Chapter Text
The Star Beagle Adventures
Episode 16: And You And I Part I - Cord of Life
Scene 6: Sight of Sound
Changed only for a sight of sound the space agreed…
16.6
Sight of Sound
“The holy landers have slowed their approach.”
This time Captain Ronald Howard, XIV was in Commodore Yui Song’s executive conference room instead of being a holographic presence on the U.S.S. Mako's holodeck. The U.S.S. Beagle had just arrived and deployed all of its support craft to assist with the disassembly and dissemination of the U.S.S. Escort to build a defensive installation in orbit of ASA 4.
The command group meeting was no longer a table full of experts, but an exclusive group of the key leaders of the task force: Commodore Yui, Captain Howard, Commander Rhonda Carter, ASA 4 Colonial Governor T’Eln, and three key consultants: General Krank, Pel, and the genetically modified purple, Shadow.
To their physical presence, another key leader was present on the viewscreen: the elder and leader among the children of Ensign John Sevork, John Jr. The slowing of the approaching holy lander fleet was his observation. “At their current rate of speed, they will not arrive for another 36 of your days.”
For the first time in a very long time, Yui Song let out a long, heavy sigh of relief and smiled. She dropped her fist to the table three times. “Yes!”
“I had wondered how long they could run their engines so far above the tolerances we estimated based on that wrecked ship we examined back on Mt. Torlochtor,” said Skip Howard.
“They might simply have run out of throat lozenges,” Rhonda Carter quipped.
“The revised time schedule seems quite significant to you, Commodore Yui,” John Jr. observed. “You anticipate reinforcement.”
“Rhonda keeps telling me you’re a smart one,” Yui responded. “Yes, I can now report that Captain Phillip Phlox should join us in about 40 days, commanding the U.S.S. Citadel.”
Rhonda Carter reacted with surprise. “Citadel? That’s Vice Admiral Ho’s flagship. Where is the vice admiral?”
“Undisclosed,” said Yui.
“Phil Phlox?” Howard asked. “I thought he retired from Star Fleet more than 100 years ago.
“He’s back,” Yui replied.
“Why?”
“Undisclosed.”
Captain Howard made an amused noise. “You’re enjoying this a bit too much.”
“Allow an old woman her pleasures,” Yui retorted.
John Jr. had watched this discussion with mild bemusement. “We will still have two days from the time the holy landers arrive until the ship you are referring to arrives.”
“A day of preparation and a day of celebration,” Howard responded. “I have every hope that we can talk the holy landers into at least those rituals before they take action. It will be much easier to fill two days with ritual than two weeks.”
“Are you not concerned that the arrival of your fellow Federations might cause these holy landers to think themselves betrayed?” John Jr. seemed more curious than concerned.
“Just more layers of ritual,” Howard replied. “I don’t even have to invent those rituals. Star Fleet policy and procedure for first contact situations can take over at that point.” He gestured to Commodore Yui Song, who seemed content to allow her subordinate to talk out and think out this process.
“And what of the gorians?” John Jr. asked.
“Well, you’ve made first contact, so by Federation law, the prohibitions against making first contact under the Prime Directive no longer apply.” Skip Howard smiled. “So I guess I’m just going to have to go down and talk to one Professor Newellewell…”
16.6