Astrid was still in her hazard suit standing in her office.  She was still too wired from the events on the Breen ship that she found sitting an impossibility.  Not to mention,  she was far from happy with Doctor Randall’s order to stand down.

She had lost people.  She herself had nearly died, and it had been all for naught.  The Hazard Team had failed spectacularly.  Well, she admitted to herself,  it wasn’t a complete failure.  We did get data scans and downloads of the computer. And not one person from the engineering team took a casualty.

But, that would be little comfort to the families of Jefferson and Ingraham. Ingraham had a young daughter. Jefferson was thankfully single and without kids. But that, didn’t mean Jefferson didn’t have family.  These were letters she was not looking forward to writing. Not that something like that was ever pleasant to write. Then there was the partially completed after action report still sitting on her screen. The orange cursor flashing as if taunting her.

Sighing Astrid picked up a glass of rum.  She wasn’t one to find solace in the bottle, but somehow given the circumstances coffee or water just felt wholly inadequate to the situation.

The door chime interrupted her moment of self-pity and Astrid set the untouched glass of rum back down on the table.  Turning to face the door, “Enter.”

The doors parted and Crewman Korel entered the office.  The Xindi-Reptillian, was still dressed in his hazard suit.

“Crewman,” Astrid greeted.

“Ma’am,” Korel responded.

“What can I do for you?”

The Xindi began, “They tried and failed to destroy the Breen ship.”

Astrid walked around behind her desk and forced herself to sit. “Yes I know. As far as I know tactical and engineering are still trying to figure that one out.”

The Xindi smirked in his odd way, “I have an idea.”

“Let’s see it,” Astrid replied.  She had told herself that no matter what happens she would listen to the people in her command. She didn’t have to act on it, but these NCOs have far greater experience than her own.  After all what did she know?  She was just an ensign.

Korel handed her a PADD and Astrid transferred it to the wall monitor to the side of the office.  “Let’s hear it.”

Korel approached the monitor and entered commands,  “Since communications is spotty I think it’s best we utilize the USS Shavlo to transport the team back over to the dreadnought.” The image of the runabout was animated flying through space and docking with the Breen ship.  The display zoomed in on the docked ship and the exterior of the Breen ship was stripped away as it rotated to a maplike illustration looking down.

“We dock at this docking port and proceed two decks down and make our way to the antimatter storage tanks where we bring two quantum torpedoes rigged for remote detonation.”

“Just one problem… Okay one of many problems.  The Hazard Team isn’t at full strength and we’ve been ordered to stand down.”

“That ma’am, is your problem to figure out.”

Astrid cracked a smile despite it all. “I suppose it is.  We’ll want security helping us anyway.  Overwhelming force.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“I’ll need a second in command Korrel.   I want you.  I’ll talk to the Chief of Security about getting you a promotion.”

Korrel nodded, “Thank you ma’am.”  

He turned and left the office,  and Astrid stared down at the plan of action and was impressed.   Making a few changes she sent the report to the Chief of Security and the Captain.   It was now up to the senior staff to ignore or act upon her plan. Letting out a long sigh she reluctantly returned to her after action report.