Six Months Ago
Enterprise In Orbit Above the Gileseian Refugee Camps
"Chris, we received another alert this morning," Isak began his morning security briefing. "According to intelligence from Section 31, overnight the militant group occupied two additional camps. They're now poised to overrun the main settlement. Our assets judge that attack is imminent."
"Are they only gathering intelligence or also advising the religious sect behind the militants?"
"Fair point, but unknown. Section 31's motives and actions are always a mystery."
"Someone needs to reign in Section 31 before we have a disaster on our hands," Pike noted in a tone of voice edged with frustration and annoyance. "Go on."
Isak cast a three-dimension map between them. "The militants' strategy is obvious; they've been consolidating power in the smaller camps ringing the main settlement which, after last night, is now encircled. Once they control the main settlement, all the remaining outlying camps will fall into line, then the militants, and their backers, become the de facto Gileseian government. Captain, the aid workers here are defenseless."
Pike considered his security chief. They had served together many years, enduring every type of danger, sometimes undertaking missions few would admit to even if they could. The switch from first name to rank was an unspoken request. "I've poked more holes through the boundaries set by the Federation's Gileseian policy than I should have with aid deliveries and repairs to the infrastructure in the main camp. You know we can't intervene."
Isak straightened, accentuating his six-foot six-inch stature. If his blonde hair were unbound from its leather strip, he would be the picture of a warrior god from Asgard, a human incarnation of the great protector Thor. "Our policy is criminal. We're abandoning a people in need because their enemies are more strategically significant. Just what the hell does the Federation stand for?
"Sit Isak." Pike gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "We aren't perfect. With the Klingon cold war simmering hot after the recent border skirmishes and rumors circulating the Tholians are paying immigrants to commit acts of terror, politicians are responding to loud demands for security and safety. The pendulum has swung to protecting strategic interests over other considerations and to closing our borders. It won't swing back in a day. And certainly not after rash action."
"Do you believe the rumors?"
Pike closed the map and sat opposite the security officer. "No. I think it's a disinformation campaign, most likely by a state agent, designed to drive Federation policy in their favor." He sighed. "And it's working."
"Any candidates?" Isak queried.
"Only unsupported suspicions," was the vague answer.
Isak knew his commander well, if Pike was unwilling to give voice to his conjecture no amount of prompting would change his mind.
Pike continued, "If we intervene, the likely outcome is the militants will still take over but resort to increasingly violent tactics. Or we will embroil the Gileseians in a civil war. To most it looks like the problems can be solved by feeding and housing the refugees, but you and I know it's more complicated than that."
Isak harumphed. "Knowing it does not equate to liking it. Just once I want to announce …" he thundered out the rest, "Do as we say or quake before the mighty power of Enterprise!"
Pike snorted. "Perhaps we won't give you the conn for the next few weeks."
"I know we weren't briefed on the true mission objectives, and by the time you realized what was being orchestrated it was too late to reverse or even minimize the damage and its consequences; but … Chris, our team helped sow the seeds which created the events causing the Gileseian government to fall and leading to their exile," Isak said in a soft voice. Their mutual regret hung heavily in the air.
"Yes," Pike acknowledged. His eyes held a faraway look. Then he shook his head and signaled the bridge. "There is one thing I can do," he stated decisively before ordering, "Has Number One returned to the ship? No? Then have her locate the camp's administrator and escort him on board. I want them in my ready room in ten minutes."
Isak stood, "There is something I can do as well. With your permission I'll beam down and review the local security arrangements with the camp's constable and assist him with tightening their defenses."
"Granted. And send a team to look after our folks, just in case. Remind everyone we leave orbit in four hours. Oh, and Isak, this is why I believe the Varian mission to be important. If we can establish a base for resupply in that sector and maintain a permanent task group there, say fifteen to twenty ships, the galactic strategic calculations will shift which may pave the way for a change in Federation policy towards the Gileseian refugees."
The security chief grinned, "There's my idealistic friend. And by the way, remind me never to play chess with you."
"You know I am terrible at chess," Pike countered.
Isak shot his Captain a knowing look. "Only because you expose your king in order to protect all other pieces, queen to pawns," he replied.
ooooo
Brad reiterated his stance, "Captain, I will explain your offer to the rest of the aid workers. Fairly and without influence. But I do not intend to leave. We are non-governmental workers providing humanitarian aid and protected from harm by centuries of precedent."
"Those protections are not present in all cultures," Una reminded the main camp's administrator.
"And as I have explained, this is a credible threat," Pike added emphasizing the potential danger. "Enterprise can evacuate any personnel except for Gileseian citizens. Please take me up on this; your lives may be at risk. Retreat until it is safe to return, or until you can find another way to help these people."
Brad shook his head and stated firmly, "I won't abandon them."
Pike tried once more. "Your commitment and dedication are admirable. It is the reason Enterprise gave aid and sent repair teams. But others need you too. And you can't help anyone if you are imprisoned ... or worse."
"Captain, I appreciate everything you and your crew have done, truly I do, as well as this offer. And I think you understand why I am unwilling to leave these people. If the worst comes, perhaps I can act as an intermediary and prevent bloodshed."
Pike looked to Una who raised an eyebrow and then shook her head slightly.
"Very well. Commander Una will return with you. Make use of her. Anyone choosing to evacuate should report to her within three hours," Pike said in dismissal.
One thing left to do before preparing to leave orbit. Pike signaled his Yeoman, "Mia, please escort our guest to my ready room."
ooooo
Aalin was curled up on the comfortable sofa in the VIP quarters, nestled in a soft fluffy robe, feeling a twinge of guilt she had the luxury of a hot shower plus a replicator and her fellow aid workers did not.
Now that my decision is made it's time to get dressed, tell Pike, and get back to my kids at the school.
The decision had been easy, in spite of the charming Captain. Though a couple of doubts kept nudging at her.
Why, why do I keep questioning my choice?
A senior Captain could have drafted you if he deemed the mission of vital importance to Federation security. Not even an Admiral possesses that power. Aalin knew all the nuances of the Articles of Federation and its companion constitution. She and her siblings had been drilled on it at dinner once a week by their father, via video link if he or they were away from home. Yet, Pike didn't compel me. Instead he asked, taking the time to make his case. Which felt like recognition from him that my work at the school is of value.
Why would his opinion matter to me?
She took time for carefully considering that question.
Because of his integrity.
He bent the rules, practically to the breaking point, helping the refuges risking his position and his career.
To be fair, they aren't going to lightly toss out the commander of the flagship. Pike would have to burn down the Federation Council building … with the Ambassadors inside, she added for emphasis, to be stripped of his command. He is too well-regarded and wields too much influence to be lightly tossed aside.
Though I doubt the specter of punishment would have altered Pike's choices. He saw need, knew he had the capacity to make a difference, and found a way. With his actions he demonstrated the Gileseians were no less consequential than whatever military base the Federation is seeking. His actions grant the Varian mission credibility.
That's it. A man of his character wouldn't make this request on a whim. Or simply because he had been given orders. So you shouldn't dismiss his appeal out of anger towards Federation policy. After all you aren't qualified to judge military strategies.
And if he believes you can do this, perhaps you can.
There were no more doubts. As Aalin finished dressing the door chimed. "Come."
"Ma'am the Captain is ready to see you. Please follow me."
ooooo
If her answer is no, I will use the draft, Chris thought resolutely, I won't allow her to return to the camps, not after this morning's bulletin.
That's a bad tactical move if you want her to like you, his little voice warned.
Oh for heaven's sake, what are you, sixteen? Chris replied to the internal voice then admitted to himself, Though that's not an incorrect assessment …
He reconsidered. OK, I'll explain the need to evacuate, give her a chance to make the right choice, the only choice, and if that doesn't work, I'll invoke the 'necessary resource clause.'
Plan decided, Chris paced the room as he waited.
When the doors opened, he fumbled around his desk, picking up a PADD in an effort to look busy.
"In my experience they work better if you turn them the other way round," Aalin offered helpfully with an amused expression. Her hand brushed his as she stepped nearer to demonstrate.
He wanted to link his arm with hers and keep her close.
"What? Oh." He tossed the PADD back on the desk.
Aalin had changed into jeans and a pale-yellow blouse that accentuated her honey-colored hair, which fell well below her shoulders. The color of her hair wasn't exactly blonde nor exactly brown but rather in between like caramel, and it was lighter than when they first met several months ago. Probably bleached in the harsh sun of this planet, Chris thought as he imagined it blowing in the desert wind. He had remembered her eyes as blue but standing this close saw they were colored with subtle shades of both blue and green, with a golden starburst around the pupils. Oh, damn, I missed what she said.
"I'm … sorry … would you repeat that?" He stammered.
"If you truly believe this mission to Varia is important, and that I can be of help; I'll go. If you promise to bring me back here when the mission is done," Aalin repeated.
"I do. It is important and you will be vital to it," Chris answered. He noticed she had a habit of tilting her head slightly when listening.
Aalin missed that the Captain did not agree to her one demand. "OK, I'll go pack my things."
No, I am not taking any chances, Chris thought. "I still have crew in the camp. One of them can take care of that. Or perhaps your roommate would oblige."
"I want, no, I need to say goodbye to the children. And assure them I am coming back," Aalin stated firmly.
Chris sighed inwardly and toggled the intercom. "Security, Ms. Matthews is returning to the camp. For a brief time," he emphasized flashing Aalin a look clearly communicating this was the extent of his forbearance. "Please send an escort."
"That's hardly necessary," she protested.
"And not negotiable," Pike countered. "Mia will accompany you to the transporter room. And thank you."
Aalin turned to leave and then looked back at Chris with an impish grin, "Just for the record … it wasn't the dimples that sold it."