A Picnic free of Ants [✱35]

Posted on Wed Sep 2nd, 2026 @ 10:09am by Captain Rovak & Warrant Officer Ayol & Commander Alex Flynn & Commander N'Tgni Creon & Commander Intharia T'Zor & Lieutenant Rune Thul & Lieutenant Valerie Gordon & Lieutenant Nalt Iyel & Lieutenant Eldan 3 & Warrant Officer Mindo 'Riot' & Master Chief Petty Officer Gaz & Cadet Senior Grade Bellis & Advisor Ramielos Volsunga & Advisor Polyphron & Crewman Thomas Callaghan

2,206 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: UnderMind [4]
Location: Conference Room - DS13
Timeline: MD06 - 0930 Hours

It had been two days since the Hercules had returned from deep space, and the survivors from the Dreizhen III expedition had returned. Earlier that morning, Admiral Gali had returned with the Challenger, and once medical had cleared them, Captain Rovak gathered the senior staff - and their multiversal advisors - for a meeting in the conference room.

Unusually, the crew who had been held captive in the bunker below Dreizhen III were also present. S'Lace and Saa were not.

"As you have no doubt read in the reports, the Tok'ra Polyphron and Battle-Brother Volsunga were instrumental in getting our people out alive. The teams who have since returned to the site report that the creature we have classified as the 'Brain Bug' - known as the 'Undermind' to the Order, seems to have killed Grandmaster M'Hum. From what we have been able to determine, there were only two dozen or so Order members he trusted enough to share in this worship of the Undermind they had dedicated themselves to. All are dead, except a handful we have taken into custody. They have been cooperative so far." Rovak said.

"I said as soon as I heard that the Council erred in letting fanatics settle on an unexplored planet. And that was before we knew that planet happened to be the nearest to a multiversal anomaly." Gali grumbled. "I understand you lost a couple of people below."

"Yes, sir. Captain Palamas and Warrant Officer Sklavos. Victims of the Brain Bug and the plasma storm, respectively. I have been in contact with their families, and both have been laid to rest with full honours." Rovak said with appropriate solemnity.

"From what I read it sounds like Sklavos might still be alive if he'd listened to Commander T'Zor." Gali countered.

"That is a difficult interpretation to fault, sir." Rovak agreed.

"And I understand the Hercules crew had an encounter with the Borg on their way to rescue the Klingons." Gali said, taking the other padd he'd been looking at from the table.

"Correct. It would seem the Klingons have managed to get their hands on something resembling slipstream technology. A rogue ship lost for decades in transwarp managed to intercept them. Fortunately the assimilated Klingons were recovered, and thanks to some improvisational diplomacy, we were also able to recover the four remaining drones. All four it seems were Starfleet Captains taken during the Battle of Wolf 359."

"Really." The Admiral said, looking further down the page. When he reached them, he stopped, looking back at Rovak with surprise. "Is this correct?"

"Yes, sir." Rovak said, knowing the name he was referring to.

"Your family must be overjoyed." Gali said earnestly.

"We are Vulcan, sir." Rovak said, hoping to put an end to the discussion.

"Any further sign of the Omekla?" Gali asked, knowing to change the subject even without his telepathy.

"None. The Cardassians have been returned to their embassy, however." Rovak said.

"Good. We can probably expect further diplomatic incidents. But now at least we know they're going to try and prey on anything smaller than they are." Gali acknowledged the situation, unideal as it was.

"Is there anything else anyone wanted to bring to my attention?" Gali asked the assembled crew without looking up from his padd.

There was nothing offered.

"So, I've reviewed your recommendations, and I approve of all of them." Gali said to Rovak, looking finally to the assembled crew.

"Excellent. Then we shall begin. Lieutenant Commander T'Zor." Rovak said, turning to the science chief. "Based on your performance, it has become apparent to me that we erred in assigning you the rank we did so prematurely." Rovak said, and Ayol came around to her, leaving a box in front of her.

Intharia looked at the box with surprise. The Captain's tone caused a twinge of anxiety within her.

"Clearly, your abilities and experience befit the rank of full Commander, which is yours forthwith." Rovak told her.

She smiled as she opened it, revealing a single gold pip. "Thank you, sir. You honour me."

"Perhaps, but I must ask more of you in return. We are in need of a permanent second officer, Colonel Vhau has expressed often that he is not suited to the position. The role is yours, if you will take it."

Intharia's eyes widened even further, though her smile disappeared. Memories ran through her mind of Atna's time in that position. Atna's memories. She knew what it entailed, and she knew she could do it. "Of course Captain."

"Lieutenant Commander N'Tgni Creon. You outwitted and defeated the longest-serving leader of an Order of Vulcan geniuses in living memory, as well as an entire legion of insectoids equipped for interstellar combat. It seems apparent also that the rank of Lieutenant Commander is inappropriate for you." As he said it, Ayol left another box in front of her. "With that in mind, you are promoted to the rank of full Commander, with all the attendant responsibilities and privileges."

Creon looked at the little box, knowing full well what was inside, and for a moment she was swept back in her memory to when she had been talked by Rovak and Commander Flynn into releasing the hostage she had taken on Starbase 51, her last act as an agent of the Tal Shiar. Before she had been forgiven, and sent to the Academy with his recommendation. “Thank you, sir.” She said simply, affixing the new pip.

"Lieutenant Rune Thul. You have served as Chief of Security through incursions, invasions and the most unexpected events Starfleet may ever have faced. Daleks, Adeptus Astartes, Goa'uld and the Bugs. Despite all that, we have sustained fewer than a dozen casualties. Like all of us, there is much for you still to learn, but tenure and success should be acknowledged." As he said it, Ayol left another box in front of him. "You are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with all the attendant responsibilities and privileges."

Rune shook his head as he pushed the small box away slowly. He put his hand back in his lap and stared at it. He had come a long way already with the counseling sessions he'd had, somehow he felt unworthy. It could be just an excuse or something else, he didn't like that he couldn't identify why. That didn't change his reply though. "I do appreciate the acknowledgement, however until I finish my counseling sessions, I'm going to decline." Maybe Vector could help him, he'd talk to him later.

"Very well Mr Thul, that is your prerogative." Rovak said, turning to one of the others. Ayol retrieved the box unobtrusively.

"Crewman Thomas Callaghan, you have also displayed exceptional bravery and fortitude in keeping yourself and the rest of those who ventured with you into the depths of Dreizhen III safe. You are hereby promoted to the rank of Petty Officer, Third Class." Rovak told Callaghan.

"Sir. Thank you, sir." Callaghan said, containing his pride under a veneer of professionalism.

"Lieutenant Valerie Gordon. In view of the work required for the Faraday, SubCommander Saa has requested, and I have agreed that she will be reassigned as Director of Research and Development. In the interim, I would appoint you as Chief Engineer." Rovak told the human.

"Of course, sir. Gladly." Gordon said, smiling widely.

"Lieutenant Nalt Iyel. In light of Dr S'Lace's decision to resign her commission from Starfleet and undertake a civilian position on Dreizhen III, for your experience and your skill as Assistant Chief of the Medical Department, I would appoint you as Chief Medical Officer."

“Thank you, Captain. To lose her is Starfleet’s loss, but I will do my best to maintain the standard she set.” Iyel responded. On some level she’d hoped for this, but now that it was real, excitement and anxiety bubbled up within.

"Lieutenant Eldan 3. In your negotiations with the Atenist leaders, and in convincing the Regent Typhoeus to provide essential support to our forces at Shitau, you have proven your skill and worthiness at the art of diplomacy. It so happens that Commander Duros has accepted a position as First Officer on the Swiftsure. With this change taking place, I can think of nobody more suitable to appoint as Chief Diplomatic Officer."

Eldan raised a brow and for a moment was at a loss for words. Then a slow smile spread across his face. "Thank you, sir," he said I appreciate your kind words and your confidence in me. I will do my best to live up to your exp... "

"No, not just do my best. I will live up to your expectations."

"Senior Aerospace Specialist Mindo Keggurgazzanantilthar. You showed bravery, skill, and sheer will in surviving captivity. Your instructors tell me that you are among the most talented simulation pilots we have on staff. With that in mind, for your dedication and your skill, I hereby promote you to Warrant Officer, eligible for pilot status."

"I... wow. Thank you, sir." Mindo was surprised but in no way disappointed.

"Cadet Bellis, you have showed exceptional bravery and cleverness in the finest Starfleet tradition. Though there is no award or citation I can confer on you as a Cadet appropriate for your achievement, know that I will be contacting Chancellor Picard to ensure that your service record receives the highest commendation possible. Though your time with us is not yet up, when you graduate, know that there will always be a place for you on Deep Space 13.

Bellis felt very proud but already felt a bit uncomfortable being with all the senior officers who might judge anything did wrong. So she just nodded and said "thank you Captain."

"Polyphron of the Tok'ra. The circumstances of your arrival were complex, but since that time you have proven yourself to be willing to put the interests and wellbeing of this crew ahead of your own. Without you, victory over the bugs would have been uncertain, and the survival of those down there dubious. You have demonstrated the quality of your people, and the skill of your years. You have all of our gratitude. I would offer you the position of Special Advisor to Deep Space 13's Engineering department, as a member of this station's duty crew."

"I will accept your offer Captain. But I do not consider my penance done. I will continue to atone for what I have done." Polyphron said through the vocalizer of her new encounter suit.

"Battle-Brother Ramielos Volsunga. You too are familiar with complex arrival circumstances. In that time however, you have proven yourself to be capable of much more than the endless war you were bred to fight. You have put your life on the line for our people, and proven willing and able to support us in our time of need. So too have you contributed in less life-threatening or death defying ways, in your willingness to provide analysis and feedback using your significant tactical prowess. I would offer you the position of Special Advisor to Deep Space 13's Tactical department, as a member of this station's duty crew."

Volsunga nodded. "I will serve as you have asked. Your trust is not lost on me. I hope to prove worthy of it."

"I encourage all of you to speak with the XO or the Boatswain if you are unfamiliar with any of your new duties or responsibilities." Rovak told them. "In the meanwhile, there are two more changes I am intending to make unrelated to the events of our last mission. Commander Flynn and I have determined that further delegation is needed in order to ensure we are not consumed by the responsibilities of command beyond the scope of our duty shifts."

"Chief Gaz," Rovak said, turning to the Tellarite, "After some review, we have determined that the position of Chief of the Port is no longer appropriate for a station of this size, with this volume of crew. Instead, the position will be repurposed into that of the Harbourmaster. As well as the duties as seniormost non-commissioned officer aboard, you will also be delegated responsibility for all docks and docking activity. The Chief of Ops position will be assigned elsewhere, should you accept."

"Hm." Gaz grunted as though considering the offer, but his mind was made up. "Sure, why not. How bad it could it be."

"And finally, Yeoman Ayol. You have served diligently as a Yeoman for as long as I have known you, as my voice, my aide-de-camp, and my left and right hands. It is our determination however, that your services are better needed elsewhere. You will therefore, should you accept, take the position as Command Adjutant, responsible for any designated administration, personnel management, and official correspondence-related tasks." Rovak told the Vorta, who looked like he might cry, to hear it.

"Oh, Captain. Of course." Ayol said in his breathy voice, doing all he could to maintain his composure.

"Very well. That being so, I hereby promote you to Warrant Officer, effective immediately." Rovak told him.

Something resembling a sudden giggle emerged as an outburst that Ayol quickly stifled. "Thank you, sir. Truly."

"Now." Rovak said, turning back to the rest of the room. "Unless there is anything further, you are all dismissed."

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