Free Enterprise - Red Alert – Part Two - #119
Meanwhile, back at Deep Space Ten, Haxhis had just received the bad news. Captain Dillon Hunt, of The Louisiana, had just finished giving her an extensive report
“We did repeated sector by sector grid searchs and have not found so much as a neutrino. The Insurrection just disappeared." Captain Hunt completed. "I respectfully request permission to remain and continue the search in case we find her.” he continued, after a moment of stunned silence..
“I understand your deep concern for your friend, Captain. However, we have an emerging health crisis in the Bantola Sector, and I must divert the fleet. I will allow you to select one ship to remain with you, the rest will be tasked with the mission to Avon Six.” HaxHis replied.
“Then I will take the Ticonderoga.” Dillon replied.
“Excellent. In the meantime I will see if any of the other Starfleet members can offer their services.” HaxHis said.
Deep Space Ten was still understaffed and did not have the full compliment of her own ships yet. Until the station did, HaxHis would have to sparingly use what resources she did have.
“Perhaps the Vulcans, or the Klingons, but whomever they are, they will be strictly under your command while they are in the search area. So look for someone to arrive as soon as possible.” she continued.
“Understood Ma'am.” Dillon replied.
“Captain, please keep me posted.” HaxHis said.
“Will do, Ma'am.” Dillon replied, then cut the communication.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Conversation ended. Haxhis looked up at those sitting in her office.
“Well, you've heard the entire ugly story.” HaxHis stated.
“How does an Nova Class Starfleet Vessel just up and disappear like that?” Captain Joshua Miranda asked.
“The more correct query is, how does the USS Insurrection with Rear Admiral Anasazi who also happens to be the Nietzschean Viceroy simply disappear?” Captain Skonn corrected, as everyone winced inwardly.
“More succinctly, what are we going to tell the Nietzschean Queen Mother?” Khan corrected even further.
“I will personally inform Victoria. However, I want to maintain a news lock down on this incident for as long as possible. I realize the news will eventually get out, but if we can damper it enough to prevent panic. . . “ Haxhis started.
“Forgive me, Ma'am, but I was informed by Lieutenant Hardock that Melissa Culpepper and her INN crew managed to stow away on The Rear Admiral's ship.” Elin Turr, Deep Space Ten's Bajoran head of security interjected. “Since she is the main source of news in this quadrant. . . . . . .” the heavily muscled, thrice wounded, former Bajoran Resistance leader, continued as his earring flashed in the room's light.
“Stowaways! I thought Starfleet had safeguards in place against those!” HaxHis hotly interrupted.
“There are. However, in station wide alerts with thousands of officers running for their assigned ships, there is always a chance, it can and will happen.” Turr replied.
“And occasionally someone essential gets left behind.” Khan interjected. Haxhis sighed and shook her maned head.
“Gentleman you have your orders and you are dismissed. Commander Khan, please remain.” Haxhis stated. Captain's Skonn, Miranda and Commander Elin Turr filed out and she waited until the door shut behind them.
“How are you feeling, Khan?” Haxhis asked. She often wondered about those who made a life's career out of counseling others. Who counseled them?
“I am fine, thank you. However, I am deeply concerned for my Pride Brother's welfare.” Khan replied.
“Understood. And the children?” Haxhis asked.
“They are overjoyed that they will be spending so much time with their Dad.” he replied, as he pulled back his whiskers with mirth.
“You knew this would happen, didn't you?” Haxhis pressed.
Though Haxhis was a Katay, and not one of the “gifted”, she'd learned to recognize and deeply respect those who were. As a rule, she never pried into what Khan's precog visions were about, unless it was an extreme emergency. This was without a doubt one of those. . . . . . . .
“Yes I did,” was Khan's simple answer.
“Will he live?” she asked, referring to their mutual friend, Tyr.
“Yes, he will. But, as gold tried by fire.” Khan replied in his sage manner. Haxhis had the similar reaction Tyr would get. The fur on her back stood on end. No one saw it because she wore a Starfleet issue vest.
“When will. . . . . . “ she started.
“We must wait and trust the wisdom of the Divine.” Khan replied, cutting her off.
“In the meantime, what do we do with those who will clamor for, demand answers and action?” Haxhis queried, knowing she was going to be directly in the line of fire for a major political dust up.
“We wait.” Khan replied, sagely.
“Divine help us!” Haxhis said.
"Divine help us, indeed." Khan repeated.
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