New Assignment

K’Tag glanced down the empty hallway. From his desk he could see the empty desk of Jamie Piper and he knew behind the door just behind Ensign Piper’s desk, was an empty office. The announcement of Commodore Hunter’s resignation had been made public. He was unsure how to feel; he had only served under the Commodore for a short while. Actually most of his assignment up to this point had been served on Qu’nos the Klingon home world.

K’Tag stood and walked around his desk. He squinted slightly as he looked toward the sun, and out over Serenity City. He paused for a moment, and turned out into the corridor. He made his way to the lift near the far end of the hall. As the doors opened, he glanced up.

“Good evening, Lieutenant Mikori.” K’Tag took a moment then grinned the best he could.

“Evening, Commander.” Shara answered. She then too, grinned slightly. “Any word when the new governor will be arriving ?” She asked with almost a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

“Soon, I would imagine. But you know how politicians work.” K’Tag answered.

Shara nodded her head in agreement.

“So how’s Commander Bentara doing ?” K’Tag enquired.

The news of Karissa’s ‘illness’ had caused him some concern, not for himself but for his wife. “Clare and Karissa both worked in the counselling department in Serenity City.

“There’s still no change in her condition and Doctor Hancock has no idea what happened nor how to bring them both back.” Shara replied.

“Both of them ?” K’tag exclaimed. “Who else has been affected ?”

“The CMO of Lake Town, Commander Kahfre is in the same condition.” Shara answered.

“Next time you see the good Doctor and Karissa, even if you think she cannot hear you, tell them that Claire and myself are thinking of her.”

“Thank you Commander.” Shara said. “When is your wife expected back ?”

“I got a transmission today from her; they have taken a longer route home to avoid the pirates.” The rather large Klingon took a deep breath, and the turbolift came to a halt.

“I hope they both arrive safely, I’m sure you’ll be happy to have Claire and young Martok back.”

Martok was the name of his young son. K’Tag finally convinced Claire the name Martok was acceptable. After all Martok is a famous warrior in the empire and it seemed fitting to honour his name.

“I’ve missed their presence.” K’tag answered. “I hope Karissa make a full recovery.”

As K’tag stepped from the lift and made his way out of the building he saw a familiar face waiting for him. It was K’tag’s good friend, Ensign Demarco.

“Well… Haven’t you heard ?” Demarco spoke with excitement in his voice.

“Heard what, T’learn?” K’Tag looked towards his friend.

“Really, it is all over the news! It seems Hunter put in a recommendation with Starfleet Central and they’ve made you the new commanding officer of Serenity!” T’learn looked back at K’Tag, who had no expression on his face.

“I have not heard anything from Starfleet Central on this.” K’tag rebuked his good friend. “It must be mere gossip, you shouldn’t believe all you here.”

As if on cue, K’tag’s comm badge beeped. He tapped the badge and heard the familiar voice of Jamie Piper.

“Commander K’tag….” Jaime announced. “Could you come back to HQ immediately, there’s a priority one message for you from Earth.”

“I’m on my way.” K’Tag announced.

“This could be it !” Demarco remarked.

“It’s probably to inform me about the new governor, from what I’ve seen he’ll be the one replacing Hunter, not me.” K’tag said dismissively.

Half an hour later, K’tag was sat in his office and for the first time in his life, he was totally overpowered. Demarco had been right; he a Klingon was now commanding office of all Starfleet operations in the New Canada system, including Serenity. The one saving grace to all of this was that the position was only temporary. K’tag never wanted the position and under any other circumstances he would have refused point blank.

For the moment the position was his until Starfleet assigned a more permanent replacement. The Admiral had hinted that if K’tag wanted the position, no one would refuse, but he had three months to decide.

As well as the elevation to commanding officer, K’tag had also received a promotion to the rank of Captain, partly because having a Commander in charge of such a large section of Starfleet would have been inappropriate and partly because Hunter had recommended it.

As K’tag sat in his office the door chimes went off.

“Enter.” K’tag said, sitting up straight in his chair.

As the doors opened, Ensign Piper came in.

“Captain, would you like to see the daily reports.” Jamie asked. “I’ve already uploaded them into the console in the Com….your office.”

“Please re-route all command systems to this office.” K’tag ordered. “As far as I’m concerned, the Commodore’s office is still his, I will not enter unless invited.”

“Captain !” Jamie exclaimed. “…..Certainly. Would there be anything else ?”

“No Ensign Piper, that will be all.” K’tag answered.

Jamie left the office and moments later, his console activated and he looked through the headings of all the report. He’d never realised just how much information came through to the Commodore on a daily basis. Picking the first report, K’tag began to read.