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<P>~Yorktown, Captain's ready room~</P>
<P>Da'nak stared at the Star Fleet symbol on the screen for a long time. This
was the part that he always dreaded, having to report his findings up the chain
of command. The last time he and Yorktown had been sucked into that whole
Caitian mess.<BR><BR>From what he had been led to believe, there had been a
shakeup in the upper echelon recently, but he had no more information beyond
that. He had no real idea whose face he could expect to see when the aide
finally patched him through. Probably another armchair Admiral who had gained
his seat through bootlicking and politicking... someone who had no real idea of
what it was like to really be out in the void, in command of a warp capable
vessel.<BR><BR>Suddenly, the Fleet symbol flashed off to be replaced with a face
that Da'nak knew only too well. His antennae shot to the top of his head even as
the corners of his mouth turned up in a large grin.<BR><BR>"Cap...uh...
Rece...uh... Commodore! " He stammered, his eyes taking in the piping on her
shoulders. "It's good to see you! No one told us that you'd been released... let
alone that you had been promoted! Congratulations!"<BR><BR>Rece couldn't help
but laugh at Da'nak reaction. She had known it would be a good one and was
pleased at the results. "Hello Da'nak." She smiled and had to take a few moments
before continuing. "It was a long time before medical cleared me for duty. It
was so long I almost wasn't sure they would but as you see I'm doing pretty
well. I see you managed to keep the Lady in one piece." She smiled again. "Ready
to give her back yet?"<BR><BR>"Any time you're ready." Da'nak replied, his
antennae taking on a more relaxed posture as he gave Yorktown's former
commanding officer a wide smirk. "We'd be happy to come and pick you up. This
diplomatic stuff is harder than you made it look."<BR><BR>Rece smiled, "I may
take you up on that but not right now. I think Admiral Sheppard would be rather
upset with me if I left. Plus I think you're doing just fine. I've read the
reports."<BR><BR>The powder- blue face twisted into a smirk as the antennae
played subtly above it. "You always were a flatterer Captain... I mean
Commodore." Da'nak shook his head slowly. "Sorry, it's going to take a little
getting used to, but I'll get the hang of it. I'm just glad you're up an about
again."<BR><BR>"You guys were worthy ever flattering word I gave." Rece
commented. "It is very nice to talk to you Da'nak but I can see it all over your
face that there is something behind this call."<BR><BR>"Well Commodore," The
Andorian said, getting down to business. "While we were on our way to Risa for
some R&R after the whole Caitian debacle, we intercepted a distress call
from an Orion freighter under attack by pirates of some sort."<BR><BR>"Pirates
how exciting." Rece replied. "What happened?"<BR><BR>"At any rate, when we
approached we were contacted by a Tellerite ship who had picked up the same
signal. After a quick discussion," Da'nak sighed, shaking his head slowly. "Or
as quick a discussion as can be had with the Tellerites, we joined forces and
managed to drive off the attackers, but not before they had managed to all but
cripple the freighter.<BR><BR>Under the Captain's protest, we sent over medical
and engineering teams to try and help. Upon a search of their cargo bay however,
we discovered a cache of weapons, earmarked for delivery to the Gamma Sagittarii
system."<BR><BR>"Gamma Sagittarii that's New Darwin.<BR><BR>"Yes," He said, his
antennae drifting lower on his forehead as he folded his hands in front of him.
"They were found in a crate marked 'Material for New Darwin Resettlement'. It
was a joke apparently. After questioning Captain Skald of the Damballah, we
discovered that he had been approached by a Klingon and contracted to deliver
the crates to an unspecified drop point somewhere in the GS system. I'm sending
you a complete inventory," Da'nak punched a few buttons in front of him. "As you
can see, some of this is heavier equipment, though there doesn't seem to be
enough of it to use in a ground assault."<BR><BR>Rece looked over the inventory
list. "Great Bird. There's always been rumors that the Klingons have been up to
things but no solid evidence. Small unnoticed shipments add up Da'nak and have
you ever dealt with a Klingon? They themselves are weapons."<BR><BR>"Yes, their
prowess is legendary back on Andoria." Da'nak said, shifting in his seat. "I
know the Klingons have never officially relinquished their claim on New Darwin
and they tried to take it back during our conflict with the Romulans. That was
pretty straight-forward though. I'm at a loss to explain this. It seems more...
subtle."<BR><BR>"Klingons have never been know for their subtlety maybe they're
not working alone." Rece replied. "With this new information you brought to
light, I want you to head for New Darwin. The colony's ship the Aurora, was
recently ambushed and severely damaged by pirates. I'd like you to go and give
aid. These pirates have been disrupting shipping lanes and I just bet that these
weapons shipments could be just the thing they need to step up an
assault."<BR><BR>"It could be the start of some sort of plan to strangle the
colony through some sort of blockade. With New Darwin being so far flung, they
know its difficult for us to get there quickly. We'll head out immediately
Commodore. As soon as we escort the Damballah to Star base 12 and transfer her
industrious Captain Skald to their brig to await trial."</P>
<P>"Excellent, I'll contact New Darwin and notify them of your impending
arrival. What I would give to be going with you." Rece replied. "How's the crew
doing with the merger, everything working out alright? "<BR><BR>Da'nak let out a
deep sigh, though he continued to smile. "Well, things are hit and miss. Some
areas are coordinating fairly seamlessly, while there are others where things
are a little more... rocky. Engineering comes to mind... Between Michelle, Dax,
and Lt. Commander Merrick, we're lucky not to be in the middle of a galactic
incident on a daily basis." He chuckled a bit to himself. "Luckily, I can draw
on that time we integrated with the crew of the HMS Yorktown. Same principle,
just different crew."</P>
<P>She remembered that integration time and the paint job the HMS Yorktown had
needed to fit into Starfleet. "It must still be tough on some of them," Rece
commented. "I can guess what Armstrong must be going through. Loosing the
command of ship is difficult." </P>
<P>The Andorian's antennae drooped slightly, his words taking on a sad quality.
It wasn't long ago that the Commodore herself had lost her command as well. "I'm
sorry." He said, pausing for a moment. "We've tried to make his transition as
smooth as possible, but I'm afraid there's still some awkwardness around the
former Intrepidites. I've been trying to give him a wide berth, to let him
naturally find his place."<BR><BR>"Da'nak I'm going to give you some advice.
Darkness does not leave us as quickly as one would hope." She stated. "Every
member of your crew brings something unexpected to the table. Take advantage of
it, and don't leave anyone out in the dark. Use their skills and knowledge to
the fullest. Improve your own command abilities and make Yorktown the best. </P>
<P>"I understand Rece." He replied, a soft smile slowly replacing his deep
frown. "We'll do our best to do you and the 'Fighting Lady' proud."</P>
<P>As he spoke, his eyes slowly shifted to the chronometer in the corner of the
display. "When we get back, we'll have to schedule some time to get together and
catch up. I can imagine your promotion has come with it's share of stories."</P>
<P>Rece chuckled, "Oh yes. And you thought you had a learning curve."</P>
<P>"For now, I'd like to get us underway as quickly as possible. The sooner we
drop off Skald, the sooner we can get to the bottom of things in the GS system.
Rece...?" He said, pausing. The Commodore's name still sounded strange coming
from his mouth. "It's been great to see you."</P>
<P>"You too Java." Rece had never really used the Andorian's nickname when she'd
been CO. It was only in those moments of she counted as friendship and she
thought this one would fit nicely.</P>
<P>"Yorktown out." The big Andorian said, giving the Commodore a crisp salute
before her image faded, only to be replaced with the fleet symbol. The Commodore
was a remarkable woman and he was proud to count her among his closest friends.
Yorktown wouldn't let her down.</P>
<P>A powder blue hand flipped the switch on the intercom. </P>
<P>"Ca'daar to helm. Lock our tractor onto Damballah and plot us a course for
Starbase 12. Send word to them to be ready to leave within the hour."</P>
<P>"Aye sir." Came the reply.</P>
<P>"Ca'daar out."</P>
<P>Commodore Rece Morgan<BR>Fleet Operations<BR>Starfleet Headquarters<BR></P>
<P>&</P>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Force Commander Da'nak Ca'daar</DIV>
<DIV>Commanding Officer</DIV>
<DIV>USS Yorktown NCC-05</DIV>
<DIV>The Fighting Lady</DIV>
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