Lieutenant Jack Kessler - Where do I go from here

[Joel Cannistraro]

((Deck 03, Bridge, Captain's Ready Room, USS Ronin))

Jack knew the risk was more than just himself and Captain Niac did not know Jack at all other than his service record and what little he would have seen form this last mission before Jack fell victim to the Terralian Plague aboard the Compass Rose. 

Kessler:  ::straight faced:: First Captain, I assure you I am not asking you to formally sanction any mission that would put the Ronin or its crew in any harm. Second, I do have a plan but it will take a bit of time to put all the pieces together. In the Gamma Quadrant at Port Coray, a remote space station there is a Cardassian who own the Jonkuva. The business is a front for everything he offers to those who need anything in the Gamma Quadrant. Information, ships, weapons, maps, ::beat:: you name it and Gavet will give you a price. An agreement gets you what you asked for and no questions asked. I have dealt with him a couple of times under Commodore V'Aivu's permission to obtain information that the UDP was less forthcoming with on the Zet. Next is Cooper Cree. A former Starfleet Marine, turned Starfleet Intelligence who is now a private contractor in the Gamma Quadrant. He left Starfleet to work where Starfleet could not due to red tape and bureaucracy. Cree operates a Kaplan F17 Freighter called the "Broken Arrow". He will be the ride in and out of Itech'eman. My plan involves needing one or 2 volunteers with infiltration experience. Once we get close enough to the facility I can activate a recall for K9 and he will make his way to us. The plan does not actually involve us entering the facility or engaging the Zet in any way.

Jack watched as Niac rubbed at the bridge of his nose as he assumed the Captain was considering the variables.   

Niac:  You're this ship's Chief of Security and Tactical.  You've got extensive experience across two quadrants.  You've been a prisoner of the very same species you're intending to go back and kick in the shin, assuming they have those.  Why now?  The Ronin is a fresh start for you...one your friend V'Len fought very hard to make happen, both metaphorically and literally.  How would he feel if he knew you were considering this...action?  Something tells me you haven't discussed this idea with him.

The Captain was right. He had not mentioned this to V'Len. Knowing what happened last time they went after data from the Zet V'Len would most likely try to talk Jack out of this and if the roles were reversed Jack would probably do the same to V'Len. He lowered his eyes as he thought about the risks, the Zet and the way they fight. A chill ran down his spine as he recalled TK exiting the cell hold Lieutenant Commander Grant and a Zet's weapons bolt striking TK in the chest, sending the man to the floor unconscious. That mission was meant to avoid any contact with the Zet and it all went wrong in a heartbeat. oO Only because we did not know the Zet. Not this time. Oo

Kessler:  ::looking back up to the Captain:: I'll be honest, this whole thing with the Zet. I wish I could put it behind me, close the book on them and walk away. In a way, V'Len asking me here to the Ronin was an escape from that nightmare and you are correct, I have not mentioned this to him. He would disapprove and talk me out of it. ::beat, sitting more upright:: You are correct Captain. I am Ronin's Chief of Security and Tactical. My mind should be focused here and I should let Starfleet and the Federation diplomatic corp handle this. ::beat:: Forget I brought this up and I apologize for taking up your time with it.

Jack pursed his lips together and lost eye contact with his Captain. He had taken this new position to better himself, to improve his leadership roles and, in an unconscious thought, to get away from the nightmare the Zet had brought on him and his family. 

Niac: No apology necessary, Mr. Kessler, I'm glad we had this conversation.  And I don't want you to think I'm dismissing this out of hand...you've made me aware of a potentially valuable intelligence source.  We don't have to let this drop entirely.  Consider it...taken under advisement.    

Kessler: No sir. I should not have brought this up, the Consortium should be my focus and I should have faith that Starfleet and the Federation Diplomatic Corps will achieve the end result we all want.

Jack did not believe that for a moment. Starfleet higher ups and their hands full with the United Dominion of Planets and the Federation Diplomatic corp were crawling at an insanely slow pace in getting anywhere on the disappearance of the USS Caboto or the USS Suesser. The fact remained though, if he had wanted to continue to chase this threat, then Jack should have kept himself on the Butler where he did just that. Instead, he had removed himself from the Butler and from the Gamma Quadrant entirely.

Niac: I'll be the first to encourage putting your faith in the institution...but it never hurts to have a contingency plan.  Just in case.  Consider working with some of your new colleagues...I think you'll find their perspective and insights invaluable.  You're part of this crew now, Lieutenant.  

Kessler: I appreciate that Captain.

Jack was losing his own path on what this whole meeting was to be about. He was not second guessing himself and why he was here in the ready room with the Captain with a request that anyone not operating in the Gamma Quadrant would look at two, three or four times with the same look Niac had on his face. The Ronin had other threats to deal with and Niac did not need Jack wanting to run back off to the Gamma Quadrant. 

Niac: Now Mr. Kessler, were you planning on keeping your...companions here active?  I'd imagine they'd be quite popular with the crew.  

Jack looked to Logan who continued poking his nose around the room, checking every scent he could find and tail wagging as if he was the happiest dog aboard the ship. It reminded Jack of the dogs he grew up with and why he had created Logan in the first place. Looking to K9, Jack pondered the idea of this tool and whether or not it's original application and intent was better suited for the Marines it was designed for. 

Kessler:  ::looking to the Captain:: K9 is a tool not built for the crew. Logan is and I am sure he will be seen all over the ship. He was generally runs with me during my workout sessions. The best part is he does not stop at every corner to see what other animals have visited that spot.

That got a chuckle out of the Captain and Jack was relieved that this had not been a waste of time. He was gaining valuable insight into his commanding officer while apparently learning more about himself that he had not realised was tucked away.   

Niac:  Whatever you feel is best, Chief.  Oh and one last thing...V'Len brought me a pretty good bottle of Saurian brandy a while back.  When you're ready, I'm sure he'd enjoy sharing a glass of it with you...and it would be an excellent opportunity for the three of us to have a follow-up conversation.  

oO Saurian brandy...One of Ulasso's last I bet. Oo A smile crossed Jack's face as he remembered the Saurian who served with V'Len and him aboard the Oumuamua. Ulasso had been a treat to serve with and Jack had missed him ever since he left. 

Kessler:  I would like that alot sir. Thank you.

Niac retrieved one of the padds from his desk at random before offering the man a curt nod.  

Niac:  In that case, carry on Mr. Kessler.  ::He gestured towards the padd with a scowl::  Unfortunately some battles can't be waged with a phaser in hand.  

Jack stood and stepped to the side of the chair. 

Kessler:  Thank you for your time sir. ::looking at Logan and K9:: Logan, K9 deactivate.

The two dogs stepped to Jack's side and then the holographic representations shimmered out of existence leaving the two holo-emitters laying on the floor. Jack stooped down and retrieved both and then stepped to the Ready Room doors and exited. 

As the doors hissed shut, Jack let out a long slow and controlled breath. He thought he had been ready for this meeting, ready to tackle any of the questions he knew would come up and he thought he was ready to fight for the move to go back after K9-Alpha. He did not realise just how unprepared he was for the thought that had crept into his head. The idea of what he had hidden internally was not coming up and it was something he was not prepared for. He needed to talk to Nesre. He needed to hear her voice and see that smile on her face that captivated him so much. He needed to make a call.

[[END of Scene Jack Kessler]]

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Lieutenant Jack Kessler

Chief Tactical/Security Officer

USS Ronin

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