SD 901217.02 Joint Log A/Capt Dharmajiva (CO Scylax) and Capt Durgo (CO SB517)
David Stewart
wanted brought up) - but you guys already know that because you realise we
wouldn't log with each other if there were real animosity, right? - Dave
~.\~ Start Log ~.\~
'Again, in the command centre' Vin thought. This was incredible, the woman
really had no life. 'Wouldn't find me in the ready room much at all' was
another thought that wasn't quite true. If Vin had a sleeping area in the
ready room, he would never leave. Well, this was a mission and a half.
'Firstly though Vin be amicable, ask about your sister.' Vin chided himself
as he pressed the announciator.
Finalising the last of the duty reports on her desk, Lourelle felt slightly
irritated at being disturbed. Her shuttle had already been delayed two
hours in leaving for Bajor, and she couldn't wait to see the rolling hills
of Mousilla Provience again. Lourelle had been looking forward to some time
off for the last month, and now that it was upon her, there still seemed to
be more for her to complete before she departed. "Come," she finally
responded, not looking up from the report of the Kamehameha's Security Chief
on the actions of the arrested Captain.
Vin drew a deep breath to brace himself to put on his best 'winning' smile.
He really detested this woman and her 'I am so Bajoran I can't see past the
end of my ridges' arrogance. Well maybe he was being a little too harsh on
her, she was attractive, mature, responsible and a dedicated Commanding
Officer. But as all 'dry docked' captains, she was political and rather too
subtle for Vin's likings. Then again, Vin's opinions had changed somewhat
lately, and he was really out to pick a fight to get rid of some of his
'frustrations'. He entered the room, fake winning smile and all. It was
rather a good warm smile for Vin whom found it hard to smile at the best of
times.
Durgo didn't look up from the PADD for several more seconds and when her
eyes finally fell upon the figure in the room, she was a little surprised to
see the Commanding Officer of the USS Scylax. "Captain Dharmajiva.... I
heard the Scylax was in spacedock. Welcome back." She kept her expression
neutral. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Vin tried to keep his 'smile' as best he could. So it began, the 'cool
neutral' reception and the fake 'political' mention of Vin coming to see her
as a pleasure. Frustration levels raised a little yet the cordiality
continued "Just a couple of questions Captain that I was hoping that you
could help with, some of a personal and some of a business nature."
"Certainly," Lourelle replied coolly. There was something about this
Cardassian hybrid that she distrusted, but as a fellow Starfleet Captain,
she was obligated to show him at least some common curtesy. She indicated
the seat across from her as she spoke, "Please, have a seat, may I offer you
a drink?"
Vin assessed the room with a quick glance that was barely noticeable. He
could see that the 'Durgo' as she so pointedly made him aware at their last
meeting was preparing for something, and the manner in which items were
placed, a significant number of items, seemed to imply that she was leaving
for somewhere. 'Good' he thought 'gives me the excuse not to sit down.'
"Sorry Captain, I know you are busy so I won't take much of your time" Vin
replied declining the offer of a seat and drink in one fell swoop. "Just
quickly I was interested in your opinion of one of your Cadets as a
commanding officer?" Vin queried. He knew that Jacinta would probably
'kill' him for checking up on her so bluntly, but she was family, and one
thing that Vin's Cardassian side did bring out in him was a greatly
overdeveloped sense of family.
Durgo frowned at the unexpected question and hesitated momentarily before
answering. "With all due respect Captain, what interest do you have in the
performance of Academy Cadets currently undergoing practical training aboard
the Starbase?" She thought the question almost insulting with the
implication that the Cadets were not given the proper training under her
command.
"Not all cadets" Vin answered quickly taking small joy in picking out that
the Captain didn't listen to him quite correctly "just one, Cadet
Dharmajiva.. notice the namesake" he said with a smile, however fake it was.
He was more pleased that the Captain couldn't put two and two together,
however it might be a little too premature on that count. Dharmajiva was a
common Thai name, and Vin being half Cardassian half Thai bore only some
resemblance to Jacinta's half Thai, half Grecian heritage.
Lourelle pondered this bit of information for a few moments. She didn't
particularly like the smile plastered on the Captain's face and so she
continued to play it cool. "She is a relative of yours then? A sibling?"
She didn't wait for a response before she continued. "It's not our usual
policy to discuss a cadet's performance outside of their appointed mentors.
Are you concerned about her performance?"
'Conniving Political B..' Vin immediately thought without changing his
countenance. "I am, as a brother should be. However, I understand your
standpoint, and believe that should Jacinta be having any troubles the
'family' would be alerted." Vin could understand the 'policy', it didn't
mean he had to like it. Vin realised that he wasn't going to get anywhere
with the finding about the performance of Jacinta, so he changed tact.
The business side of things. "I understand that you are packing for some
trip.." Vin stated changing the direction of the conversation. "I would
however like to understand your facilities problems with attending to the
Scylax's needs..." now came the pincher, the fun part. "Is it because of a
personal problem with me?" Vin directed it aptly, politically yet so bluntly
that it would be like tearing apart a bridge pylon with a spoon. 'Let's see
the 'correctness' in dealing with this matter.'
"I am unaware there has been problems with facilitating your ship and crew,"
Lourelle responded sharply, turning her attention to her console and
activating the current duty reports and rosters in regards to ship repair
and requisitions.
"According to reports, repairs to Scylax's are ahead of schedule."
Lourelle turned her attention back to the Captain. "As for 'personal
problems' with you Captain, I'm afraid I don't know what you are talking
about. Your rank has also entitled to you the respect deserving of a
serving officer, so perhaps the problem lies elsewhere."
It was time for Vin to almost loose his temper. However, he held himself
well. "Reports say 'ahead of schedule'?. Since we arrived we have had
significant delays in getting umbilicals for power assistance and repair
maintenance attached. If it wasn't for the exemplary work of my Chief
Engineer and newly appointed Chief of Operations we wouldn't be ahead of
schedule. Their work has been faultless in dealing with the little
resources that have been provided to the Scylax."
Durgo felt a surge of anger. This captain, this man, this hybrid of a race
that had committed genocide against her own people had such a nerve to stand
in front of her and accuse her tireless crew of intentionally delaying the
repairs to his crew. "Perhaps you may have noticed when you arrived,"
Lourelle began, her voice arriving, "that there are more ships than just
yours currently using this Starbase's facilities. Your 'accusations' that
we are purposefully delaying repairs to your ship is unfounded and
down-right insulting Captain." Lourelle stood up from behind her desk, her
temper now surging like something she hadn't felt for a long time. "Perhaps
your aggravation is not caused by this so called lack of facilitating your
ship's need, but perhaps on the barely successful mission you just returned
from!"
Vin didn't smile, but he did inside. He made the politically motivated
Durgo Lourelle lose her 'cool' a little. Made her resort to a personal
attack. "My mission was successful, how it was achieved is not important."
He said coolly. He nodded acquiescence to the fully fledged Captain. "It
is good to hear that the Scylax is 'ahead' of schedule, no matter how it has
been 'achieved'" Vin spoke continuing his calm and accentuating the
similarities in his two sentences. He smiled slightly. "As a Captain you
only hear the bad reports.." He left the sentence unfinished for
interpretation. "Thankyou Captain, if you don't mind.. I will take my leave
now."
Durgo didn't respond and retook her seat. She watched the Captain head
toward the door yet her anger remained. As the doors closed behind him, she
picked up the stack of PADDs from the desk and hurled them at the door.
"Damn Cardassians," she mumbled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
End Log
Acting Captain Vincent Dharmajiva
Commanding Officer
USS Scylax - NCC 71488
and
Captain Durgo Lourelle
Commanding Officer
Star Base 517 - Ournal Class II Station
"God between you and harm
and all the places you may walk"
~An Egyptian blessing