| Date & Time: | Day 01, 1241 |
| Location: | Captain’s Office |
| Written By: | Captain James Cohen Lieutenant Novra Bostru |
| Post Date: | 02/28/2028 |
| Episode: | Ep. 2 – On Shaky Ground |
James Cohen sat comfortably behind his desk, the Captain had started to slowly get used to life on the station. The last of the transport ships carrying the latest group of passengers had come and dropped off more civilians to the station. The Captain read a datapad in silence when he noticed someone standing outside his office. “Come in,” He said and waved for the officer to know she could enter his office.
Lieutenant Novra Bostru, after making certain her daughter had settled into their assigned family quarters, had made her way to station operations. Her husband Howard Morgan was probably still getting the offices on the promenade set up. The circumstances that had led her here were a bit unique. For one thing, her husband had moved his headquarters to this system because the Zeno Mining Corporation expansion.
For another thing, Novra Bostru and her family had been apart for so long that it was time to rectify that. She’d even considered getting out of Starfleet entirely, and had this opportunity not come up she probably would have done so. It was strange being in red instead of gold, but the Lieutenant entered the Captain’s office without putting much thought into that. “Captain,” She said as soon as she was inside his office.
“I’m Lieutenant Novra Bostru, I was assigned to be your Strategic Operations Officer,” She placed the datapad down onto his desk. Each time she’d reported to a new place, it was more the same. The young mother and officer managed a smile, the Betazoid trying to quietly read the thoughts of her Captain before he spoke.
James looked at Novra with a smile before he picked up the datapad, after placing the one he had down, and began to read it. “Welcome aboard Lieutenant,” He said to her. “I hope your trip, and the trip for your husband and daughter were quiet and safe?” James asked her.
“Oh, of course Captain,” She answered him. “Addison is in our quarters, and I’m sure Howard is in his office doing who knows what.” The Betazoid woman shrugged her shoulders, “I’m glad I don’t have to raise a ten year old on my own anymore.” She admitted rather sheepishly then realized it was probably a foot in mouth situation.
“I mean,” She felt her cheeks turning bright red, “I read your file sir… I didn’t mean to…” Her voice seemingly trailing away as she spoke.
James shook his head, “Think nothing of it,” He said with a smile and stood up. He indicated the chairs over in the corner of his office along with the small table that had a starship model on it. “Please,” He told the Lieutenant. Then he walked over and sat down across the table from the empty chair left for her. “I’ve been a single Dad since Paige was five years old.”
Novra breathed a sigh of relief as she went over and sat down where he’d indicated for her to go and sit across from him. “I’ve read some of the security reports and a few of the intelligence reports provided to me by Admiral Beckett.” She told him, “It’ll take me a bit to get spun up on the intelligence side of things, but otherwise…” She shrugged, “I should be fine.”
James listened to her speak, thankful the conversation had shifted. He was still thinking about the strange conversation he’d walked into, but James trusted his daughter. He’d try to remember talking to her grandmother later and make sure everything was fine with Mia’s parents. For now he focused on the business in front of him. “From what I’ve been able to discern following our unexpected and unsurprising visit, there’s not much to go on. Some sort of Cardassian movement is active, and seems to have certain goals in mind. We don’t know who’s running the show, and there’s reason to believe a conflict between the Breen and the Cardassians may be inevitable but there’s no military buildup.”
Novra nodded again, “I’ll start by seeing if I can get some contacts in the Cardassian Union, they’ve been pretty isolated since the end of the Dominion War. Ever since they requested our assistance come to an end, we’ve not had much to go on. I suppose when former Obsidian Order agents take over as the head of government you can anticipate that.”
Novra didn’t know if the Captain was aware of many details, “From what the Admiral seemed to imply, the Obsidian Order may be functioning again, or it may not be. We don’t know, and since nobody has really asked it can be assumed that no answer has been given.” The words came from the Betazoid as she thought through each of them. She’d never had formal training as an intelligence operative so this would be different.
James listened to the Lieutenant talk, “Just keep me up to date,” He told her. Then James leaned back and a warm smile formed over his face. “Things have been pretty quiet in the Uvel System for the past week. I don’t expect that to change too much, we’re on the edge of Federation space and there’s not much in the way of any activity along the border. You could reach out to Deep Space Nine and see if the Strategic Operations Officer up there has had any luck?”
Novra liked the idea and she nodded in agreement, “That’s an option,” She said with a smile on her face. Then Novra decided to change the subject to something different, “Your daughter’s name is Paige right?” Novra asked, “How has she been settling in?”
James grinned, “Well she got somewhat lucky. One of the girls from Earth that she met a couple years ago is on the station. Her sister is one of the traffic controllers here, Ashley Ortega is the girl’s name. So she at least has someone she’s already familiar with. The first week of school went pretty good for her too. Now there are others starting to arrive, so everything seems good.”
Novra listened to the Captain speak as her own worries started to ebb a little bit, “Okay,” She replied. “So, Addison should be fine,” Novra mentioned her eleven-year-old. She’d been worried about her daughter not making friends. Or, at the very least missing the friends she had on Earth and at Xavier Fleet Yards.
“Oh yes,” James nodded, “Most definitely.” He stood up and smoothed the front of his uniform, “Just let me know if your husband, her, or you need anything.” James told her.
Novra also stood up, “I will certainly do so Captain.” She said then Novra got up and left the office quietly. She paused inside station operations and looked around at the small group of officers who were working. “Perhaps I’ll find time to talk to the Security Chief,” She mentioned under her breath then she went toward the turbolift.