Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kastarak (First Officer / Navigation Officer) in One-to-one with the captain

Posted by Captain Chris Taggart (Commanding Officer) in One-to-one with the captain

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kastarak (First Officer / Navigation Officer) in One-to-one with the captain
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
After the Romulans had left the ship, the Chernov was still in Klingon space, under cloak. However, they had lost Dawson. He was nowhere to be found. An escape pod was missing, but it was also possible that Dawson had been kidnapped by the Romulans.

Kastarak needed to talk to the captain about what they were to do. They had needed Dawson on this mission, to help find his sister’s ship, and the cube. Would it be possible for them to continue with the mission, or should they return to Federation space to reassess?

For all of these questions, Kastarak sought the captain’s advice. He buzzed the door to the captain’s office and hoped the captain would have time to speak with him.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

Chris was in his office sitting over by the tank that contained his leg, arm and his best friends hand (Kane). Reminiscing about the good and bad times in his life he had mixed tears of joy and sorrow streaming down his face when he heard the chime to his office. Quickly wiping away the tears and trying to compose himself but poorly he yelled out in a slightly broken voice. “Come in!”

He quickly took a sip of his now cold coffee as he waited.

Captain Chris_Taggart
Captain USS_Chernov

Kastarak entered and immediately spoke:

“Captain, I wish to discuss with you the situation we are in. The Romulans have left, but I determine they are still a risk for us while in Klingon space. Moreover, Lt Dawson is disappeared. Preliminary investigations are inconclusive. Dawson’s presence was vital for the mission to function. Moreover, Starfleet Command has already given us names to pick up: A new chief weapons officer, Lt Koycheva, and a new science officer, Lt Rurru jan Skahlem. Then, I have been informed Ngokav Sega’a will return too.”

Kastarak felt a slight flutter in his gut upon saying those words.

“I recommend we head to Federation space immediately to reassess, confer with Starfleet command, and pick up our new crew, as well as Lt Lovejoy (if she is fit to return to duty), and bring an end to the skeleton crew regime for the duration of the reassessment.”

Kastarak spoke quickly but succinctly. Perhaps this was the Vulcan way of showing stress.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

Chris was a little shocked at what he just heard. How was it that Kastarak got all that info but he didn’t. He was the Captain for Celestia’s sake. Then it hit him. He was in the Brig for a long time and Kastarak was in charge.

The other feeling was that Kastarak seemed frightened.... No. No, that was not it. Stressed out a bit sounded better and who could blame him. Here he was staring at his list limbs almost dead to world. It seems that they have been doing a lot of pirating and being a skeleton crew as of late. Almost all their missions were. And if a Vulcan could show this much emotion if it were, then the human crew would’ve been even more so. Chris could tell his First Officer was edgy because Chris has been around Vulcans his whole life.

Nodding Chris stood up. “You’re right. What’s the point of it anymore?” He gestured both his hands to encompass the entire universe. “We’ve been doing a lot of Pirating lately and frankly I’m tired of it. Tired of Admirals with enormous egos, Section 13 trying to kill us, Romulans trying to kill us and Klingons trying to kill us. We’ve all been through more than enough in the last years.”.

He let out a heavy sigh. “I’m tired of it Kastarak.”. He looked at the tank again and placed his cybernetic hand on the glass. “I’m tired of losing crew due to stupid and extremely dangerous missions. I’m tired of losing people that I love and friends that I make.”. He took his hand off the glass and turned back to Kastarak. “And I’m sure you are as well.”. Walking up to him and putting his real hand on Kastaraks shoulder he squeezed it gently. “But I’m very grateful that you’ve been by my side the entire time. You’re a good being and deserve the best in life my friend. Permission granted for everything that you’ve just said. It will be nice to see Sega’a again and taste his wonderful food. I’m sick of these rations.”. He laughed as he took his hand away from Kastarak and walked over to his desk.

“I’m sorry about Dawkins. He was a good man.”. He looked down at his desk and his collections on it and around the room. Picking up one of the glass cases containing one of his autographed Hellraiser Cubes he brought it over to Kastarak and handed it to him. “Here. You deserve this my friend. I won’t take no for an answer. And after you’ve informed the helm of our destination I want you to take two days off in a row as rest. You need it more than me. Again. I won’t take no for answer. And tell the Helmsman maximum warp.”

He then went back to the tank and sat down staring at it.

Captain Chris_Taggart
Captain USS_Chernov

The captain’s orders were clear even if laden with exaspiration, sadness and frustration. Kastarak agreed with it all.

Kastarak looked at the cubes he got. He did not understand the cultural significance of it, but the personal significance for Taggart. He accepted the gift with a slight nod of his head. “I accept your gift with gratitude,” Kastarak said.

Chris smiled. ” I’m glad.”

“I will execute your order momentarily, as soon as our meeting here is concluded. And indeed, sir, I, too, am tired.”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

Chris looked up from the tank and then back towards Kastarak. “Oh. Well then, come over and have a seat and talk my friend.”

Captain Chris_Taggart
Captain USS_Chernov