"Incoming dispatch for you, sir," a yeoman announced, disturbing Captain Wallace's thoughts.
"Thank you," Wallace said. "In my ready room."
Wallace stepped off the command deck of the station and into his ready room. The screen flicked on to reveal an admiral that Richard had had few dealings with: Rear Admiral Stelk, of Starfleet's Diplomatic Attaché Command.
[Good day, Captain Wallace,] Stelk, an older Vulcan, said politely but stoically.
"Good day, Admiral. How may I be of help to you?"
[Actually, we are attempting to be of service to you, Captain. I am transmitting the personnel file for Commander Kitara Laurissa Mallory, your new Diplomatic Officer.]
"Diplomatic Officer? If I may speak freely, sir, the situation here is well beyond the realm of diplomacy!" Wallace said with astonishment.
[It is the belief of Starfleet Command and the Federation Diplomatic Corps that the Briar Patch situation, while volatile, is not beyond the realm of negotiation. Commander Mallory is one of our best. She will handle diplomatic affairs with the Mullura and other indigenous races of the Briar Patch, leaving your hands free to pursue military action if and when needed,] Stelk replied in a manner indicating that he was the admiral and Wallace a mere captain.
"I see, sir," Wallace said as he reviewed the file. "I must go on record as expressing some concerns about her psychological profile. Given the situation out here, do you think she is capable of handling the stress?"
[If I did not think Commander Mallory could handle the situation, I would have sent another officer. Mallory is extremely competent in her field, Captain. Do not be misled by the evaluations of those who have not seen her in action.]
"Your point is taken, Admiral. When can we expect Ms. Mallory?"
[1500 hours tomorrow. She is en route even as we speak.]
"I will make the necessary arrangements. Thank you, sir."
[We are here to serve. Live long and prosper, Captain Wallace,] Stelk said as the screen flicked off before Wallace could reply in the traditional fashion.
Wallace couldn't help but feel as though he was being edged off the stage...
Kitty was running with Zachary and Arianna through the ship, laughing as they ran around people, playing a spirited game of tag. Zac's green-brown eyes lit up as he would see her coming close enough to almost touch him, then just miss. She could feel his excitement and joy. He had Arianna by the hand as they ran. Even her 2 year old daughter was giggling with glee. Kitty would let them stay ahead for a few more minutes and then, in a sudden sprint, she would dash forward and pull them both into her arms for a family hug. But suddenly, the crowd became heavy, and she began losing sight of the kids as they ran. Then, for a split second, she thought she saw Jonas, her ex-husband, and her heart began beating wildly. What was he doing here, she thought frantically. It felt as if someone had gut-kicked her. Then, as she looked toward her children again, she couldn't see them!
"Zac! Arianna!!" she called out, trying to keep the panic from her voice.
But all she saw was a sea of strange faces. She looked in every direction, but they weren't there! Then, just as she was about to scream out their names, she saw Arianna! She was in Jonas' arms! Now the panic took over. He was trying to kidnap the kids!
"Jonas! NO!!" she screamed and ran after him, only the crowd pushed in on her. She could barely move forward.
She broke free just in time to see him board a shuttle with the kids. Arianna was crying and Zachary was questioning his father, but there was fear in his eyes. She ran forward, but the door closed before she could get there. Her heart wouldn't stop racing as she looked for someone, anyone, to stop the transport, but she was suddenly very alone. All she could do was look out the porthole as the shuttle left the dock. Her breathing wouldn't calm down, her heart raced, she felt faint . . . Then . . . Suddenly, in a blazing ball of fire, the shuttle exploded.
"NOOOOOO!" she screamed.
Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up into the face of a young woman, with dark eyes and blond hair. As she looked around and got her barring she realized she was in a shuttle. She was shaking, her breath was raged . . . She had broken out in a cold sweat and her heart was beating out of control.
"We're at SB901, Commander."
"Thank you, Ensign," she replied, as she pulled herself together quickly.
As the woman walked away, Kitty took a couple deep breaths and counted back from 10, willing her mind and body to relax. Finally feeling collected, she stood and straightened her uniform and ran a hand through her hair. Time to meet the Captain and crew, she thought.
It had taken some doing, but Wallace had managed to gather a side party to greet the new Diplomatic Officer. With him were Garek Loran, Tarik, Lee Carter, Razek, and Kassia. Not quite the reception I'd like to put on, but about the best we can do right now, Wallace thought, noting that much of the senior staff had been injured in the fighting, or were still actively fighting. All present felt a little foolish and more than a little uncomfortable standing at attention as Kitara Mallory exited the shuttlecraft.
The new officer looked more than a little haggard. Terrific--hasn't even started here yet and already she looks shot, Wallace thought. "Welcome aboard, Commander Mallory. I am Captain Richard Wallace; these are some of my senior staff," he said, introducing each officer in turn. "I must apologize that all of us couldn't be available right now, but things have been a bit rough out here. I assume you're aware of the situation?" he asked, attempting to elicit a more professional evaluation of the new officer.
"I understand, Captain; I researched the situation on the way here. I've seen the official reports; I am most certainly interested in knowing what's really happening here," Kitara replied, taking as Gospel truth the notion that reports and reality were more often than not at variance with one another.
"We'll have to discuss this more at length. As you surmise there is much more going on here in the Briar Patch than meets the eye. There is a formal mess scheduled at 1800 tonight; that should give you some time to settle in. Mr. Thoma, Mr. Reynolds," Wallace said, indicating two ensigns waiting off to the side for just this purpose. "Gather the commander's effects and escort her to her quarters."
As soon as Mallory was out of sight, Wallace gathered the officers around. "Okay, time for first impressions," he said, glancing over at Kassia.
"She seemed disturbed about something but I can't quite put my finger on it," Kassia said, revealing far less than what she knew. "Once given the chance to fall back on her work, though, she was able to collect herself very rapidly and seemed to possess remarkable clarity of thought."
Good--at least she can do the work. "What do the rest of you think?"
"She did seem to pull herself together rather quickly," Garek said. "Not every officer can do that even under the best circumstances. Whatever it is that's going on with her, I don't think it will be a problem."
"I concur," Tarik said, thinking back to his own personal trauma. "Once posed with the problem, she seemed focused, more intent. I don't think we'll have any problem with her, provided she lives up to her record."
Maybe I am being too harsh, Wallace thought. "It's not like we can throw her back and try for another one," he said. "Formal mess tonight at 1800. If you have anything you feel should be brought to Commander Mallory's attention, that will probably be the time."