Four
Stardate 59222.8, March 14, 2388; Military Assault Command; Base Yuma, Arizona
"You got this…you got this…" Theus repeated to himself yet again, his head slightly bowed.
After granting a week of shore leave before departing for their mission; Theus had taken the time to bring himself up to speed on pertinent intelligence information, regarding the state of the former Romulan Star Empire. It was worse than he could've imagined, and suddenly he remembered why he preferred being so far away from the actual operations of Starfleet. The date of their departure was at hand, and before they got underway, he needed to pick up the final members of his crew.
"Here for AIT?"
Theus looked up to see an exceptionally fit MACO officer; whose rank denoted that of a Major, approach him. She stood a few centimeters shorter than he, with short cropped blonde hair and hazel eyes. Her smile was pleasant, but he couldn't shake the feeling that she was sizing him up with her gaze.
"I'm not sure what that is." Theus said.
The Major stopped short being close enough to shake his hand and went to attention, giving a perfectly crisp and smart salute.
"Major Tiffany Bullock, reporting as ordered sir." She said. "I doubt any Starfleetwould be out here in the desert for advance infantry training, but it never hurts to ask."
Theus notice she held an expectant look on her face and gave a wry smirk.
"Oh, sorry." He said and returned the saluted before shaking her hand. "Nice to finally meet you, Major. I was honestly expecting you to be waiting for me in the briefing room."
"Not my style." She said. "Besides, part of my primary mission is your security and safety. In these times one can never be too careful. And it gives me a chance to show off in front of your…our crew. Particularly the first officer."
"Have you met Lieutenant Commander zhNon?" Theus asked.
"I haven't. But it's a little telling that she's not with you. New command?"
"Not just a new command, new to command." He said.
"Everyone's new at some point. What do you say we stop taking up hallway space, and get this show on the road?"
She smiled and led the way. Theus had never been to an Earth Defense Force base. While the multiple military bases from all over the planet had been preserved in some fashion or another; for posterity and history, most had been repurposed to support Starfleet and other various scientific or logistical endeavors. This base had once been used for desert combat training, as well as the most advanced aerospace technological advancements of the time. As it was now, it currently was a multipurpose training facility for ground forces.
The two traveled a short distance through the building, and out into a wide quad where Theus saw many military vehicles and aircraft. He was never particularly fascinated with them, as their primary function was to destroy life. But their development would one-day lead to a weapon of mass destruction delivery system, ushering in a new era. One of peace, exploration, and humanism for all mankind. After passing through more auxiliary buildings, they arrived at the secure briefing room.
"Attention on deck." Bullock said as she held open the door for her CO to enter.
Theus was a little embarrassed, and notice the looks of confusion on the faces of his senior officers as they slowly stood. Bullock closed the door, and proceeded to tap in a few commands before ensuring him that the room was secure. She then took a seat across from zhNon.
"Good morning everyone." Theus started. "I hope everyone had adequate time for rest, and to get their personal affairs in order. As you all know, we're slated for departure here in a few hours, and since we had to pick up some final crew members, I thought it would be a welcomed gesture to come and meet them in person."
"How very cordial of you, sir." zhNon said.
Theus almost accused her of being sarcastic but Bullock spoke up first.
"This facility is also one of the most secure on the planet. Instead of having to beam through multiple time-zones, we can receive orders directly from Starfleet, and proceed straight to our mission." The Major said.
zhNon gave her a hard stare that was return just as strong. Although Theus was finding this slightly entertaining; the loyalty of a MACO toward a CO versus the oath of a Starfleet First Officer, they did have business to attend to.
"Continuing, I've review everyone's personnel file and for now, I'm not making any changes."
Theus let his statement linger. He waited until he saw comprehension in everyone's face before continuing.
"Lieutenant Mok, you will remain senior flight controller. Lieutenant Goritan at tactical, and Lieutenant Carver at Ops. Chief Bloss, we've had some new transfers to engineering to replace those that didn't come with us from the Bozeman. Our Chief Surgeon is already aboard, so that just leaves a bridge science officer. Ensign Contreras?"
Sergio beamed from his seat and said, "I'll do my best sir."
"I know you will." He looked to zhNon. "Commander zhNon will continue her role as first officer, and I would like to introduce you all to Major Bullock. She will oversee the MACO contingent, as well as being responsible for ground missions."
"Sir?" Goritan said, clearly upset.
Theus held up a hand. "Don't worry Lieutenant. Ship's security and tactical operations still fall under your prevue. However, when there are mission specific items that arise related to peacekeeping or shore landings, the MACOs have point."
This seemed to satisfy Goritan so Theus continued.
"Computer, bring up Aegis mission profile one-zero-zero, dash one-two-five-three tact, three bravo, authorization Eridos, five-three-nine-seven, alpha."
The computer chimed, and a holographic projection in the center of the table displayed their orders from Starfleet.
"This ladies and gentlemen, is our first mission." Theus said.
"We're charting a new system?" Mok asked.
"Not exactly. Because it was on the Romulan side of the Neutral Zone, we've never had a chance to explore this region of space. What limited intelligence reports we have, suggest that contained within it was an ancillary support facility. Raw materials for their outposts, repairs, and such. The system has seven planets, all but two gas giants, but there are signs of habitable moons.
"Starfleet wants us to take a look at what we are designating, RSS-2398. This will allow us to get the lay of the land in a sense, in addition to allowing us to help the locals in any way we are able. We suspect that there will only be a small presence, if that, on any of the planets or moons, so we aren't anticipating running into anything that we can't handle."
"Do the Romulans know we're coming?" Goritan asked.
"We've been sending out constant, wideband subspace transmissions since our relief efforts began. Automated buoys have even been set up, so they will know our intent well before we enter their space."
"What about relief supplies?" Bloss asked. "I've been looking over my engines during my time off, and like what I see. But the Aegis is still a pretty small ship, so unless you have another fancy formula that breaks the law of conservation of-"
"You'll have more than enough room." Theus said, and turned to Bullock. "I was planning on briefing this later, but in an effort to integrate the crew more smoothly, I've assigned 4 to a room for enlisted crew members. I have other plans for the additional cargo bay, which includes three, type VII industrial replicators. They're one-third the size, and twice as efficient."
Everyone seemed content with their objectives and Theus was feeling confident that his crew had a mission to focus on.
"Excuse me captain," zhNon said, "But if I may ask, why are we going here?"
Theus took a split second to gather himself before saying, "I thought it was clear that we would be providing relief efforts."
"It is sir, but I mean why this system? You said it was ancillary, even if there are Romulans there, it wouldn't be a large contingent." She sighed, "This may sound callous, but if we are really trying to help people, shouldn't we go to an area that's more densely populated?"
Theus walked from the wall console to stand before his crew. He needed them to see not only him, but how strong his conviction was in what they were doing, and why it was important.
"You're right zhNon. This area may not have many, if any Romulans in it. As an ancillary facility, they wouldn't have had many workers or much down there by way of comforts. But that is exactly why we need to help them. With their home world destroyed, the remnants of the Empire have consolidated in on themselves. Items like cultural preservation and continuation of government have taken a priority.
We ourselves are no strangers to making the tough decisions; the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few. And while that makes sense logically, in our hearts, and in the very fabric of what makes us the Federation, we cannot turn our backs on them. Their own government has probably forgotten they exist. Worse, they could know they are there, and have written them off because the cost of a rescue would be too high. So if we are ever to have them begin to trust us, it has to start somewhere. Be it by helping a thousand of them, or just one."
Theus was proud at what he saw in the eyes of his officers. They came from different backgrounds, cultures, and planets, but they were unified in their goal.
zhNon stood. "When do we leave Captain?" She ask.
"As soon as the MACOs finish transferring all their people and supplies."
"That should be finished in the next half hour or so." Bullock said. "My second in command, Lieutenant Noor, has been overseeing the embarkation since 0400."
"You sharks really do more before 0700 than most people do in an entire day." Theus said. "Commander zhNon, take everyone aboard and finish preparations to get underway. I need to make a final stop over at Admiral Harris' office on Earth space dock and will join you shortly. Major, with me."
"Aye sir."
He looked over the room once again. "You have your orders, dismissed."
His crew filed out in short order. Once the doors were closed and the room re-secured, Bullock asked, "Are we going to meet our special guest?"
"That's an interesting title." He tapped his commbadge. "Eridos to Yuma Base transporter room, two to beam to the following coordinates." Theus said while entering in commands on a nearby terminal. "Energize."
The room fell away in a whining shimmer to be replaced by the artificial gravity, and recycled air of the orbital space station. Normally, passengers would materialize in one of the main transporter rooms. Theus and Bullock had arrived at a different location. Within Admiral Harris' office suite, a newly promoted Captain Williams was seated at his desk. In front of him, stood a rigid Romulan.
"Excellent timing Theus." Williams said. "But if you wanted security you could have just asked. Was an armed escort really necessary?"
Theus didn't understand until he noticed Bullock standing next to him. Rather he thought it was Bullock. He stepped back from his MACO commander who was covered in a sleek silver armor. Complete with strength enhancing attachments on the arms and legs, with one of the most advance tactical HUD helmets that he had ever seen.
"Major?" Theus said.
"Sir?" She answered casually, while adjusting her hold on an advance battle rifle that clearly wasn't general issue.
He was about ask her to explain when her suit suddenly crackled a soft blue, and he heard the sound of a shield resequencing.
"Is that a portable, personal shield?" Theus asked in fascination. "I thought these were still in the prototype phase."
"Amazing right? Almost like we live in a technologically advanced society." Bullock said, sounding slightly mechanical through her helmet's speakers.
"If we could get to it!" Williams shouted.
Theus and Bullock approached him and stood straight.
"As I was saying," continued Williams "Commander Eridos, I would like for you to meet your special liaison to the Romulan people, Centurion Keln."
Theus turned and stared at him hard for a moment before he extended his hand to the officer. His gaze was just as intense as the holo-image he had seen earlier, but the photons didn't do him justice. He was just as tall as Commander zhNon, with hard eyes and a deep olive skin. His jaw was square, and made him seem to scowl a bit, but his physical bulk made him appear even more overbearing. While not quite the size of the physique obsessed body builders in some cultures, he was close.
"Commander." Keln said, and nothing more.
"Damn, I really don't want to have to shoot you." Bullock said.
"You won't, Major," Theus said, "no ones here to make any trouble. The only thing that matters right now, is helping the people of Romulus."
"Romulus is dust!" Keln boomed.
Theus kicked himself internally for his poor choice of words. "And I am sorry for your loss, the entire Federation is."
"Are you? Because of all the powers in the quadrant, we are the only ones you couldn't assimilate!"
"The Federation is dedicated to the peaceful coexistence of all species." Bullock answered him.
"And yet you currently have some of the deadliest weapons of mass destruction ever created. Red matter, for example."
"Centurion." Williams said sternly. "When we offered you this posting, it was in good faith. The level of autonomy and trust we have extended is great, but it will only go so far."
"Then perhaps we should end this farce of a cooperation before it even begins! My people need me."
"You're right Centurion, they do." Theus said. "There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of Romulans that have been cut off from any source of legitimate assistance in what must feel like forever to them. They're hungry, in need of medical attention, and in all likelihood very desperate. If you are any indication, then they won't trust us."
"As they shouldn't! What reason would they have?" Keln spat.
"None. So help us give them one." Theus pleaded. "Trust is earned Centurion, and we can't begin to show our true intentions if your people will not listen to us in the first place. The fact of the matter is that we need you. We need you to be the bridge to show that there is a better way."
"A better way?" Keln laughed loudly, hysterically. "Gods of old, do you even hear yourself? A 'better way'! The sheer arrogance you display even when you have convinced yourselves you are doing the right thing. You see yourselves as the galaxy's ultimate altruists, when you are really saying that the price of admission into paradise is to submit to your will."
"And what will you do?" Theus asked defiantly. "Where will you go? What's left of your government barely authorize you to work with us. Your world, your entire civilization as you know it has changed, and it's not coming back. For centuries we've tried it one way, and look where it got you."
"You dare suggest this is our own fault?!" Keln roared.
"I don't suggest anything, just submit facts. Ambassador Spock warned Romulus of its impending fate. He sacrificed his life to stop a cosmic catastrophe that threatened us all. And in the weeks leading up to it, the only thing that kept Romulus from evacuating was their distrust. Their distrust of Starfleet, their distrust of Vulcans, and their distrust of the Federation. The nations of Earth decided to trust one another, and we reached the stars. The Vulcans, Tellarites, and Andorians decided to trust one another, and joining with humans, we've built a dream turned into reality. It's time for the Romulans to start trusting someone now."
Keln turned from Theus and headed toward the exit. Over his shoulder he said, "Ready to depart when you are, Captain."
"I almost envy you, Commander." Williams said. "Dismissed."
Theus left with Bullock in tow. Along the way to the lift that would take them to their entrance terminal, Bullock pressed a button that retracted her helmet and he noticed that she wore a peculiar smile on her face.
"Is there something on your mind, Major?" Theus asked.
"Hmm? Oh no sir, it's just that I realized Keln will fall under my command. Seeing as he's our liaison I will need to take him down with all MACO landing parties."
"I don't have to quote Starfleet regulations concerning fraternization to you, do I?"
"No sir. A Centurion is the equivalent of a Lieutenant Commander, or in my case, a Major." She smiled harder.
Theus sighed. "Just make sure you get authorization from the doctor first."
"Oh don't worry sir, I will."