Non-Intelligence Update

Posted on 25 Oct 2013 @ 7:21pm by Lieutenant JG Tykhin Vess & Lieutenant Commander Amynta Markos
Edited on on 26 Oct 2013 @ 8:33am

859 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 04 - Exodus
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2, Mess Hall
Timeline: MD 04 - 1500 hours

[ON]

Tykhin sat in his "quarters", a table in the Mess Hall that had become his workspace and resting place all in one. It was comfortable enough, more so than what some of the others from the Venture were making do with on the crowded little ship.

He looked at the report on his PADD and sighed. Tykhin had hoped to have more, but luck was not with them. Willis had no luck tapping into the Borg communications and the risk calculus had not worked out well in favour of attempting a psionic link. The latter disappointed the intelligence officer in him, but the Betazoid in him was relieved.

The only other contribution Tykhin had been able to make was an analysis of the intelligence risk to Starfleet given the particular crew that were known to be assimilated.

A crewman could have written this, he thought to himself and then shrugged. He pressed the button to send the report to Lt. Markos, tossed the PADD onto the table in front of him and stared out into figurative space.

It wasn't many minutes before Amynta Markos appeared in the Mess. She frowned as she walked through to sit down opposite him. She watched him before arching an eyebrow. "Well. That was worth the shot, even if it turned out being a waste of time. Our assimilated XO is a concern. He's quite capable and he knows the ship well."

Tykhin blinked and came back to himself and cleared his throat. He took a breath and martialled his patience. "Ah... Yes, he does. Though he has enough firepower to rip the Galileo open whether he knows it or not. But then reading what you gave me, I think getting out of this is not a tactical issue."

She nodded and looked around, thinking for a moment. "I think this is far stranger than that. It is a small ship, everyone here are...very emotional. We will most likely risk everything to get them back, instead of trying to get away."

Tykhin exhaled sharply, exasperation breaking through plainly. "I've noticed a lot of unprofessional behaviour," he said with Betazoid bluntness. "I looked at the bridge logs; the Venture survivors were bait, that should have been obvious. I don't know why the bridge crew didn't take the ship into warp as soon as the cube was sighted, but it may have cost them this ship. And they have so far failed to warn the Federation that a major new power is operating in the quadrant with a cloaking Borg ship," he said tossing a hand into the hair.

She watched him, letting out a breath. "Well. At least you are showing some emotions now. For a Betazoid, you act very Vulcan. Now, it's not our way to question how things are. The Galileo is a small ship and a small community. I know, sickening at times and very bad for actually getting things done. It is more...difficult to risk people you know well. But as it is, they're scientists and with that they are curious. Not guarded, like we are."

"And how does that excuse putting the Federation or a starship at unnecessary risk? This is still Starfleet, isn't it?" he asked rhetorically, letting the Vulcan comment slide.

She watched him for a long moment before taking a deeper breath. She had never agreed with putting emotions before everything else. And yet, her time on the Galileo had made her more accepting that others did. "It's the Captain's orders. And as Starfleet officers, we still obey."

"Yes, ma'am," he agreed quietly and looked back out the window. "It was written I should be loyal to the nightmare of my choice," he quoted absently.

"That isn't going to get us out of this," Amynta said and shook her head, sitting back before looking out of the windows. "Although if we are going down the route of general quotation to emphasise our situation, my choice in this case is more...'as I raved and grew more fierce and wild at every word, methought I heard one calling child! and I replied My Lord'..." she trailed off and looked at him...and then she gave a genuine smile. "Problem with you is that this isn't a nightmare of your choice. You didn't chose this."

"No, ma'am I didn't," Tykhin said sharply, fixing her with a look. "But I do accept it and the harsh calculus service in Starfleet. My problem is the damn crew of the G..." he bit off his retort and pursed his lips. He pushed himself up to his feet. "If you'll excuse me, ma'am, I should go for a walk."

She looked at him, arching an eyebrow. "Word of...warning," she said, taking a breath. "Or advice, and take it as you wish. Don't underestimate the crew here. For all of their flaws...they're surprisingly inventive and resilient. You will be surprised."

"I don't doubt it."

[OFF]

LTJG Tykhin Vess
Intelligence Officer
USS Venture

&

Lt. Amynta Markos
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

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