordinate was all she could reveal. "You are welcome, Commander."
Richards, feeling somewhat awkward at not remembering anything she said that was 'calming', decided to interject his own comment. "I can't believe we're just supposed to forget about our own people on Cardassia." He shook his head. "As soon as we show up, they'll be killed. That Gelnon guy said it himself." It had been eating at him ever since the meeting, but he couldn't find a reasonable place to fit the comment. The turbolift doors opened and they stepped in.
"Bridge," Stephen announced to the air. The turbolift began to hum as it moved forwards, then up. He turned to Kenyon. "We're not forgetting about our people. We don't leave our people behind." That was more a statement from his Marine days than his Academy days, but it was how he felt. "We're getting them out of there." He added with a look of determination.
Richards' eyes widened a bit with pleasant surprise. He knew the orders. He knew Kirk accepted the orders to their faces. "But... the admiral said..."
"I know what the admiral said," Kirk shot back, cutting him off. "We'll accomplish our mission, but I'm getting those delegates out of there. I'm not really concerned with what happens to the Cardassians, but I'm bringing our people home."
T'Nia, not surprised at all at Stephen's statement, simply raised an eyebrow. Kenyon tilted his head and gave Stephen a skeptical look. "And how are you planning on doing that?"
Kirk's look of determination faded as he twisted his lips and looked away. "Yeah... that's still kind of a black box right now. I'm working on it." Now, they both looked skeptical. "What?"