Gumming up the Gears

Posted on Mon Jun 22nd, 2026 @ 6:51pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Ashlynn Regan

471 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: Sins of the Empire
Location: USS Washington

Shran made his way down the corridor towards the astrometrics lab. The computer had indicated he would find both Lt Regen and Inara there, so he suspected they were working on something together. He suspected that Inara was going to show her annoyance at what he had to tell them, but it couldn't be helped. He reached his destination, took a moment, and then entered.

Astrometrics was dark, with the holographic generators on and a deep dive into a nearby sector being looked at. "Excuse me ladies" Shran stated, trying to nicely interrupt them.

Ashlynn whipped around swiftly, like she was watching her back. She wasn't anxious or anything, it was just reflexes from her intelligence days and more recently, her run in with Mirror Shran which felt like eons ago now. "Captain" she nodded respectfully. "Is there something we can help you with?"

"I needed to speak with you and Inara" Shran replied succinctly.

"We are quite busy captain. I would hope there is a reason for this interruption" Inara noted.

"Well, it is my ship lieutenant" Shran quipped. "But I just wanted to inform the two of you that we will be adjusting the sensors to focus on the Neutral Zone for the time being. I'm afraid your normal stellar cartography and astrometric work will have to be postponed."

"I thought we were on an exploration mission. Science is far more important than military activity" Inara noted crossly.

Shran gave a hard glance at Inara. "We are in StarFleet Inara, and orders are orders whether you approve of them or not." He looked to Ashlynn, "I trust you'll follow orders lieutenant."

Ash shot a quick side-eye at Inara before looking at the captain, "Yes sir."

She moved to one of the adjacent consoles along the bulkhead. "I'm saving our current progress for later. I'd like to return to it later if that's alright with you sir?" Ashlynn added.

Shran nodded. "Of course, lieutenant. Sensors will be redirected in 1 hour. You have until then." Shran turned to leave.

As he exited the room, Inara followed him. "Captain, I need a moment."

Shran stopped and looked back. She was a misanthrope, but she was his misanthrope. "What is it Inara?"

"I don't believe I can continue forward here under the circumstances. I have an opportunity to do real science elsewhere, and I would like your permission to ship out, effective immediately" Inara replied in her usual acerbic tone.

"Are you saying you are leaving my ship?" Shran questioned.

"Effective immediately" Inara noted. "Starbase 321 is two days from here on a runabout. I can catch a transport there to get to my final destination."

"I assume you've already accepted this new job. I won't stop you" Shran replied flatly. He turned and continued to walk away, not wanting to show his disappointment.

 

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