The Pendragon

It was a name that Hale hadn’t heard for years, and surprise rolled through him even as he named the CO. 

Mason turned to him, surprise written across his features for a split second. “Someone you know?” 

Hale inclined his head. “Of a sort. My father was the chief engineer on the Pendragon so I spent some time aboard when I was a kid. Dad retired a few months before she went missing when on routine patrol out beyond the Komar reaches. Sensors picked up a class five ionic storm out that way, so everyone assumed she’d run into it and been destroyed.”

“Everyone? But not you?” Mason asked, tilting an eyebrow as he reached for his mug of coffee. Absently, Hale noticed it had cream and sprinkles. 

Hale shook his head. “I didn’t know much back then but it was obvious Shade was an experienced captain. My father trusted him, and he didn’t trust many people. No way would the Shade I knew have put the ship or crew in danger by getting too close to something like that.” 

Mason grunted as he leaned back. “Interesting. Okay, Callahan, Allen… keep investigating on the ghost ship. Keep us updated.”

Hale offered a tight smile as the two science officers left the briefing room, then transferred his attention back to the captain. Who was watching him in that direct way of his. Now Hale thought of it, it was very similar to the look he remembered the Pendragon CO having. 

But rather than ask him anything else about the Pendragon, Mason sipped his coffee. 

“You wanted to discuss away team protocols before we arrived in-system for our second contact meeting with the Volar?” 

Hale nodded as he flicked his padd on and pinged a file over to Mason. “I’ve reviewed all our personnel and put together some away team combinations that I think will work well for our mission.”

Mason snorted. “You mean that won’t put us at risk of a diplomatic incident?”

Hale allowed a small smile to quirk his lips. “That too.”

Then Mason’s gaze sharpened as he read. “Is there a reason I’m not on any of the away teams listed here?”

Hale didn’t allow himself to freeze, even though it was an automatic reaction. He’d been expecting the question as soon as Mason had opened the file.

“The Volar are a peaceful species,” he said, keeping his voice level and calm. “Given your history and your… uhm natural bearing, I thought it would be best to minimize your contact with them.”

He held his breath as Mason nodded slowly, trying to read his implacable expression. Then the captain looked up and speared him with a look. 

“You mean I’m a soldier and I move like one.” 

Hale winced slightly. “Well… yes, sir.”

“If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck… it’s a duck, let’s call it one.” Mason broke into a grin. “And yes, you’re quite right. Good call. If I’m going to cause issues, then I definitely shouldn’t be on the away team. I’ll leave this one in your capable hands.”

He inclined his head, relief that Mason hadn’t taken offence washing through him. He’d dreaded Mason’s reaction to not being point on this one, but there was no way he could recommend that knowing the Volar’s likely reaction. They were reported to be almost aggressively pacifist, if that wasn’t a contradiction in terms. Putting someone like Mason in there would be like putting a fox in the hen house. 

The trouble was, some captains were so gung-ho and convinced they were the center of the entire universe that it was hard to convince them that not everything was about them. Hale hadn’t been absolutely sure that Mason wasn’t one of them. He didn’t think so, but there had been the outside chance… he was pleased to see that wasn’t the case. 

“Thank you sir. I will, of course, keep you updated at every stage of the mission.”

Mason nodded as the two men stood. “I wouldn’t expect it any other way. Let’s get at it then, we should be arriving in system shortly.”