Joint Duty Log - CO & XO - aCapt Rhodes & Lt Cmdr Dhej - "Why not take the Enterprise?"

Posted on 241407.09 @ 11:36pm by Acting Captain Mark Rhodes

=*=Captains Ready Room=*=

Acting Captain Mark Rhodes had a busy day. He had already spoke with the Doctor about her behavior and other things in the morning and now was pouring over padds. As he sat back down from grabbing a drink he heard a chime at the door. "Come," he called out taking a sip of his drink. The doors opened to show Karim at his door. "Ah Commander, what can I do for you?"

Taking a deep breath, Karim took a seat across from him and said "Sir, we need to talk. I've been catching up on some reading and there is something we need to discuss." Pausing, he added "I'm going to just come out and say it sir. I have read Dr. Rodgers log, and I agree with her. We need to take the Enterprise on this mission."

"But what about detection from the UFP?" asked Mark frowning a bit.

Shaking his head, Karim replied "Sir, we are in the middle of nowhere. I don't believe anyone will be looking for us out here. I'd guess most people we run into will assume we are just on a long term deep space exploration mission."

"I... wait..." said Mark. He began to ponder a moment. "If the UCP pulled off a coup it would take a fair amount of time for that news to get out here... Assuming the story got out," said Mark thinking aloud. It took Mark until now to connect the dots and see the whole picture, this truly was a learning moment for Mark in the command chair. "But what if there is someone out this far? Then we end up in a spot of bother?"

Smiling slightly, Karim replied "I have memories of Mavala telling you a few times that you worry too much sir." Pausing, he added " I know that if we do get spotted out here, we can fight out of any situation. As I said though sir, the chance of us being spotted by anyone are relatively slim."

Mark was silent for a moment thinking to himself. "Alright, old friend," said Mark. "We will take the Enterprise into port to get our supplies. I am confident we will be able to handle our own."

Nodding, Karim replied "Ok sir. I will keep my devious plans for the away mission on file though, who knows if we may need them sometime." Pausing, he added "Was there anything you needed me to prepare for before we arrive at the port?"

"Actually we need to pour over info from this area and find out a good place to go trading. Another thing I want to get is information on the area. Someone will have into about this area, its just finding it for the right price," said Mark making a notation on his PaDD.

Smiling slightly, Karim replied as he picked up a padd with information about the region of space they were in, "If you don't mind me saying so, this kind of reminds me of the old logs of Voyager from the Delta Quadrant. I remember reading that they spent a lot of time trying to find places to get supplies, and worried if they were making allies or enemies."

"I can assume we will make both out here," said Mark. "It is the nature of our work. I remember reading those logs as a kid, always so fascinated, now we are doing something similar. But with a better ship, no question about that," he chuckled.

Chuckling as well, Karim replied "So in terms of suitable ports to get supplies, I'm seeing a report about an outpost called Zek's Emporium. Apparently it has everything from the amazing to the mundane. It could be worth checking out sir."

"We will have to see," said Mark. "If you have no more questions Commander, dismissed."

Nodding, Karim said "No questions right now sir. I will continue researching other options for us. I'll see you soon sir." Turning on his heel, he made his way to his office.

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Acting Captain Mark Rhodes
Commanding Officer
USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-F

Lieutenant Commander Karim Dhej
Executive Officer
USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-F