2011-04-28

The Veterans of the War - Episode 1: The Die is Cast

"Due to your exemplary performance on the Klingon front, the Romulan front (which I am sure was not easy for you, personally), and most recently on the front lines of the struggle for Cardassia with the True Way, I hear by promote you to the rank of Captain with all the privileges that come with it," Admiral Quinn finished, with a crisp snap salute, "Congratulations Captain Selenia."
"Thank you, Admiral," replied Gretta Von Selenia, returning the salute, "I shall do my best to bring honor to the rank"
Gretta allowed her mind to reflect on the journey that brought her to this point in her life as the only full blooded Romulan Captain serving in Starfleet. At age four, after the Hobus Supernova and the destruction of the only home she had ever known, she found herself on board an old broken down transport ship with her 17 year old brother. They were the only two of her family to survive the destruction of the home world.
After a week in space, limping towards Federation Space in search of help, the transport was set upon by Orion Raiders looking for slaves to bring to market. The transport didn't stand a chance against Orion frigates, but ran into some tremendous luck. This was happening just after the Narada had destroyed the Federation aid fleet Starfleet had sent to help survivors of Romulus and Remus in any way. Because of that incident , a Federation Warship, the USS Crazy Horse, was within minutes of the transport when the Orion's attacked. The Orion's were beaten back, but not before the transport's warp core suffered catastrophic damage. The transports captain staved off a warp core breach long enough for the Crazy Horse to transport survivors from the stricken ship to the sickbay. The captain went down with his ship.
Selenia was unhurt, but her brother was caught in an explosion after a plasma conduit ruptured near the cargo bay of the transport. Weeping, Selenia begged a doctor on board the Crazy Horse to save her brother because he was all she had. The doctor, LT. Ghustav Von Heinrich, worked for many hours trying to save Selenia's brother, but in the end, his burns were too much for his body to take and he never woke up. Selenia was now an orphan, but the doctor's heart strings were tugged by this little four year old Romulan girl who had lost everything, and he decided to adopt her.
He added Gretta Von to her name and raised her as his own daughter. Because of the kindness shown to her at such a young age, Selenia decided to join Starfleet. Now 30 years after that fateful day, she had made Captain. She knew, somewhere, her brother was smiling down at her, proud of her accomplishment. She also knew her adopted father would be proud as soon as he found out.

***

Realizing that she had been reflecting on her past for a few minutes while holding her salute to the Admiral, she blushed a little and released her salute. As she turned to go to the shipyards of Earth Space Dock, Admiral Quinn caught her arm.
"Before you get your new ship, there are three people who would like to make your acquaintance in my private conference room. Please report there for your new orders, Captain."
"Yes Admiral," she replied as she headed not to the turbo lift, but to the conference room just past the Admiral's desk. She entered the room and found three officer's waiting for her. She recognized the Admiral, James Bailey, she had run into him in the corridors of ESD on more than one occasion, but the two never spoke other than to exchange salutes.
Selenia also recognized one of the two LT's in the room as LT Franklin of Section 31, she was not happy to see him. The third LT was a Vulcan wearing a Starfleet uniform from over 200 years ago if she remembered any of the Starfleet Heraldry class she took at the Academy.
Franklin spoke up, "I think you know Admiral Bailey, and I can tell by the look on your face, you remember me. Your lucky I am not Betazoid, judging from that look, Captain," Franklin chuckled, and continued, "This distinguished pointy eared fellow to my left is LT KATRA, and yes, he is from the time he looks like he is from. Admiral, if you please?"
Franklin ended his little speech with an overly dramatic wave of his from the Admiral to Selenia.
"First let me start off with a congratulations on your promotion, Captain, I am excited to be working with you. I have a copy of your new orders for you here, I also have a requisition order for your new ship. I realize you are an engineer and would probably prefer a Star Cruiser, but I have need of your talents in a Fleet Escort. Your new ship is a Defiant Class, USS Erbrus. Your new orders are to report to these coordinates in this datapad as soon as you finish your business on ESD. We'll meet you at these coordinates in my flag ship, the USS Klondike. Don't be late, Captain."
With that, all three were beamed away. Selenia thought it strange that the Vulcan didn't speak, but she did feel like he was sizing her up. Still a little confused, she took the datapad left by the Admiral on the table, and head off to the shipyards.

***

To be continued.....