Ian Lamont pulled on a jacket over his tunic having procured one from his quarters. Exchanging his diplomatic uniform jacket for one that bore his naval rank of commander the ambassador traded his normal duties and again stepped back into the realm of naval service. Dashing into the closing doors of a crowded turbolift, Lamont thought about the specific orders given to him by the captain and the dire circumstances that now faced the Charon. He had never anticipated to be embroiled again in combat aboard an exploration ship, but fate had a way of readjusting one’s expectations. Having served on the Lexington in Second Dominion War he had always felt a sense of strength aboard a heavy cruiser outfitted to take on the task of front line combat. However that feeling now was absent aboard the Charon whose mission was to learn and explore. She did not possess the weaponry or protection of a front line capital ship and yet they found themselves in a fight against superior Romulan forces who were supposed to be allies.
The doors of the lift parted revealing a scene straight out of his memories aboard the Lexington and even further back to his first combat experiences in the Kobayshi Maru test. The recent conversation with Ensign Dicari briefly floated in and out of his mind as he pushed his way through the chaos around him on the way to the hangar deck. The corridor walls were scorched black in many places from exploding power relays. The condition red alerts and lighting filled the deck as did a multitude of officers, crewman, and some civilians as they all moved about like ants repairing a damaged mound.
Lamont pushed his way through the sea of people in a chaotic swirl of foul smells, noises, shouting, and confusion. He passed two corpsmen with a litter carrying the injured body of a crewman who appeared badly burned. Pressing his body flush against the wall all he could do was watch as they passed. He had told Cyrin he hated war and conflict. Perhaps it was not so much the fighting that bothered him as it was the huge personal and emotional costs in its aftermath. His father had been the victim of a full scale political war which left his family penniless and its name tarnished. The Lexington had suffered greatly in the last war. He had seen too many in his lifetime pay the high price of battle. For all their technology, sophistication, and so called ethics and developed sensibilities humanity still found itself killing and dying in conflict. Such was nature Lamont had come to accept, but his acceptance of the truth did nothing to assuage the pain he felt for those afflicted by conflict’s harsh and unforgiving touch.
Entering the shuttlebay, Lamont was confronted with a horrific scene as a shuttle lie smashed and tangled within the giant arresting nets. The deck was fouled with parts, damage, and small, burning embers of smoldering metal and debris in the shuttle’s wake. Acrid, unpleasant smells assaulted his nose as the ambassador turned officer made his way into the chaos around him. Dozens of crewmen rushed about in various roles attending to the shuttle, the damage, or the shuttle’s crew who were being evacuated from the wreckage. Lamont looked at the shuttle and then beyond outside the forcefield into the impenetrable depths of the nebula.
Ian again continued his march into the madness around him passing the shuttle and the activity intent on following the orders he had been assigned. He paused for a moment as his boot slipped against the metal deck. Looking down he noticed a trail or green blood that ran from the tangled wreckage of the shuttle past his feet and off toward an exit. His eyes followed the trail making contact with a Romulan medical officer carrying a…
“Sakarra”, his mind shouted although his body remained still. Lamont’s mouth opened to shout, but no words were forthcoming as he realized the lieutenant seemed gravely injured. All he could do was stare and watch as the officer carried the Vulcan away. Duty prevented him from rushing to the side of the woman who had recently saved his life in a failure of one of the Charon’s turbocars. In any case there was little he could do to help. He had to accept there were some things even he could not alter or change.
His eyes slowly followed the path of the Romulan officer as he made his way to the exit with Lieutenant Tyrax slung over his shoulder like a soldier’s rucksack. Ian stood silently for several moments after they had disappeared. He could spend no more time here as the captain’s orders required his full attention. Moving past the shuttle and the chaos that surrounded it, Lamont entered flight operations where he located the individual he was seeking.
“Lieutenant Athalla”, Lamont said approaching the pilot from behind. The lieutenant, staring down at the shuttle and the personnel below on the deck, turned from the large window before him and faced Lamont with an expression composed of equal parts surprise and curiosity.
“Ambassador”, the pilot replied. “May I inquire as to why you are in naval attire? Unusual for a diplomat.”
“Duty called”, Lamont quickly answered his words sharp and to the point. “I need to speak with you alone on a matter or utmost importance. Please follow me.”
[ Sometime Later ]
Lamont finished explaining the pilot’s orders. “I will see that two crewmen are selected to accompany you in the event your services are required. If and when this contingency is needed I will personally inform you. You are not to discuss this with anyone other than myself. If you feel you cannot accept this duty and responsibility then please speak now.”
“No problems sir. I accept the assignment with a few conditions.”
“Such as”, Lamont tersely asked.
“I pick the shuttle used. I don’t want any of that Romulan tech fouling up the works. If I am going to fly my bird into a dangerous sea I don’t want Romulan technology I know nothing about becoming an issue. Second, I want permission to stock the shuttle with supplies and provisions as I see fit. Additionally, I want full operational command of the mission. I don’t want to be fighting other officers in addition to the enemy if the mission is green-lighted sir.”
Lamont pondered the pilot’s requests for a time. “Reasonable requests given the circumstances. I’ll see to them. Select a shuttle to your liking lieutenant. You have my authorization to outfit a shuttle as needed, but be discrete. Draw too much attention and I will shut you down faster than an engineer with a damaged warp core. Understood?”
“Yes sir.”
“Do what you must, but no more. Should the need arise for your services the orders must be successfully carried out and this ship’s children escorted to safety.”
Athalla stared at the ambassador. The man’s demeanor was different from the last time they had met during the recent Lyrillian mission. He seemed harsher and blunt. Something had happened that was preoccupying the man’s thoughts. Leon could sense the man’s uneasiness but said nothing. Perhaps the ambassador, having been thrown into naval duty, was on edge given the threats facing the Charon.
“Ambassador, does the captain have any specific orders regarding this mission?”
Lamont shook his head. “No. These are my orders lieutenant. I’m playing executive officer for a day in what might be a limited engagement given the circumstances. I’m in charge of seeing to the safety of the crew in emergencies. Given the fact that the Charon cannot be allowed to fall into enemy hands I’m sure you can understand the need to evacuate certain individuals in the event drastic measures are required.”
“There are always alternatives as you must be aware sir. Going out with a bang while honorable won’t exactly be popular.”
Lamont chuckled. “I don’t think the captain worries too much about her popularity lieutenant, but if you wish, I’ll tell her you were concerned.”
Athalla managed a wry grin. “Do that. I’d hate to think she is getting soft.”
“Hardly”, Ian quickly answered. “I would hate to be in our enemy’s shoes right now. I’m not sure how she’ll do it, but I can assure you she will find a way to inflict disproportionate amounts of pain on our attackers one way or another. I wouldn’t worry about her going soft.”
“If you will excuse me sir I have many duties to see to. I hope the efforts will be in vain for all of our sakes.”
“As do I lieutenant”, Lamont slowly said. “Inform me when your preparations are complete. Dismissed.”
The pilot turned and left the room leaving Lamont alone. Standing, Ian left the small, empty office to return to the bridge. His thoughts were a conflicted jumble of emotions as he grappled with duty, the captain’s discrete orders, and the knowledge lieutenant Tyrax had been injured. She had saved his life and he had not had the opportunity to repay that debt or even thank her properly. If her injuries were severe he might not get the chance.
If she were standing here she might say something about logic and attempt to dismiss his emotional state as an irrational behavior. He would have to make the logical choice and return to duty. He knew she would understand as a Vulcan, but that knowledge was of little comfort to his human emotions which he had no choice but to swallow and continue on during the Charon’s hour of need.
Heading back to the bridge, Lamont struggled to force everything but his duties from his mind as there was little time for anything else.
~FIN~
Amb Ian Lamont
Lt. Leon Athalla
(apb Tav)
