S11 - Mission 7: Asteroid Katra

[Kirok]

[Bridge]

Kirok stepped out onto the Bridge and headed for his central seat.  For once in a long time, the ship was not currently under attack and he found the moment of peace to be quite acceptable.  But he knew the moment of peace would not last.

So, the half Vulcan needed to make the most of it with some thoughtful planning.  An Ion Storm had saved his ships twice in the recent past and perhaps they were part of the solution the Orb of Wisdom had revealed to him.  Maybe his crew could help him sort figure things out.

Kirok to all Senior Staff and Department heads.  Please meet me on the Bridge and bring at least one other person from your department with you.  Kirok out he said after open the ship wide com channel.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[Holodeck]

[River Trail - Harmony]

Mahak was clad in a loose track suit, well suited for his body's need to keep cool. Though Vulcans were hardier than humans, they too could overwork themselves while exercising.

The Vulcan's feet pounded onto the hard packed dirt of the river trail. Over that sound and the steady, untroubled sound of his breathing, Mahak could hear the wind through the trees and the gentle flow of the brown river.

For a Vulcan with superior mental discipline, it was considerably easier to meditate while running. Humans could perform this task, as well, but it was harder for them initially and took much practice. For someone who had been learning mental discipline since childhood it was refreshing and relaxing.

Patpatpatpat went his running shoes onto the ground. He had run 6.7 miles already this morning, and he was not even an hour on the trail yet. He had averaged around six minutes and thirty seconds per mile, a speed that would be above average for most humans. If Mahak truly wanted to run, he had no doubt he could speedily zip through a mile in around four minutes.

But endurance was needed in the boxing ring more than running speed, and so the Vulcan steadily ran and focused and felt the miles melt away.

[Bridge]

Kirok to all Senior Staff and Department heads.  Please meet me on the Bridge and bring at least one other person from your department with you.  Kirok out he said after open the ship wide com channel.

Holodeck

[River Trail - Harmony]

With just a touch of reluctance, Mahak slowed down so his muscles would have time to gradually stretch, instead of stopping altogether.

He did not bother to contact the captain. Undoubtedly, Chief Reyes would attend this meeting, and would notify him if his presence was required. But just in case it was, he needed to freshen up and change into his uniform.

[Kachina Filitov]

[Bridge]

Kirok stepped out onto the Bridge and headed for his central seat.  For once in a long time, the ship was not currently under attack and he found the moment of peace to be quite acceptable.  But he knew the moment of peace would not last.

So, the half Vulcan needed to make the most of it with some thoughtful planning.  An Ion Storm had saved his ships twice in the recent past and perhaps they were part of the solution the Orb of Wisdom had revealed to him.  Maybe his crew could help him sort figure things out.

Kirok to all Senior Staff and Department heads.  Please meet me on the Bridge and bring at least one other person from your department with you.  Kirok out he said after open the ship wide com channel.

Holodeck One

Katcha was towelling herself down after another holodeck Sambo session. She didn't generally advertise her skill and never practised with anyone apart from the holographic creations. She had just put her uniform jacket back on when the call came through. She immediately tapped her com-badge.

=/\=Filitov to Kirok. On my vay. Out.

She then opened another channel.

=/\=Filitov to Mackenzie. Please report to ze Bridge.

Katcha then left the holodeck and headed straight up to the Bridge.

Bridge

Katcha entered the Bridge and sat down at one of the mission specialists stations to await everyone else.

[Klabax Cottle]

[Sickbay]

Klabax was in sickbay, as usual. He was currently in a lab section, running a few experiments on some biological tissue he'd obtained earlier. He had them running some form of experiment, but Klabax wasn't too interested in it. He was also working on paperwork from the last mission- who knew that activating the EMH had so much paperwork attached! That, and updating all the patient records.

He thought back to one injury that stood out. The vulcan. It was about time for a checkup, according to his records... but right now all Klabax cared about was if he was fit to return to full duty.

Crewman Mahak, report to Sickbay at your earliest convenience.

Hopefully this would be a simple wave of a tricorder and he'd be able to close this particular medical endeavor.

[Kinley Garrison]

[Mess Hall Kitchens]

Kinley was in the mood for cookies. Real cookies. Not the replicated cardboard that had the stale aftertaste of high-school lunches and desperation, but the kind her mom made on special occasions. After all, she was feeling like she really needed something from home.  Kinley looked undaunted at the quantities of ingredients laid out before her. It shouldn't be all THAT hard... right?

----------------------------------------------------

Two hours, three batches of cookie dough, and one bent spatula later, Kinley emerged from the kitchen exhausted and covered in smears of dough, but triumphant. So the cookies ended up a little crunchy. But they were real cookies, so she was rather pleased with herself.  As she started the long process of cleaning up her little experiment in baking, a ship-wide comm sounded. It was Admiral Kirok;

Kirok to all Senior Staff and Department heads.  Please meet me on the Bridge and bring at least one other person from your department with you.  Kirok out he said after open the ship wide com channel.

She sighed. Those dirty dishes were going to have to wait. Getting herself cleaned up as best she could, Kinley opened a channel to her fellow science officer, Jettis.
"Hey, Jyur. Are you coming to the Meeting? Kinley Out."
Placing a note to discourage any wandering engineers from pillaging her freshly baked batch of cookies, Kinley made her way up to the meeting.

[Jettis Jyur]

[Crew Quarters --> Bridge]

Jettis had been sitting back silently after a long conversation with Theresa and Lani, simply enjoying the silence. His roommate was already on duty, so he had the quarters to himself for a while. And naturally, he used that sweet, ever-so-scarce silence to think. His mind wandered from place to place, memory to memory, before settling on nothing. Just a fuzzy image where thoughts should be, but weren't.

[Bridge]

Kirok to all Senior Staff and Department heads.  Please meet me on the Bridge and bring at least one other person from your department with you.  Kirok out he said after open the ship wide com channel.

She sighed. Those dirty dishes were going to have to wait. Getting herself cleaned up as best she could, Kinley opened a channel to her fellow science officer, Jettis.
"Hey, Jyur. Are you coming to the Meeting? Kinley Out."
Placing a note to discourage any wandering engineers from pillaging her freshly baked batch of cookies, Kinley made her way up to the meeting.

He started when a sudden voice in his head roused him. At least, he thought it was in his head for a moment.
Blinking back to consciousness, he replayed the voice clip in his mind, before it was interrupted by someone else speaking. Realizing it was Garrison speaking, or rather, asking him a question. As he became fully aware of what was happening, he pushed himself off the bed, tapping his communicator.

"Yeah, I'm coming, Garrison." He commented. His voice was thick with sleep despite not sleeping, and that would be easy enough to detect. What new disaster was in store? No, no, he was overreacting. If it were a disaster, alarm bells would be blaring already. Likely it was some sort of odd phenomena that puzzled Admiral enough to call a meeting. Something potentially threatening, but also potentially cleared up in less than an hour.

Changing into his Starfleet outfit and running a hand through his hair, he made himself presentable before heading up to the bridge.
Stepping into the turbolift with another young Ensign, he stood patiently until his stop. Stepping out, his eyes casually scanned those already present. Not many, besides those who were already on Bridge duty. Nodding as he passed Kinley, he took up his own station, waiting for Kirok to speak again, explaining why they were called.

[Tekin Nevir]

[Main Science Lab]

For the moment, even as the second officer he was still the Chief Science Officer on the ship, and as such he found himself still under administrative responsibilities.  He still wore blue, and he still did science.  Like anyone would ever stop him from doing science.

Kirok to all Senior Staff and Department heads.  Please meet me on the Bridge and bring at least one other person from your department with you.  Kirok out he said after open the ship wide com channel.

Tekin sighed, and stood up.  The files could wait.  Garrison's in particular looked interesting, and for a moment he considered bringing her to the meeting.  Tapping his badge, he asked the computer to locate his two most senior officers in the department, Jyur and Garrison.  Garrison was as green as they came, but her work on the sensors impressed him.

Apparently both were on the move, Jyur already at the Bridge.  Garrison was down in the crew mess halls, slowly making her way up.

"Tekin to Garrison, please report to the bridge for a duty ship.  I'm taking Jyur, but I want you at that meeting.  Tekin out."=/\= he said, making his way to the bridge.

[Bridge]

It didn't take long for the Bajoran to make it to the bridge, his quarters were relatively close being a senior officer.  As the doors open, the blue clad officer sighted Jyur and smirked.  He certainly like the initiative the science officer was taking.

"Jyur, I'm relieving you for Garrison. You're going to be the officer I take to the meeting." he said, turning and nodding to the Captain, er... Admiral.

"Sir, are we having the meeting here or in the conference room?"

[Kali Reyes]

[Officer Quarters]

Yates and Anderson dragged her out of bed this morning. Kali had forgotten that today was 'spiritual cleansing' day. This was their only day off together, so the early morning routine was taking of the extra living space in Kali's new quarters for yoga, but really it was just an excuse to complain and hassle each other about day-to-day life on the ship.

Kali almost threw up in the latest trend in Anderson's pursuit of detox smoothies - one that tasted like sour cabbage, looked like a science experiment, and had the consistency of thick, chunky pudding. "This is disgusting," she accused the glass. And that was an understatement.

"That's what you get for drinking so much last night," Yates replied serenely. As she worked on breeching the nova position, Anderson gratefully took Kali's glass... and then added more to it.

"It'll cleanse whatever you got left in your system, Kali," she chided. "And it's got all these extra nutrients you've been avoiding. You know..." She leaned forward and whispered, "The Vulcan ones."

Kali snorted and tried to give the glass back. "Let it shrivel up and die. I need a cheeseburger."

Yates opened one eye at them. "It's morning."

"I'd say a beer, but it's way too close to shift."

"Our little Chief is growing up," Anderson cooed, pinching Kali's cheek. She swatted it away just as the comm sounded.

Kirok to all Senior Staff and Department heads.  Please meet me on the Bridge and bring at least one other person from your department with you.  Kirok out he said after open the ship wide com channel.

Kali's brow twitched in suspicion. "That sounds awfully specific. Do you guys...?"

"Nope," they said in unison. She didn't blame them, but it still made her irritated at the lack of cooperation.

"Lazy," Kali accused the both of them. "So damn lazy. I bet Mahak would do it. You gonna let a Vulcan outclass you?"

"We're already outclassed by a Vulcan," Yates said with a sharp grin in her direction. Anderson giggled.

Kali's mouth opened, then closed. "I don't have to stand here and be insulted!" She grabbed her uniform shirt, threw it on, then activated her combadge. "Mahak, report to the Bridge." Then she pointed threateningly at the two women. "And you stay away from my papasan!"

"No promises!" Anderson replied cheerfully as Kali stalked out the door.

[Bridge]

She rolled her shoulders back, took a deep breath, and then lulled her head back and forth on the way up in the turbolift. Work on her day off... she might have to get used to it. When the doors slid open, Kali mustered a bright grin that betrayed little of the storm in her eyes.

Work. On her day off. No rest for the wicked. She looked around for her 'protégé'.

[Kirok]

[Main Science Lab]

For the moment, even as the second officer he was still the Chief Science Officer on the ship, and as such he found himself still under administrative responsibilities.  He still wore blue, and he still did science.  Like anyone would ever stop him from doing science.

Tekin sighed, and stood up.  The files could wait.  Garrison's in particular looked interesting, and for a moment he considered bringing her to the meeting.  Tapping his badge, he asked the computer to locate his two most senior officers in the department, Jyur and Garrison.  Garrison was as green as they came, but her work on the sensors impressed him.

Apparently both were on the move, Jyur already at the Bridge.  Garrison was down in the crew mess halls, slowly making her way up.

"Tekin to Garrison, please report to the bridge for a duty ship.  I'm taking Jyur, but I want you at that meeting.  Tekin out."=/\= he said, making his way to the bridge.

[Bridge]

It didn't take long for the Bajoran to make it to the bridge, his quarters were relatively close being a senior officer.  As the doors open, the blue clad officer sighted Jyur and smirked.  He certainly like the initiative the science officer was taking.

"Jyur, I'm relieving you for Garrison. You're going to be the officer I take to the meeting." he said, turning and nodding to the Captain, er... Admiral.

"Sir, are we having the meeting here or in the conference room?"

[Bridge]

Kirok acknowledged each person who arrived.  Regardless of rank or title, each person received a silent nod from the half Vulcan.  He purposely did so in an effort to recognize each person for their individual contributions and talents.

"We will be meeting here, Mr. Nevir.  I know that is not the traditional ways things are done.  But our unique situation require us to follow some rather untraditional practices" Kirok replied.

He stood and headed to the front of the Bridge, in front of the main view screen.  "We will start in just a few minutes after a few more people arrive.  Please be seated or find a stop to stand along the wall" the half Vulcan said to the others.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[Sickbay]

Crewman Mahak, report to Sickbay at your earliest convenience.

[Mahak's Quarters]

Mahak had just put on his uniform blouse when the call came through. A rumble of irritation threatened to bubble over years of discipline, but he quelled it easily.

"=/\=Mahak to the doctor. Acknowledged. On my way, sir." The Vulcan said.

He glanced longingly at the boxing gloves on the center of his desk, the same pair given to him by Lieutenant Commander Byers back at Basic.

Before Byers, all Mahak had done for exercise was standard Starfleet combatives and cardiovascular. He had went to the gymnasium for his daily regiment of throws and holds and a few hours on the exercise bike, the standard workout during the latter part of Basic Training.

Byers had been a junior Golden Gloves champion back on earth, in Accra, his hometown. He was still an immense man, a heavyweight, whose black hair had long ago been shot through with gray.

"Crewman. Hitting the exercise bike for a few miles?" The commander had asked.

Immediately, Mahak had swept to a precise position of attention and said, "Sir, yes sir!"

Amusement crinkled the otherwise unlined face. The commander said, "At ease, crewman. Step here into the ring with me. How about I show you some exercise that's a bit more...exotic?"

After Mahak had done as he was ordered, the commander had roughly slapped a pair of brown, faded, cracked leather boxing gloves into his hands. A little surprised, the Vulcan put them on. Their interiors were sweat stained but dry. They fit perfectly and felt softer than anything he'd ever felt before.

Mahak studied them, before asking, "Pugilism. I am afraid the I am not accustomed--"

With that, Byers had fired an angry jab-hook combination, his gloves hitting the Vulcan's face full force. Mahak was knocked to his knees.

"You're in the ring now, crewman. Keep your guard up." The African accent was gentle and melodious, not at all like his punches or the physique of the man who had just struck him.

It was on his lips to cite regulation and call security as Mahak rose to his knees. But to do so in the gymnasium boxing ring and for a superior office would have been foolish. They would merely laugh at him.

"Sir, it is not becoming of an officer--"

A vicious hook slammed into his ribs, but Mahak was ready after that. With the breath still out of his lungs, the Vulcan fired an overhand punch at his superior officer's cheek.

Byers blocked it with a snort of derision and fired back a single jab that connected with Mahak's chin. The Vulcan managed to stay on his feet, but was sure to put his gloves up this time.

"Good." The big dark skinned man stalked off to his left. "I can already tell you're right handed, don't need to teach you stances to know that. So I'm circling to your weaker side, the left. You see?"

"I do." His eyes never left the other man's and his gloves were at his chin in an awkward fashion.

"Your instincts are good and you've learned your lesson. I think we can begin."

With that begun 11 months of intense, daily boxing training. Every day at dawn Byers would teach a handful of cadets and a few enlisted crewmen the ins and outs of the sweet science. Mahak learned conditioning with each punishing morning run. He learned how to stand and hold his fists. He learned how to read body language, to know the flaws of his opponents. He quickly became Byers's star pupil.

"Your speed is good, your conditioning is excellent," Byers had to shout to be heard over the rapid fire bambambambam of Mahak pounding away at the speed bag in an overhand circle of punches. "But your heart isn't what it should be, crewman. You're strong. Only your muscles, but not your heart. Strongest muscle in the body. Show me some aggression."

"I am unable to do so, sir," Mahak said. "I do not experience aggression."

"Fantastic, crewman. Than show me some logic. You have to out-box your opponent. Use your logic and clinical knowledge and make them suckers look like fools."

So he had. He became Academy boxing champion, outfighting a human cadet for the Academy belt. The other enlisted men loved that.

Looking back on it, Mahak realized that he had learned more in the 11 months boxing than he had in all his time at Basic. More about life.

The time for reminiscing was over. He could get back to his workout soon. For now, he did not want to keep the doctor waiting.

[Officer Quarters]

Kali's mouth opened, then closed. "I don't have to stand here and be insulted!" She grabbed her uniform shirt, threw it on, then activated her combadge. "Mahak, report to the Bridge." Then she pointed threateningly at the two women. "And you stay away from my papasan!"

[Passageways]

Absurdly, Mahak felt the need to thank the chief. Instead, he acknowledged her hail and informed the doctor that he would not be arriving in sickbay just this minute. He had to get to the bridge.

[Kirok]

[Bridge]

Kirok waited for just a moment longer.  It was essential that everyone who had been called to the meeting hear the important message he was about to deliver.  In fact, their very lives could depend on it.

"I'm sure most of you are curious as to why I called a meeting on the Bridge instead of Conference Room.  And I'm sure just as many of you curious as to why I asked you to bring an additional person from your departments.  I will addresses those issues shortly" Kirok said.

"But first, I would like to announce that I have finally come to a decision regarding the Command Staff here.  Tekin Nevir has accepted and been assigned the duties and title of XO.  And Kali Reyes has been promoted to Acting Chief of Boat.  She will also handle the duties of Second Officer until such time that we find a need to fill the position" the half Vulcan said, indicated each person with a motion of his hand.

"I have come to trust both people.  Please help me to congratulate them for their promotions" Kirok added.  Then he deliberately paused to allow for responses.

[Kali Reyes]

[Bridge]

If it wasn't for the yoga, she'd be a mess of yawns and irritability being called up like this. Mahak arrived finally, they waited for Kirok to speak, and Kali pressed her fingers to her lips to avoid a tiny yawn from surfacing. She was, strangely enough, hungry too. She was starting to regret spending three shifts in her off time making a possible roomba schematic to kick Janitor Taylor out of the job.

"But first, I would like to announce that I have finally come to a decision regarding the Command Staff here."

Another one? Shaking up the command structure again meant more transferal paperwork on her end. If she had pointed ears, they would have probably drooped by now. She almost completely missed her own name mentioned after Tekin's well-earned promotion and paused in mid-clap for a rouse of congratulations.

What.

"And Kali Reyes has been promoted to Acting Chief of Boat. She will also handle the duties of Second Officer until such time that we find a need to fill the position."

Chief of the what? Reality crashed down and took her dreams of an army of roombas with it, leaving her to just stare in mild terror. Not just Chief of the Boat - he made her an acting Second Officer. "That..." Her mouth opened and closed to find the words. "Tekin, definitely. But... you sure you got my name right on there, Admiral? Might have mistaken the disciplinary form for the promotional one..."

[Jettis Jyur]

[Bridge]

It didn't take long for the Bajoran to make it to the bridge, his quarters were relatively close being a senior officer.  As the doors open, the blue clad officer sighted Jyur and smirked.  He certainly like the initiative the science officer was taking.

"Jyur, I'm relieving you for Garrison. You're going to be the officer I take to the meeting." he said, turning and nodding to the Captain, er... Admiral.

"Sir, are we having the meeting here or in the conference room?"

Jettis nodded to his Commanding officer as he entered. He nodded yet again as Tekin spoke to him. "Understood, sir." He agreed, folding his hands behind him and stepping slightly away from the console, waiting for Kinley's arrival.

His eyes moved over to the Admiral, as he addressed everyone present in the room. Raising his chin slightly, he listened attentively, gaze curious. Why were they meeting in the bridge? He wasn't speaking as if it were something urgent, that was so dire they didn't have time to assemble there. He was piqued.

"But first, I would like to announce that I have finally come to a decision regarding the Command Staff here.  Tekin Nevir has accepted and been assigned the duties and title of XO.  And Kali Reyes has been promoted to Acting Chief of Boat.  She will also handle the duties of Second Officer until such time that we find a need to fill the position" the half Vulcan said, indicated each person with a motion of his hand.

"I have come to trust both people.  Please help me to congratulate them for their promotions" Kirok added.  Then he deliberately paused to allow for responses.

As Kirok announced the promotions, Jettis' eyes moved to both  of the officers, and he flashed Kali a bright smile at her confusion.
"Congratulations to both of you." He said, wondering if his small but sincere addition would be drowned out by everyone else. You deserve it. He added in his head, but didn't vocalize that thought.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[Bridge]

"But first, I would like to announce that I have finally come to a decision regarding the Command Staff here.  Tekin Nevir has accepted and been assigned the duties and title of XO.  And Kali Reyes has been promoted to Acting Chief of Boat.  She will also handle the duties of Second Officer until such time that we find a need to fill the position" the half Vulcan said, indicated each person with a motion of his hand.

"I have come to trust both people.  Please help me to congratulate them for their promotions" Kirok added.  Then he deliberately paused to allow for responses.

[Bridge]

Mahak had not quite creeped onto the bridge, but had made a characteristically low key entrance and stood near the back of the assembled officers and enlisted men.

When the promotions were announced, the Vulcan nodded gravely. He understood that his crew needed his words at a time like this, not a typical Vulcan brush off.

"I believe congratulations are in order," Mahak said carefully. "I have no doubt that you will continue to perform your duties as well as you have thus far, Commander."

What.

"And Kali Reyes has been promoted to Acting Chief of Boat. She will also handle the duties of Second Officer until such time that we find a need to fill the position."

Chief of the what? Reality crashed down and took her dreams of an army of roombas with it, leaving her to just stare in mild terror. Not just Chief of the Boat - he made her an acting Second Officer. "That..." Her mouth opened and closed to find the words. "Tekin, definitely. But... you sure you got my name right on there, Admiral? Might have mistaken the disciplinary form for the promotional one..."

[Bridge]

Mahak, if he was human, would have smiled at his superior's confusion. But he could only shake his head and address his chief in the same even tone he addressed everyone.

"Your surprise and modesty are illogical, Chief." Reyes was only a quarter Vulcan, and Mahak had appointed himself her official expert when it came to matters of logic, effeciency, science, and so on. "From the day you were posted here onto the Discovery I understand that you have more than capably performed your tasks and drills. It is only fitting that you be given more responsibility."

It all came across as mawkish and cringe-worthy, but he was only being himself, and his words were as kind as a Vulcan's could be.

[Kyan Mackenzie]

[Bridge]

The lift doors opened, emitting the small Flight controller onto the Discovery's bridge where the other officers and enlisted folk were gathered. Obviously he was a tad late, as the Vulcan Admiral was talking about something already.

"I have come to trust both people.  Please help me to congratulate them for their promotions" Kirok added.  Then he deliberately paused to allow for responses.

"Yay! Good job!" Kyan offered. "Huzzah!"