New Cop on the Beat

Posted on Mon Sep 2nd, 2024 @ 9:39am by Commander Rovak & Lieutenant Commander Alex Flynn & Lieutenant Rune Thul & Doctor Intharia T'Zor & Lieutenant Atna & Lieutenant JG Vijay Singh & Chief Petty Officer Zeldta Yan

3,075 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: DownTime [1]
Location: CIC, Deep Space 13
Timeline: 1420 Hours, MD00

For the first stop on the impromptu tour, they had come to the CIC. "This is our main operations centre." Rovak said, leading Thul down the walkway over what they'd come to refer to as 'the bridge', the long platform facing towards the viewscreen, with the ostentatious captain's chair in the middle of its circular terminus. The individual in the commander's chair spun around to face them, climbing down the steps. It was Master Chief Grey Horse, the station's most senior NCO.

"Hello, sir. Giving the tour?" Grey Horse asked.

"Correct, Chief. Lieutenant Thul, allow me to introduce Master Chief Grey Horse, our Chief of the Port. Grey Horse, this is Lieutenant Thul, our new Chief of Security." Grey Horse offered his large, strong hand to the Betazoid.

"Greetings Master Chief," Rune replied as he accepted Grey Horse's hand and they shook for a moment. "Yes I have served on ships most of my career so I haven't really retained information about starbase layouts." They didn't need to know about his service to Starfleet Intelligence, so unless it was necessary he left it out. He will inform the commanding officer about that when intelligence comes knocking.

"That's no surprise, sir. There's nothing like this station on record. Some early concepts, but nothing ever assembled. Why the Romulans would build it is beyond me. Got any theories?" Grey Horse asked Thul. It had proved to be a common thread of discussion between crew.

"First off," Rune gave a quick salute before returning to a casual stance. "Though the Commander did introduce me," he began and smiled at Grey Horse. "I am Lieutenant Rune Thul, I am a Son of the Seventh House known for Courage and wielder of the Sacred Sword of Betazed." His face went serious. "Well, it is quite obvious, actually. The Romulans used this station as a training facility for their spies, before training simulators we'd do the same and the other galactic powers as well I'd wager." Rune frowned. "I guess it became too much with the continued advancement to Holographic technology." He concluded.

"That's a lot of people's assumption. I don't know though, with Romulan secrets, you never can tell. In any event, welcome aboard, sir. If you'll excuse me." Grey Horse said with a polite nod, before turning back to his position in the command chair.

"True enough," Rune nodded and nodded again. "Indeed, Chief." He replied as he watched Grey Horse return to their duty station before turning back to his commanding officer.

Rovak had been consulting one of the unmanned terminals while Thul and Grey Horse spoke. He found that Flynn was in one of the deck crew workshops in the upper interior dock, and Atna was in Cetacean Ops 3. "From here we will proceed to the interior dock. Do you have any questions so far, Lieutenant?" Rovak asked.

"Not at the moment, sir," Rune replied, though that could change at a moment's notice, as he smiled and followed Rovak off the command deck.

They reached the turbolift quickly, Rovak had been keeping track of how the projected times had gone up since activity on the station had increased, he saw that they had a couple of minutes before they reached their destination. "If I may inquire Lieutenant, I am curious about the nature of Betazoid nobility, it is not a subject I have ever explored in detail. Do the honours and privileges pass to a spouse? And if so, does their status as a non-Betazoid have any bearing?" Rovak asked.

As he listened to the turbolift race through the decks, Rune considered the question. "As you may be aware Betazoid culture is matriarchal, all honours and privileges are passed down from mother to daughter, there are a few cases where a son has been granted only the slightest degree of status if no daughter is present." Rune could feel his hands clinch into fists, and he flashed anger for only a moment before he relaxed as he recalled he no longer had to deal with the elders.

"In short, it would be pure to non-Betazoid ranking while going from female to male in terms of status. That is my current explanation of our, my, culture. I haven't really been back home for long enough to have seen any changes or differences that may be in the works or happening since the Dominion War." Rune added as he glanced down while putting his hands behind his back. "If you'd like I could contact my House and see if they could give me some cultural news?" He asked.

"I appreciate the offer Lieutenant, but I imagine you will have your hands full. Besides, we have a diplomatic detachment I can ask with scarce little to do until someone other than the Romulan Free State sends a representative. We have 3,000 Romulan refugees who have recently been given Federation citizenship in residence aboard. All have submitted to genetic cataloguing and have oaths of citizenship on file. What little of our promenade has been occupied is primarily by businesses from the Romulan Free State. Some are less reputable than a Starfleet installation might expect, but we do not wish to disrupt them without reasonable suspicion, in the interests of multicultural harmony." Rovak told Thul.

That perked Rune's interest, less than reputable businesses on the station? Which he did know that the Free State did give to the Federation and Starfleet to run. "Does that mean Starfleet Security is not permitted to police this station's population or just keep the Romulans separate and as you say leave them to their own devices?" He asked after glancing over to Rovak.

"I would ask that any policing of the existing Romulan residents is performed as a reactive duty, rather than a proactive one. Bear in mind the places on this station that have been here longer than Starfleet, and give them a certain deference. We estimate this station to have been sparsely inhabited for more than a century." Rovak explained.

"May I have your permission to meet with military leaders of the Romulan residents and refugees, I wish to talk with them about how I can be helpful to them?" Rune asked flatly, though there was a spark of excitement of getting dirty into possible security matters. It did stem from his natural espionage inclinations considering he was in Intelligence for a long time.

"They have little in the way of military presence. Only a handful of retired veterans with families, none of whom have taken up leadership positions. The closest thing may be Centurion Artolonok who works in Tactical. If you wish to open up a dialogue with their community leaders, you may find Ambassador Creon is the best person to speak to. Most have retained the Romulan citizenships, and you may find as we have during our interactions that their desire for privacy will lead them to refuse all contact with you." Rovak explained, feeling a slight concern that he had not fully conveyed just how recalcitrant the Romulans had been and likely still were.

Rune raised an eyebrow. "Fascinating," he said. Perhaps with the homeworld lost truly broke many of them to the point of no return. "Thank you, I will do as you say sir."

At last the doors parted, and the two men were released into the central core of the interior dock. Rovak did not stop to observe, instead leading them towards the workshop where the computer had told him that Flynn was located. "As you can see the interior dock is quite similar structurally to the Stardock-class, only at a much reduced scale. While we can accommodate up to four large starships, anything bigger than a Galaxy-class may require some maneuvering, or otherwise need to settle for external docking."

As they entered the workshop at the far end of the docking pier, they found a cacophony of movement among the deck crew. The diminutive Chief Yan was the only one to notice them, and wandered over, removing her headset and leaving it at the terminal she'd been sitting at. "Hey there, skip. What we do you for?" Yan asked.

"Good afternoon, Chief. Is Commander Flynn nearby?" Rovak asked.

"Just through there, in the lounge." Yan pointed.

"Thank you, Chief. This is Lieutenant Thul, our new Security Chief."

"Oh yeah, I just read the manifest. House of Courage. I wasn't expecting us to get nobility out here in the ass-end of nowhere. Welcome aboard, El-tee." Yan said to Thul.

Rune offered his hand. "Oh, Chief thank you, only those in the Fifth House are actual nobility in terms of leading my people, it is true that the rest of the houses have 'subnobility' leading the families in those houses..." He trailed off. He hated politics and sighed. "Not really nobility," Rune gestured to himself.

"Closer to it than this grease-monkey usually gets." Yan said self-effacingly, gesturing to herself with her thumbs after shaking his hand. "See you round, El-tee."

"See ya," Rune replied and smiled.

They passed through to the lounge, where they found Flynn in discussion with Lieutenant Singh, the senior officer among the deck crew.

Alex had been chatting for longer than was efficient with Lieutenant Singh, he'd bummed a smoke and they'd gone from discussing potential upgrades to the Faraday to sports, and who was looking good this year in the Andorian warp-racing stakes. When she heard the doors part, she turned to face the newcomers, finding Rovak and someone she didn't recognise. She gestured to the drone she deployed to keep her cigarettes from bothering others, and ashed out the one she had in the concave surface on its back.

"Afternoon, sir. Just making sure the rebuild is on track. Feels like the least I can do." She said somewhat sheepishly.

Rune smiled at Alex as he waited at Rovak's side with his hands behind his back.

"Commander Flynn, our new chief of security." Rovak told her directly, gesturing to Rune.

"Security Chief? No, I would have heard about that." Alex said, looking to where she'd put her padd down, and retrieving it from the side table. She brought up the manifest, and was shocked to see a new name. "Well I'll be. Rune Thul, class of 2368. Looks like you're the real deal, Thul. Good to know you." Alex dropped the padd on the seat and offered him her hand.

"Commander," Rune greeted his immediately superior. "That's nice of you to say, I'm looking forward to serving here."

"You say that now, but I hear security work on the green ward will have you replicating new pairs of shoes sooner than you're used to." Alex said with what she hoped was encouraging concern.

"Green Ward? Is that the nickname of one of the docking terminals?" Rune asked, it was good to meet people first before attempting to learn lingo and the going-ons on board from security reports.

"Green ward is found within the main sphere, in the civilian sector between decks 93 and 98. It's where the Romulans have been relocated to, previously they resided all over the station. Some of the businesses were allowed to stay in the former locations, so while most of them are in green ward, there's a few more around." Alex explained.

"So what happened to the other guy Gali was bringing?" Alex asked Rovak.

This too was something Rune wanted to know as he turned to Rovak.

"Lieutenant Commander Ythik'wa entered an acute early malting phase. For Phylosians away from their homeworld, it can be fatal. Fortunately she was able to receive care in time. She will recover within a few months." Rovak explained in his standard flat affect. "If you will excuse us." He said to Alex and Vijay.

Before long they were back in the turbolift, and had arrived in the number 3 Aquatic Ops bay. The computer had told him Atna was somewhere nearby, but the guidance systems were less helpful when one's focus was to be found in a liquid atmosphere.

He wondered about the Phylosian and when the Lieutenant Commander can travel will he be expected to move on, Rune began to contemplate and quietly behind Rovak as they entered Aquatic Ops. He knew he'd be able to go pretty much anywhere or maybe return fully to Starfleet Intelligence, though suddenly he had his family in his mind and wouldn't do that to them. Perhaps become a handler, or maybe switch to Command. So many options formed before him.

Atna surfaced by coincidence as the Commander and Lieutenant arrived. She removed the rebreather she'd held in her mouth and tread water. "Commander, can I be of assistance?" There was something with an unusual visual affect stirring in the water deep below her.

"This is Lieutenant Rune Thul of the seventh house of Betazed, our new security chief." Rovak explained

"Greetings Lieutenant Thul. Live long and prosper." Atna said once Rovak had introduced him, making the customary salute with one hand extended out of the water.

"Hello and to you...?" Rune asked gesturing at her to continue the introductions.

"I am Lieutenant Atna, of Vulcan." Atna said. It was the closest thing she had to a title.

"Peace and long life Lieutenant," Rune stated before he gave a soft bow of his head.

From within the deep aquatic room, a strangely illuminated blur of energy seemed to stir, shooting suddenly through the water with unnatural speed. A ribbon of dark plasma coursed through the water, emerging from the surface, its trajectory towards where Rovak and Thul stood. It landed with a wet thud and dissipated, and Thari T'Zor was left behind within it, standing on the platform alongside the two men, dripping all over the no-slip surface. "Gentlemen, coming in for a dip?" She asked the two officers.

"Doctor T'Zor, you have a curious aquamotive technique. Would this be the energy manipulation ability you have referred to?" Rovak asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes it is very fascinating." Rune echoed Rovak.

"Lieutenant Atna and I have been studying my biotics. It seems a liquid medium is the simplest way to manipulate them." Thari explained. "I haven't seen your face before." She said when she looked at Rune.

It dawned on Rovak that he had not mentioned the anomaly to Thul. "Lieutenant, this is Doctor Intharia T'Zor. She is originally from a universe beyond our own, apparently quite unlike the one we know."

"Greetings Doctor. From another universe you say, well it's not rare but there are documented cases of interdimensional crossovers throughout history." Rune said with a smile but it faded. "Have you experienced any issues Doctor? It is possible our universe could have a version of you." He explained wondering about a few crazy stories he had heard while back in Intelligence.

"I don't think so, your records don't seem to include my people, or any of the other species from my own galaxy, with the exception of humans. Have you ever seen anyone who looks like me before?" Thari asked Rune.

Rune frowned. "I have not sadly. Maybe one day, stranger things have happened as many humans tend to say." He smiled and offered his hand. "In any case I would love to hear about your universe when you have time and wish to share, I hope that I might get to see it for myself one day." He smiled.

"My apologies Mr Thul, but I had been operating under the assumption that you were briefed on the situation here as a member of the Qaraqorum's security staff. In the last week we discovered an anomaly within the system located in the orbital path of Dreizhen Four. The anomaly is for all intents and purposes, an opening into another quantum reality. We have been reliably informed that the reality we connect to is not a fixed property, and we have discovered that the station is capable of producing an energy effect that can cause the other side of the anomaly to change." Rovak explained.

This was clearly a huge security risk to our universe if any large force managed to get through, he hoped that day wouldn't come but Rune had a feeling that it could happen. At least they were far enough away from the Federation and other powers that they could send warning. "I did skim some of the reports but didn't retain it as it wasn't part of my duties to know on the Qaraqorum, I wish I had. Not to worry sir, I'll do some reading over the next few days to catch up." He replied.

"There's not much that we know yet, other than it's there." Thari told Thul.

As Atna approached the edge, a set of stairs materialised into place under the water, allowing her to climb up out of the pool with forward steps. "An inelegant explanation, but an accurate one." Atna said of Thari's summary.

"Perhaps at some stage I would appreciate it if I could ask you about the 'rift' that I have heard spoken of. If that is possible?"

"I am sure we will find time, Lieutenant Thul. Yet you may end up learning new facts before any of us, it is quite unpredictable thus far." Atna said with a nod.

Rune nodded. "I take it that if the rift changes at all our sensors do detect it in a timely manner? Perhaps having a small sensor platform near the mouth of the rift? It could have some defenses just incase."

"We are currently in orbit of the anomaly and have several probes on the other side." Rovak explained. "If anything changes, we should know." As Rovak finished speaking, his combadge chirped. "Yes?" He asked tapping it, and the voice of his yeoman Ayol came through.

"Apologies Commander but there's a freighter Captain who is insisting on speaking with you. He says Ambassador Velt has misled him about some of our customs requirements." Ayol explained.

"Understood, I will be in the CIC in a few minutes, please keep him occupied until I return." Rovak said, tapping the badge again. "Lieutenant, our last stop on this tour may need to be the security suite, where I will need to leave you. If you will excuse us Doctor, Lieutenant." Rovak nodded to Intharia and Atna.

"That is good with me sir," Rune replied and nodded at Atna again. "Thank you for your time," he said and smiled.

Once the farewells were complete, Rovak led Rune to their next stop.

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