Tough Calls

Posted on Sat Aug 1st, 2020 @ 5:46pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Commander Estella Stratton

Mission: Tal Shiar
Location: USS Washington

Shran remained in his ready room after meeting with the away teams. He knew what needed to be done, but he wanted to avoid it. But he couldn't. He hit his comm badge, =^=Estella, please join me in my ready room. =^=

Estella sat in the quiet of her office, reflecting on her conversation with Jon when she received communication from Shran. Her hand went to her badge.

=^= I'm on my way." =^=

Shran swallowed his third glass of Andorian ale as the door chimed. "Enter" he said as he poured himself another. "Thank you for coming so quickly Estella" he said as he finished pouring. "Would you care for something to drink?"

She walked into the ready room. Her stomach in knots as she had an inkling as to what this conversation would be about. Like it or not, it needed to be addressed. "No, thank you," Estella answered.

He slowly walked back to the desk, with each step it was obvious he had something weighing on him. "Estella, I don't know all the details, and I don't need to, but I understand this mission just by its nature considering who we are dealing with has a very personal aspect for you. As such, I am loathed to ask this, but because of the situation I must." He swallowed his drink quickly. "If it comes to it, can you deal with the Romulans? What I mean is, can you put your personal feelings aside and fulfill your duties as an officer?"

She stood on the other side of the desk, both her body language and expression stoic while she weighed in his words. Yet her eyes sought to meet his. This way there would be no question of either sincerity or conviction. "My first priority has and always will be the safety of the crew."

Was she afraid? Yes, terrified, but she had seen first hand what the Tal Shiar were capable of and she'd be damned if she let them hold that kind of power over her again.

Shran nodded his understanding. "I'm not unsympathetic you understand, just trying to gauge everything. If things go sideways on this mission, I will be required to do certain things I haven't had to do in many years, and some of those things may require you to face the Romulans in person in tactical situations. I just want to make sure you can handle that, and that you understand I don't want that to happen."

The gravity of the situation was transparent which was why the Counselor had opted to spend more time in her quarters than her office. A clear break in habits. One she had done out of necessity. This way she allowed herself some time to process her thoughts and feelings as she had not taken the time to open up to anyone. Sachzny's departure had jolted her. More so than she let on. The woman she'd regarded like family was the one person she'd gotten the closest to opening up to about what had happened on that mission with her father and brother and then Sachzny left. Just like that, without a word or anything. It stung much like her mother's and other remaining brother's outright refusal to see or talk to her. Estella had kept her pain private.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all," the Counselor answered in acknowledgement, quoting the words of another as a small smile touched her lips.

Shran let a smile slip out for a brief moment before once again becoming the stoic person he was known to be. "True enough. but if it is to be adventure, we'll be on it together this time." He stood up, "Right, enough of this unnecessary unpleasantness. We have Romulans to tangle with" he said, his voice suddenly filled with pep and a touch of adventure.