Solutions

Posted on Thu Feb 19th, 2026 @ 6:46am by Captain Maddox Greene & Commander Saul Whitford & Lieutenant Varkl Brukh & Lieutenant Jane Belanger Dr & Chief Petty Officer Alexa Truman

1,784 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Echos on the Deck
Location: Conference Room

The majority of his senior staff were on the station, and getting settled in. After his meeting with the Nausicaan in sickbay, he contacted his government to introduce himself and update them on what was happening. Needless to say they weren't happy at all. Which, in all honesty, was expected. The conversation had ended with a promise to send a ship on its way. But Maddox highly doubted that a single ship was on the way. And their arrival was going to be a complete an utter ruckus, which he was prepared for. His greatest concern was the political ramifications and the possible drama this would lead to. Other worlds were watching and this was just the first week of this place being fully operational.

Five minutes from now would be the first of many meetings with his senior staff. Beyond what he read from their records, Greene was curious to see what each of them brought to the table. Staring out the window, he eagerly awaited for the senior staff to arrive.

Brukh sauntered into the briefing room with a few minutes to spare while fumbling with a collection of tablets in his hands. Seeing he was one of the first to arrive he grunted a greeting to the Captain, took a vacant seat, spilled the tablets on the table and scooped them back toward him while looking somewhat sheepish. He sorted through the stack, found one and started scanning through the data.

Maddox squinted his eyes as he watched all the tablets spill onto the table. "Lieutenant, help yourself to the fruit or pastries available." He pointed to to the two separate plates in the center of the table.

"Ah..." Brukh gasped aloud while looking up from the PADD, "I think I shall pass this time. I had a rather indulgent breakfast sampling some Human foods... something called can-talope melon, and pan-cakes with maple syrup? It was quite appetizing, are there other delicacies I should try?"

"I highly recommend French toast," Maddox suggested. "That has always been my favorite. "

Jane entered in time to hear the food talk. She uttered a respectful "Captain" assorted with a nod and turned to the Tellarite, picking her moment to offer a handshake. "Good day, Lieutenant. I'm Doctor Belanger."

The Tellarite, she thought, had gone through Starfleet Academy on Earth to gain a commission. She held back from offering a list of common Earth food stuffs he should avoid. There would be better times for a light, non offensive reminder, just in case. Better that than having him land in Sickbay with a complaint.

Her own breakfast seemed a long way away. Fortunately she'd been wise enough to get some food after finishing her night shift, but that was before arriving at the station and heading straight for Sickbay. Her personal bag was still in her office. She was just finishing her report, meaning to find her quarters next, when she received the summon for her first senior staff briefing. Another first for her too. The promotion to CMO had come with this assignment.

Whitford stepped in to the room, a large mug of coffee in his hand, a pile of padds pressed between his arm and chest. 'Good morning all,' he said with a big smile, hoping to hide the chagrin he felt at being one of the last in instead of second after the Captain. He allowed it this once as he was getting used to station time. 'Commander Whitford at your services.'

Alexa Truman was the last person to enter the room right after the Commander. After what tool place, she was honestly surprised that the Captain would continue to let her handle station security. Looking at the ensemble of officers gathered around the table. The Chief Petty Officer nodded respectfully to everyone and took a seat.

Returning the nod, Maddox looked at the group that was gathered around the table. This was his first official senior staff meeting. Outside of drama, he wanted to let out a huge smile. All the years of hard work finally got him here. But the last thing, he wanted was to come off like some big, corny kid on day one. Leaning forward, he smiled slightly. "Alright, everyone. I've had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with all of you already. So, I am going move past all the introductions and formalities. As you all are aware of by now, Vhordek Vaul, the Nausicaan currently recovering in sickbay. His people are sending a ship this way and will arrive in thirty-two hours. Doctor, I hope you have some promising news regarding his condition."

"The most promising news would be partial recovery of lower body functions after surgery and physiotherapy, Sir. After interviewing the patient and informing him of this possibility, however, Vhordek Vaul notified me on record and in no uncertain terms of his refusal. The whole notion of living on with a handicap seems entirely foreign, not only to his own mindset but also to his own cultural environment. He's adamant that he wants to be returned to his people without further medical help. As per Starfleet Medical's most current instructions..." Jane held out her report to the CO. "I recommend that we do nothing beyond basic medical care, until the general situation is resolved."

"So, you come bearing bad news," Maddox joked with a sigh. "From the little experience I have with Nausicaans, their strength is everything. A handicap would denote weakness and make him a target. Any idea what his people would do with him?"

"We don't have extensive knowledge of their civilisation and this individual isn't particularly open to dialogue. From what we do know and a couple things he expressed, in all likelihood, he will be disposed of as too weak. Delivered, is the word he used. Whether out of spite or callous disregard for life, considering his "perceived" uselessness. But it is also a fact that not all cultures are attached to continued life," Jane felt bound to say, her eyes going around the table.

Brukh harrumphed, "So we 'deliver' him to his people and they will 'deliver' him to the next existence - whatever his culture believes it to be. Nausicaans are like the Klingons in that regard at least."

"His own people are likely to take his life themselves," Alexa chimed in. "Unlike Klingons, it's not really a matter of honor. But the strong take advantage of the weak."

"The debate is still ongoing as the UFP tries to integrate several different civilisations. It's a process with a medical ethics committee on top. Nausicaa is not a member planet. Vaul signed for release in full knowledge of what we offer and what awaits him. As a Starfleet medical officer, I am bound to bow to his decision," Jane summed up.

The Chief Petty Officer turned her attention to the doctor. "Isn't there some loophole with medical ethics regarding keeping a man from getting killed by his own people?"

"Not against a patient's own will and contrary to their convictions," Jane answered. "Vhordek Vaul is in full possession of himself. We can't hope to change who he is because our own convictions are different."

"So far the only ships we've seen the Nausicaans use are small raiders. They only manage around warp 2 or 3, so if that's what they show up with we can hold up fairly well. It would take several of those ships concentrating on one area to breach our shields and hull plating, but if they have something more powerful who can say..." Brukh warned, "at least until we can get a scan of it to see what firepower it has."

"Nausicaan's typically don't travel with more than three ships if they plan to go after a greater opponent," the Captain mentioned. "They rarely get along with each other outside of their Clans. And even within those Clans, there are internal power struggles."

"Get them to turn against each other, that would be a pretty picture." Brukh chuckled, "it would cause some chaos for a bit that we could take advantage of. I suppose if we find a way to contact each ship separately with a targeted message it could work."

"Shouldn't be too hard," the security replied. "They're not exactly the sharpest tools in the shed. And with the infighting, it wouldn't take much. Ethically, I question that method and the longterm effects it would have on relations between the Nausicaa and the Federation."

Maddox smiled at the Chief Engineer. "It's tempting to consider, but I have to agree with security on this one. We're trying to establish a good reputation in this region. The last thing we need to be doing is stirring up trouble." Turning his attention to his first officer who had been surprisingly quite throughout the meeting. "Commander, what are your thoughts?"

Raising his eyebrows, Whitford considered the question for a moment. 'I think relations with the Nausicaans are never going to be much better than what they are. They live for piracy and raiding, and nothing we've attempted down the years has encouraged any change in their behaviour.' He paused, then said, 'I'm uneasy at the thought of leaving the Nausicaan to suffers though, even if it is his wish ...'

"I'm feeling uneasy about that one myself," Greene admitted. "But we may have no other choice, but to respect his wishes. And everyone, keep your people apprised of the current situation and expect anything at this point," Maddox instructed to the group. "We'll also have the Frontier on standby to depart in case the need arises."

'The Frontier, Sir?' Whitford asked, leaning in with interest.

Looking over at the Commander, he grinned. "We have a dedicated Ganges class assigned to the station. It's been refitted, so she'll definitely hold her against most threats.

"With short time left Captain, may I request to take an inspection pod out to check the pylons as I mentioned yesterday?" Brukh reminded, "I'd like to look over the Frontier as well to familiarize myself with it's systems. I've not had the opportunity to work on that class yet."

"Go ahead and make that happen," Maddox approved. "Let me know what you find out and what you need for possible improvements." Looking around the conference room table, he smiled at everyone. "The same applies to the rest of you as well. Let me know, if you see a need for improvement. Dismissed."

=================
Captain Maddox Greene
Commanding Officer
Sentinel Station

Commander Saul Whitford
Executive/Chief Operations Officer
Sentinel Station

Lieutenant Varkl Brukh
Chief Engineer
Sentinel Station

Lieutenant Belanger, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Sentinel Station

Chief Petty Officer Alexa Truman
Armory Officer
Sentinel Station

 

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