Deep Space 17 was active as always, being busy with repairs, resupply, or construction of new parts for ships that needed it from the Stormbreaker operation. The Jaxartes were no exception from this, as they were just done patching up most of the damage they received from being too close to the danger zone themselves. 

Sazra sat in her chair, sending the latest report about her contribution to this operation. She looked at the holographic live feed that gave a beautiful sight of the station as she dozed off a bit. But quickly was brought back to reality as a computer voice spoke up, “Incoming secure communication for Commander Praugol, designated Task Force 17 command” Sazra knew the Task Force well enough, being one assigned to them for obvious reasons but also dealing with various side tasks for them in the Typhon. She took a deep breath and opened the channel, seeing the Captain’s face “Captain Kohl, what can I do for you, sir.”

Indistinguishable from a human, Andreus Kohl appeared on the display with a disarming smile and a glint of excitement behind his grey eyes.  He shifted in his chair, revealing more of the USS Discovery emblem on the bulkhead behind him.  “Greetings, Captain Pragoul,” Kohl said, referring to her position, if not her rank.  He rubbed his beard with his thumb and his forefinger briefly.  “I come bearing orders, of course.  I hope I find you and the Jaxartes well?”

“A little shaken up from the latest operation but other than that the ship is doing good and is ready to resume its mission into the Typhon Frontier sir” Sazra spoke calmly, still trying to figure out what he wanted from her. “How is the Discovery doing?”

After nodding briefly at Sazra’s status report, Kohl replied, “Discovery has jaunted ahead of you, back into the Typhon Frontier.  We’re on the search for a spectral phase pulse.  The ship is in excellent condition.  The crew is… experiencing growing pains.”  –Kohl tilted his head to the left and his lips curled into an impish grin– “Since the loss of our joint-mission aboard the Artifact and the fall of the Romulan Star Empire, the Romulan Free State has made bolder diplomatic overtures to the Federation.  As a new great experiment to broach friendship between our peoples, Task Force Seventeen has welcomed Romulan scientists aboard many of our vessels to engage in joint missions of explorations.  Captain Rider has one such scientist on the bridge, assisting in Discovery‘s search for that spectral phase pulse.”

Kohl sat back in his chair and squared his shoulders.  “This morning, our task force received a request for a Starfleet escort to join a Romulan Free State science ship on their crossing through Federation space.”

Hearing the daring endeavor of what was to come, or what was happening right now. Sazra managed to keep her growl in. Her experience with the Romulans over the years operating in the frontier was struggling at best “Well what lucky soul will be doing that escort mission, I hope some of the bigger vessel sir” Sazra could feel what this conversation was going, and honestly she didn’t like it. 

The image of Kohl on the video display visible pursed his lips and tucked his chin in, momentarily.  “No thank you,” Kohl replied, perhaps a little too glibly.  “Our bigger ships are out exploring.  USS Jaxartes is ordered to serve as escort to the Romulan Free State ship Sha’Rem through Federation space.  Our friends in the RFS have their sights set on, what they tell us is, a scientific research outpost the Romulan Star Empire abandoned in the outskirts of the Typhon Frontier after the supernova.  You and your crew are invited to share in designated portions of the research data, stored in the outpost’s computer core, if you can assist the Free State in repairing the outpost back to operational status.”

She narrows her eyes slightly on the comment that the big ships were busy exploring, and she just got stuck with babysitting duties. “With due respect, sir. We have been in the Typhon Frontier for years, exploring the region piece by piece…why a ship like the USS Jaxartes is stuck with escort duties when we don’t have any means to protect us if something goes down? The USS Jaxartes is just a Raven-class ship” She knew what the ship could do, but if shit went down the drain, she would get into trouble.

Through his placid smile of mild amusement, Kohl raised his chin as preamble for a single, heavy nod at Sazra.  “Your assessment is correct, Captain Praugol.  I’m asking you to stretch your diplomatic muscles again.  No tactical flexing required,” Kohl said.  “You’re to protect the Sha’Rem from Federation starships and Federation allies while they’re flying beyond Romulan borders.  The Free State has promised us this outpost has research into the spatial anomalies that plague the Typhon Expanse; purportedly their sensors even observed a spectral phase pulse, just like the one Discovery is chasing.  However, no decade-old data is worth more than your crew.  If you encounter an aggressor who targets Jaxartes with weapon systems, your orders are to run back to Federation space.  Is that understood, captain?”

Looking with a not amused face at the Captain, “You are having a blast with this….” Taking a deep breath, “Fine, I shall do the given order, Captain. But I must bring in a protest, this kind of mission, be it in Federation space, is still far from Deep Space 17 and any given SOS signal will arrive too late” She lets her head hang a bit sideways. “If something would happen, I put it on your name Captain deal?”

Kohl shook his head briefly and his facial expression turned impassive on the communication visual.  “It always rests on my head, every time I give the orders,” Kohl said.  With that said, his lighthearted timbre returned and his sapphire eyes glint with something playful.  “While I grant you, the Romulan outpost is located beyond Federation space, my captain, you would be in command of the same communications system if I had ordered you on a scientific mission to the same region.” –Kohl looked away from the visual sensor to paw at a holographic LCARS panel on his right– “As you venture into the Typhon Frontier, Discovery will be in your communications range.  As will… the USS Gheryzan and USS Sarek.”

Through the screen, Andreus Kohl looked at Sazra, looked right at her.  “You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” he asked.  “I had a tough time giving up my teal shouldered uniforms.  …Would you be happier as a science officer than a command officer?  Escort duty would be of no concern in that case”

Seeing the data on the Discovery, Gheryzan, and Sarek. It gave Sazra some calm knowing that others would be in range to help if shit hit the fan. She heard what he was saying but didn’t directly look at him back while gazing at the data until “I stepped into the Command chair seven years ago Captain” Looking at him now “Please don’t insult me to put me on a leash like a console on some random bridge” Crossing her arms “There is a fundamental difference here Captain, the RFS is an unknown factor, and we both know the history of Romulans not to be very cooperative. So a science mission is the same area is more relaxing than watching my back for a dagger that comes from the Sha’Rem” 

“I will get the ship ready for departure. Send me the information as to where we should meet with these Romulans, and I will keep you up to date on the progression” She pointed out the apparent but mere confirmation of her duties. 

With only a hint of defiance, Kohl interjected, “Don’t get me wrong, captain.  I wouldn’t have given you the orders if I didn’t think you were capable of some light knife-play.  The full support of myself, Captain Mek and Task Force 17 is behind you.”  Otherwise unbothered, Kohl looked away from the visual sensor again to tap commands into his holographic interface pane.  “I’m transmitting to you the rendezvous coordinates with the Sha’Rem and our… estimated coordinates for the outpost.  The captain of the Sha’Rem will have the full details available for you.  What other questions do you have?”

Hearing the incoming message provided by the coordinates, she nodded to them. Yet in her mind, she was just looking against this mission. “I got no further orders, sir, I will keep you in the fair voyage of this escort, and when we arrive, we will look at the said data and make our way back to Deep Space 17” Sazra formally spoke “Until then Captain” The screen went black as she sighs “Praugol to bridge, plot a course to given location” 

“Aye sir” She got back from T’Path replied.