Lt Korras - Why?

[Pieter van den Elshout]

((Deck 1, Captain’s Ready Room, USS Khitomer))

He noticed the look the captain gave his weapons case, but as it was all sealed, he did not expect any issues with that as he stood to attention.

Korras: Lieutenant Korras, reporting for duty, sir.

Korras had to restrain a chuckle as he saw him dig through a pile of padds on his desk, the same thing was one of the reasons he had left Ops.

 

Shayne: Ah, Lieutenant- you’re taking on the… helm, I see?

Korras: Yes, sir. I just arrived from Starbase 118.

Shayne stood to shake the Klingon man’s hand, which Korras took and shook.

 

Shayne: Welcome aboard. I’ll have the first officer assign you quarters to stow your dunnage. 

Korras: That would be appreciated, thank you.

And of course, the expected question followed. 'why?'

Shayne: You’re under no obligation to answer this, Mr. Korras; we all have our reasons for what we choose. But you left perhaps the most secure, and among the most important installations in Federation space to join a cruiser on the front lines of a warming war. Curiosity compels an investigation. 

He relaxed a bit as he answered.

Korras: For two reasons. One is that I prefer to fly ships, as opposed to.. ::looking around the captain to his desk with a slight smile:: the pile of paperwork a department head on a starbase has to deal with. 

Shayne: Response

Korras: The second is not something I think I should repeat to anyone outside this office. I believe a storm is brewing. The Lattice Alliance is becoming far more active, but on Ops we have also seen more activity from the Romulans on their northern border, with some indications that the Tal Shiar is involved as well. It would seem that several hostile forces would think us weak after the losses we sustained at Earth, and I would much rather be in a position to do something about it, as opposed to being on a secure starbase waiting for them to come to us. 

Shayne: Response

Korras: I am not seeking glory. Proverbially sitting still and waiting, however, is not something that feels right to me. And I know what I am in for. I have been to this station before, on a stopover during shoreleave, and woke up to the station being under siege.

Shayne: Response

Tag/TBC…

*****

Lieutenant Korras
Helm Officer
USS Khitomer
O240010K12