PLOT - JDL | Com Ivanova & Capt Dhej - "Merry Meet"

Posted on 241505.17 @ 7:43pm by Commodore Rochelle Ivanova

Enterprise.

The name was legendary and synonymous with Star Fleet's greats. From Kirk to Picard and beyond, so many champions of the Federation had dwelt within the amalgamation's corridors. Rochelle herself had been given the option to choose between Enterprise and serving the Griffin... The Griffin had won her interests with homage paid to Commodore Levine and her prized loyalty to the fine scientist. Had she chosen different, the state of the universe would have turned out so very differently. Enterprise remained a ghost of a mention in Rochelle Ivanova's history, and she'd been perfectly content to keep it that way until Admiral Red assigned the Vindicator the task of accompanying the Odyssey into the badlands and to the world of Apsha. It, of course, made sense. Next to the Admiral herself, Rochelle was the highest ranking member of Starfleet's illustrious ranks in the lawless "west" that made up Cheydinhall Sector.

"Captain Dhej, it's a pleasure." The spirited young Commodore smiled as she stood and offered the much taller Trill man her hand for a shake when at last she caught sight of his approach. "Please. Join me for a drink?" She motioned to the other side of the table she'd taken up for lunch and sake of their meeting. It was out in the open, hardly the cloak and dagger routine so many other flag officers would have taken. That approach simply wasn't Rochelle's style.

Standing, Karim shook the woman's hand and said "The pleasure is all mine Commodore Ivanova. A drink sounds like a good idea. What are you having?"

"Raktajino for now. Morning's still young." She chuckled, releasing the Captain's hand and taking her seat, "Seems like where we're headed we'll be handed all the fruity umbrella clad cocktails we can handle."

Ordering the same drink for himself, and moments later receiving them, he took a sip and replied "It appears so. The Admiral's orders were somewhat vague though Commodore, she basically implied we were being sent to a birthday party?"

"More or less." Rochelle's legs crossed under the table as she settled in to talk shop. "We're being sent in to court the Ascendancy. They've shown interest in joining the Federation and intelligence reports are showing that they're quite powerful and imperious." She began with a bemused smile, drawing up her mug for a sip, "So much so that they've already joined forces with the Cardassians and the Ferengi have been trading with them for longer than we care to imagine and you, my dear Captain, have been catering to their Princess from what I understand." The mug clicked softly as she set it back down against the cool table top and her fingers folded together politely. "All notes seem to imply that they send her out as a proverbial Trojan Horse before making a move to forge an alliance. Could be both good and bad depending on how her pendulum sways."

Smiling as he took another sip of his drink, Karim replied "Sounds like an interesting mission Commodore. In terms of Princess Xue, she is a rather ... spirited person to say the least. It's been kind of hard to get a read on her. I guess I haven't had a lot of experience with royalty before." Pausing, he thought for a moment and added "May I ask a somewhat direct question Commodore? Am I to assume you will take the lead on this mission, since you are the higher ranked officer? Again, the Admiral sort of left that part out of her orders."

"I'd assumed she was a handful." The redhead chuckled lightly with a shake of her head, dismissing the comment about royalty without a second thought. She knew better than to lay her cards on the table, especially given the circumstances of the mission they were about to embark on. Xue'Daio had been born into the role the filled, Rochelle had been thrust into hers quite unwillingly. The difference between the two was glaringly obvious and almost painful. "That would be a correct assumption, Captain. Admiral Red has asked that I lead the exploration forces here in Cheydinhall Sector, and that is why the Vindicator is accompanying you to Apsha."

"Understood Commodore. Its unfortunate that my crew won't have as much shoreleave time as I'd hoped." he replied. "Though I must admit the idea of a joint mission sounds intriguing. I've read some of your reports, the Vindicator seems like an interesting ship to serve on."

"I wouldn't fret too much over shoreleave, Captain Dhej, we're at the mercy of the Stenellis' hospitality on a rather tropical planet that apparently puts Risa to shame. I'm pretty sure neither one of our crews will miss wandering around on Cold Station Theta when being given the choice to go play on a beach." Rochelle grinned after her delivery of such an obvious and mater of fact statement. There'd been an outstanding lack of grumbling from the Vindicator's life force when news of the upcoming mission had broken, and while she herself was far from a 'beach bunny', Rochelle could understand the allure of such a place after so much strife and stress.

Her grin became a genuine smile at the mention of her ship and crew, her pride far from dimmed or easily concealed. "She's a fine vessel with an incredible group of souls aboard to see her through. I wouldn't trade her in for any other post this universe, or the next, has to offer."

Smiling, he said "I'm starting to feel the same about the Enterprise. I have to admit however, its been a bit of a whirlwind getting to where I am now." Pausing he added "Can I ask you a question, off the record?"

"Don't look gift horses in the mouth. Just smile, nod, and prove them right for sticking you in the hot seat." The Commodore responded with a knowing nod. While her own 'coronation' into the role of Commanding Officer had come with an irrepressibly high price tag, she easily understood where the Trill was coming from. Greatness was often thrust onto people during the very darkest and most confusing of hours, and she knew all too well the risks associated with dropping the proverbial ball. She couldn't. Wouldn't. And knew, somehow, that the lanky Captain wouldn't either. "Ask away." She admonished him, motioning with a hand that she was an open slate.

Looking at her directly, Karim cleared his throat and said "As I said Commodore, I'm still new to my role. Fortunately or not, I've had to make a hard decision when during a battle. Does it ever get easier? Making the hard decisions I mean?"

"No." Rochelle replied without hesitance. Honesty was always the best policy and she knew better than to lie or sugar coat the truth when it came down to such delicate matters. Her expression softened as she regarded him, almost envying the innocence she found within his eyes. Hers had long ago been stripped by battle and the conceited efforts of war that had chipped away at it death by death, tactic by tactic, victory by victory. "It doesn't get easier, it just becomes more instinctive and you won't have to think about it after awhile. It doesn't soothe the worry or the pain of ending lives or losing crew, but you wind up coming to the realization that orders need to be given and that it's kill or be killed, them or you and it's your job to preserve the lives of those you keep aboard your ship."

The conversation, and her answer, was eerily similar to one she'd had with Landon nearly three years ago. Face to face with the Romulans, the tide had needed to turn lest they all be extinguished and she'd answered, almost coldly, with much the same. He'd been the scientist, albeit it hardened by the circumstances that surrounded his life and those his symbiont had shared before, and she'd been the chilly tactician bent on success. In the end, they'd lived to see another day and lay waste to their foes with enviable grace - but still she wondered if she'd managed to lose a bit of her soul somewhere along the way and whether or not that had allowed her to become comfortably numb with the idea of death and war so long as it didn't threaten her family or her crew.

Momentarily stunned by the forcefulness of her answer, Karim sat silent for a few minutes. Quietly he said "Thank you for your honesty Commodore. Forgive me if I seem a bit shocked, I guess I'm just not used to the weight of my position yet."

To this she offered him a small, comforting smile not unlike one she'd offer a child after their first big injury. It was a bitter pill to swallow, and one she didn't envy the man. "I don't suppose we ever will grow used to it. Before filling command roles, I was a tactician. I suppose I've never been a stranger to war. You didn't have that luxury, and I assume your symbiont didn't either?" Rochelle asked rather bluntly, shifting her weight and re-crossing her legs.

Clearing his throat to cover his surprise at her bluntness, he replied "Dhej's last host was a security officer, so I believe I have learned a bit from her. I believe my ... apprehension is mainly due to how quick everything has happened. Before I was joined with Dhej I was a chief medical officer. Now I'm captain of the Enterprise."

"You're in for a wild and rewarding ride, Captain." She grinned and shook her head, "Just roll with the punches and be the best you can be. That's all anyone can ask of you."

Nodding, he finished his drink and said "Thank you Commodore for the drink and the conversation. I look forward to working with you on this mission and getting to know you better. If I may be so bold, you seem like someone I would like to work towards having as a friend."

"My pleasure, Captain." Rochelle nodded to him, "Here's to hoping that such a friendship can be acquired. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't."

"I am hopeful for the same Commodore. Please let me know when we are ready to depart." he replied.

Finding her feet, Rochelle offered the man her hand for a parting shake, "Vindicator should be done loading supplies within the hour. We're planning on departing around 1800, but I'll be sure to have you advised of any deviations to that plan, so if you don't hear from us, assume we're departing on schedule, Captain."

Nodding, he stood and said "Thank you Commodore. I look forward to seeing you soon."

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Commodore Rochelle Ivanova
Commanding Officer
USS VINDICATOR, NCC 78213-E

Captain Karim Dhej
Commanding Officer
USS Enterprise NCC 1701-F