A Change Of Plans

Posted on Thu Apr 17, 2025 @ 10:02am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels

1,054 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Tergum In Tempus
Location: Deck 12-13 - Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD02

ON

Sitting at the desk in her temporary office, T'mpest sorted through the day's reports. There were quite a lot of them. Surely Captain Soran had a process in place so she only received the reports that were pertinent to her?

The commodore sat back and sighed. Of course she did. It was more likely that people saw T'mpest as a temporary stand-in and so tried to get whatever they wanted seen or done expedited by going directly to the top, assuming she didn't know the proper hierarchy. She didn't, but that was irrelevant to the argument.

"Maintenance and repairs." She set one PADD in the largest pile. "New shops." That would go to the head of the merchants association. Lasuma? Yes. She would need to meet with him. That went in another pile. "Trade negotiations." She started a pile for that one. Negotiations first. Trade after. "Adult education and Cardassian language training." She had no idea what to do with that one. It went in another pile.

Her computer chimed an incoming message from Starfleet. She held the stack of unsorted PADDs on her lap while she activated the viewscreen. "Michaels." She sincerely hoped this wasn't another request for something she could not deliver.

"Hello, commodore. Busy day?" a cheerful voice asked. A middle-aged woman appeared on the screen. Her dark brown hair was showing to gray.

T'mpest held up the stack of PADDs on her lap. "I would not be surprised if they waited for my arrival to send these in. Hello, Admiral Burke. Do you have news about Captain Soran's return?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. The captain will not be returning to Deep Space 5. Due to the death of her father and the additional stress from dealing with the Cardassians and Xi'Cadians, she has elected to step down and take a position closer to her remaining family. Therefore, effective immediately, your position as station commander is now permanent. Congratulations."

She took a moment to digest the news and found she was pleased to be staying. "Can I at least return to my former rank?" T'mpest really didn't want to be a commodore. She accepted the promotion because she expected that, once she left the station and was again in command of a starship or scientific expedition, she would be made a captain again.

"No. Command feels that the current situation requires someone of your rank to establish peaceful relations and to stabilize the sector. To that end, you are also to be the primary liaison with the Cardassians and Xi'Cadians. Feel free to enlist the help of any of the ambassadors assigned to you. They know the area and the people in it. But you will be the Federation liaison in this matter."

The half Vulcan nodded. "Understood." She did understand, but she didn't like it. "Do you have any other orders for me?" she was generally not one to indulge, but T'mpest felt the need for a chocolate sundae with whipped cream. Or a bubble bath. or both.

"None at this time. Protect the portal complex and establish peace. What you do beyond that is up to you. Keep me updated on your progress. You may also request any personnel you might need. Oh, and inform Commander Letsul that her assignment is also permanent."

T'mpest smiled. At least she wasn't losing the woman she was beginning to trust. Cara was a good officer and she liked her. "I will. Although you may regret putting the two of us in charge."

"I won't, and if command does, I'll remind them of your record. I think you're both imminently qualified for the job and you're stubborn enough to deal with any opposition."

T'mpest laughed and set the PADDs she still held on the desk. "There is that."

Kathryn chuckled. She knew much of what T'mpest had accomplished. She personally thought the other woman needed a challenge like this, but she wouldn't say as much. "You have a good team there. Use them. And don't try to do too much yourself."

"Yes, ma'am." T'mpest's voice was calm, but there was a twinkle in her eye. She would try, but she was her mother's daughter and knew that she would likely do just that at some point. "Thank you for contacting me yourself."

"For this? Of course. I look forward to future reports. If you do find that you need help reestablishing peace, let me know. I might be able to pull a few strings. But only if it's strictly necessary. The people on the station have done a remarkable job holding back the attack. I'm sure if you work together, you can return peace and trade to the sector." The sound of an incoming message could be heard in Admiral Burke's office. "I need to take this. Good luck, T'mpest." Then the channel closed and returned to and image of the Starfleet logo.

T'mpest stood and began to pace her office. Permanent. She liked the sound of that. She'd only been here two days, but she was already beginning to fall in love with the station and its people. And the planet…she could hardly wait to visit Pangaea herself and see what it was like. She'd find a day soon where she could slip away.

But first, there was still so much to do. So many people to talk to. Cara needed to be told. Then they would need to speak with all the department heads and their assistants. She was sorry the loss of Soran's father drove her away, but she understood her need to be with family. At the same time, she was grateful for this opportunity.

She spun around and looked at her computer. She needed to send for her things. She brought nothing but what she might need for a month or two. Now, she wanted her prints. Her sword. She wanted to truly make this her home. A slow smile spread across her face. Home. She definitely liked the sound of that. But it would take time.

"Computer, send a message to Commander Letsul."

The computer chimed once.

"Please come to my ready room at your earliest convenience. I received a message from Starfleet." That would get her interest.

Until then, T'mpest went back to sorting PADDs.

OFF

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

 

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