New Assignments
Tilly reached blindly for the ringing alarm on the bedside console, slapping multiple times at the table to shut the noise off but never quite hitting the reset button. AB threw a pillow in the cadet's direction. "Make it stop, this is my day off and I intended to get plenty of beauty sleep."
Groaning Tilly silenced the chronometer. Cracking open one eye she checked the time and then sat up suddenly which she instantly regretted. She cradled her aching head in her palms, "Oh damn, damn, damn. I am late for a meeting with Number One."
AB got out of bed and fished through their closet for a fresh uniform. "This is bad. Captain Pike might overlook it, but the XO is a stickler for punctuality."
"Who in their right mind schedules meetings at 5:30am?" Tilly asked in an annoyed tone.
"Welcome to Enterprise where all the senior officers except for Boyce and Louvier are early birds." AB replied knowingly. "What time did we get back from the parties last night?"
"4:00 this morning." Tilly said as she tried to tame her hair. "Pixie is still MIA."
"Typical, but she's not missing in action, she's WIAQ, waking in another's quarters." AB responded distractedly. When she returned from the closet she admonished, "No, no, leave it down it's not worth the extra time," AB thrust the uniform at Tilly, "just get dressed. And hurry!"
Tilly paced nervously outside the XO's office as she waited for permission to enter. After ten minutes Una called, "Come." She continued reading from her PADD as Tilly crept timidly into the room and towards the chair to the right of the officer.
"Stay standing Cadet," Una ordered sternly. "When we are through, please diagnosis and fix the clocks on deck 11, as I assume you are not late due to your own negligence."
"Yes ma'am … I mean sir. I guarantee the repairs will be speedy and permanent."
"Excellent, I will hold you to that commitment." Una looked up and held Tilly's gaze for a couple of minutes. When Tilly didn't flinch or look away Una added, "You may sit."
The XO's expression softened. "You will have heard through the grapevine Enterprise and more specifically Captain Pike does not accept cadet assignments to the ship. That is one rumor which is true."
"Why, sir?"
Una hesitated before replying, "His reasons are his own."
Well now I have to know, to find out why. Tilly thought to herself before responding, "Yes, sir."
"Yet you have been singled out and granted the rare privilege of serving on board the flagship for your three month internship. I expect you to use this opportunity wisely and for your comportment to always be appropriate and by the book. Your professors have noted your tendency to ramble and your too frequent impulsive actions."
"Yes sir."
"I will serve as your training officer."
Oh, that is both scary and … so cool! Tilly thought. Commander Una is such a badass. But why would the XO give her very limited time to a cadet? Normally I would be assigned to an ensign or lieutenant. "Why you?" she asked bluntly.
Una stifled a snicker. This precocious young woman is so like I was, and according to Chris, still am at times. "Why me what, Cadet?"
"Why you, sir."
"That's better. You won't remember, but we met during your freshman orientation at the Academy. I was impressed with your intelligence, skill and passion, and I followed your progress during the past four years."
Tilly experienced an infrequent moment of speechlessness. One of the best regarded officers in the fleet, the first woman to serve as XO on the flagship, took an interest in my education? In my career? In me?
Una smiled warmly. "You can have a brilliant career. I am offering to be your mentor along the way. That is why I asked Captain Pike, despite his hesitations, to give you this opportunity." OK, maybe I didn't exactly ask him, Una reminded herself.
"Oh, yes sir, thank you sir." Tilly whispered afraid she would start babbling and ruin the moment."
"When it's just the two of us, you may call me Una."
"Thank you, sir … oh sorry."
Number One laughed and said, "I know it feels unnatural at the moment, but you will get used to calling an officer by her name," and then she continued in a serious tone, "I have high expectations, make sure you live up to them. We may not have the opportunity to speak directly every day, but I will expect a list of questions from you every evening. And you may seek me out when needed."
"Oh, you will definitely regret that, I ask a lot of questions!" Tilly exclaimed. Una was pleased to see her relax.
"Hmm, we will see if you can match Lieutenant Spock when it comes to asking questions. I'm due on the bridge soon and we have two more items to discuss. First, because you expressed interest in the command training program, I am assigning you to serve as a part-time yeoman to Captain Pike. Report to Lieutenant Colt tomorrow at 5:00am, she will supervise that work. Chief Louvier has adjusted your engineering schedule to accommodate this."
"Really, interact directly with the Captain? Me?" Tilly asked hesitantly.
"When Colt feels you are ready, yes. Second, given the unpredictability of our current mission, Captain Pike insisted you are given the opportunity to choose a different assignment on another ship." Before Tilly could respond, Una waved her off and continued, "Not because he doubts your abilities. Rather … this is the flagship; we are often face dangerous situations and can be sent far from home space at a moment's notice. This three month internship could unexpectedly become a yearlong commitment. Could put you in the middle of a battle. Are you prepared for that? If not, the Captain will facilitate whatever assignment you ask for."
"I want to stay here," Tilly answered immediately.
"Think about it overnight. Talk to your family and friends. Give me your final decision tomorrow." Una replied. "Any questions?"
Tilly shook her head.
"Very well. You are dismissed."
ooooo
Michael controlled her need to squirm as she sat in the ready room across the desk from Captain Pike. The first and second officers were also in the room. Pike let Una and Bengsston ask the questions while he sat quietly, observing; elbows propped on the desk with his chin resting on clasped hands.
Isak spoke next, "The last time we acted on information from one of your agents," he emphasized the word, distaste and mistrust evident in his tone of voice, "Enterprise was nearly destroyed and I lost a security officer."
"That is regrettable. As Captain Leland says, espionage is not an exact science." Michael responded.
The Security Chief harrumphed and muttered, "Leland can go to the ninth circle of hell and stay there."
"What confirmation do you have that the Tholians have shared their advanced warp technology with the Romulans?" Una asked.
"We don't have a secondary confirmation. Just the one report," Michael answered.
"That means …" Una stopped when Pike shook his head slightly.
"Section 31 also believes the Tholians have given the Romulans their webbing containment fields. At the moment, neither Starfleet nor Section 31 ships have a defense against it." Michael had withheld that piece of information from Number One last night. If eyes could shoot daggers, Michael's heart would be pierced; instead Una glared at her.
"I will not tolerate another omission from you Lieutenant Commander. When you are instructed to brief my XO or Security Chief, you will give them a complete report." Pike warned.
"But I was …"
Pike stared at her.
"But, sir. I was told to share that information with you only." Michael retorted annoyed.
"My ship, my rules. What do you believe the Tholians have received in exchange for the propulsion and weapon technologies?"
"Territory concessions, including a system with a robust dilithium mine."
Una and Isak inhaled sharply. Isak spoke for them both. "That solves their supply problems. Which is worrying."
Pike looked thoughtful, as if he was considering the next move. "Commander Burnham will remain on board Enterprise as our liaison to Section 31 and Captain Leland." He held up a hand to quell his officers' protests. "She will report directly to the two of you." The look in his eyes shut down Michael's objection. "That will be all Commander Burnham, go make your report to your superiors."
Now alone, the Enterprise officers spent a few minutes digesting the possibilities.
"That means …" Una started concern lacing her tone of voice.
"Even with our retrofit, the Tholian and now the Romulan battle cruisers may be faster than Enterprise." Pike finished. "When does Discovery join our mission group?"
"Tomorrow afternoon." Una answered.
"That experimental spore drive may prove invaluable. Arrange a tour and briefing for the three of us. Isak, I looked at their crew manifest. It's a science ship and their security department is inexperienced. I'll want your evaluation of that and their tactical capabilities."
"Yes sir. I'll contact Captain Saru."
"Number One increase speed to warp 5 and relay that order to the other ships joining us at the neutral zone. That's all." Pike concluded.
Neither Una nor Bengsston rose from their seats. The Captain sighed. "Go ahead. Speak freely."
Una led off, "I don't trust her. Section 31 may have given Burnham a shiny new badge, but she should be serving her sentence, not pardoned."
Isak nodded his agreement.
"Philippa is my friend as well. It's personal for me too." Pike responded. "But, for now, I need insight into Leland's plans and whatever parallel operations Section 31 is initiating. Isak, it's time to have the operative Leland has been running on Enterprise escorted off the ship. In a manner that sends a clear and loud message to Section 31. I'll leave the arrangements to you."
ooooo
"Come," Spock said in answer to the chime. He rose to greet his visitor.
Pike entered the science officer's quarters and smiled at the young Vulcan.
Spock gestured to a nearby chair, "Please sit Captain."
Best get straight to it, Pike thought. "I have asked Commander Burnham to remain on board for a few weeks. I am sorry for the discomfort this will cause you."
"I understand sir, and I thank you for delivering this information personally."
The silence that followed felt heavy. Pike spoke first, "She will not be granted access to the bridge. And I will do my best to prevent, or at the very least, to limit your interactions."
"That is … appreciated but unnecessary sir. I serve you and Enterprise. Any personal feelings or … distress is secondary to that commitment." Spock replied with sincerity.
"You are …," Pike started and then rose to leave. "Thank you. Come directly to me with concerns, at any time."
As he neared the door Spock added, "Sir, please be wary. My sister is unpredictable and overly confident in her assessments. I have no doubts she is capable of repeating her egregious actions from the Shenzhou."
Pike turned to face his officer. "Duly noted," he said and then left.
Spock resolved to double his efforts to, as the crew put it, 'have his Captain's back', as he knew best of all how dangerous his sister could be. He then decided to seek out Number One and the Security Chief to share his apprehensions.
