| Date & Time: | 04, 1100 |
| Location: | Captain Cohen’s Office |
| Written By: | VADM Daniel Beckett Captain James Cohen Lt. Commander Freya Preston |
| Post Date: | 02/26/2026 |
| Episode: | Ep. 1 – Fool’s Errand |
As soon as James had entered his office following the meeting with the Cardassian Gul, he found the communication he’d requested was ready and waiting for him. The Captain sat down behind his desk and looked at the small monitor in the corner of the desk. On the screen was one of the Starfleet Admiralty, though one he didn’t quite recognize.
=/\=Vice Admiral Daniel Beckett looked at the young Captain with a slight smile on his face. His arms were crossed and barely visible on the screen as he sat comfortably from his office on Earth. “Hello Captain,” He began to say. “I’m Vice Admiral Beckett,” He continued, “I understand you’ve had an interesting visit from the Cardassians?”=/\=
James nodded one time, “Gul Prail Sorvatt, said he was the officer for the Cardassian Fourth Order,” He answered the Admiral. James was distinctly aware of how the Cardassians had been quiet for the past eight years. After the first five years of the rebuilding efforts the Cardassians requested Federation withdrawal and that ended the cooperation.
“They’ve been in isolation for the past eight years,” James mentioned aware the Admiral knew that part, “I was kind of surprised at their arrival, though not completely.” He pointed out, “We are in control of another one of their stations.”
=/\=Daniel nodded, “Correct Captain,” He replied. “How’d the conversation go?”=/\=
“That’s the strangest part of it all Admiral,” James answered, “They weren’t upset about the loss of the station at all, in fact the Gul told us what happened to the station in the first place. When the Cardassians were in control of the station there was a firefight with the Dominion at the very end of the war. The station was badly damaged and so they left. The Cardassian government didn’t see a reason to rebuild the station and so it was left abandoned.”
=/\=Daniel nodded a second time, “I’m sure you got the sense that the Cardassian Gul was probably hiding things,” He pointed out. “Did they hold any interest for the system?”=/\=
“That’s just it Admiral,” James replied, “Gul Sorvatt was not interested in the strategic importance of the Uvel System, in fact he used the line about how close it was to the Federation side of the border. “He mentioned being aware of the station and the system a month ago, but they never took the time to come pay either a visit until now. He mentioned internal matters.”
=/\=Daniel listened to the Captain’s explanation carefully before responding, “The Cardassians are focused on internal matters yes.” He nodded as he spoke, “Captain, our intelligence reports are sketchy at best. But it appears the Cardassians are dealing with a myriad of internal problems and perhaps some external problems as well.
“It’s no secret that the Breen still control the Portas System, which has long been a problem for the Cardassian government. There are also reports of certain elements within the Cardassian military and the Cardassian government that want to not only see Portas returned to Cardassian control, but for a return to the old ways.” The Admiral explained, “We’re keeping a watchful eye on the situation as it develops.”=/\=
James was rather surprised by this information, but now he was more versed in why the conversation with Gul Sorvatt had gone the way it had gone. “It sounds to me like I’m going to need an intelligence officer at some point.”
=/\=Daniel frowned while nodding, “That would be a prudent course of action Captain. I’ll send you a list of viable candidates for your review. The sooner you fill that position the better,” He answered. “Starfleet out.”=/\=
James ended the call in time to see his Exec standing outside the door, he indicated with a wave of his hand that she could enter his office. “I’m assuming that Gul Sorvatt has left the station Commander?” He asked her.
Freya stepped inside and remained standing across from the desk. “Correct Captain,” She answered. “How’d your conversation with Starfleet go?”
James shrugged, “It seems we have a bigger problem on our hands than I may have realized when that Cardassian showed up. There are reasons why the Cardassians aren’t bothering us, it appears they have a number of internal problems they’re contending with, including some of their people being dissatisfied with the current government.
“Most importantly, there are tensions between the Breen and them,” James added with a sigh as he leaned back in his seat. “We’re going to need to fill that Strategic Operations post sooner rather than later.”
Freya nodded, “Did Lieutenant Ortega turn down your offer?” She asked the Captain as she kept her eye on him.
James nodded, “She did,” He answered, “I had expected that to be the response. However, I thought we’d have time to fill the position. Admiral Beckett is going to send me a list of possible officers to fill the position we need. How’s things going with the civilians coming aboard?”
“They’re going just fine,” Freya answered him. She dug a datapad out of her pocket and put it on his desk, “There are some other positions we may want to fill as well. Here’s a list of what we need, and a list of supplies requested by the Quartermaster. The mining orbital construction will be completed soon as well.”
James picked up one of the datapads, “It looks like the Federation agreed to one of the contracts for the mining operations that are going to be taking place here in the system.” He said then looked at his Exec, “Zeno Mining Corporation,” James told her. “Anything known about them?”
Freya shook her head, “I’ve made it a habit of mine to not involve myself in civilian matters Captain. I suppose that’s going to have to change though.” She remarked, “The classroom on the promenade is ready though, and civilians are starting to get their shops and offices ready on the promenade. That’s as much as I know.”
James grinned, happy to hear that the classroom was at least ready. Allyson had already accepted the position to teach any children living on the station. “It’ll certainly have to change Commander,” He told her. “Make sure security is paying attention, things are about to begin changing here now that it’s not just Starfleet on board.”
“Understood Captain,” Freya answered. She turned, “I’ll be in ops.” She then left the Captain in the office by himself.
James watched as she left and got up to look out the window behind him. The Cardassian Union was dealing with some internal strife and they were on the edge of Federation space. He had a number of concerns, but he’d keep an eye on it. Maybe he’d reach out to Deep Space Nine and see what sort of advice they had for this. He also had concerns that the Admiral wasn’t telling him everything he needed to know either.