Assess the Situation

Posted on Thu Jun 18th, 2026 @ 2:24pm by Commander Kytolos Sh'reyva & Rear-Admiral Vedak

1,677 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Lines in the Vacuum
Location: USS Yelroan: Ready Room

The USS Yelroan had docked with Sentinel Station six hours after the Frontier had departed for patrol. Rear Admiral Vedak felt it was a good idea to arrive at the station that was lacking senior officers at the moment. But most importantly, he learned that the Andorian Councilor wasn't too happy with the lack of Andorian representation on the station. The United Federation of Planets had been in place now for seven years, and yet the Andorians acted as there were secrets being kept from them. Appeasing their paranoia, the President had Starfleet Command assign an Andorian to Sentinel Station. But not just any Andorian, but Commander Sh'reyva. One whose previous command which ended abruptly with the loss of his ship, was questionable. Now he was to serve here as a liaison.

Once the transport bringing him to the station had arrived, Vedak left instructions for him to immediately report to the Yelroan to meet with him. The Admiral would speak with Sh'reyva to assess any concerns that those in command might have.

Sentinel Station smelled like fresh polymers and simmering circuit boards beneath the usual sterility of recycled air.

A young Starfleet officer waited just beyond customs control. She straightened at the sight of him.

"Commander Sh'reyva?"

Kytolos stopped just in front of her.

The officer was Centauran by appearance, though nearly indistiguishable from human physiology aside from the silver-gold tint behind her eyes. Her uniform was crisp and she carried a careful alertness about her.

"Ensign Tayworz Spani," she introduced herself. "Diplomatic Services. I've been assigned to escort you to Admiral Vedak aboard the Yelroan."

Kytolos looked past her briefly toward the branching station corridors beyond.

"So I arrive at Sentinel Station only to leave it again..."

Spani hesitated. "The Admiral wishes to meet with you immediately."

"I gathered that from the communique I receive a few hours ago."

An apologetic expression crossed her face. Kytolos studied her: she was short with olive-tinted skin and black, curly hair that hung to her shoulders. Her thighs and hips appeared rounder than other females he'd encountered from her species.

Without a word, he fell into step beside her.

Station personnel moved steadily through the corridor traffic around them: Starfleet officers, civilian technicians, traders--all engaged in different activities and speaking about different things. Yet the farther Kytolos walked, the more the station seemed to shift on him. He wondered briefly whether Sentinel Station was still learning its place in the universe.

"Captain Greene," he said suddenly. "Where is he?"

Ensign Spani opened her mouth only to stop herself.

"The Admiral will explain current operational matters, sir," she answered carefully.

It took a full ten minutes, traversing the station and then another docking tunnel before they arrived outside of a door on the Yelroan

"The Admiral is waiting inside," Spani said, gesturing toward the door. "I'll wait for you here, Commander."

Kytolos nodded and then stepped through the door.

Vedak watched as the Andorian Commander entered his office. His past dealings with Andorians had been quite difficult. It seemed they took everything personal. Even when things weren't being directed that way. Almost as if they stay ready for a confrontation. Hopefully, Sh'reyva would be one of the few exceptions. "Commander Sh'reyva, please have a seat."

The old Andorian soldier took a long moment to examine the office. It was neat and orderly, the lighting cool but not harsh. It felt Vulcan.

"Admiral," he responded with the barest of nods.

Kytolos crossed the office and hesitated before seating himself in the offered chair. He had encountered enough Vulcans throughout his life to know Vedak was holding him under some form of scrutiny. Without responding, he simply lowered himself into the chair.

"Captain Greene took the Frontier out on a patrol and should be returning in a day or so," the Admiral spoke. "But the reason I called you here is that I wanted to speak with you and perhaps learn more about, which isn't listed in your records."

"It's all there," Kytolos said, motioning generally to Vedak's desk, somewhat boldly. "Ask any question you like, Admiral."

Raising an eyebrow, the Admiral decided to get right to the point. "The Councilor of Andor saw fit to assign you to Sentinel Station under the reasoning of Andorian representation. But I wonder if you're truly qualified to fill the role of Liaison."

"You certainly have no qualms about making your feelings known, Admiral," the veteran Andorian commander remarked. "I appreciate the directness."

Kytolos suddenly felt the chair to be a little too uncomfortable and abruptly rose to his feet, interesting himself with the items on a nearby shelf.

"Allow me to be direct with you," he began, turning to face the Vulcan. "I'm not a diplomat and I'm not a Starfleet officer--don't ever make that mistake. I'm here to do a job on behalf of the government of Andoria. I have no love for this Federation and if it lasts another five years, I'll find myself surprised."

He sighed, trying to gauge the expression on Vedak's face, then remembered the Admiral was far too Vulcan to allow that to happen.

"You can expect me to perform my duty as Andoria's representative to the best of my ability with her interest's foremost in my heart while accepting and following Federation protocol." Now that his feelings were off his proverbial chest, he decided to seat himself again, crossing one leg to denote his comfort was now satisfied.

"In the spirit of directness, Admiral, I suggest you begin your questions regarding the Yenaris Incident."

The Vulcan had watched Kytolos gloss over the items on his shelf. They were mostly items that were given to him as gifts from various worlds he had visited. Directness from Andorians was expected, but typically distasteful. His explanation was the opposite of what he expected. But still direct, which he did appreciate.

"In due time, Commander," Vedak replied. "You are a representative of not only Andoria but the Federation as well. And what you have just explained to me, you don't even believe in the Federation. How do you intend to properly represent the Federation when you don't even believe in its longevity?

"I don't believe the Federation will last unchanged," he retorted. "That's not the same as refusing to serve it."

"So, you would blindly serve in something that you do not believe in? And could be more specific with your meaning of unchanged?"

Kytolos let his gaze fall upon a small, polished stone of Vulcan fire-quartz on the shelf behind Vedak. It was a dry, bloodless thing born in the furnace of a desert that had never known the touch of frost. It was then that he realized just how very fragile the Federation's peace was.

"There is nothing blind about my service, Admiral, and it is precisely because I see its flaws that I am of use to it," Kytolos said, his voice dropping into a low timbre. "The Federation believe itself to be a permanent temple, constructed from treaties and high ideals, but history isn't a monument--it is a a shifting sea of ice."

He shifted uncomfortably and exhaled.

"I represent Andoria's commitment to the Idea of peace... but I will not lie to preserve the comfort of your diplomats. A true sentinel does not stare at the horizon and report that the weather is beautiful merely to keep the camp sleeping soundly."

Vadek caught the gaze at the items displayed on his shelf. The Commander was trying his best to maintain his composure. Pushing him over the edge wouldn't have benefited anyone. "Commander, no one expects you to report the so-called weather being good during obvious turbulence. But Starfleet does need you to be a beacon in the storm."

Standing up, he walked around the desk, moving in closer to the Andorian. "Captain Maddox is going to need all the help he can get. The President and the Federation Council are expecting a lot from Sentinel Station. My question is, do you honestly believe that you're the right one for the task at hand?"

Kytolos took a long moment to study Vedak up close. Perhaps the meeting was not called under the guise of calling-out his service record. Maybe it was simply a professional assessment on whether he was the right individual for the position.

"Yes," he said calmly but confidently. "My years of experience in the Imperial Guard--and as a starship commander--are more than adequate to serve in this capacity."

The Admiral took a brief moment to process the response. Prior to requesting, he did have a chance to look over Kytolos service record. Minus one incident, the man had an exemplary record. Only time would tell how he would handle this role. "Unless you have something you would like to bring up, Commander? I have nothing else to inquire of you."

"I do not," Kytolos replied, fixing Vedak with a stern look. "If that's all, Admiral?"

"That's all that I have," the older Vulcan replied. "I leave in you in command of the station. My presence here is no longer needed."

"Very well, Admiral." He turned to Vedak. "I have command of the station."

Crisp and professional, the former Andorian war hero bowed, executing the move in his people's typically gentle bend from the shoulders. His eyes were squinted as he studied Vedak one last time, unsure if the Vulcan had come to a decision about him or whether it would be reserved for future reference. Either way, Kytolos was glad to be finished with the encounter and was striding out of the door and back into the corridor.

Spani fell into step beside him, her hands clasped together behind her as she tried to keep up.

"How was the meeting? Did it go well, sir?"

Kytolos kept his eyes forward as the turbolift doors grew larger with his step.

"I think an understanding was struck."

=================
Commander Kytolos Sh'reyva
Liaison Officer
Sentinel Station

Rear Admiral Vedak
Commanding Officer
USS Yelroan

 

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