Damage Control

Posted on Wed Aug 21st, 2024 @ 3:25am by Lieutenant Commander Maxun Spello & Captain Remy Johansen

1,370 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: What We Do With Second Chances
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: MD 15, The Captain's Return

After stopping off at the Winters' quarters, Remy made another quick stop to put on her uniform and communicator and went straight for the Bridge. She'd been gone too long. Thankfully, Commander Spello had managed to find a way to keep Astrea at New Sausalito despite the fact that they were holding high profile prisoners. She'd only had time to skim through the reports as they'd been on radio silence until recently.

She stepped on to the Bridge, noting some pleasantly surprised faces. "Commander Spello," the Captain stated as she walked into the well. "I am sorry I missed the action, but I don't think I could have done it better myself."

Hearing the voice of his commanding officer, Maxun stood up from the command seat and stepped to the side, presenting it back to its rightful owner. "Thank you, Captain," he replied, loud enough that everyone could hear him. "However, I cannot take full credit. We have an excellent crew, Ma'am. They deserve the credit for a difficult job well done." He spoke about the crew proudly.

"I don't doubt you on that," Remy agreed. "Do you have a minute?" She gestured to the Ready Room.

He nodded, "Of course, Captain." He handed control of the conn off to the next senior officer on the bridge, then followed Remy into her ready room.

Remy let out a deep breath and relaxed a bit once the door shut behind them in the Ready Room.

"In less than two hours The Winters family and Brunel's medical team are going to be transported to an independent vessel known as the Sentinel for Brunel's treatment. We rode with them most of the way back. I'm going to have to leave some details out of my report, but there is evidence of some affiliation with the Quath'Mar, so I'm going to lean on that," the Captain explained. "It certainly helps keep things tidy here, and Commander Razka's association helps with things."

Nodding slightly, Maxun responded. "I take then, you had a fruitful...holiday?" He gave Remy a soft smirk as he finished speaking.

"Personal business that turned into calling in a favor, let's say," the Captain corrected as she shot a finger at him.

"Good job bringing everyone back in one piece. Have we been able to sort out who is on what side as far as enablers go with the attempt to continue the Ataran slave society yet?" Remy asked.

Maxun grinned, then nodded. "Seems their Queen and about a dozen of her loyal followers were riding roughshod over the rest of the society. They used fear mostly to get their way. I have the ruling class in the brig right now, though, you should know, the El Aurian Council has put forth a petition to the Federation Council to have them released to their custody. They state that it was their fault that the Atarans continued their way of life after they were banished, and any punishment for the Queen and her followers should be given by the El Aurian laws. They have also given their word that the Queen and her followers will not be executed, but instead, retrained to not only see the error in their ways, but become productive members of society again."

"Retrained?" Remy repeated incredulously. "I wonder how one goes about that." She thought for a split second and added, "Nevermind, you don't have to tell me. The hearing could be a few months away. Unless there is an agreement, a number of us could be called to testify. I've not known the El Aurians to be so involved in politics - at least not in Federation history. Are we going to be hearing more from them?"

"They have sent their apologies to the UFP Council, the President, even to the C-in-C, stating that had they handled the Ataran situation differently, three thousand years ago, we might not be in this situation now. As far as any legal moves on our side, they indicated that they will wait, should the UFP wish to punish the Queen and her followers first. However, in the end,they are still requesting that they ultimately end up in El Aurian custody." Maxun moved to sit in one of the chairs positioned in front of his Captain's desk. "As far as politics go, since the Borg nearly wiped out my people, and then went on to annihilate to rest of the races that had made up the Union of Systems, they have tried to stay out of other race's political dealings. While we do have an understanding with Earth, Vulcan and a few other major race's in the UFP, by and large, we try yo stay quiet, simply listening to the younger race's. A few, like myself, still go out and actively work alongside you, living with you, some even taking loved ones and growing families. We, as a species, are still trying to recover from what the Borg did."

"Understandably," the Captain agreed. "I just didn't know if this was a sign they were ready to get back in the game. I do have two on my ship. That's a bit unheard of."

"Either way, this metal compound of theirs that's embedded in our nacelles is going to take a bit to clear out. Of course Starfleet is trying to collect as much of it as they can. The Starbase near Barisa Prime is looking to be our new homebase for repairs. Our primary assignments should be coming out of those sectors from this point forward." Remy passed Spello a PADD. "I've only passed through there once. The Starbase is tight. The planet as its spots."

Maxun took the PADD as replied. "As far as I've been told, and mind you I haven't been told much, my people are not stepping fully back into the center ring. And as for there being two of us on your ship, that is purely Fate. Who is the other, if I may ask?" He, of course, knew already. He also has heard the stories of how there was a possible relationship brewing between his captain and the other El Aurian...he had just not heard it from her yet.

"I know I've kept you busy, but he's only completely rebranded Ten-Forward. Perhaps I need to give you a night or two off," Remy commented with a smirk.

Thinking about how he could spend the time with Chrysanthe, Maxun shrugged. "I'm sure we both could use a little quiet time. Maybe when we put in for repairs, we could let the while crew stand down for as long as it takes the yard to fix the old girl?"

Remy nodded, "We can do with a skeleton crew, the bulk of that is going to be in engineering. I can handle the rota, you've done more than your share since taking on the position. I'll get us squared away there. There is one thing I'd like you to do, though."

Maxun grinned slightly, "I've only done what my duty as your number one demanded, Captain. I do what I must to be the best Executive officer for your ship and crew." He paused a beat, then asked, "What is it that you need me to do, Ma'am?"

"After shoreleave, we need to prioritize getting you through the final test for the command protocol, so we can push your promotion through. We'll get Kas and Nash to fill in on the Bridge so we can make time for it," Remy stated as she started to stand up.

Maxun followed suit, the look of surprise clear on his features. "If you feel I am ready for the test, Captain. I won't let you, or the Astrea, down!"

"You're ready." Remy nodded. "It's not really the kind of thing you study for, and you have the experience."

She stepped around the desk. "Anything else we need to go over before we head back out there?"

He thought about it for a beat, then shook his head. "Not that I can think of, Ma'am." He then followed her lead as they left her ready room.

~OFF~

Remira Johansen
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea

&

Maxun Spello
Executive Officer
USS Astrea

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