The Enemy of My Enemy (Part 4)

ORIGINAL WRITING This page was originally published elsewhere as part of a joint sim or fleet effort. It has been duplicated here for posterity.

Characters:	Commodore Scarlet Cameron, Commodore Zachary O’Connell & Eryos
Location:	Starbase Unity
Date:	August 2388
Author:	Alexander, Greenfelt22
Template:Post

This takes place after Drums of War

With the battle over it was now time to face the aftermath. Thanks to the great tactical minds that were the defending Captains and the timely aid of their new friends, or at the least friendly enemies. Admiral Saatyi had given Scarlet the full briefing on the arrangement made but now they needed to talk with their new guest to work out the specifics. Scarlet sat at the head of the table in the Conference Room when the Vorta Eryos was escorted in. “Commodore” The Vorta said as he bowed slightly out of respect. “Ambassador” Scarlet responded, showing the man the same respect. “Please take a seat, we are still waiting on my Executive Officer who got injured in the fight before we can start.”

As if her words were some sort of cue, the doors parted and Commodore O’Connell entered the room. Dermal regenerators had done what they could for the cuts and bruises on his face, but even 24th Century medicine could not heal the multiple breaks in his right arm in time for the meeting. Zachary’s Tellarite doctor had made quick work setting the bones and placing the arm in the cast, but his attention was needed on the other injured crewmembers aboard the O’Carroll.

Zachary didn’t protest as he was very thankful to be alive. “Commodore Cameron,” Zachary greeted his superior officer with a nod. To the Vorta, he said, “Thank you for your timely arrival, Ambassador. I believe I’m alive thanks to you and the Dominion today, as are many Starfleet officers and families.”

Eryos nodded “Your Admiral made a great case for cooperation, Commodore. The Jem’Hadar were also most definitely in need for combat against a worthy foe. I am only saddened that we did not make it in time to prevent some of the casualties” He replied to the most recent arrival in the conference room.

Zachary could not muster a reply. He’d lost a hundred of his own crew in his final bold move. Even though it had paid dividends to the remaining Starfleet forces at the time, one hundred lives was too high a price for any man. He took a seat across from Scarlet, painfully reminded as he did of the fragility of his arm.

Scarlet nodded at Zachary. “Very well then, Admiral Saatyi has informed me that the arrangement includes a Dominion ambassador at high level Task Force meetings, I am assuming you have been assigned to this position?” She asked.

The former engineer’s posture straightened at the very mention of a Dominion presence at Task Force meetings. While his qualms with the Dominion were few, he didn’t like the idea of openly sharing so many secrets, which at this time included how deeply rooted the Consortium had become and how gravely injured Starfleet was in the Gamma Quadrant. Alas, Commodore Cameron was his SO, and Admiral Saatyi’s reputation was revered by many. If he were involved, the Federation Council would likely adopt his measures with little debate.

“That is correct Commodore, the Founders want to be kept informed on all relevant information as long as our ships are used in service of the Federation. To make sure that our interests are protected as well.” Eryos responded.

Zachary wasn’t sure what to say or ask in this situation. How was he to know if Dominion interests included former Dominion installations and worlds. “And what about the current situation?” he asked. “We certainly appreciate the support we’ve received here, but I’m sure you are well aware that the Consortium still control both the wormhole and Deep Space 11. And that’s not mentioning the Starfleet assets the Consortium still has cut off from the rest of the Task Force.”

Eryos nodded “And we fully intend to destroy that threat decisively. The Consortium poses as much of a threat to the Dominion as it does the Federation. After all once they would be done with you I could hardly see them settling for what they have. As such you can expect even more significant reinforcements when you decide to retake back lost bases. The other Starfleet vessels are something you will need to take care off amongst yourselves” He responded to the questions.

That did seem to be the next logical step. The Consortium very likely knew of their costly failure to eliminate Starbase Unity. Zachary could assume they would leap to the defensive and try and fortify what they had before hatching a new plan. Of course, if the Kumari or the Nogura were successful in their efforts, Starfleet would have more reinforcements before they knew it.

“With the basics out of the way I think it might be best to postpone this meeting so Commodore O’Connell can get the proper medical treatment for his injuries. Thank you once again for your help Ambassador, I am sure that without it we would not be standing here now” Scarlet said, to which the Ambassador nodded. “Very well. Commodores. We can meet again later” He said before walking out again.

Once he was outside Scarlet sighed. “I am really going to dislike that guy”

“High level Task Force meetings?” Zachary echoed. “Why do I feel like we just sold our souls to the devil just to live another day?”

“One battle at a time Zachary, with a bit of luck we can push him out after the Consortium is dealt with or we get reinforcements from the Alpha Quadrant” Scarlet responded. “At least we can still keep some stuff secret if we play it well” She added.

“We’ll certainly have to,” he replied. “Otherwise, Starfleet’s going to work pretty quickly to replace us.” With a grunt, he pushed himself out of his chair. Sitting was painful and standing was less so. “Besides, that’s what impromptu meetings are for.”

“They might try to but I can’t imagine anyone is crazy enough to want our jobs” Scarlet joked. “And personally I was more thinking some drinks at the bar.”

“After what we’ve been through today,” Zach said, extending his free hand to Scarlet, “The first couple rounds are on me. I think I'll actually sleep tonight. Thanks to the Dominion.”

Scarlet shook the hand. “After the day we’ve been through we deserve it. Now get that other arm taken care of and meet with your wife. Do send her my regards”

“I will,” he said with a smile and a nod. With that, he turned and departed, bound for Unity’s infirmary. While the O’Carroll could take care of him, Zach knew that the Starbase had seen far less casualties and he’d be out a lot sooner. If that meant holding his newborn son with both hands tonight, he'd be happy to use a bit of flag privilege.

Continue to Collapse

Accreditation

This post was originally written by Alexander and Greenfelt22 for Bravo Fleet and posted on the Bravo Fleet forums. Use of Bravo Fleet's The Enemy of My Enemy (Part 4) is permitted under the Creative Commons 4.0 License and has been modified to suit the story and purposes of the USS Black Hawk Star Trek Role-Playing Simulation.