It was around 0820 hours when Commander Wallace walked into the Security office. Upon entering the front entrance the duty NCO stood up. "Morning sir."
"As you were, Chief," Wallace replied walking towards the briefing room. His mind was on the mission his findings were rather interesting. He was very gear to get going on this mission. Upon walking in he saw the five security detail and then a Cardassian he met while on the Hornet wearing a Lieutenant Junior Grade gold uniform and an Ensign wearing blue. The ensign was a human male in his early 30's.
Richard looked around and saw Cadet Tyran and four other Security officers. One was Bolian wearing a single black pip indicating he was a warrant officer. The other three were wearing crewman's insignia.
Cadet Tyran upon seeing Wallace, snapped up to attention. "Commander on deck."
The seven members snapped to as they stood up. "As you were."
"Ok, this is a combination exploration mission and security mission." Wallace walked over to the south end of the table and turned the computer screen on.
"The USS Sutherland launched a class 2 probe into this solar system, and was able only to gather the most basic information. Which is as follows.
"A Mulluran space station is nearly 400 kilometers from a class M planet. Scans report the station to be totally lifeless. The planet appears to harbor humanoid life. So we will survey the planet first. I assume that is why you're both here?" Wallace looked at the end of the table.
"Myron Okul, Operations officer, Commander. Commander Hunter asked me to oversee any useful tactical information and possible anything of any use to Starfleet," the Cardassian said.
"I remember you, Lieutenant, from the Hornet. But never had much of a conversation. And you, Ensign?"
"I'm Ensign Harrison. I am only on temporary assignment, sir. I'm to collect data on the planet. Also possibly help with the systems on the abandon station."
"Very well. Here are my plans. We'll survey the planet from orbit and if I feel it's necessary to go to the surface then we will, it's my call. After we survey the planet either from orbit or the surface, we then explore the station. We should be gone three days at the most. We leave in an hour, we'll meet at space dock 4. Dismissed," Wallace said walking out and headed towards his office.
Once in his office, Richard walked over to the desk where sitting on it was a black box. Upon opening it was a leather suspender with a Klingon mek'leth in a homemade leather sheath. Wallace took his jacket tunic off and slipped the suspender strap over his left shoulder the mek'leth hung just above the mid section of the back. Wallace had owned this for 11 years and always carried it on away missions and missions. It had come in handy many times before.
Chief Kirkland walked in unannounced and gave a smile. Wallace turned and gave a frown before the door shut. "Pete, just cause we're friends doesn't mean you can abandon protocols cause your friend is department Chief. What message would that send to the boys and girls?"
"Sorry. Just hard for me to get used to you being an officer, sir," Pete replied in a sincere tone. Richard noticed that Pete was armed with a type two hand phaser and had another one in his right hand in its holster. Richard quickly put his tunic on and took the phaser and placed it on his belt.
"Thanks, Chief. We need tricorders too. This is supposed to be a standard survey, no combat," Richard said with sound of joy in his voice over the idea it was a non-combat mission.
"You're right, Commander. I'll get them before we leave space port. Oh sir?"
"Chief, it's me, behind closed doors you can speak your mind," Wallace said in a tone that seemed annoyed.
"Rich, why the Cadet?" Pete asked with a look of annoyance on his voice.
"Well, he's on field assignment and I thought it would a chance for him to learn how to do a few things. I'm not going to give him the inspector duty the whole eight months here."
"He's a clumsy fool. He knocked over three cargo containers that caused a domino effect. He asked the dumbest questions."
"He's just getting his bearings is all. Tyran is on the track to graduation in the top ten in his class. Give the kid a chance," Wallace said placing the case on the small couch in his office.
"Sir, you know that book smarts is nothing out here," Chief Kirkland pleaded.
"Chief, the Wars are over for damnation. I assured the Mullurans would not be a threat again. I am not going to live in fear for the few pirates that roam this sector. Starfleet is about exploring our knowledge, not exploring to make slaves. So the kid goes like it or not. You will show him the respect he has earned. That is an order," Wallace said in his usual loud voice.
"I guess you are an officer. Permission to go the armory for tricorders, sir, then to the space dock."
"Permission granted, oh and watch your tone, Chief. I've earned a little more respect than that."
Maybe this was a bad idea. If Pete can't get used to me as his Commanding Department head then maybe I should transfer him, Richard thought to himself before as Chief Kirkland left.
Wallace arrived to the dock and saw the Yellowstone class Runabout with the port side entrance open. The name was Majestic. The new class runabout looked a little bigger than the Danube class but not much. He saw the away team was inside but minus one.
Walking in Wallace quickly told everyone to stay as they were. "Lieutenant Okul, you'll man the OPS station. Cadet Tyran?" Wallace looked around and didn't see him. Then turned to see the Cadet step into the runabout.
Tyran had his field back on, type two phaser, tricorder and in his arms was his Type III phaser rifle with the light on. "Cadet Tyran reporting for duty sir."
It was rather quiet as everyone said nothing trying to contain their laughter, including Wallace. With a smirk Wallace replied to the Cadet. "A little late, Mister Starfleet? Why don't you go and stow your gear in the back and come back up here and man the science station till we get to the planet. " Wallace tried hard not to laugh.
"Chief Kirkland, man the other science station," Wallace said as walked towards the Conn. The rest of the detail can rest and relax in the back," Wallace said as he ran over the controls with his fingers powering the impulse drive up.
"Space port patrol, this the Majestic requesting permission to leave space port."
[Majestic, permission granted. Remember you're only to use thrusters and impulse power and not to exceed warp speed while in the solar system.]
"Roger that, Port Control."
Richard saw the impulse engines were at 80% still and climbing. Wallace broke through the atmosphere in about 3 minutes and once he was through he switched to 3/4 impulse power.
Three hours later the flight was going well. Wallace getting a coffee, Lieutenant Okul was at the helm flying at warp 4.5 for the past 25 minutes. Chief Kirkland was kicking back at his station reading a letter. Tyran was at his post reading a PADD.
He kept reading from it and shaking his head in disbelief. "Sir, is it true that you killed 100 Jem'Hadar if not more on AR-558, and that you earned two Medals of Honor during that War?"
Kirkland sensing the time to get even and not liking the company of a Cardassian in Starfleet and on this mission, replied. "Yes, Cadet, he was a regular bloodthirsty Klingon in those days. I remember watching Wallace kill three Cardies in with his bare hands."
Jesus, he just didn't say that,Wallace hoped to himself and saw Okul's look of disagreement of the remark just made.
"Chief, watch the racial slurs. Or you can sit in the back," Wallace said rubbing his brow.
"To answer your question, Cadet. I try to forget those nightmarish two years. Maybe I did and may be I didn't. One of these days you'll understand that. I hope it isn't anytime soon," Wallace said looking ashamed at Lieutenant Okul.
"Well, Cadet. Seems Commander Wallace got soft. He used to tell me that the only good Cardie and Jem'hadar was a dead one," Chief Kirkland said with a sadistic grin.
Lieutenant Okul stood up with his blood boiling. He had taken two insult he felt was aimed at him. "Chief, you will show me the respect that you would show any other officer. Is that understood, now go to the back you're confined to there until we reach our destination."
"Rich, is he serious?"
Wallace saw the Chief's reflection in the view port." Why are you looking at me, Chief Petty Officer? The Lieutenant gave you an order. And further more you will address me by my rank and last name not by my first is that understood?"
Kirkland stood up and walked to the back lounge. "I apologize, Cadet, Lieutenant."
After traveling for 5 hours the runabout came to the solar system. Cadet Tyran's station began beeping. He quickly ran his fingers over the consoles. "Sir, I am picking up 16 humanoid life signs on the planet, sir. It's the western hemisphere and southern continent."
"Lieutenant, when will we be in orbit?"
"20 minutes," Okul replied still at the helm station.
"Cadet, is that the only life-signs in this sector?"
"Yes sir the station is abandon except for 100 faint life signs, which are probably rats, sir."
"Ok lets get a detailed analysis once we are in orbit," Richard said standing up and walking over to the tactical console and pulling out his phaser and checking the power cell and then put it back on his left hip.
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