| Date & Time: | Day 04, 0930 |
| Location: | Main Operations Captain’s Office |
| Written By: | Captain James Cohen Lt. Commander Freya Preston Lt. Commander Samuel Bancroft Lieutenant JG Alexandra Ortega |
| Post Date: | 02/22/2026 |
| Episode: | Ep. 1 – Fool’s Errand |
James sat across his desk, happy that he’d finally gotten everything arranged exactly the way he’d wanted it to be. He stood up and looked out the window behind him for a moment, considering this moment to go and check in on his daughter. Then he heard the chime behind him, and James turned to see his Exec standing there in the doorway. He indicated through the window for her to enter.
Freya entered the office, “Captain remember that thing you told us to alert you to if it happens. The thing we talked about three days ago?” She asked him.
James nodded, “I do,” He said. “If it hasn’t happened yet then the Cardassians are probably going to leave us alone.” He could see in his Exec’s eyes that the thing he’d been concerned with had either happened or was about to happen.
Freya frowned, “Long range sensors are picking up a Cardassian warship on its way to the station right now.” She answered him, “You may want to come out here to Ops,” She turned. Freya then went right back through the door.
Alexandra came up into operations through the turobolift ready to talk to the Captain in time to watch the Executive Officer and the Captain coming out of the Captain’s office. She hesitated until she heard personnel scrambling around to get to their posts in operations. Alex noticed there wasn’t an officer stationed at traffic control at the moment so she went over and took up her position.
Commander Bancroft was sitting at the operations station monitoring the incoming ship. “I don’t recognize the hull identification number.” He said without looking up. “The ship hasn’t entered the system yet, and it’s not entered visual range either.” Sam then looked toward the Captain as he stood there on the stairs.
James was watching the screen and listening to his officers as they worked together, the ship coming into the system was concerning. But, so far it wasn’t anything unexpected. “How close is our nearest Federation ship?” He asked, “Starfleet preferably, the civilian transports aren’t going to be much use to us if that warship starts taking shots at the hull.”
“Are you expecting an attack sir?” Alexandra asked
Freya had taken up her position in the center of operations, “We’re not sure what to expect Lieutenant,” Freya answered. “Has the Cardassian warship entered the system?”
“The Cardassian warship will enter the system in less than three minutes,” Alexandra answered after checking her readings. “Then it’ll be near the station in less than a minute from that time.” She answered. Alexandra had wanted to speak with the Captain about her decision, but it was clear to her that this would have to wait.
James continued to monitor the situation, “As soon as the warship is within visual range bring it on screen Commander Bancroft,” He ordered. James then crossed his arms over his chest, watching carefully as the situation progressed. It wasn’t long after that when the Cardassian warship was on the screen as it got closer to the station.
“Hail them,” He ordered.
“Aye sir,” Sam responded, then opened the channel. “Channel open.” He said then looked up toward the screen.
James watched as the screen melted away and the view of the outer hull of the warship faded away, replaced by an older Cardassian officer that he didn’t recognize. “I’m Captain James Cohen of this station, how may I help you?”
=/\=The Cardassian Gul on the other end of the viewer stared at the Captain, “Gul Sorvatt Prail of the Cardassian Fourth Order. It seems we have much to discuss Captain. May I come aboard?”=/\=
James looked over at his Exec, “Whichever docking pylon you want to put him on Commander,” He mumbled under his breath.
Freya nodded, “Upper Pylon Two,” She answered then looked at the Gul on the other side of the viewer, “We’ll meet you at the airlock.” Then she watched the Gul nod and vanish from the main viewer. Freya took a deep breath, “Captain?”
James found himself shrugging as he looked between his Chief Operations Officer and Executive Officer. “Let security know we’re about to have some visitors. I would like for the Gul to be brought to the wardroom. I can talk to him in there, we at least want to show them some semblance of non-aggression. We were allies once after all,” He answered.
“What do you think he’ll say?” Freya asked the Captain.
James shrugged, “I don’t have an answer to that question. But, go ahead and make arrangements for the Gul to go down to the wardroom unfortunately we don’t have any amenities for them to enjoy while they’re docked here.”
Freya looked over at Sam, “Commander can you help me with this?” She asked and then activated her communicator as the two of them entered the turbolift. She would make sure Lieutenant ch’Vyrhor was aware of the Cardassians and the Captain’s orders in that regard.
Alexandra watched the Captain carefully before she finally spoke up, “Sir, I know this is probably a bad time, but do you have a moment to talk?”
James nodded, “It’s never a bad time Lieutenant,” He answered. Then James turned while indicating that they could have the conversation in the office. Once they were inside he stepped behind his desk and turned around, “What’s on your mind Lieutenant?”
Alexandra didn’t quite know how to start this conversation, and she knew her Captain’s mind was now on the Cardassian warship actively docking up on the upper pylon. “Sir, I know this probably isn’t the right time, but I have an answer to your offer.” She placed her hands behind her back, interlocking her fingers. “I’m going to have to decline your offer.”
James had expected Alexandra to turn it down, but he still wanted her to have the opportunity to move up. He smiled warmly, “I understand, but if I may ask why?” He sat down behind the desk while keeping his eye on her. “Why have you decided to decline?”
Alexandra thought back to her earlier conversation with Lieutenant Bennett, “I just don’t feel like I’m ready for it sir. I appreciate your offer, I really do, I just don’t think I’m the right person for the job. I have no security training and I know little when it comes to intelligence related matters. Also, I’ve only been an officer for two years. I’d like to get there on my own merit.”
James nodded as he listened to her explanation, “I understand that Lieutenant.” He told her. “I’m glad you considered it at least,” He could tell she’d at least done that. Otherwise, James felt like it wouldn’t have taken her three days to get to that conclusion. He stood up, “Thank you for that much.”
Alex smiled warmly and felt a surge of relief washing over her, she thought he’d have a more adverse reaction than what he’d had. Alex nodded once, “You’re welcome sir,” She answered then she took that as a sign that she’d been dismissed. Alex turned and went back out into main operations and sat down behind the controller panel where she’d been working earlier.
James left his office and looked around for a moment, “I suppose I should head down to the wardroom,” He said. “Lieutenant you have ops,” He said to Lieutenant Ortega then boarded the turbolift. He’d just have to check on his daughter later, James was certain she was just fine and probably reading a book or something.