Everything's Changing
Posted on Mon Jun 1st, 2015 @ 12:15pm by Captain Julius Whitlam & Commander Elliot Drake
Mission:
Prelude to War
Location: Transporter Room 1, USS Manoora
Timeline: MD01: 1415hrs
Elliot stood uncomfortably at attention in the transporter room, waiting anxiously for his captain to arrive. He gripped the PADD in his hand tightly. The change in orders contained on the PADD were unsettling, to say the least. With the increased Dominion traffic through the Bajoran wormhole, and now the Romulans signing a non-aggression pact with the Dominion, it was beginning to look like they weren't going to get that exploratory mission after all.
The annular confinement beam released Whitlam and he focused his eyes on Commander Drake, who had evidently been waiting. The anxious look on his first officer's face told him everything he needed to know. "I take it you've heard, Number One?" the captain asked as he stepped down off the transporter pad.
"I have, indeed," Drake replied, reaching out to welcome Whitlam to the ship. He skipped any of the normal formalities and got right to the point. "It gets worse. I have a new manifest right here," he said, holding up the PADD. "We've been ordered to return the cargo bound for Lomax III to make room for additional armaments and rations. The science teams are to be replaced with marines. Did you know about that?"
The captain nodded gravely, knowing that Drake felt the same way about that that he did. "I've just come from a briefing with Admiral Sellisa. We also need to make room for twelve Peregrine-class fighters and their retinue."
Drake shook his head. "Now we're adding fighters too? Why even keep us on the ship? You might as well just hand her over to the marines."
The pair walked out of the transporter room and headed for the nearest turbolift stop. "Believe me, Elliot, I don't like it anymore than you do. They're not only changing our mission, they're changing our purpose. We're no longer a ship of peace; we're being converted to a multi-role assault cruiser with front-line warfighting capability. Tip of the sword, some might say."
"I didn't sign up to fight a war, Julius. Don't get me wrong, I'll defend the Federation to my last if that's what I'm called on to do. But nevertheless, that's not why I'm in Starfleet. But ever since they ran into the Jem'Hadar three years ago, I'm beginning to feel like this isn't the same Starfleet."
The turbolift arrived and Whitlam led them in. "Bridge," he ordered, then turned to his friend and second-in-command as the doors closed. "It's not the same Starfleet. There's always been a dichotomy of thought in the fleet, as you'd know. Hawks and doves, if you will. Sadly, at times like this, those of our way of thinking are drowned out by the drums of war." He drew a deep breath and his expression hardened. "We have our duty, Number One. You and I can commiserate the ascendency of the hawks as much as we need behind closed doors, but I need to know that out there, in front of the crew, you and I will do what needs to be done."
Drake stood in silence for a moment while the turbolift made its way towards the bridge. Whitlam was right, as he usually was. They had a duty to Starfleet and the Federation. Regardless of what they thought of the situation, they had to be strong in front of the crew.
The captain let the silence linger a moment then prodded, "Are you with me, Elliot?"
It still took Elliot a moment to compose himself, but when the turbolift doors slid open to the bridge, he knew that moment was up. "I'm with you, sir. I'll follow you to hell and back. And from what I've read in these early reports, that may just be where we're heading."
Whitlam smiled warmly and clasped Drake on the shoulder. "I can think of nobody better to have at my side taking that journey, Number One." With a reassuring pat on the shoulder, the captain led the way out of the turbolift and headed for his ready room.
And I couldn't think of anyone better to lead us, Elliot thought as his captain walked away. It was certainly going to be quite the ride.
Captain Julius Whitlam
Commanding Officer
Commander Elliot Drake
Executive Officer
USS Manoora
