Commanding Officers’ Log:

After the last few days, I have finally been medically cleared for duty by Doc, and just in time, too. The Fox has found itself at the Bajoran Colony world of Free Haven during their celebrated ‘Time of Cleansing’. One of the Vedeks of the Free Haven assembly has requested an escort through the Rolor Nebula to the neighboring colony world of Dreon to symbolize the union of their shared faith, and we have been attached to assist by command. As if escorting a member of the clergy across space in their most pious time wasn’t invigorating enough, I had another daunting task ahead of me. After Action Reports…

[USS Fox, Deck 2, Captain’s Quarters]

‘Beep-Boop,’ the door to Michael’s quarters rang out. “Come,” He responded casually, already knowing who was at the door. The door did not open, but Archie materialized just inside as if he had walked through the door, a common trope with his holographic crew, as the door sensors did not recognize the holograms, and out of hilariousness, Michael did not press for the repair to be made just yet.

“Sir, do you have a moment?” Archie probed. “Come on, might as well clear this up before we set off again,” Michael answered exasperatedly. Archie crossed the room and took a seat at the table. There was an air of uneasiness as the artificial yeoman struggled to choose his words. “I could quote Section 12, Paragraph 4 of the Starfleet Regulations, but I am aware that, given our personnel arrangements, that is a moot point. It just… It’s my job to worry about your safety.”

“Look, I get it. But the basis of a good away team is diversity, and that’s just something we just don’t have the luxury of. The fact is, I’m going to be on far more away teams than any normal CO would be on. It’s not optimal for sure, but it’s what we need to do. Anytime any officer sets foot off the ship, they put their lives at risk, and I’m no exception. In some cases, it will be beneficial to only send an all-Holographic crew. But there were lives at stake, and I could not risk one external factor disabling our mobile emitters and wiping out the rescue efforts…then everyone would have died.” Michael ratified.

Archie sighed deeply, “I know…It still doesn’t make my job of keeping you alive any easier.” He said with a sly grin. “It’s not all about you, you know. We are only here because of you. If something detrimental happened to you, what further use would we be to Starfleet?” Archie countered teasingly.

Michael held a mocking, shocked expression on his face at the XO’s words. “Is that a hint of self-preservation I hear in your programming. I’ll be damned, you’re gaining sentience already. Computer, initiate the Moriarty Protocol!” he jests. The computer chimed in at his command, “Unable to comply, please specify what program you wish to run.” Both Michael and Archie cracked up at the computer’s obviously ignorant response.

The moment of goodwill was cut short as their comm badges chirped. “Transporter room to Archie.” Trixie’s voice echoed through. Archie tapped his comm badge. “Go ahead.”

“Sir, our guest is ready to transport over,” Trixie reported. “That’s clear, we will be there momentarily,” Archie confirmed, closing the channel. “Coming?” The XO asked, rising to his feet. “You know it,” Michael responded. As he stood, he winced from the still tinge of pain in his shoulder. It was far better than before, but it still stung as he followed behind.

[USS Fox, Deck 3, Transporter Room]

Vedek Saacti was a prominent member of the Free Haven religious assembly. The rank of Vedek was second only to the Kai itself in the Bajor religious hierarchy, so this was the closest the Fox had to its first diplomatic mission. Lady Saacti was bringing along two attachés, Ranjen Erru and Prylar Daaru. Archie had already set up the accommodations ahead of time, using the formal ‘captains’ quarters’ at the starboard quarter of deck two for the Vedek, and the two-bunk accommodating ‘Officers Quarters’ just opposite it on the port quarter for her aids. He even went so far as to decorate the rooms modestly with replicated Bajoran cloth to make them feel more at home.

This was Archie’s primary function: to entertain guests of stature, especially ones who could be…less than appeasing to normal standards. He gave Trixie a nod, and the engineer activated the transporter. Three bodies appeared on the transport pad before the assembled officers. Vedek Saacti wore a modest white dress that still appealed to her curves. Ranjen Erru was next to her with a PADD in his hand, garbed in a black robe. And poor Prylar Daaru, the low man on the totem pole, was draped in a long Red Tunic, his hands holding two large bags containing the Vedek and Ranjen’s personal effects.

Romen stepped forward and offered to carry the bags, which Daaru graciously accepted. Archie cleared his throat, “Vedek Saacti, welcome aboard the USS Fox.” Turning to introduce Michael, “This is Commander Michael Angelus, our ship’s Com—” he began, but was cut off by the Betazoid, “Captain, Ships Captain Ma’am, a pleasure to have you aboard.” Michael stepped forward in a typical human fashion with his hand outstretched. Vedek Saacti extended her own, and Michael took her palm into his own hand, lowering his head respectfully to her.

Archie looked perplexed at Michael’s willingness to be called captain after the various times he had insisted on being called by his proper rank, but remained silent. After his greeting with the Vedek, he turned to welcome her entourage as well before turning the tide back to Archie. “This is my First Officer, and Hospitality Chief, Archie. He will be your main point of contact should you require any assistance on our voyage. I must return to the bridge to get us underway, but I believe protocol calls for dinner this evening? I know you’re undergoing the time of cleansing, so I’ll keep the menu light.” He announced with a warm smile.

“That would be most welcome, Captain.” Saacti acknowledged with a polite bow. Michael backed up, allowing the doors to the transporter room to open, and stepped out into the hall. Romen led the procession, luggage in tow, as their guests followed behind. Archie was the last to trail, as he stopped next to the Commander. “What was that?” He asked in a hushed tone. “My personal feelings on the matter of name and rank are moot when it comes to dignitaries. They expect the highest ranking officer of a ship to be a captain; no need to complicate things by trying to correct that.”

Archie nodded as the procession entered the turbolift. “Well, that’s quite the dutiful mind of you, sir. Does this mean we can start calling you Captain now?” He asked with a knowing smirk. “No, everything goes back to normal as soon as their offboard. As a matter of fact, I was contemplating re-naming the position of Executive Officer to ‘Grand Pooh-bah’.” Michael managed to get out with a straight face. Archie suppressed a grin and rolled his eyes, “I’ll remember to poll the crew on that later, ‘Captain’.” He replied as he walked off towards the staircase on the other side of the ship.

Left alone, Michael in turn headed for the turbolift, taking it up to the bridge where Yeager alone held the fort. “Everyone settled in, sir?” the navigator asked, hopping out of the Captain’s Chair and returning to his own station. “I have no doubt the halls will be filled with the scent of burning Bateret leaves in no time, Mr. Yeager.” The Commander replied, taking his position. “If we’re all cleared here, let’s set a course to Dreon through the Rolor Nebula. Plot a well-traveled course, I’d like to make this trip with as few surprises as possible.”

“Aye, sir. Drivin’ Ms. Daisey to Dreon!” Yeager responded with glee.

“Floor it.”

[USS Fox, Deck 3, Mess Hall]
(3 Hours Later)

As promised, a small concession was drawn up in the Mess Hall for the esteemed guests. The Fox might not have been the largest and most accommodating, but given the size of its crew (or lack thereof), it was at least cozier than one would have expected. The standard dining hall table and chairs were replaced with a more elegant dining arrangement, a circular table with a nice Bajoran tablecloth, and solid chairs with firm cushions were set up at the end of the mess, with long tables along the walls holding a variety of tiny hors d’oeuvres. Trixie even managed to rig up a small decorative water fountain that served as a drinking distributor. Michael was heavily considering just keeping it this way after their guests departed.

The ‘Captain’ and his first officer sat at the table with Vedek Saacti, while Doc entertained Erru near the water fountain. Trixie and Yeager, on the other hand, were swapping jokes with Prylar Daaru, who seemed to be in much better spirits than when he arrived.

“I must say, Captain, when I was told we would be traveling aboard your ship, I thought it was just a prelude to arrive on an Odyssey-class starship. I did not know the Aquarius-class were autonomous starships of their own right.” Saacti stated, taking a small sip from her glass of water.

“As where the development of the Aquarius ran concurrent with the Odyssey, she was designed with components of both the Defiant and Nova classes, both of which are independent vessels of their own rights,” Michael responded politely. He could tell from her mood that it wasn’t meant as an insult, but more of a genuine curiosity.

“We may have the armaments of a Defiant-class or the extended operational range of a Nova-class, but the Aquarius is a harmonization of the two, Jack of all trades, master of none,” Archie added in.

“We Bajorans are well acquainted with the Defiant-class for sure,” Saacti said with a smile, looking about the room. “You operate with a small crew, Captain Angelus. Is this all of them?”

“Yes. Well, you met my security officer, Romen, earlier. He’s currently on the bridge monitoring things.” Michael explained. “Though she may be small, we don’t take up as much room, so the Fox feels bigger than she really is.” He continued, before taking a bite of a devil’d egg from his plate.

Michael and Saacti were the only ones who partook of the food options that were laid out, and Michael was sure she only picked the sparse options out of politeness. He could sense she was also noticing that none of the crew was eating as well. “Captain, I thank you immensely for your hospitality and attention to our customs, but your crew doesn’t have to observe the cleansing along with us. It won’t offend us for them to have their fill as well.” She noted.

“Oh, it’s ok, Ma’am, we don’t eat,” Archie interjected matter-of-factly before Michael could come up with a reply. This, however, elicited a perplexed look from the religious leader, who turned to Michael for clarification.

“My crew consisted of Holograms, your reverence. I am the only ‘biological’ officer onboard.” Michael admitted, hesitantly. He knew just how awkward the conversations got around Holograms the last time he sat down for dinner with others, and hoped to spare his guests and his crew that same discomfort. But the emotion he was feeling from the Vedek was more of pity than disdain.

“You must be very lonely then.” She replied to his explanation.

“I’m going to go check on the bridge. Please excuse me.” Archie expressed as he rose from his seat to give the Commander and Vedek privacy, and departed before Michael could even protest. With Archie out of the room, he sighed deeply. “It can be sometimes, but I find solace in it. And I don’t see them as programs; I treat and speak with them all as if they are fellow officers.” Michael confirmed.

“Does it help?” Saacti asked candidly.

“Humm?” Michael questioned, refocusing his attention from the room back to the Bajoran before him.

“As a spiritual guide for my people, I find my job coincides more often than not with that of a counselor. I help people who are lost find their way through faith. And through that same faith, heal the wounds of their mind and soul. I don’t mean to pry, but I can see pain behind the void in your Betazoid eyes. Your hurt is deep?” Saacti lamented.

Michael looked back across the room. Doc appeared to be enamored with the Bajoran text on Erru’s PADD, and Trixie appeared to be refereeing an arm-wrestling contest between Yeager and Daaru. Everyone seemed so happy, peaceful; it brought a smile to his face, even though his next words came out deep and somber.

“It’s easier with them. I don’t have to feel their disappointment, their shame, their pain, or their loss. I can continue to move forward, doing what I need to do without the added weight bearing down on me.” Michael admitted softly.

“Are you a man of faith, Captain?” she asked cautiously.

“Me? No…I’m a mutt. Being born of two worlds with different ideologies, it’s hard to sit down and definitely say which one is right and which is wrong. Plus, being in Starfleet, we’ve categorized countless interplanetary beings that could be considered gods. The prophets, the Q, the Organians. I don’t doubt their existence or their reality-shaping abilities, but it’s not something I can put my faith into. In the end, all I can do is put faith in myself.” He confessed.

“But you’re not,” Saacti said with a caring smile. “You and your holographic crew are magnificent, but you’re using them to hide from yourself. By shielding from the pain of others, you deprive yourself of the warmth they can also provide.”

Michael could not help but chuckle lightly, “You sound like my therapist.”

Saacti held up her hands, “Like I said, one in the same.”

The two shared a brief laugh, which was quickly cut short by the trill of the Commander’s Communicator. “Bridge to Angelus.” Archie’s words rang out harsh and stern, not waiting for a reply. “Sir, you’re needed on the bridge immediately.”

Michael’s face furrowed at the announcement, “Sorry, Ma’am, please excuse me.” As he got up from the table, Trixie, Yeager, and Doc were already standing by. “Stay with the guests,” Michael ordered, as he headed out into the hall towards the Turbolift.

[USS Fox, Deck 1, Bridge]

The turbolift doors hissed as they parted, Michael marching onto the bridge. “Report.”

Archie, who was standing next to the captain’s chair, turned to face him, his expression stoic, “My apologies, sir. I didn’t want to cut your evening short, but there has been a development…”
Archie turned and moved away from the chair, leaving the viewscreen in full view. Romen was already at the tactical station, fully focused on the screen before him.

Michael’s eyes turned to the view screen; the emerald hue of the Rolor Nebula dominated the space before them. But it wasn’t until Archie ordered ‘Magnify’ that Michael took in the scope of why he was called.

Snapping into full view was a Starship, a rusted brown hull with several sharp knife-like edges lay before them, unmistakably a Chel Grett-class Breen Interceptor.

There was no hesitation in his words; Michael’s eyes narrowed at the screen, his fists balled in preparation for what was to come next…

“RED ALERT!”

[To Be Continued]