[Galaxy] 2159.01.11 - Joint Log - RAdm Garroway & Capt Cole

[Robert]

~~ Challenger, Captain's Ready Room ~~

Corad was sitting at his desk working on the official report for
Starfleet Command. It was difficult to believe they encountered doubles
of themselves. Thankfully casualties were kept to a minimum and they
where able to gather valuable Intel on the Romulans that he hoped
Starfleet could use.

He leaned back in his chair examining his wedding band spinning it
between his thumb and forefinger. He hoped he could prevent anyone else
from having to lose a spouse the way he did.

"Sir, we have an incoming priority communiqué from the Endeavor, should
I patch it through to your ready room?" Lt Stingley said over the Comm
system.

"Go ahead.' Corad replied as he set the ring down on the report and
straitened his posture. "Ah Rear Admiral Garroway, what can we do for 
you Sir?"

Garroway looked tired on the monitor, but he didn't otherwise let on any
weariness. "Commander Cole," he greeted warmly. "I wanted to check in
and get a status report from Challenger personally. I can read reports
all day, but I want to actually /speak/ to my line officers."

Corad nodded before giving his report. “Challenger’s holding up rather
well. We encountered an anomaly, which we discovered was an interphasic
rift in Tholian space while being chased by a Romulan Bird of Prey. When
we exited the rift we discovered we were in another universe, similar to
our own. We even encountered that universes version of ourselves along
with some familiar faces.” Corad paused to see if the Admiral had any
questions before continuing.

Garroway momentarily raised an interested eyebrow.  "/Dimensional/
anomaly," he clarified.  "Not /temporal/?"

“Correct Sir, The ISS Challenger’s Captain decided to strip our ship of
its weapons and any engineering equipment they needed. While
interrogating me for my command codes, thankfully I knew how to prevent
that from happening. Meanwhile the crew fought back the ISS crew
preventing them succeeding in any dastardly deeds.” Corad paused to take
a sip of his water before continuing.

“Their Captain in a cowardly act killed Lt Cmdr Wash to get back at me
for not cooperating, he was dealt with. Lt (jg) Samad was killed in
action as well. We managed to gather Intel on their Romulans. I’m hoping
we’re able to utilize that Intel. We also retrieved three tricobalt
warheads and a biological weapon designed to use against their Romulans.
We thought we had time to render repairs before attempting to return
home, but apparently they had dispatched an ISS Defiant to investigate.
T’Pren theorized that because the rift opened while we were under attack
it would do so again. Thankfully with the help of one of the tricobalt
warheads near where we exited the rift, we got out of there in the nick
of time.” Corad said leaning back into his chair.

Garroway listened to the report, and paused before commenting.  "Intel
from another dimension, tricobalt warheads, and biological weapons."  He
shook his head.  "Send the information to Admiral Palmer at Command, and
give the weapons top priority for your Sciences and Engineering
personnel, if you haven't already.  But keep it all close.  If we're
lucky, the Romulans won't have heard of any of it either."

“Aye sir, right away," replied Corad.

Garroway paused again, a little pensively this time.  "And just so I'm
clear, you lost Wash and Samad from /here/.  /This/ dimension.  You're
two men down, is that correct, Commander?"

"Yes sir that is correct. We’re actually holding a funeral for them
later today.” Corad said.

Garroway nodded.  "Far too expensive," he said absently, "especially
when spent so far away from home."  He seemed to come back to the
present.  "But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that we can't
help the sacrifices.  When it's your turn to go, it won't matter who you
are or what rank you hold."  It was said more for Garroway's piece of
mind.  He was a little disconcerted that Cole seemed so clinical about
it all.  Almost callous.  But then again, perhaps that's the kind of
person needed in wartime?  Someone not wrapped up in emotions, and free
to make the hard choices without hesitation. Garroway envied the
thought.  "Give my condolences to your crew.  Any posthumous awards are
granted."

“Aye sir, I will.” Corad said as he looked down at his wedding band.
“Sir I apologize if I seem a bit cold, I’m not sure if you where aware
of this but Lieutenant Commander Wash and I where married. I’m trying to
not let that affect my duties. This hit closer to home then expected.”

The realization hit Garroway.  Cole wasn't callous, he was distant --
emotionally disconnecting himself so he could function.  A brief moment
passed when Garroway considered what would happen if he ever lost Suzy,
but he quickly pushed the thought away.  "My sincerest condolences to
you, Corad," Garroway said solemnly.  "How long were you married?"

“We got married July 15th 2157, while the ship was at Forrest Outpost
for repairs, small ceremony just her and I.” Corad said with the hint of
a smile remembering a beautiful memory. “She didn’t want to change her
name till I met her mom. Which I told her we would next chance we got.”
Corad’s smile faded away as he lowered his head to compose himself.

Garroway nodded quietly.  It would probably be best to change the
subject and let the man deal with his loss his own way, in his own time.
  "I have another reason for contacting you, Commander," he said
officiously.  "I've been looking over the records of my senior officers
for various reasons, and found a few things that need correcting.  I'm
promoting you to Captain, effective immediately."

Corad’s mouth dipped open, “Thank you Sir. That’s some good news to come
home to.”

Garroway thought it must have been bitter-sweet for the man, having lost
so much so soon.  Then again, did he really mean it was good news at
all, or did it not really matter right now and he was just 'putting on a
good face for the Admiral'?  Either way, Garroway didn't push it.
"You've earned it in spades, Captain," he said earnestly.  "I can see
that this last mission was especially difficult, but I don't think
anyone else could have done as well."

“Thank you Admiral, I will pass you’re condolences and you’re
complements along as well. I’m sure the rest of the crew would agree
that we appreciate the thought.” Corad said with a slight smile knowing
that Admiral Garroway was sincere with his words.

"Congratulations, Captain.  Garroway out."


-----
RAdm Garroway, Thomas R.
Commander, Starfleet
(The First Era)

Captain Corad Cole
Commanding Officer
NX-04 Challenger