Important Changes in Command Roles

Posted on 29 Dec 2024 @ 2:11am by Rear Admiral Savok
Edited on on 29 Dec 2024 @ 2:14am

2,473 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave and Reassignment

(Starfleet Command)

As a Rear Admiral, Savok had been content to be running the personnel office of Starfleet from his office on Earth, with the USS Ozymandias switching between being docked, and running training missions for Starfleet Academy. He was happy to be on Earth, especially as it meant he could spend time with his children.

Obviously, his family was different from most Vulcan’s, in the sense that they did not supress their emotions as much as other Vulcan’s did, though there were few times when they would show their emotions in public. For the most part, when on duty, they were as calm as any Vulcan.

As he looked at the newest report of cadets due to graduate, he heard his office door ring, with his Aide, Louise Andrews, walking in, carrying a carafe of hot coffee, on a tray with three cups. Since there was usually only the two of them, Savok made a quick mental leap, understanding why there was a third cup.

“I assume, by the fact that there is a third cup, that I have a visitor from the admiralty,” Savok said. “And since you did not ask if I wished for refreshments, even though you know when I drink a cup of coffee, it is, in fact, Admiral Kenway who has come to visit,” Savok said.

“I will never stop being impressed by your ability to deduce things from something as small as a cup,” Admiral Kenway said as he walked in, having heard the conversation. “If you had been on Earth during the 19th century, I would think that Sherlock Holmes was based off you, my friend.”

“Merely an ability to understand my aide,” Savok said, as Louise poured three cups of coffee, before sitting in her seat. “I have been thankful that you assigned her; you were correct at how she excels at her assignment.”

“Thank you, Admiral,” Louise said. Savok could practically see her blush at the compliment.

“Merely making a statement based on fact, Louise,” Savok said, looking at her, before facing Michael. The man had been a family friend from many years ago, and Savok had known him for most of the man’s life. He had a beard and moustache, practically white, the same as his hair, and he had a deep, guttural voice, with many saying he sounded like an older Chancellor Martok.

“Can you guess why I’m here?” Kenway asked, with a smirk.

“You wish for me to be reassigned to Starbase 375 as Commanding Officer of 29th Fleet,” Savok stated, as Kenway picked up his coffee. Savok had to work very hard to not laugh as he watched Kenway freeze, with his eyes widening and his jaw dropping. Louise, however, couldn’t hold back the laugh, and did laugh, for herself and for Savok.

“I’m…sorry…Admiral,” Louise managed, between laughs as she saw Kenway’s face.

“No apology needed, Louise. It is an amusing sight,” Savok admitted.

“H… ho… how?” Kenway asked. “How in the seven circles of Hell did you damned well know that? Is my office bugged?”

“Not at all,” Savok replied. “I am fully aware of your upcoming promotion to Starfleet Commander in Chief, and it is not a secret that there are a number of Starbase’s that will require new Commanding Officers, given the recent troubles with the Borg and the Changelings. Starbase 375 is an important one to you, as you began your career there, and the Commanding Officer is required to command three task forces from that location. Given your desire to have people you trust, it is a very short list of officers that you would approve for such a command, and as you are here on the day before your promotion, it is merely logical to surmise your reasoning,” Savok said.

“This is what happens when you know someone for their whole life, I guess,” Kenway grumbled, smirking as he rolled his eyes. “You’re right, I want you in command of Starbase 375, and task force 25, 28, and 35,” he added. Savok immediately knew that meant he would be the direct commanding officer of his friend, Bane Plase, as his ship, the USS Cygnus, was a part of task force 25.

“I will make arrangements to begin moving to Starbase 375. When would you like me to begin the assignment?” Savok asked.

“I want you here for my party tomorrow, naturally, along with your family,” Kenway said. “It’s going to be a hell of a party.”

“Naturally. It is not every day that there is a promotion to Commander in Chief,” Savok said. “Is there anything I need to know in advance of my assignment?”

“Yes, Starbase 375, in orbit of Calisto, is going to be hosting a second Starfleet Academy, it is under construction, as I want 375 to become an important hub for the entire region, so we’ll also be constructing a planetary base on the planet. It already has an outpost which is becoming somewhat popular,” Kenway said.

“Indeed. So you came to me to run the Starbase and oversee the construction of the planetary base,” Savok said. “I believe that is a role I would be well suited for.”

“Given how well you’ve done at streamlining the personnel department, I tend to agree. There is also a shipyard at the Starbase, for construction of new vessels and repairs as needed,” Kenway explained.

“That will be of use, I am sure,” Savok said. “Especially since I am aware that Captain Bane is going to be under my command. He does have a tendency to… get in trouble.”

“You’re not wrong. I mean, the man has an interesting history, to say the least. But here’s the rub, old friend. You’ll need to be able to detach yourself from him if he screws up,” Kenway said, taking a sip of his coffee.

“I am aware, and do not fear on that part; if he breaks regulations or does something damaging to Starfleet, I will ensure he knows of my…dissatisfaction,” Savok promised.

“I have no doubt. If there is anyone who can represent the best of us, it’s you. God knows you’ve been in Starfleet long enough. I have to admit, I envy those damned Vulcan genes; you’re older than me, but you look a lot younger,” Kenway chuckled.

“You look well for your age, Michael,” Savok replied. “I am aware of the human predilection of vanity, but even for an older gentleman, you maintain an air of decorum and respect.”

“Trust you to know how to cheer me up,” Kenway smirked, as Savok took a sip of his coffee. “Not gonna lie, I’m a little nervous about tomorrow.”

“The Federation Council, and Starfleet Command, did not make their decision lightly. With the rebuilding efforts after the Borg and Changeling attacks underway, it was agreed that they needed someone of great skill, of strength, someone who will hold true to Starfleet ideals,” Savok said. Kenway laughed at that.

“So why the hell didn’t they ask you? I mean, you’ve done so damned much and been through everything anyone could be. Hell, you were at the signing of the Khitomer Accords, and you even met James Kirk, and Spock, and the legends of the time,” Kenway said.

“I must confess, I do not have a desire for such a role. I barely accepted promotion to Admiral, and only then because it meant I got to keep the Ozymandias and not have her decommissioned,” Savok replied.

“Honestly, you act more human than Vulcan sometimes,” Kenway admitted. “I mean, let’s face it, you can be quite attached to things, like a lot of people.”

“I suppose it was something I learnt from Captain Kirk during one of the times he taught at the Academy, when he said that for him, the Enterprise was more than a ship, it was a companion and a trusted friend. Most people dismissed that, but I did understand his feelings. My time on the Ozymandias meant a lot to me, and my crew became a family to me,” Savok said.

“Even though you weren’t in command as long as Kirk was in command of the Enterprise?” Kenway asked.

“Time, Admiral, is not a concept that can be defined. You can love someone after knowing them for but a week, or after a longer time. You can know if someone is a good person, or not. Perception is not relative to time,” Savok said.

“Says the man who’s lived longer than most others I know. I mean, after everything you’ve seen in your life, it’s impressive, and you look younger than any other Vulcan your age,” Kenway said.

“That is because of the six years I spent on Ba’ku with my daughter and granddaughter, healing her sickness,” Savok pointed out. “I regret it took so long, but it did regenerate my body.”

“I’m still surprised Starfleet managed to keep that planet secret. I mean, all records were sealed, of course, but there’s still multiple research teams studying the metaphasic radiation there,” Kenway said. “I considered spending a little time there, but I’m happy with the life I’ve led. I’m married, I have kids and grandkids, and I’m happy.”

“Rightly so, Admiral,” Savok said. “I would have not chosen to go there if not for my daughter’s illness, but my family mean everything to me.”

“And you mean everything to them. Don’t forget how much you’ve done for them. I know your family has been through hell and back, especially with…” Kenway’s voice trailed off, and Savok knew it was because he was about to mention his daughter in law, Amy, who had been killed in the line of duty by pirates, with his son, S’dan, taking his ship and going rogue to hunt them down. Savok had been sent to stop him, but they had found S’dan about to destroy a small fleet of Pirate ships that had been planning an assault on Federation territory, so Savok used that as a reason to join in the attack.

S'dan now lived on Earth with his children and grandchildren, but Savok decided there and then that he would invite S’dan to join him on the Starbase.

“Permission granted,” Kenway said. Savok tilted his head at the comment. “You’re about to ask if you can take S’dan and his family with you to Starbase 375,” Kenway said, chuckling as Savok raised an eyebrow. “I know you as well as you know me, old friend,” Kenway chuckled.

“So you can be surprised, Savok?” Louise asked, smirking.

“Indeed I can, it seems, though there are very few who are able to surprise me,” Savok replied. “Louise, can you…”

“Send a message to S’dan, and ask him to come here and meet you? Already on it,” Louise said, showing the PaDD in her hand.

“I see why you like having Louise as your aide,” Kenway said.

“I’ve been here since he became an Admiral, and I understand him so much,” Louise said. “And respect him. Thanks to Savok, I’ve published several papers, and I’ve learnt more about Science and Security than when I was at the Academy, or at any other posting.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. Do you still turn everything into a lesson, Savok?” Kenway asked.

“Everything is a lesson, Admiral, which you know from when you were younger. I remember a fifteen year old teenager breaking all the rules and going down the wrong path,” Savok said.

“Until I tried to steal your hovercar, and instead of being sent to a jail, you took me under your wing and taught me everything I needed to know,” Kenway smiled fondly. “I wouldn’t be here without you, and I will be thanking you in my speech tomorrow.”

“I suppose there is little point in fighting that,” Savok said, allowing Kenway to see one of his rare smiles. Both Kenway and Louise had seen him smile before. “You have made me very proud, Michael, and to see you take over as Commander in Chief of Starfleet confirms everything I suspected about you all those years ago.”

“I’m thankful, Savok, for your continued faith in me. Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, Jellico, Calhoun… all those people have made their mark in history, publicly and loudly. But with all due respect to all of them, you’ve worked harder, behind the scenes, and made the biggest difference to the Federation. I’m only glad the Ozymandias wasn’t near Earth on Federation Day,” Kenway said.

“As am I. We were still working on a scientific study that I’ve been working on for a while, and it horrified me to learn what had happened. It did reinforce the need for Starfleet to remember the ideals that Starfleet and the Federation were founded on. No matter how dark things got, there were always going to be those who fight for those who are unable to fight for themselves. Captain Seven of the USS Enterprise is a prime example, risking her life to keep Earth’s defence shields from falling, and Picard and his crew destroying the Borg for good, at least the old Borg,” Savok said.

“Yeah. Doctor Jurati’s Borg cooperative are still kind of a hot topic, after everything, but they’re keeping us safe in their way, and making sure that gateway thing doesn’t allow aggressive species to come through,” Kenway agreed. “And now, I have to deal with all of the things like that. Any tips?”

“Never sacrifice who you are as a person, never allow politics, or the influence of others, to cloud your perception of right and wrong, and most of all, never stop being the man who cares for everyone,” Savok said.

“And keep your own ship on hand, in case you want to stretch your space legs,” Louise said, as Kenway’s comm. badge beeped.

“Kenway here,” Kenway said.

“Admiral, you’re needed by the Federation President, just a meeting before your promotion ceremony tomorrow,” came the female voice of Kenway’s aide.

“Understood. On my way,” Kenway said, before closing the channel. “Thanks for the coffee, advice, and friendship,” he said.

“Anytime, Michael,” Savok smiled as his friend left the office.

“I’ll start getting everything ready for your promotion,” Louise said. “And getting my stuff packed.”

“Good idea,” Savok said. As Louise began to get to work, Savok knew that this knew assignment would be exciting, and it was something he was looking forward to.



OFF
Rear Admiral Savok
Commanding Officer, Starbase 375 and 29th Fleet
Starfleet Command

 

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