Chapter Text
The Star Beagle Adventures
Episode 3: Yours Is No Disgrace
Scene 7: Shiner
3.7
Shiner
Despite the long list of scientists eager to study the cardassian tug, out of an abundance of caution, Captain Skip Howard would not authorize travel to the cardassian ship or anything beyond passive scanning and review of the feedback from the tractor beam while the tug was in tow.
He brought the U.S.S. Beagle - and the cardassian tug it was towing - to station keeping four light years away from the U.S.S. Mako. Howard reached out to the U.S.S. Escort from the Beagle’s bridge:
“Lieutenant Commander Gross, please remain in contact with the Mako,” Howard said. “I will join the boarding party for our salvaged cardassian ship. I will need to know immediately if anything we do over there causes any change for your captain. I will keep my communicator line open…”
“Captain Howard,” Lt. Cmdr. Gross replied, “Please stand by for communication from Commodore Yui Song. She’s requesting you take her call in your office.”
“Understood. Beagle out,” Howard said. He exchanged glances with his beautiful, but perpetually mournful vulcan 2nd officer, Lt. Cmdr. Senek. On the Beagle, the captain’s office was located immediately forward of the bridge. Howard walked toward the corner where the forward starboard and port monitor/walls met. The two walls seemed to slide back to create a doorway into the captain’s office, then closed behind him.
Howard touched a control on his desk to find Commodore Yui Song, evidently in her captain’s lounge aboard the U.S.S. Mako, waiting for him.
“Song…”
“Skip, don’t make me order you to remain on your bridge. You are a biologist, not an astro-physicist,” Yui said.
“The issue could very well be caused by a biological substance…” Howard started.
“You have biologists on staff, some of the best the Federation has to offer. Better than you, and you know it,” Yui Song replied with exasperation. “Believe me, I understand the desire to go on away missions. Set the example for me, Skip, let me talk you out of it instead of giving you an order.”
It was the first time Yui Song had ever seen Skip Howard lose his composure. The young captain raised his hands slightly and dropped them to his sides a few times and paced around for a moment, looking considerably frustrated. Green eyeshadow. Black fingernail polish. Commodore Yui had learned enough about Captain Howard to recognize the colors he used to signal authority and aggression.
Skip Howard closed his eyes, made an amused noise, then smiled. “Okay, Song. I’m smart enough to know that you’re right. I know when I’m beat.”
“Attaboy, Skip,” Commodore Yui replied. “Get back in there and smooth it over. Bump in the road.”
“More like a shiner,” Captain Howard replied.
“Oh no, Skip,” Commodore Yui rejoined. “It would be a shiner if I had to give you an order. This is just a friendly tap on the shoulder.”
That brought a genuine smile to Skip Howard’s face.
“Now you’re ready to go back in there,” Yui said.
3.7