“Commander it appears that the probe uplink has a command approval process added. May I ask why?” The question was put to Eviea, who was only a few paces into the repair bay that was serving as a control center for the probes deployed to study the anomaly that had deposited them in this particular area of space. The question came, in a measured and unemotive manner, from Lieutenant Mavern.

At least it took the guesswork and awkward questioning moments out of the equation, but Eviea was aware and in fact did little to hide her surprise at the apparent lack of concern for his actions or the implications of said actions.

“That would likely be the Captain taking back control.” Eviea stated quite bluntly, given her rising frustration levels and the situation at hand, she had closed the gap between herself and the Vulcan Mavern, now standing with pace and half between them, eyeing him directly “Now I would like an explanation, as to what the hell your doing? and more importantly why?” She asked again bluntly and forcefully, while ownership of the action was important, Eviea wanted to understand what led to the action, why he felt it appropriate to bypass the chain of command and do as pleased in this instance.

“Simulations were proving positive, and had yielded good results, but to fully progress practical tests were needed in this case. Given the current circumstances, the threat posed by remaining in this location longer than necessary,  I felt it efficient and logical to proceed with a practical test.” He responded, once again in a calm, unhurried manner. In truth Eviea felt Vulcans were always difficult to read, something she struggled with, his responding was probably sound, it’s just the execution left a lot to be desired.

“Okay, let’s backtrack, show me the results of your simulations?” Facts were king here, he’d been hasty, she had to be the opposite at this point, this was perhaps the best way to to prevent further problems. But a little expediency given the potential risk.

“I can do better.” Maven stated, in any other species she would have labeled his attitude as smug, he took a step back,  glanced down at the readout from the console, assumingly having processed the information displayed, looked up. “The aperture is in fact open.” He announced with calm.

It took a few keyed commands to cast the data stream to a larger wall display, the underspace apatrue was indeed open, but not for long. The data stream changed, registering the sudden collapse of the opening. Then the beginnings of and rapid expansion of the resulting wave.

“We have an inbound gravitational wave.” An ensign of the ship science division reported.

“Likely a result of the beam being cut prematurely.” Maven stated flatly, Eviea felt his stare had a hint of challenge to it.

“A separate issue we will discuss later.” Eviea responded with firmness and an emphasis on the ‘will’ knowing the ignoring of procedure had to be addressed, but making her priorities clear she shifted the focus to removing or minimizing the danger to the ship and those on it. “Right now, can we neutralize the wave? What options do we have?”  She threw out the question to the entire bay.

“Tetryon radiation appears to have a negative effect, according to the simulations.” A Petty Officer lab technician responded.

“It’s half hour at least to modify a probe or the deflector though.” An Ensign standing next to them responded, mostly to the petty officer rather than the group as a whole. “What about old-fashioned concussive force?” They asked, throwing a glance towards Eviea at the point of asking the question, as if only just remembering they were in a room full of people.

All hands. Secure for evasive maneuvering

“As in detonate the probes?” Eviea questioned, the suggestion was drastic and last ditched but given the circumstances a valid one.

“Yes sir, but to be effective the timing would need to be tight.” The ensign responded, turning to a computer terminal at this point, with the petty officer joining them. Eviea moved around and took up a position between the pair overlooking the terminal, watching them as they worked and processed gathered data with theoretical workings. “Within one point five seconds of the wave striking the probe, would be theoretically optimal. But the chance of neutralization is fifty fifty at best. But the approaching wave has destroyed probe two already.” Came the recommended action.

Eviea paused, balancing the incoming risk to the ship, the potential to remove or lessen that risk, with the loss of the equipment and whether or not the decision was being made in haste. It was also an opportunity to give an object lesson to the wayward Lieutanant Mavern of proper procedure and how even she had to answer to someone else, and give herself full freedom of speech.

“Work out the timings and prepare a program.” Eviea responded with confidence, then tapped her communicator. ”Merrova to Bridge, working theory is detonating the probes might help mitigate the waves effects somewhat, programs are being written to time the force effectively. Request permission to proceed.” To the point but providing enough information.

“It seems we’ve reached that point commander, proceed. Your codes will work from down there. Be advised external transporter functions are not possible at present. The away team is still on the surface.” Came the response, informative but with a hint of frustration, she also took the cue to come up with a workaround for the transporter problem.

“Program ready commander.” Called the Ensign looking up and over his shoulder at Eviea. She promptly leaned in and keyed in her code and uploaded the program. The wall monitor displayed the progressing wave and the probes locations. Moments before the wave washed across the probes twin detonation indicators appeared, also radiating a shockwave, albeit less intense.

“Detonation confirmed, readings indicate it’s taken the edge off but not dissipated the wave.” The petty officer chimed in interpreting the data in real time and providing a useful commentary.
“Planetary impact in twenty eight seconds. Ship impact in sixteen.”  after a pause a wave progress report.

“Brace.” Merrova ordered, there were in truth few chairs in the bay, the commander herself elected to stand, planting her feet shoulder width apart, gripping the underside of a console edge loosely for the moment, being sure to stay away from any power flows or potential sparkage, watching the wall display. Moments before the expected impact she put her head down, tightened her grip, and crouched a little. The ship rocked a little with the forces slightly overcoming the dampening systems.
 

“Report the system diagnostics to the bridge when they come though. Continue monitoring the area with lateral sensors until instructed otherwise.” Eviea ordered, glazing around for any injuries, only one ensign had taken a tumble and taken a bump, having set a diagnostic running. “Lieutenant, let’s speak in private.” Merrova stated, gesturing to Mavern and then to a work area that was both enclosed, set off the main area. Striding away from the main group and into the said area she turned, fixing the vulcan as he also stepped into the area. “Computer privacy area Eight five alpha.” Her command resulted in the door dropping from the ceiling from above, also the windows becoming semi-opaque.

“Lieutenant. I trust this is an object lesson in why we have standard operating procedures, and why if your going to ignore or bypass them you better have considered all the implications.” Eviea stated, standing firm, facing the other officer, one hand on a workbench. Throwing the floor open to Mavern, in the hope the events that had followed his actions had given him a bit more perspective.

“Commander. You are aware we are currently sandwiched between two hostile powers, in an unclaimed area of space, outside federation control therefore starfleet jurisdiction, with one potential expedient way back.” He began his tone level but firm, his reasoning sound enough but troubling at the same time. “As such I believe the only focus should be returning to safe territory as soon as possible and inform command about the potential threat. As my superiors, yourself included, seemed to have differing priorities, i felt it necessary to act in this manner. If the process had not been interfered with there is a eighty six percent chance the aperture would have been open and we would be able to withdraw. ” He concluded.

“I’m going to put a pin in your reasoning for the moment. That’s a much longer conversation we need to have.” Eviea responded with a sigh and a shake of her head, his comments screamed isolationist, and the fact that type of thinking was still prevalent even among younger officers was troubling. But her concerns were now more immediate, namely could he be trusted to remain in his current position, had he considered the implications of failure, threfore what risk did he pose. “My question is, had you considered the implications of the fourteen percent failure, not just for you but for the ship, the crew on it, the away team on the surface, the surrounding space?”

“My primary concern was getting the aperture open. Other matters were not usually in my purview so of little concern.” He stated flatly, there was a little waver in his tone, which suggested a hint of uncertainty from him.

“That’s where your wrong.” Eviea began, stroght to the point, then proceeding to clayey and expound on her statement. “I’m not the most fastidious with protocol, which actually makes me more aware that If you choose to ignore established protocol, if you choose to act preemptively. It is vital you consider the wider ramifications of your actions, not just of success or failure, but the effects on those around you. If you can’t do that, you should not be acting as you did.” Delivering her point firmly, fighting to keep her voice level, trying to keep her frustration at bay, although the word ‘vital’ was punctuated with emphatic gestures, a half clenched fist with finger striking downward into the air. Purposely including her own admission when it came to matters of orders and procedures, hoping it would help reinforce the point she was trying to make.

Mavern reaction was frustratingly non-committal, he went to speak and then paused, maintaining a silence for the moment before beginning. “While I agree that communication is vital and awareness of others must be a consideration, it is not always possible to inform others, and as starfleet officers we are trained to expect the unexpected and react accordingly. I would maintain my actions were necessary, in fact they should have been the expected course. Therefore the responsibility lay on fellow crew to be aware and react accordingly.” His intent on sticking to the version of events he had decided on was more than a little troubling at this point.

Commander Merrova, Engineer Team beta, Medical Team beta, report to transporter room three

“I’m assigning you to shuttle at three as deck officer.” Eviea stated, dragging a PADD from a pocket on her thigh, calling up the needed file and making the adjustment. Looking straight at Mavern, Eviea added. “This will go in your file as a reprimand. Bottom line I can no longer trust you to consider others before you act, I can’t have you in a position where you might endanger life needlessly.” A pause for response.

“I will protest this.” Mavern responded equally as blunt and committed.

“As is your right. But as we’re on alert, it stands for the moment. Computer unlock.” Eviea Responded a disappointed look creased her face. The windows fade to transparent once more, the door slid upwards. “Dismissed.” She stated tersely, then watched as he walked out of the work area, picked up a PADD, and continued out of the repair bay and into the corridor.