A Shift in the Wind

Posted on Wed Mar 12th, 2025 @ 4:43pm by Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer & Fleet Admiral Sevlek

1,189 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 120 - Guardian at the Gate
Location: U.S.S. Intrepid/Starbase 400
Timeline: Right after "Riding the Wave"

ON:

- U.S.S. Intrepid -

Sevlek stepped onto the bridge of the Duderstadt-Class U.S.S. Intrepid. The ship ship currently carried 30 percent of Beta Quadrant Command's staff as they were transited to his new flagbase, Starbase 400. This would be the second time Starbase 400, and Admirals's Bremer and T'Lar played host to Sevlek and his staff.

As the door of the turbolift closed, an ensign at a rear station spoke loudly, "Admiral on the bridge."

Sevlek looked at the ensign, then around the bridge, and said, "As you were."

As he walked towards the command chair, the officer occupying it stood, "Admiral, is there something I can help you with?"

Sevlek watched the viewscreen as he answered, "The computer informed me that the Intrepid was nearing its destination."

The Intrepid's Executive Officer nodded as they motioned for Sevlek to take the captain's chair. "Yes, sir. We're currently," he checked the screen closest to him on the captain's chair, "2 minutes away."

Sevlek politely declined the offer of the chair with a short shake of his head as he spoke, "Indeed. You will need me on the bridge for the flag transfer process."

When the Intrepid dropped out of warp, Sevlek stepped to the communications console, and instructed the officer at the station of the steps necessary. After a moment, the computer chimed. Sevlek turned and as he was stepping into the turbolift said, "Commander, inform my staff that they are to begin transporting themselves and the equipment, to Starbase 400 and await further orders."

"Understood, sir. The instructions will be sent."


- Starbase 400 -

Four minutes after the Intrepid dropped out of warp, Sevlek found himself stepping off of a turbolift and onto Starbase 400's Station Operations. A young Vulcan lieutenant in gold stepped to the side as the Vulcan flag officer began walking across Ops.

Sevlek looked to Andrenicus and Zandusky as he pressed the door chime, "Wait here." Both officers nodded.

The door to Bremer's office opened and in stepped Fleet Admiral Sevlek. As the Vulcan walked in, Mike stood, flashed a smile, offered his hand toward a seat. "Welcome aboard. We've made some changes since your last visit, I hope you didn't get lost." Mike said in jest.

Sevlek nodded to Bremer as he sat down, "Thank you." Sevlek adjusted in the chair slightly, "I did notice the adjustment to the station's deck layout." Sevlek knew Bremer well, and attempted some humor for the sake of levity, "I must admit that I was concerned for .512 seconds that I would need to contact station security for an escort to Ops."

Mike smirked as he sat back down. "I've had the power restored to the Beta Quadrant Command Facility and the rest of Level One and well as the Strategic Intelligence Facility and the rest of Level Two restored and unlocked the turbolifts to those levels for you and your staff. Since the new BQFC is the old Station Ops, I had the engineering and operations teams leave everything in place so you can configure the stations as needed. I also had them leave the holo-display in the middle of the room so you can track ship movements as needed. The two offices, conference room, lounges, and transporter pads are all still there and ready for you as needed. If you need anything moved, removed, or added it'll be done."

After a brief pause, Mike asked a question he had since receiving word Sevek would be arriving aboard the Intrepid. "Any word on the Gladiator?"

Sevlek spoke, "Computer, access Beta Quadrant Database file Gladiator-Delta-6, authorizaton Sevlek-9-1-Theta-Mu-Lambda."

After a moment the computer responded, "Authorization confirmed, file accessed. Standing by."

"Computer, display file on desktop computer." Sevlek leaned back as Mike's computer turned on. "The Gladiator's status is not what was reported following the Frontier Day incident." Sevlek paused as Mike started looking at the screen, then continued, "The Gladiator was selected to travel through the transwarp conduit after the recent upgrades to weapons and shields."

"That makes more sense than the ship being destroyed while docked within Sol Station." Mike's off hand comment was meant more as 'I didn't believe the report' and not to suggest he had any knowledge of the off the books mission.

"Contact with the Gladiator was lost 2 hours after it entered the rift." Sevlek added.

Mike leaned back in his chair. "What was the nature of her mission and is there any indication of what happened?"

"Captain Zandusky was tasked with gathering as much information as possible within half a light year of the opposite traversal point." A brief pause as Sevlek watched Mike's eyes go back to the screen briefly, "You'll have access to all relevant information regarding the transwarp conduit and it's end point. However, it is not much. Communications through the rift were difficult, at best. Estimates suggest that only 7% of telemetry sent through the conduit was received. The Guardian Borg are attempting to remedy the communication issues, and believe they will have a solution by the time your task force arrives."

Mike glanced as a wall panel behind him, then looked back at Sevlek. "With Zandusky in Ops right now, am I to assume the Gladiator is also back on this side of the conduit?"

His question wasn't just for the tactical information, but he met some of the ship's crew previously when the Gladiator stopped at SB400 over the years. He was concerned for them. Plus, if the Gladiator was back it would also confirm that a ship could successfully traverse the conduit and return...returning being the key.

Sevlek realized how confusing it might be if you weren't aware, "Captain Alexander Zandusky, standing in Ops, is the Strategic Intelligence Officer of Beta Quadrant Command." A brief pause, "Captain Daniel Zandusky, commander of the Gladiator, is still on the other side of the rift, missing in action, along with the Gladiator."

Mike nodded, "I always forget they're twins." In the statement, Mike also realized the gravity of the situation. This meant the Gladiator was still on the other side of the transwarp conduit.

"I'll send a message to the Senior Staff to meet me in Tactical Operations in an hour. We'll depart right after."

Sevlek stood, "Good luck, Mike." As he neared the door, he added, "I'll ensure all relevant data has been transferred to you, disseminate it as you deem necessary."

Mike stood. "Thank you Sevlek." Mike replied.

"Do you plan to remain here, or are you coming along?" Mike's knew how much Zandusky and the Gladiator meant to the Vulcan, even if he'd never say it aloud...so his question was as much out of curiosity as it was an invitation.

Sevlek shook his head as he stood at the door, "I think it prudent to remain here." A brief pause, "My responsibilities encompass more than one starship lost during a mission. No matter how fond of its crew I am. In addition, we need not conflate the chain of command by having me present during your mission."

Mike nodded. He understood, and knew it was a tough decision for Sevlek, Vulcan or not.


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