Commander to Commander

Posted on Mon Dec 9th, 2024 @ 1:54am by Captain Rovak & The Commander
Edited on on Mon Dec 9th, 2024 @ 1:54am

1,070 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: DownTime [1]
Location: USS Excalibur, Bridge
Timeline: 1710 - MD02 (After 'Post-Dalek Debrief')

Rovak entered the Excalibur's bridge alone. The science teams and engineers were exploring and scanning elsewhere, but he had deliberately kept everyone else away from it. He needed to have a potentially uncomfortable conversation with the ship’s master.

“I am told I can communicate with this ship’s Commander here.” Rovak said into the viewscreen, which showed the view from directly out the front of the ship, the view of the inner dock, looking over pier two. Lights flickered and shadows moved within some of the windows, the life aboard the station was subtle but unavoidable.

“I am he. How can I help you?” Came a voice from every direction, with no obvious source.

“I would speak with you face to face, if you will allow it.” Rovak said. The Commander’s face appeared on the viewscreen, like someone on another ship might.

“Please, speak.” The Commander said to Rovak.

“I understand this vessel is some manner of time machine.” Rovak said.

“She traverses time and relative dimensions in space. While she’s in your care though, she’ll only be traversing space. And at the speed your other ships can go.”

“Our care? You are giving the ship to us?” Rovak asked.

“That little hole in reality you’ve found is quite extraordinary. You may find you need a helping hand from time to time. I’ll remain aboard the ship in case any of you need me, but otherwise she’ll look and sound and feel like the original. Her capabilities will be on par with modern vessels. But nothing your Federation hasn’t figured out.”

“What do you know of our universe?” Rovak asked.

“It’s nice. I like your Federation. Very sensible. Even your enemies are much better behaved than those where I come from. You’re still not especially far into even your own galaxy, but that will come in time.” The Commander responded as though the thought of it was whimsical to him.

“How did you learn this?” Rovak asked.

“My ship was into your shuttle’s databases a few seconds after you got through the ice. There’s not a lot to memorise with only a few millennia of recorded history.” The Commander responded.

“I understand you are what is known as a ‘Time Lord’.” Rovak said as though it were a question.

“I prefer ‘Gallifreyan’ personally. The Time Lords are dead. I’m dead too. We’re all dead. Tinker, tailor, doctor, master. A billion years lost like tears in rain. But my mind lives on in the ship. We are all that remains. I would make you custodian of that history, at least the parts I can share without interfering with your development.” The Commander lamented.

“My superiors will not likely allow us to keep such a vessel at our disposal. They will wish to study and disassemble it.” Rovak said.

“Can’t allow it. If anyone other than yourself or your delegated next-in-command tries to board or command her, she won’t have it. I won’t have it. You have not experienced it like your crew did, but I can assure you, your best people with your best technology will die of starvation trying to find their way out of her corridors if she doesn’t want them there.”

“If this vessel poses a threat to anyone, we certainly cannot keep it.” Rovak said.

“Just being dramatic, my fellow Commander. It’ll be more passive than aggressive, but she will resist. We’re here to help. If something other than help is desired, we’ll abstain ourselves.” The Commander explained, it was clear there was no negotiation on this topic.

“I find your terms acceptable. I am concerned my superiors will not. Until then, I suppose we will have to cooperate as much as possible to demonstrate the merits of such an arrangement.” Rovak said, hoping that concluded any discussion on the matter.

“I’m glad to hear it.” The Commander said, looking down at his command console for a moment to change something.

“This Dalek, why did you bring it here?” Rovak asked. To see how it had rattled Flynn told him a great deal.

“I didn’t. It escaped through the anomaly and I followed it. I managed to damage it, and I thought kill it, even as it killed me. I was concerned the quantum borer might have failed in the way it did. My next hope was to take it back to my own universe and immerse it in a Z-neutrino core. I didn’t get the chance.” The Commander admitted, seeming to feel a sudden shame.

“You must know a great deal about technology beyond our own. Will you share it with us?”

“I’ll be following your prime directive in that regard. I can’t interfere with your natural development. The Time Lords might no longer exist, but they had rules like that too, and for a reason.” The Commander refused.

“I understand. We are grateful regardless. I trust you do not mind our teams exploring your ship?” Rovak asked.

“Not at all. They won’t be able to find anything useful about how she works, but there’s certainly plenty to be learned from the Dalek’s impacts.” The Commander explained.

"I ask this question not out of cynicism, but merely an abundance of precaution. How do we know you are on our side, and have no alternative agenda?" Rovak asked.

"I suppose you don't. I could only offer words in support of myself. But, I did retrieve your crew from a timeline where you and your station were destroyed. I would hope that speaks to my willingness to support you." The Commander said.

“Can we offer you anything? I feel that this offer seems rather one-sided.” Rovak asked.

“I ask only that you continue your mission of peaceful exploration. It’s a wonderful thing.” The Commander said earnestly.

“Thank you Commander. I hope we can talk further soon.” Rovak said.

“Thank you Commander. And congratulations on the promotion.” The Commander said, rather cryptically.

“Indeed. Until next time.” Rovak said, confused by his comment, but choosing not to focus on it. He wondered if he should be concerned about how at ease the Commander made him feel. If he had sinister intentions, he could do a great deal of harm. But everything told him that the Commander was on their side.

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