=Captain's Ready Room=
=U.S.S. Lancelot=
"You definitely have a mild concussion, captain," Doctor Thomas said as he scanned Trent
with a medical tricorder. "I would like to get you down to sickbay to treat it right away."
It had been an hour or so since they were knocked out of action. Thrusters had managed to
stabilize the ship and for now, they were still in space with the battle for Starbase 234 still
ongoing.
"It seems like we've had this conversation before, Doc," Trent said, sitting in his chair behind
his desk, or what was left of it following the last battle.
"Perhaps, but you still need treated."
"How bad is it?" Trent asked.
"Well, I suppose that …"
"Will I die if I'm not treated right away?" Trent interrupted.
"No, but …"
"Then I'll wait if it's all right with you," Trent said.
"No, it's not all right with me," the doctor replied. "I could order you to go to sickbay."
"You won't," Trent said with confidence.
"What makes you say that?"
"Because sickbay is full to capacity. People are a lot worse off than I," Trent then looked
up at Thomas. "By the way, Doc, why are you here with me and not treating them?"
"Since the ship's captain won't come to me, then I have to go to him. As the commanding
officer of this ship, you're much too valuable to just ignore."
Before Trent could respond, Lalya Jalann came storming in, her anger obvious.
"What in the name of the prophets are you thinking?!" she spat out, now standing in front
of his damage desk.
"That we need to have a little talk about using the door chime," Trent replied.
"You told Lieutenant Santos that the moment we get the impulse back online that you want
to return to the battle!"
Trent just stared at her. Doc Thomas also remained silent.
"Is that true?" she asked.
"That is correct."
"You can't be serious?"
" I am."
"But this ship is a wreck! It's beyond the point of being a wreck! It would be suicide to return
to battle in the shape we're in. After some of the stunts you pulled earlier, I'm beginning to
wonder if you are trying to kill yourself and everyone else on this ship. I should have you
relieved of command!"
"How, prey tell, are you going to do this?" Trent asked.
"I'll find a medical reason. You're obviously insane!"
"Commander, there are only two ways you can deem me medically unfit for command. The first
is a psychological evaluation. Unfortunately, one only counselor we brought with us is dead."
"Then I'll declare you physically unfit."
"Doc …" Trent said, turning to face Thomas.
"Besides the mild concussion, you are still fit for command," Thomas said. "And while you may be
insane, that's not for me to decide."
"Thank you, Doctor. You may return to sickbay. I'm sure you have plenty to do down there."
Thomas nodded, gathered his medical equipment and left Trent and Jalann alone.
"Insane … you must have talked to my wife before we left Earth," Trent said, nodding for his XO to
take the seat in front of the desk.
He should have been upset at the first officer, but with everything they have gone through during
the past few hours, he allowed her to let out some steam. Dealing with the Federation Council had
made him thick skinned.
"Sir, you can not believe that we can return to battle in our condition."
"Santos says he believes he can get shields back up to around 50 percent. In addition, he says he
can get two torpedo tubes, one fore and one aft, back in working order."
"But our phasers are fried and beyond repair and … unless you forgot … we no longer have a warp
core," she said. "Sir, once we get the impulse drive back online, we need to get as far away as
possible so we can continue repairs."
"And go where? Without warp, we're stuck in this system. And I'm sure we'll attract attention, so
we won't likely get too far. Helping to save Starbase 234 is our only hope."
"We've already destroyed two ships and severely damaged four more. I think we've done our part,"
the XO tried to reason.
"I disagree."
"Sir, I have no problem in risking my life for this uniform and for the Federation and my people. But
this IS suicide. We won't late any longer than a few minutes."
"That's why I'm ordering a saucer separation the moment impulse is back up and running."
"Sir?"
"Without the phasers, the saucer section is useless now," Trent explained. "We will load everyone
into the saucer section. Only volunteers will be asked to remain with me in the engineering section.
Meanwhile, you will take command of the saucer section. If Starfleet is forced to abandon the
system, I'll make certain to have someone give you a tow. "
"You mean give us a tow," Jalann tried to correct Trent.
The CO just shook his head.
"But, sir …"
"If we are forced to pull out of the system then chances are the engineering section will have been
destroyed."
"So, you are trying to kill yourself?"
Trent chuckled, "Heavens no. I love being alive. It's my favorite thing in the galaxy next to my wife
and daughter. But I've got to do everything in my power to make certain the Romulans are stopped
here are get no closer to Earth and my family. I would gladly give my life for them … to protect them
and all of the children in the Federation."
"But what if your actions make no difference in the outcome of the battle?" the Bajorian asked.
"I've gotta try," Trent said.
"Sir, may I speak freely?" she asked.
Trent let out a laugh, "You haven't been speaking freely up until now?"
"Sir, you're thinking like a security chief, not a ship's commanding officer. When you risk your life as a
security officer … well … that one thing. But when you do it as a captain … your risking more than just
yourself … you're risking everyone under your command. Everyone on this ship is willing to give their
lives if the cause is just and they can make a difference, but when they don't stand a chance to
survive …"
She just let her last words hang in the air.
"Are you finished, commander?" Trent calmly asked.
She nodded, but before Trent could continue ...
+tap+ "Bridge to the captain."
"Rodgers here."
+tap+ "Sir, we have four Romulan fighters heading in our direction."
"How long?" Jalann asked.
+tap+ "Three minutes and 16 seconds."
"Understood. I'm on my way. Rodgers out."
Trent then looked at his XO, "It would seem that we won't get a chance to return to the main battle."
She nodded as they both stood and walked out onto the bridge.
Commander Trent Rodgers (npc by Rick)
Commanding Officer
U.S.S. Lancelot
and
Lieutenant Commander Lalya Jalann (npc by Rick)
Executive Officer
U.S.S. Lancelot
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