“…and that is increasingly challenging given the lack of response from the Cardassians.  I'm working to see who else I can reach, but a pattern is starting to form.”

Harris sat at the front of the briefing room table, taking notes on his PADD.

Hasara echoed Atega's report, “My contacts have stopped responding to me.  I'm working on several theories, but will need time in order to understand what is really happening.”

Ambrose nodded, “Let's see what we can find out.  I think…”

=^=Bridge to Captain Harris, we have a message from Task Force 72 for you, sir, updated orders."

He felt a frown coming on, “I'll take it in my ready room.”  As the channel closed, he turned to his senior staff, “Let's keep our eyes and ears out.  Dismissed.”

=^=Captain Harris.=^=

Ambrose sat back in his chair.  The smiling face of Geronimo Fontana was on his screen.  It took a moment to think of what to say, “They didn't make you an admiral, did they?”  He returned the smile.  They'd come a long way from the early days on the Edinburgh.

“No.  I don't know if I'd ever take that gig.  No, I'm calling because I've accepted the position of Executive Officer for Task Force 72.  I was asked to work on balancing our operational fleet, and your name was at the top of my list."

Harris was curious, “I've been happy here in Task Force 47 - we've done some good work out there.”

Fontana understood, “And they're just as happy with you…but you've got experience working with Cardassians…and one aboard with experience in many different places in the union.  We've got our own issues here with Cardassians.  I'm sure you've read about The True Way and the challenges there." He tapped at his console, “I've got lots of background I'm sending you.” Ambrose remained quiet and waited for Fontana to pick up on it.  It didn't take him long.  “You're not thrilled with the assignment?”

“Is there a choice in this, Fontana?”

The medical doctor smiled quietly, “Always to the point, Captain.  It's a change in assignment.  No crew changes, no ship changes…just moving you into an operational theater better suited for what you know how to do.”

“It's never that easy.”

Geronimo shrugged, “Easy, not easy…it's something to do, and it's us putting trust in you to handle the business of the task force.  Come to Starbase 72 in the Minos Korva system.  You can meet some folks, get your crew acclimated, and get to work."

Ambrose resisted the urge to grimace or cringe.  Instead, he nodded, “I'll set our course and head your way, Captain Fontana.”  He closed the channel and stood from his chair.  Whatever reasons Fontana had for bringing him to the new task force, they were probably legitimate.  He hoped they would find continued success in this new task force.