Chapter 2

I had a conference call scheduled for the senior staff once we were underway and 2 hours from Earth. It would mostly consist of strategic talk and correlating intelligence on several levels. And then there were the study requests...Most of these consisted of 'look at stellar phenomena/planetary body at x and y and describe why it is special and what is so special about it.' type requests Sometimes these were interesting, especially when you were dealing with stuff that led to more archeological type investigations, but in general I left most of the science stuff to the science department.

I considered myself shocked when I found a small mix of tactical and engineering study requests at the bottom of the list. Oh, don't get me wrong, I wasn't shocked that the study requests were there, I had fully expected them to be there. I was shocked about what they were asking us to research, and I was pretty certain the command crew would have a few doubts about this study request as well.

"Come to a working solution with regards to the implementation and adaptation of older technology slug throwers and assorted tactics in relation to small units." I whispered the last phrase of the request to myself..I started wondering who had come up with that idea and had worded it like that as well.

My thoughts were interrupted by the door to conference room opening. My command staff was arriving. Fortunately they all arrived together, saving me the hassle of having to salute them one by one as they came in.

I also caught a few bits and pieces of a rather animated conversation that had been going between the chief of Security who was Bolian and the Executive officer, who was from Andoria.

"It's semantics Begeroh. A game is not a simulation like we use for training. A game like that tactical game you were playing is more intended as a way to make the brain think of something else then the daily grind. A true simulation would have a lot more demands and requirements on it."

I managed to suppress a chuckle as Begeroh seemed to have more then a little trouble resisting the urge to face palm. "That isn't what I meant. What I meant is that these so called entertainment games are light simulations, meant to entice people to think outside the box, just like we do."

Takerra gave a shrug "So?"

"In times like these we really need to do what the humans call 'thinking outside the box' It's not easy for some species, whereas some like the pinkskins do it almost naturally. If this stuff can help me do my work better.." Begeroh answered.

Takerra didn't answer. Instead she took the seat to my left and start to skim over the padd that contained the mission details and study requests. I noticed a slight raising of her left eyebrow, not unlike a certain famous Vulcan science officer would have done. Somewhat further down the row of seats I heard a chuckle. Begeroh seemed to be a shoe in to both lead and conduct that study.

Denam Tahr was the other Andorian on the staff. He shared that duty with Kenahov, one of the many Klingons that had elected to serve in Starfleet instead of the KDF. Kenahov was a bit more withdrawn, through sheer misfortune he had faced his fellow Klingons during the war. His file jacket mentioned that he had received counseling and seemed to thrive when switched to an engineering track. The change seemed to suit him. And yet, there was something indescribable inside that Klingon that waited to be let out. I hoped I wasn't going to be around when that certain something went off.

From the far end of the room, Ozloe came in. An unjoined Betazed, She held both the posts of ships doctor and Chief Science officer. Ozloe was another of those quiet types who would quickly study available data before finding appropriate theories and reporting on those when asked. Ozloe and I got along well, but the difference in me not having science training was telling at times.

I glanced around the conference room briefly. They were all present. "Since everybody is here, might I suggest we start?" Their respective eyes were soon focused on me. "We have a lot of stuff to discuss."

I could only hope that the meeting wouldn't last as long as the one we had held before we went into the Delta quadrant. And that study….I had already figured that both Takerra and Begeroh would be part of that study on slug throwers and small unit tactics. It remained to be seen how the two of them would react to me being the overseer...

In the meantime, in the Badlands..

"Transition complete." As both the helm and science stations confirmed we were through safely the breath that I was holding escaped my lungs. We were through the dimensional transporter unharmed and undamaged, ready for a certain mission, and a lot of trouble that was certain to come our way. I looked in the direction of the master tactical display and the Lieutenant-Commander behind it "Anything?"

I heard his fingers race across the keyboard while I watched him looking at some of his own other displays. Not that much later he was ready. "Nothing. Unless there are cloaked ships out there that are watching us now..." I finished the thought for him "And if they have spotted us they would be all over us."

I looked at the helm "Helm, plot a course out of here for the Orellius sector block, half impulse. Sensors, keep an eye out. As soon as you see anything, call it out!" I sat back down in the center seat. Outside in space, the impulse thrusters on the Avenger class battlecruiser flared briefly before she disappeared into the maelstrom of plasma storms and the Orellius sector beyond it where she would cloak until it was time...