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Pre-Sim: Shuttlebay arrival

Posted March 2, 2023, 2:45 p.m. by Lieutenant Sozi Zakene (Diplomatic Attache) (Katy Darrah)

Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Pre-Sim: Shuttlebay arrival

Posted by Lieutenant Sozi Zakene (Diplomatic Attache) in Pre-Sim: Shuttlebay arrival
“We should be coming into view of the Manhattan in a moment, sir.” NE Williams said to the half-asleep Bajoran in the rear of the shuttle. Zakene jumped slightly, reaching up and taking off his earring. He only wore it when he was off duty, as he never got it approved as a cultural variation of the Starfleet uniform, so he stuffed it into his pocket.

He moved to the front of the shuttle, taking the empty seat as he stared out at his new home. It was a lot different from the medical ships he previously served on. Williams was one of the many pilots-for-loan that Starfleet kept on staff for this very purpose, in this case flying shuttles between various ships with crew transfers.

“Thank you, Ensign.” Zakene said, entering in a few commands. “Preparing the shuttle for docking with the ship.” Williams replied, and after a beep from the controls, looked at Zakene and said, “Captain Cochrane will meet us as soon as we touch down.” Zakene nodded, moving to the rear and picking up his bag.

As the shuttle landed, the door opened into a ramp off, and Zakene walked down it, taking in the hustle and bustle of a true Starship.

Sozi Zakene, Diplomatic Attache

Three months earlier…

“I don’t care what the organizational chart stipulates. I don’t want another Diomatic Corp rep on my ship!” The speaker was a human male in the red Command uniform with Fleet Captain pips on his collar. His ice blue eyes flashed with anger as he almost-but-not-quite yelled at the large screen in the Conference Room of the USS Manhattan where he sat by himself.

The faces in the monitor looked at each other and one, an Antican in a gray suit, said “I’m sorry, Captain. Your ship?” to which Cochrane said “Yes. Mine. I’m the one running it. I’m the one supporting a crew on the opposite side of the GALAXY from their homes and families. I’m the one making sure we put our best face forward to the resident of the Delta Quadrant. So yes, Mr. Hessf… my ship. If you would care to come out and try it out yourself, you are most welcome. And it’s Fleet Captain to you… ‘sir’.” The Representative from Antica Prime started to say something and a Vulcan woman in uniform with Admiral pips held up her hand. “A moment, if I may.” she said cooly. She looked at Cochrane and said “Fleet Captain Cochrane…” and she cast a look at the Antican, “… many of us understand the pressure that you and your crew face. And we commend you and the crew of the Manhattan for your continued success in the quadrant. This move is not meant to make your mission more difficult; but to give you more tools to be successful.” She paused and then continued. “Perhaps there is a compromise. Instead of a representative of the Federation Diplomatic Corps; perhaps we could assign a Star Fleet officer with the appropriate skill set? That would make the Chain of Command more clear, and still give you what we* believe is a necessary addition.”

Cochrane thought for a moment. Gods above, why did Revna have to leave? She made this easy. “Fine. But I get to make the final selection from your list of candidates. Do that, and I will agree.” There was some brief discussion and then the Admiral said “Agreed. You know your crew best. It is logical that you determine the best fit.” Cochrane nodded and said “Thank you, Admiral.” The conference members exchanged polite goodbyes and the screen went dark.

Present Day…

As the shuttle touched down, Fkeet Captain Cochrane stood with his hands clasped behind his back. When the figure, recognizable from his file, stepped out; Cochrane said “Lieutenant Zakene. Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane. Welcome to the Manhattan.”

Cochrane, CO

Zakene kept quiet about the naming scheme of Bajorans. He’d learned to deal with it over the years. “Thank you, Fleet Captain. I was surprised when I was chosen for the position. I was still expecting my career to be stuck on a medical ship for the next decade.”

Sozi Zakene, Diplomatic Attache


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