When Shur contacts Lieutenant Commander Carter, he finds Carter is already aware of Bhartuum’s proposal. The Orion came to Carter first and made it sound like Shur came up with most of the plan and was already onboard. Carter doesn’t trust Bart and isn’t convinced that Bart had nothing to do with his vehicle problems. Nevertheless, he is willing to move forward with the Orion’s proposal. Carter’s only roadblock to clearing the exchange is his supply officer, but he figures it will be easier to ask for forgiveness rather than permission, and he can always pull rank. 3I only sells its excavating equipment through licensed commercial dealers, so Shur would have to arrange the sale himself, or get someone who can. It would also be against Starfleet regulations for Shur to accept a commission on the sale from his family’s company. In the end, it is up to Shur to decide to make the deal happen or not.
A week later, Lieutenant Murray of the Orbital Station Operations Command is given a public commendation for his quick and decisive actions during the Kingfisher incident, when an orbiting trader vessel exploded and disrupted the orbital patterns for nearly every ship waiting to dock. Lt Murray gives a brief broadcast speech where he magnanimously thanks the many anonymous junior officers who quickly carried out his orders.
A week after that, Shur receives the call he almost forgot he was waiting for: “USS Pas-de-Calais in-system and reporting. Commodore Singh requesting navigation pattern for immediate docking.” Cadet Serao beams at Shur, unable to hide her excitement.
Jacob
As chilling as it is for Jacob to read about the final moments of the ship he was supposed to be serving on, the fate of the Gulliver has put his cadet cruise--and his future career--into question. Jacob knows of no greater provocation from the Klingons since the Arcanis Incident* and wonders if this will lead to war. Perhaps that is the reason the Federation has been hush about the Gulliver and why he has been left in limbo.
Resolved to be proactive about his situation, Jacob calls Cadet Placement Services and requests a transfer for his cadet cruise. The first person he talks to is a male voice who seems aware of Jacob’s situation before Jacob explains it in detail. The voice is surprised by Jacob’s request and tries to talk him out of it, citing a number of adverse consequences such path could lead. Finally, the voice relents and tells Jacob someone will be in touch with him shortly. A few hours later, a female voice from Cadet Placement Services calls Jacob and takes a much more sympathetic tone with him. She tells him she has some good news and some bad news. The good news is that his transfer request has been accepted and his new assignment is aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. The Bonhomme Richard is a Constitution Class heavy cruiser. Constitution class ships are the most coveted postings in Starfleet due to their state of the art facilities, armaments, amenities, and engine systems. The bad news is that the Bonhomme Richard is weeks out of port and its whereabouts and mission are classified. Jacob will be put aboard the soonest ship to leave Starbase 11 whose heading or mission will most likely rendezvous with the Bonhomme Richard in the near future. Jacob will be expected to serve aboard whatever ship it may be that caries him to the Bonhomme Richard.
*
Alik
Unfortunately, neither Alik nor Weathers find much overlap between Weathers’ training as a Helmsman and the skills needed as a member of Alik’s work team. Weathers endures the long hours, the exasperation at her incompetence, and the unkind speculation about the skills she has to offer. She never lets and opportunity pass to verbally thank Alik for shouldering her burden. As the weeks pass, things get easier for both Alik and Weathers. Through repetition, she is able to perform certain data monitoring, recording, and entry without necessarily understanding the theories of physics behind it all, and her charming personality starts winning over some members of the team. Alik isn’t forced to constantly watch over her and he hears fewer grumbles about her presence. Poljos never warms up to Weathers and his relationship with Alik cools as well.
