A Return to Abnormal

Posted on Wed May 6th, 2015 @ 3:42pm by Commander Sakkath & Captain Li Hawke

Mission: Breaking New Ground
Location: The Hammond/900

=^= U.S.S. Hammond =^=

It had been weeks in the making, but the Charu outpost had been made operational and the transfer of command to the planetary staff was complete, permitting the away team to depart the Federation’s first expansion onto Delta Quadrant soil. They had been a part of something historic, but as the Hammond slipped silently through space under impulse power there was a collective sense of relief to be within sight now of the Immense-class starbase that its crew called home. Sakkath was more than satisfied, not only with the performance of his crew but with several personal matters, not the least of which were Chance’s adaptation to the fal-tor-pan and Ignatius’s performance as an operative of sorts.

Upon their arrival there had been the standard flurry of activity that surrounded docking, the gradual calming as stations were secured and crew disembarked, and soon the Vulcan commander was left in the enduring stillness of an empty vessel. He took his time packing his belongings, few as they were. He traveled light and found no need for sentimental trinkets - his robes, a meditative candle and a kal-toh base were the only supplements to the spare duty uniform in his duffel. Slung over his shoulder, he collected his final item: a small potted orchid, a species native to Charu. While many others hurried to their friends or loved ones, Sakkath knew there was no rush for him or his floral gift. He was already acutely aware of the absence of his wife’s telepathic presence.

It was a mild surprise, though by no means shocking, to learn that Li was off-base. Her duties as executive officer were many and could carry her away from 900 for a time, as could her considerable field experience as an Intelligence officer. Sakkath knew well enough that she could never truly leave that part of her life behind, and years of emotional control and faith in her abilities helped him not to worry over the possibilities or the myriad potential risks.

As he stepped past the airlock he paused at the adjacent wall terminal, keying a single command and bringing the LCARS display to life. “Computer, please inform Admiral Wegener that Sakkath, Commander, Chief of Operations and Second Officer, is now aboard and prepared to resume duty.”

The computer unexpectedly protested, sounding in the negative. Admiral Wegener has been relieved of command.

The Vulcan quirked a brow, the only outward indication of his astonishment. Relieved? “Clarify,” he demanded.

Further information is restricted.

“Who is currently in command?” Li was absent, Rick relieved. Having been off station, Sakkath ran through the remaining chain of command in his head. Oralia, he realized.

Commander Patrick Leroy.

The second brow rose in accordance with the first. “Commander?” he mused aloud. What had occurred in his absence?

“Inform Mister… Commander Leroy,” he corrected, “that I am returned and would appreciate a meeting at his earliest convenience,” the Ops Chief replied after a moment before returning the terminal to a dormant state. He was well within his rights to head to Ops and assume command of the station, but there were too many variables. He would await the opportunity to address Patrick personally.

Instead he made his way to the turbolift, ordering it to Deck 10 and the quarters he shared with Li. Upon entry, he noted that everything was in his proper place. In that moment he understood that his mate had departed with warning, and that eased several of his unspoken concerns. He made his way to the bedroom, setting down his bag before setting the orchid on the nightstand that bordered Li’s side of the bed. He was certain she would appreciate it when she returned. Unzipping his uniform vest, he tossed it to the bed alongside his duffel and reentered the living area in his Ops gold.

His hand brushed the console he had constructed to aid in monitoring 900 from his quarters almost as well as he could from Ops or C&C and it sprang to life for the first time in weeks. He addressed it as he continued across the room. “Computer, organize all Operational reports from the time of my departure to the present hour and stardate; sort according to established algorithms and compile summaries for my review.” The computer chirped in affirmation even as he drew a crystal glass from the bar and filled it with the electric blue liquor that had long ago become his favorite beverage – a taste developed after serving along the Neutral Zone for many years on Heywood station.

He sipped the Romulan ale and savored the first sensation as the liquid seared the back of his throat. He silently thanked both his metabolism for making the liquor less potent than it would be for most and Jackson Banning for being able to provide it to him regularly. Absentmindedly, he wondered if the Nexus was still open. Everything else, it seemed, had changed since his mission to Charu.

He did not have long to muse on that, however, as the console chimed not the completion of his request on the operational reports but that of an incoming message. Sakkath set down his glass and took a seat, activating the terminal. The face that greeted him, all raven locks and ebon pools for eyes, was a welcome one indeed.

“Imzadi,” he said, his voice betraying none of the emotion he felt. “It has been too long.”

Li was silent for a moment as she looked back at him, almost overcome with emotion. “It has. I was not sure if you were back yet so I took a chance.” She looked away from the screen for a moment as a voice came in the background, recognizable but indistinct. Oz. “Be out shortly, Oz. It’s Sakkath.” She looked back to Sakkath with a warm smile now. “I suppose you would like to know where I am?”

Sakkath was encouraged to know that Oz was with Li, whatever it was that they were up to. He glanced to the side, looking for the telltale signs of communications encryption on the channel and noting from the background that Li was not aboard a Starfleet vessel. “I suppose I would,” he answered, “provided you can even provide that information.” He knew too well the need for her to keep secrets at times, and even better the likelihood that such information should not be disclosed when the possibility of being monitored existed.

“Very well, but you may not like it.” She took a deep breath and plunged in. “There was a prison break on Elba II and Suresh escaped. It was done with outside and inside assistance. The death toll of inmates and guards, both from the blast and exposure to the atmosphere, is high. We believe that if anyone can find him, it’s us - we know how he thinks and I believe that he will expect us to come and be looking for us. My contact on Nelvana III is working on this as well.” She paused a moment, her expression shifting to hesitancy. “We are not alone, however. Darwin is with us and….the other Suresh. It’s sort of a long story but both of them have a stake in this. Both are targets if the original Suresh gets back to 900, and you and I both know he would get there eventually.”

She was right. He did not like it, but he kept it from showing on his face with all his years of training. “If you think he expects you, then it is very likely you are walking into a trap… but you already know this.” He had to admit that she had a point about Suresh reaching 900 eventually. There were far too many ways for an individual to find their way into such a crowded port. “Perhaps it is for the best,” he relented. “I hope I do not have to caution you not to trust his doppelgänger?”

Li frowned just slightly. “That is part of this twisted tale, my love. He is different. We had cause to have me read him and I can tell you he’s nothing like the old one. He is stuck in this world now and he wants to prove he’s not just a carbon copy. What that means for him going forward, I don’t know. I suppose we’ll see after this is over. “

After hearing what he himself was like in the alternate universe, Sakkath had to admit he did owe this Suresh at least the benefit of the doubt. All he could do was nod, and trust in her. “Be cautious,” he advised. Too often did their discussions seem to involve a man enamored with Li to the point of obsession. First Rhys, now Suresh… Sakkath supposed some had even said the same of him after storming out of the Nexus that night some months ago.

Instead of lingering on that unpleasant thought he turned the conversation to another question. “I don’t suppose you have any idea why Admiral Wegener has been relieved of command?” he asked. “The computer informs me Commander Leroy has the station.”

The question brought a soft curse from Li. “He does. Two admirals from command arrived with notice that there were charges asserting treason, exposure of our operatives in the DMZ, collusion with the Cardassians, some accessory to murder charges, and suppression of evidence.” Her expression turned grave. “My father is included in this mess and he’s been temporarily relieved as well. I got a report from Dad not long after we left detailing all the charges. I’m not sure whether to be mad that I’m not there to do something or glad to be out of the crosshairs.”

“Absurd,” Sakkath said dismissively. “Your father and Admiral Wegener would never jeopardize their careers or the Fleet.” Of course, the rapidity with which he asserted that made him realize an important point: he would likely need to recuse himself from command until the investigation concluded, as would Li upon her return. They were both too close to Lucius, even if the Vulcan was capable of removing his personal bias from command decisions. He absently wondered what Oz would say when she returned and was handed command of the base, or if Patrick realized there was no immediate relief in sight.

“We know that,” Li answered, “but this...this seems too sudden, too...I don’t know. A witch hunt maybe? Someone wants then out of the way and I can’t figure out why yet. There are a few on 900 that were stationed in that area at the time in question - Jim for one, and another that arrived under psychiatric leave. I’d feel better if you could check in on them? I don’t like the vibe I'm getting about the whole mess.”

“I will,” Sakkath promised, jotting a note to himself on a nearby PADD. “I’ll look over any recent transfers as well, and see if anyone else might have served in that area of space.” He was already running the searches. “I am confident that they will be exonerated, Imzadi, and no one should believe that anyone in this chain of command will act in a fashion the Admiral would not approve of. Removing them from command will not alter the standing of the Fleet in this sector, at least not in the short term.”

Something in Sakkath’s words lit up her thoughts instantly. “I wonder if that’s part of this….our presence in the DQ? Not to mention the effect on Bajor if they are found guilty. Imagine it. Someone of Rick’s position, and the Director of Intel for Starfleet too, working against the Federation and with the Cardassians. It almost makes me sick to think of it.”

“The fallout would manage to destabilize the major gateways to both the Delta and Gamma Quadrants. Bajor would almost certainly expel Starfleet from DS9, and who knows who would be put in place here.” He paused to consideration just how dire the ramifications would be. “That is a lofty scheme… if it proves true.”

“And leave Bajor vulnerable to Cardassia, yet again.” She shuddered for a moment. “Please keep me informed of what’s happening there? I am worried about them, but about you too. I don’t think anyone is immune anymore.”

“I will do what I can to keep you informed, though they will have a difficult time asserting that I had anything to do with the Cardassians. Norval and I were at the Trill Science Ministry for much of the Dominion War, and my service took me to the Neutral Zone thereafter. Perhaps a Romulan plot will surface,” he almost joked, despite the complete monotone of his voice

Li had to smile, considering they were traveling with a Romulan. “I hope not, it would make explaining my presence in Romulan space far more difficult. At least Suresh, this one, speaks the language so we should get through unscathed.” She paused and then pressed her hand to the screen. “I miss you. I wish I could say when I’ll be home.”

Sakkath would have preferred to undergo cosmetic surgery for a pair of cranial ridges and bring his own expertise in the Romulan tongue to the mission, but such was not to be. “Your absence is most noted,” he agreed, lifting his hand to meet hers, such as it was. “You will be home when Suresh is back where he belongs, and that is a worthy goal. I shall hold things here,” he assured her.

“The sooner the better. And Darwin is calling. We are arriving at Nelvana III. I’ll be in contact when I know more.”

“I would wish you peace and long life, but I doubt things with Suresh will be very peaceful. Take care, Imzadi. I will be waiting.”

“Soon.” Li smiled, then closed the channel.

As the screen went back, Sakkath leaned back in his chair and exhaled. There would be no time to rest after the Charu mission, it seemed. He drained the small stemmed glass of Romulan ale he had poured himself and rose, recollecting his vest before setting out for Command and Control.


********************
Commander Sakkath
Into the Thick of Things

&

Captain Li Hawke
Too Far From Home