A Delicate Conversation

Posted on Wed Jun 4th, 2025 @ 3:06pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Imik S'Niohun & Lieutenant Inara Senn

1,183 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Cead Mile Failte
Location: Captain's Ready Room

Deanna and Inara walked out of the turbolift onto the bridge and made their way down towards the captain. "Captain, might we have a word with you in private. I believe having Jon and Imik join us would be prudent" Deanna stated as flatly as she could.

Shran immediately began to wonder what the issue might be. Deanna didn't speak in such a way unless she wanted to talk about something she might consider classified or otherwise sensitive. "Very well. My Ready Room" Shran replied. He looked over at Jon to let him know he wanted him to join. Standing he looked over at Imik, "Join us lieutenant" he ordered simply. Looking around, he smiled, "L'Rissa, you have the bridge."

The Caitain helm officer looked back at Shran in fright, "What? I mean...aye sir" she said as she scrambled out of her chair and over to the command chair, almost terrified to sit in it.

Everyone congregated into Shran's Ready Room and the doors closed. Shran looked to Deanna, "I assume something crazy has happened. That is the only reason I can imagine you and Inara both willingly coming to speak with me. So, what exactly do you need to talk about?"

Deanna offered a look to Inara, as if letting her speak first.

"Captain, what we are about to discuss, I believe is on the verge of becoming the most classified incident in the Federation next to the Genesis Incident." Inara mentioned. "There is an object of, astronomical, and catastrophic energy capacity in my lab. A little gift from Brigid." Inara explained. "You could power over 4.25 sextillion Galaxy-class starships for a year… by converting just 0.01% of the fragment’s mass with this machine, which will grab the undivided attention of anyone with such ambitions."

"Or have it perverted it into the most powerful weapon ever in existence just like Genesis." Jon observed from where he stood next to the wall.

"Exactly" Deanna said stoically. "I have to tell you captain, I was tempted to study this thing to my heart's everlasting content for all the scientific knowledge it could bring to us, but Inara was able to identify the object and its destructive potential."

"Let me get this straight..." Shran began, "Brigid presented something as a gift, and despite its obvious benefits, you are now warning us all of its destructive potential. Do I have that right?"

"No, I am not warning of its destructive potential, Captain. I'm warning of its destructive certainty." She noted. "Right now, this device is under Federation Control. And we understand an important lesson; just because we can do a thing, does not mean we must do that thing." Inara mentioned. "Can the Romulans say this? The Breen? The Cardassians? The Klingons? We must put it away Captain and never speak of it again."

"That is all well and good Inara and for the record I agree with you. We don't have the intellectual maturity to be entrusted with this... item. The question is, where do we put it where men won't be tempted to use it or gain access to it? Do you know of such a place? Because I don't." Jon replied evenly.

"And yet, that is our task, Commander." Inara mentioned. "And keeping it out of children's hands should be simple enough. We just put it where 'men' do not go. That being said, the only people who know of its existence is you, me, Commander Celes, Commander Grayson, and Lt. S'Niohun.

"In other words place it where even angels fear to tread." Jon observed.

Shran let his officers talk while he considered the situation. "I'll need to notify Command about this. It isn't entirely our decision on what StarFleet will want to do with such an item."

"I suspect they'll want it taken to either the Daystrom Institute or the Vulcan Science Academy" Deanna offered.

"If it is as dangerous as suggested, I think perhaps the person I should speak with is Admiral Carroll. He'll have it taken to a special location" Shran noted. "Imik, I think we will need a significant security presence around this item until we offload it."

"I agree. I fear this machine, Captain. I fear it in anyone's hands. I pray to whatever god is listening that Admiral Carroll understands how close we are to midnight." Inara concluded. "For now. I suggest knowledge of this device not leave this room, and it is told to only those who have a need-to-know."

Imik listened and considered what was said and its consequences, "Could we not simply return it to the Tuatha and explain that we are not ready for such things? My people have faced dilemma's similar to this in our wanderings, it is hard to resist the call of fame or notoriety."

"Yeah, that might be a good idea. Maybe I'll go back to my lab and explain how much of a horrible idea keeping that thing around to Brigid is. Good god. Not one moment I get back on the ship, and everything is well on its way to going to hell." Inara mentioned.

"Actually Inara, Imik has a point. You saw how I got being around that device. I only saw the scientific gains that would come from it, the potential for accolades. Perhaps speaking with Brigid or one of the other's would be the best option" Deanna replied thoughtfully.

"Imik, until we get this situation settled, I want maximum security around this object. Consider it top priority" Shran ordered. He looked to Inara, "Inara, you and I will seek out Brigid and discuss this with her. This may be a gift, but it may also be a test, for you and the rest of us. We aren't ready to have such things at this time. We can show our wisdom by knowing our limitations." Looking to Jon, "Take command of the ship while we deal with this Jon."

Turning to Shran, Imik bowed. "I will personally take charge of the detail; I'm sure Lieutenant Phoenix is more than capable of handling any other Security problems on his own. I will employ a standing detail of four Officers working two hours on duty, and then two hours off duty."

"Double that. If you need additional security personnel, use Cmdr Smith's team" Shran replied.

Jon nodded at Shran's order. "Yes sir." He replied simply hoping that the solution their problem would be as simple as giving it back.

"If that is the case Sinkahue, I will employ the SEJO personnel by splitting them between my own two teams. Thus, we have two teams of four and work four hours on four hours off, I will also use Commander Smith as the CO of team two and give him Lieutenant Peck IV as his 2 i/c. This will utilize both our own and their experience and allow greater protection." Imik looked to Shran to see if he approved of her suggestion, or if he had one of his own.

Shran nodded. "That sounds fine Imik." He looked around, "Let's get to it everyone. No time to waste."

 

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