Pilot Episode, Act I

Barely a couple of minutes pass before the door opens again and the captain enters. Her gait is businesslike, her features serious as she goes to stand at the head of the table.

"Thank you all for being here," she says, unknowingly repeating what the first officer just said. "While I would have liked for there to be time to get to know each of you a bit more before we were pressed into significant duty, unfortunately that is not the case today. She seeks out Counselor Mitsk, the only one present she has not yet met, and offers him a smile. Apologetic, perhaps. Regardless of intent, she acknowledges his presence and inclines her head gratefully.

She continues her survey of the table, and as she reaches the end, her brow furrows slightly. "Where is Liaison Officer Oobadek? I expected him to be here," she says, and looks to Hamilton, eyebrows raised just a bit to direct the question at her specifically. "This first mission involves a foray to an Inphirian outpost. His input would be valuable."

Hamilton blinks a few times.

"Sir, the Liaison Officer does not have the appropriate security clearances to attend leadership meetings."

"Then we should rectify that," replies McCurry. "If we’re going to be serious about forging better relations with the Inphirians, then we need Oobadek as part of the leadership meetings."

"I mean, sir, I can try to process the paperwork, but I suspect it'll take more than the time we have."

The chief of security clears her throat, but when she speaks, it's in a clear, committed contralto voice.

"Captain, I must agree with Lt. Commander Hamilton. Security protocols are clear. The Liaison has not been granted full clearance to meetings of the senior staff. His purpose here is as a subject matter expert on Inphirian culture, technology, and science regarding the Tangle. Surely we should discuss the full scope of the mission privately and call him in to address specific ideas and concerns to help us determine the proper course of action?"

A brief, tense silence descends on the table. The Vulcan woman looks around the room, then says, "While I understand the importance of following protocol, I do wonder if it is necessary to follow the letter of the law, so to speak, in a case like this. Surely Starfleet protocols leave room for captain's discretion?"

Avery almost rolls her eyes at the current issue plaguing the room, indifferent to the tense atmosphere. "If the Liaison is truly supposed to fulfill their duty as an ambassador of sorts, shouldn't they be given a proper voice?"

"There is a difference between "a proper voice," and "privy to all mission information." I have no personal reason to distrust Liaison Oobadak, but protocol exists for a reason. The first time it wasn’t followed with the Inphirians, Star Fleet officers died."

Her eyes widen, a mixture of knowing she’s technically right, but knowing she overstepped.

McCurry turns to look at Hamilton, her features almost completely devoid of warmth. The look she gives the first officer lingers for an uncomfortably long time, and never changes. When she finally turns back to the rest of the leadership team, her voice is quiet, cool, but serious and to the point.

"I want you each to know that I recognize everyone’s thoughts on this matter, and they will be taken into consideration going forward from this point. However, as the decision is ultimately mine under these particular circumstances, I will be bringing the Liaison Officer into this discussion," she says. "We will revisit full security clearances at a later date."

"Lt. Blakeney, please send the Liaison Officer a request to join us at their earliest convenience."

For once, Hamilton’s expression does not settle down from a look of barely-controlled mortification. Her breathing is measured and slightly heavier than usual. She clears her throat politely.

"Captain McCurry, sir, is there anything you’d like added to the debrief presentation before Liaison Officer Oobadak arrives?"

"Yes, Lt. Commander," says the captain, though she doesn’t bother to look Hamilton’s way.

"We are all new to this ship. We are being pressed into service in a potentially tricky mission before we have had the time to learn how we all work with one another. There will be misunderstandings, there will be challenges that would not normally affect another, more experienced crew. But there will also be great moments of success and synergy that will build our trust in one another and make this a powerfully effective crew that works for and with one another."

At this last, she finally looks at Hamilton, then continues around the table.

"You will hear me say this often, but it is important to me, and it describes my philosophy in simple terms: on the Hodgkin, we work together."

"Together. Yes, Sir. Looking forward to it, Sir."

Hamilton responds a bit more urgently than usual.

Without hesitation, Blakeney dutifully nods, taps his comm badge, and quietly intones, "Liaison Officer Oobadek to the conference room."

As the captain's speech progresses, anyone looking at Danny sees his previously neutral expression growing gradually more and more inspired, until he is practically beaming as she draws to a close.

"Together. Yes, Sir. Looking forward to it, Sir," Commander Hamilton says, and Danny nods with enthusiasm.

"Absolutely, sir! We'll do it together."

He looks around the table, winning nods from Leya and Iron Eyes, and a quiet, "Certainly," from T'Shen.

Scarce five seconds after Lt. Blakeley's request, the door SHHKKs open and there stands the alien Oobadek. He steps in and takes in all those present. When his eyes find the Captain, his long mouth tendrils go rigid, spreading wider than normal. "Captain McCurry. It is good to see you. You look entirely normal!" Oobadek moves his right hand up to clasp his own right shoulder.

"How may I serve the Hodgkin, sir."

"Officer Oobadek," replies McCurry, raising her own right hand up to clasp her shoulder in return. "It is a pleasure to see you as well."
His comment about her appearance draws a pleased smile.

She gestures toward one of the empty chairs. "Please sit, if it pleases you. We are discussing our newly assigned mission, and your insight would be of significant benefit."

"Lt. Commander Hamilton, will you please summarize our orders from the Admiral?"

Of course the chair is right between Hamilton and Iron Eyes. The first officer clears her throat.

"Four hours ago, the Inphirian government reported through established channels that their scientific colony Errbex spotted a starship of Vruxil design. While it was not making any aggressive maneuvers, they are under the reasonable suspicion that this ship was carrying out a scouting mission. Initial discreet scans of the area by Federation can confirm this assumption. Historically, scouting missions near Inphirian sites have proven disastrous. The officers at Errbex are especially concerned due to their proximity to the Tangle, and the possibility of an onslaught arriving at their door without much warning. The Admiral has assigned the Hodgkin to review and report on the situation, providing diplomatic aid if necessary. We are not yet cleared to engage in combat, though the possibility remains. Lt. Blakeney has further details."

The Inphirian sits awkwardly in the indicated chair. As Pleiades mentions the sighting near Errbex, he looks worriedly at the Captain, his tendrils showing his alarm with their slight quivering. Under the table level, his hand grips the chair claw fashion.

He waits for Lt. Blakeley to fill in the rest.