The Pnyx, the senior officer’s lounge aboard Republic, was a small yet cosy place with a late-mid 20th-century vibe to it. And it was here that the majority of the senior officers of Republic were currently gathered while the ship was proceeding towards Gateway Station at high warp. Nominally the gathering was called ‘breakfast’ but for some was a mere break in their day and for others would be the end cap for their day once they arrived.

“Well last night was certainly interesting,” commented Lieutenant Cat Saez as she sat herself down amongst her colleagues in the central collection of couches and seats around the two low tables that formed the heart of the Pnyx. She was nursing a coffee between her hands as she sunk into her seat. “Got to say, I think the Commander is quite the character.”

“She’s a spook,” Evan quipped, his attention mostly on the padd in his left hand, the drink in his right ignored as much as the oatmeal on the table just out of reach. “Starfleet Intelligence, undercover assignment for over a decade. Turns up in a number of Operational updates as ‘suspected pirate’.”

“I read those reports as well,” Cat replied. “I also read the reports where she was responsible for the capture and turning over of T’Rev of P’Jem, the so-called Last Pirate King. Or instrumental in assisting the USS Endeavour during the Archanis Crisis.”

“Still a spook.”

“No one is arguing that Evan,” Matt Lake spoke up as he too joined the group proper now, having retrieved his own breakfast. “We’re just putting it into context.”

“Indeed.” Selu Levne’s single word was said over the lip of her cup of tea. “It would appear this assignment is the Commander’s reward for a rather lucrative career breaking up pirating and slaving operations.”

“So why do we have to get the pirate then?” Evan asked.

“Because someone was going to be the lucky ones,” Cat answered with a wicked smile. “I think it’s great to be honest.”

That drew Evan’s attention away from his padd as he sat it down in his lap and stared at Cat. “And why’s that?”

“Yes, why is that?” asked the last voice to join the group. Lieutenant Junior Grade Willow Beckman was the lowest-ranked individual who could access the Pnyx without question by virtue of her position as the ship’s chief helmsman. She had just entered and went straight for a seat, finding one opposite Cat and throwing herself into it, eyes focused intently on the fighter pilot.

“Well, I managed to have a one-on-one with the Commander yesterday between the ship getting underway and the senior staff dinner.” Evan leaned forward at that, remembering his drink and setting it down to free his hands to clasp together. Even Matt turned in his seat to pay attention. Cat smiled, waggled her eyebrows and then continued. “Sure she seems laid back, but wicked smart. Had a few pretty good questions for me, seems to have a fairly good grasp on the regs and procedures, if a bit dated perhaps.”

“Spook,” Evan quipped.

“Is everyone who is well-read on their subordinates a spook?” Cat asked.

“Just those that worked for Starfleet Intelligence. Always running a game within a game,” he answered.

“You know most people in Starfleet Intelligence are just normal officers doing boring analysis?” Cat shook her head when Evan’s eyes squinted at her slightly. “Anyway, she gives me the right vibes. Sure, she might be a bit rough around the edges, but honestly, I’d rather a commander with personality than a cookie cutter, by the book, uniform-wearing mannequin.”

Matt couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped at that comment or the wide and genuine smile that took over his face as a result. “Oh man, now there’s an image. Cripes, I can think of a dozen officers I’ve worked with like that and totally agree – would much rather one with personality.”

“As long as it isn’t criminally inclined,” Selu spoke once more, her voice barely loud enough to be heard by those gathered. “The list of suspected and even decently supported crimes the Commander committed during her undercover assignment does hint at a pattern of repetition.”

“Well, we’ll just keep an eye out for it, won’t we?” Cat asked, earning a nod in the affirmative from Selu. “Anyway, she said she was going to arrange one-on-ones with everyone hopefully before we reach Gateway Station, so maybe some opinions will change, yes?” Cat’s attention settled on Evan, who rolled his eyes and grumbled something under his breath.

“I certainly look forward to speaking with her,” Willow said. “Should be an interesting opportunity to discuss cross-training between capital and small-craft trained operators.”

“Not a bad idea Lieutenant,” Cat replied with a smile. “Wouldn’t mind brushing up on my starship flight skills and putting some hours under my belt. I’ll even get all of the Night Witches to sign up.”

“Fantastic,” Willow replied icily, before pushing herself to her feet. “I just remembered I have something to do.”

As she left, the others watching the young lieutenant depart, it was Selu who spoke up, addressing Cat directly. “It would seem she doesn’t like you.”

“She feels threatened,” Cat replied. “I’m higher ranked, I’m commanding a wing of fighters and she’s stuck flying the ship. Which isn’t nothing mind you, especially for her age and skill, but she’s worried I’m going to displace her in the grand scheme of things.”

“And you won’t?” the Orion-Vulcan security officer followed up.

“I’m only going to be on the bridge when either I’m called up there or something has gone seriously wrong. She’s going to be sitting right there, in all of your faces more often than I ever will. She’s got nothing to worry about from my taking her place. Hell, if anything I should be worried about her.”

“And are you?” Matt asked.

“Nah.” Cat shrugged as she slouched her in seat as far as she could. “I’m too good-looking to let anything worry me.”

“Besides, Evan will do all the worrying for you,” Matt chipped in, saluting his comrade with his drink.

“I’d be angry if it wasn’t half true,” Evan replied grumpily.

With the sound of the Pnyx’s doors opening again, it was Cat who spoke up as she turned around. “Hey Willow, look I…uh, can I help you, Crewman?” At the door, instead of a returning Lieutenant Beckman like Cat had been expecting was instead the newest and lowest-ranked member of the ship’s company.

Revin, now bearing the family name of Sadovu-th’Ven, was there, not in uniform, but in fashionable, if comfortable attire, eyes half closed as she stepped in just far enough for the doors to close behind her. “Actually, Lieutenant, I believe that is my question.” She took a few heartbeats more, then opened her eyes, smiled broadly and stepped closer to the gathering of senior officers. “I wasn’t aware anyone was here in the Pnyx and was assisting in the Agora. I apologise for taking as long as I did to get here.”

“Oh, uh,” Cat stammered for a moment, then looked to Evan and Matt, both shrugging their shoulders at her. “That’s alright Crewman. We’re all big enough and pretty enough to serve our own drinks.”

“I’ll say,” Revin teased. “But it is my duty after all to attend to the Pnyx first.”

“Well, who am I to argue with the bartender?” Cat replied. Then indicated one of the empty seats in their little gathering. “There is something you could do for us actually. Would you be willing to answer some questions about our dear Commander? To help put some of my colleague’s unease to rest?”

Revin stood there for a few moments, considering, looking over the officers before her, before she settled herself down in the offered seat, all grace and elegance as she did. “Within reason,” she answered, then repeated. “Within reason.”

“Of course.” It was Selu who spoke up. “Could you elaborate some on the circumstances around the destruction of the Vondem Thorn and the acquisition of the Vondem Rose?”

“I would suggest,” Revin said while making herself a bit more comfortable, “you get comfortable. It all started…”