Three
Stardate 59222.8, March 07, 2388; Earth Space Dock, Earth Orbit
Theus held his breath as he gazed out of the towering transparent aluminum panels, which gave him the most breath-taking view of Earth. Small shuttles zipped pass, and other traffic delivered supplies; as the station was always a hub of activity. It was sunrise on the western hemisphere, giving him the perfect vista as Sol illuminated the North and South American continent. Although he knew it was impossible, he liked to imagine that if he focused hard enough, he could make out the borders of his hometown in Palm Beach, Florida. At least from an overhead orbit. He needed something to take his mind off his frustration, and the thought of the beautiful beaches and warm sun helped slightly.
"Lieutenant Commander Eridos?" A station yeoman asked.
"Yes Ensign?"
"Admiral Harris will see you now." She said and gestured for him to follow.
Theus knew he would have to maintain his deportment when he faced the Admiral, however he was looking forward to being done with formalities to speak his mind. The turbo lift ride was over in no time, and he didn't have to take a seat at the entrance to the Admiral's office before being signaled in. He walked purposefully to her desk, and noticed Commander Williams was standing right behind her. Along with the entire bridge crew of the Bozeman. When he stopped in front of her desk, she stood.
"Attention to orders." She projected and walked around her desk. "Theus Lyon Eridos, in accordance with Starfleet regulations, and for exceptional performance of your duties while serving as the Chief Science Officer on the Torad V expedition for two years, an endeavor that has gone above and beyond the call, it is my pleasure to promote you to the rank of full Commander. Congratulations."
The entire assembly began to clap. Theus was so surprised that he almost forgot his anger. He stood at attention as his hollow pip was removed, and replace with a full silver one. Harris took his hand and shook it briskly while giving him a warm smile. Her long braids and dimples reminding Theus of one of his aunts.
"Thank you all for attending, everyone but Commanders Eridos and Williams i." She said. When they had cleared her office, she looked to Theus. "Commander Eridos, I'm Admiral LaToya Harris, it's nice to finally meet you. Please have a seat." She said.
Theus took the seat and tried to speak but was cut off.
"I understand you must be extremely frustrated. You were pulled from your assignment early, put through quite a stressful ordeal, and just spent the last few weeks in the dark as to why. All while you made your way back here to Earth. To say that you want answers would be quite an understatement."
"It would ma'am." Theus said carefully. "I saw everyone on my bridge dead or maimed. I ordered a man to his death. And suddenly I'm told that it was all a test?!" He didn't hear himself but he was shouting.
"That's correct, Commander." Williams said neutrally.
"Sir…Greg, I understand that Starfleet has some difficult psychological tests, that they are necessary. But I had a very real concussion, and you all risked giving me post-traumatic stress. I'm owed an explanation!"
"I'm afraid he doesn't have one for you Commander, as it was my doing." Harris said. "The commander knows this already, but all Starfleet command level officers must prove that they have the capability of making the hard decisions when necessary. It's the only way you can be promoted."
"And to do this, you devised a test that makes the Kobayashi Maru look like a preflight checklist?!" Theus snapped.
Admiral Harris, for her part, seemed un-phased by the outburst. "That was your last free one, Commander. It's time to collect yourself and move forward."
Theus chided himself and said, "My apologies ma'am. It's just that I have no idea what is going on. Why am I being kept in the dark and suddenly tested?"
Harris handed him a PADD. Theus skimmed it for a moment, and was confused as to why he was looking over the information.
"I've never seen this design of starship." He said. "It looks like a variant of the first Defiant-class; bigger definitely, but the lines and shape are familiar enough. Is my expertise required onboard?"
"In a sense." She said. "She's been commission NX-13784 USS Aegis, and you are to take command of her."
Theus and Williams both shouted their surprise at the same time.
"Was there something about my order that was confusing?" Harris asked.
Williams began first. "Ma'am, begging your pardon, but I have worked tirelessly on the Aegis since her keel was laid. You told me that I would be promoted to Captain soon!"
"And you will, Greg." She said. "But Starfleet agrees with my assessment that the mission Aegis is design for would be better carried out by Commander Eridos."
Williams began to turn red and shake. Without being dismissed, he left the Admiral's office.
"Admiral, it's not my intention to question your judgement, but I have to agree with Commander Williams on this. Even if it's not him, I don't believe I'm the right person for this mission. I'm a science officer."
"You successfully led an expedition team, highlighting your leadership skills. And you were able to take command in a crisis, making the most difficult decision to sacrifice a member of your crew to protect the rest. You've proven yourself, Theus."
He shook his head. "But I don't want a command Admiral. It's why I stayed in the science division. It's why I haven't set foot on an active starship since I was a junior grade lieutenant."
"Now we both know that's not true." She said.
"Ma'am?"
Harris looked at her terminal on her desk and said, "Computer, display personnel file Eridos, Theus L., full listing, authorization Harris, three-two-eight-one-lambda-red."
The computer chimed, and a holographic display appeared in front of both of them showing the extensive length of Theus' service to Starfleet.
"I took the liberty of reviewing your file, and something didn't quite add up. Too many date gaps, too many leave of absences." Harris said. "Anyone else would have been subject for review to determine their future in the Fleet, and if they should transfer to inactive reserves. You on the other hand, have maintained not only your current certifications, but also received glowing fitness reports from every CO you have served under."
Theus didn't say anything.
"I may not have a need to know, but even my security clearances can get me some information. You joined the Starfleet Midshipmen program, and started your training at age eight. A savant they called you. Programs like that haven't existed for naval officers since man sailed on wooden ships, but you excelled. That is, until the Dominion War broke out."
"Ma'am I…"
"Dropped out of the program at fifteen, and lied on your enlistment application about your age and identity to get to the front lines. As a trauma medic you saved over seventy-six lives before you were even sixteen. Saw things a child at that age should never have been exposed to."
"Starfleet commissions officers as young as seventeen, Admiral." Theus challenged.
"True, but we have never allowed someone as young as you were. It was only for the grace of another admiral, that you saved the life of someone close to him. And that they allowed you to remain in after you were found out. But that doesn't explain the multiple gaps. What were you doing when you weren't serving on a starship, Commander?"
Silence again.
"Could it have something to do with Earth General of the Armies Al-Shabaq of the United Earth Defense Force?"
"Admiral…"
"Spoken like a true operative." She didn't let him finish. "I'll get right to it Commander, while I'm not privy to the details of your missions, I do know that you needed a break from all the cloak and dagger. It's why you stayed away for so long. But Starfleet has need of your services once again. You've answered the call since before you could legally drink synthehol. Will you answer it again?
Theus knew the answer without a second thought. He knew his duty, and was damn proud of his service. In recent years things had become complicated, and he wanted to get back to his passion of science. But even in an age where want, need, greed, hate, bigotry, and idolatry had been all but been eliminated from human society, there were still things that one had no choice in doing. And following your own passions took a backseat to the needs of the greater good.
"What's the mission ma'am?" He asked.
Harris stood up and walked them over to a wall terminal. She input some commands and a visual of the Aegis appeared.
"With the destruction of Romulus, a major power void is all that remains of their Empire. In-fighting, backstabbing, and secret coups are preventing us from helping the everyday citizen with basic necessities. That's where you come in. The Aegis is the first in a line of brand new escort ships. You will take command of her to provide relief efforts to the Romulan people."
"Relief?" Theus asked. "Admiral, the Aegis is a small ship, but more importantly she's an escort vessel. Multiple phaser banks, heavy pulsed phaser cannons, photon, quantum, and oh, mission strategic configuration torpedoes, tracking quantum mines?! This is a warship."
"She is whatever we need her to be, and foremost, we need a ship that can protect itself and the Federation's interests. You will be operating in the heart of former Romulan territory, and will need the protection."
"What about the crew?" Theus asked. "Even with a full complement, fifty people isn't much."
"You'll have one-hundred five total." Harris said.
"More security?"
Harris smiled and changed the display. "We've made some unique enhancements to the Aegis. In addition to a full Starfleet crew complement, you will have a detachment of specialized troops trained in land, sea, air, and space engagements from Military Assault Command."
"MACO's?" Theus asked surprised.
"My, you are smart Commander. You're taking all the fun out of this briefing. Two MACO officers will join you with a platoon level of troops. They will provide security, in addition to handling refugees."
"What about supplies? We can't carry much, and with the additional manpower, things will get tight."
"We've thought of that too. The internal design has been changed to utilize more mobile space. While you'll still have the standard living areas, we've made some advancements in miniaturization to allow for another cargo bay. That will in essence, be the MACO's barracks."
"Berthing area ma'am, I'm not letting them call it that." Theus laughed lightly.
"I'm sure you'll work it out, but there's one more thing." Harris' demeanor suddenly became much more serious. "We've tried our best to anticipate how the Romulans will react to our presence. Federation starships suddenly arriving with an olive branch right after their planet has been destroyed, doesn't look good. Then add we were conveniently able stop the spread of the supernova with red matter. All before it consumed other systems. The harsh reality is, they distrust us now more than ever."
Harris typed in another command and the image of a tall Romulan male appeared on the screen. His gaze was intense, and Theus couldn't look away.
"Are you alright Commander?"
"W-Who is he?" Theus asked, as his face became hard.
"Do you know him?"
Theus thought for a moment. He did know this individual, but the Admiral didn't already know that, and knew why instantly.
"You're telling me that I have to take aboard a Romulan liaison to help people? It will be difficult enough working with the MACOs, this just adds another layer."
"Just another challenge for you to overcome." She said and walked toward the door, signaling the end of this meeting. "Thank you, Commander, I know you will do Starfleet proud. In the meantime, I suggest you brief your crew. Your ship has already finished its shakedown cruises, all that's left is for you to pick up your Marines."
Theus smiled at the idea of his ship sharing more in common with old Earth naval vessels of the past.
"Thank you ma'am." He said, but remained.
"Was there something else?" She asked.
"Two things, actually." He said. "You said brief my crew. I haven't even met them yet."
"You have in fact. The Bozeman was recently decommissioned and the majority of the crew will join you on Aegis. You will have a new Chief Surgeon, but all the senior officers will be there."
"So my first officer…"
"Will be Lieutenant Commander zhNon. Unless you chose otherwise. But a small bit of advice, I would wait a while before making any major changes. I mean, they were expecting to serve under Commander Williams again, but at this point the matter is moot. And the second item?"
Theus didn't let his displeasure show that he would be the one to brief the crew on the change in assignments, his crew.
"It's not a major issue ma'am, but I felt a bit out of place walking around in this." He pointed to his uniform. "On board the Bozeman I noticed they wore different uniforms. I assumed it was just an update, but here on the space dock, everyone is wearing something different. I've checked the computer, but it just displays multiple styles with what seems like limitless combinations."
The admiral let out a deep laugh. "It has been some time since you've been back in the core systems, Commander. Starfleet has updated its regulations to allow for a bit more diversity. A century or so ago, each starship had its own unique emblem to identify the command. Starfleet eventually adopted the current Delta symbol we all use, however in an attempt to bring back old traditions, we are once again allowing for unique markers. The captains of a ship set the uniform standards. Once you choose your style, your crew will follow."
"Any style?" Theus asked.
"So long as it's in the database, yes."
"Thank you Admiral."
Theus began to exit her office. He was being honest when he told Harris that he had never considered command. She knew vaguely of his other assignments, and those were what had kept him busy. Still like all Starfleet officers, there was some part of him that always dreamt of sitting in the big chair. Being the one that made the decisions. He took the turbo lift down to the main floor and saw his crew in a semi-circle speaking with Commander Williams.
"Commander!" Sergio said and ran up to him. "Sorry about the misdirection sir, but you're our new captain now!" He said and shook Theus' hand. "It's an honor to serve under you again. I won't let you down."
Williams was walking up to them now, and Theus nodded for Sergio to leave. When he was close enough, he said, "Greg listen, I just want you to know-"
"Save it." He said coldly. "I was just informed that I am in fact getting promoted, but that the Admiral thinks I will be in better service to Starfleet as her Adjutant. That means that you and I will be in regular contact for your missions until your fleet's taskforce assembles."
"Yes sir." Theus said.
Williams leaned in close. "I don't know how you did it, or why Starfleet has so much faith in you, but I want to make it clear that to me, you aren't fit for this command. That crew is one of the finest I have ever had the pleasure to work with, and now you're in charge of their lives. You may have passed the bridge commanders exam, but you haven't even begun to put in the necessary work to rate your posting. Hell you've never even been a first officer. So the moment you mess up, and you will, I'll be there to take over."
Williams walked past without another word.
Theus looked up to his crew. They were waiting for him to say something, but he didn't know what. Instead of focusing on what he didn't know, or trying to come up with uninspired words, he looked to zhNon and said, "Assemble the senior officers for a staff meeting, one week from today, zero seven-hundred hours."
zhNon didn't show any emotion on her face when she said, "Aye Captain."
The rest of his officers dispersed, except for Sergio.
"Are you sure you want to do this, sir?" The young Ensign asked.
"Serg, I've been in Starfleet for twenty of the almost twenty-nine years I've been alive. If I wasn't in school, I was on the battlefield in some way or another until just recently. For the first time in what seems like forever, I get to embody the Fleet's mission. Exploring a region of space we couldn't go. Helping people in need, and making a difference in a galaxy that all too often is cold. I couldn't imagine anything else I'd like to do."