Chapter 3

"I read your article about the Draco incident," said Captain Thorpe as he led Sherene from the turbolift. "Very descriptive, but I don't think you quite captured my full involvement."

"I would have liked to have interviewed you at the time," Sherene said, following the First Officer up the stairs. She didn't have clearance to be in Starbase 1's Operations Centre, but Thorpe didn't want to be too far away from his post, so he was taking her to the briefing room behind Ops. "I just couldn't get authorisation from Starfleet in time, and needed to get the article out fast."

"I suppose so," said Thorpe. "Slow news is no news." He chuckled at his own joke. "I like the name of the newscast too - The Icebreaker. Seems appropriate for these articles about the staff."

Upon reaching the upper level, he opened a door for her. Sherene bowed her antennae in thanks and entered. She had opted to wear a "smart-casual" tunic and pants, to show that she was professional but approachable, and she hoped that it showed.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"'Icebreaker' is a Human expression meaning a conversation-starter," explained Thorpe. "To get to know someone better."

"Oh. On Andoria, it means 'big news.' Like, if a story's so huge, it literally breaks the ice when it lands."

Thorpe nodded and gestured to the long table, inviting Sherene to sit. "I guess we're both learning a lot today."

Moving to the table, Sherene said, "That's why I want to write about you, and the others; to learn more about the people running Starbase One."

"It's a great idea. So, what do you want to know?" Thorpe asked as he took a seat at the head of the table.

Sherene sat down next to him, placing her recording padd down between them. "All about you, of course," she said to the Human. He had seemed quite eager to be questioned for her article - sure to be a must-read across the Andorian Empire, and probably some Earth territories too - so Sherene thought it advantageous to play to his ego.

Predictably, Thorpe reacted well to this, leaning back in his chair with a big grin. "Ah, where to begin?"

Sherene activated the padd's voice-to-text program and said, "How about why you joined Starfleet?"

"Now that is an interesting tale," said Thorpe, looking into the distance, satisfied with himself. "You see, I'm from Alpha Centauri Three…"

"That was the first Human colony outside your home system, right?"

"Actually that was Terra Nova. But the Alpha Centauri system is the closest to Sol."

Sherene nodded. She'd have to do some research into Human history if she were to be reporting on them more often.

Thorpe leaned forward onto the table, animatedly starting a story. "You see, Humans had always looked to Alpha Centauri as a potential colony for years before we had warp drive, but when we made first contact with the Vulcans they told us that they had already surveyed the system and none of the planets were habitable, which crushed that dream.

"About fifty years later though, there was an expedition from Earth to terraform some of the worlds of the Centauri system, led by Zefram Cochrane."

That was a name Sherene was familiar with. "The Human who invented the transporter," she said confidently.

"Uh, no," Thorpe said with a smirk. "He invented warp drive."

"Right," Sherene said. She really needed to do that research.

"Anyway, as if revolutionising space travel wasn't enough, Doctor Cochrane helped to start up the first Centauran colonies. They called him 'Cochrane of Alpha Centauri,' in the same vein as 'Scott of the Antarctic' or 'Lawrence of Arabia' - he wasn't from there but he became famously associated with the place."

Sherene didn't recognise the other two names, but nodded along.

"Sadly, he left soon after, never to be seen again, but the planets of the system continued his work and eventually founded their own independent government from Earth. Growing up, Cochrane was always a personal hero of mine for that pioneering spirit."

"And that's what inspired you to join Starfleet?" Sherene asked.

Thorpe grinned. "Yeah. There's a Centauran space force, but it's mostly focused on local defence and limited research. I wanted to be out there pushing the limits of the final frontier, like Cochrane did."

"Would you say that you've achieved that goal?"

Thorpe's grin now faded slightly. "Well, I've spent most of my career close to home. First, working security at the Proxima Shipyards, then doing a few tours on patrol or survey vessels." His satisfied expression started to return. "Now I'm out here at the edge of explored space though. I finally made it to the frontier."

Sherene smiled but felt Thorpe was being ungrateful. She wished Threv had a posting so close to home. She would make the best of the current situation though, for the sake of the bondgroup. That was why she had thought up these interviews; to show an interest in her new locality.

It also didn't hurt her journalism prospects that she had exclusive access to the prominent starbase and its staff.

"Your father is an important member of the Alpha Centauri government, isn't he?" Sherene asked. She had done a little research on Thorpe himself. "How does he feel about your posting to Earth's first starbase?"

Thorpe sighed and took on a stern aspect. "I'd rather not talk about my father if that's alright."

Sherene gave a lopsided grin. "You shouldn't say something so intriguing to a reporter, Captain."

Thorpe chuckled humourlessly. "Let's just say I prefer to keep my father's career separate from mine."

"He was among the first colonists to settle the Alpha Centauri system, right?" Sherene continued to pry.

"Yes," Thorpe said. "Him and my mother. He's helped to maintain good relations with United Earth over the years. That's why he was elected Foreign Secretary, I guess." His tone was brusque.

"Sounds like something to be proud of."

"Family can just be… complicated sometimes."

Try having four parents and twelve in-laws, thought Sherene.

Thorpe glanced out the window that looked down into Ops.

"I better get back to my duties," he said abruptly.

Sherene started to protest, as she had a few more questions, but Thorpe got up and wordlessly opened the door for her.

"Thanks for your time," she said dejectedly. She deactivated her padd and made for the exit.

She clearly still had a lot to learn about how to handle interviews, especially on sensitive topics. Maybe the next one would last longer.