barbieliberationarmy:

(I’ll Follow You) Into the Dark

Chapter 7

Captain’s Combat Log Supplemental.  It has been three days since
the Arkadia emerged from the temporal anomaly.  We are still awaiting
definitive orders from Starfleet Command.  My own inclination, which
Captain Kane shared, was that the Arkadia should attempt to return
through the rift to her own time and complete her original mission.  
Unfortunately, Captain Kane’s death and the damage inflicted by the
Azgeda attack have thrown that plan into doubt.  We are currently
effecting emergency repairs while we determine the best course of
action.  Time is of the essence.  Now that Azgeda has pinpointed our
coordinates, it is only a matter of time before they return in greater
numbers.

Captain Hunter and Commander Hawthorn entered the Polis’s
staff room and sat down at the head of the shiny wood and polished metal
conference table.  The other senior officers broke off their
conversations and found their seats.  Lexa, Lieutenant Commander Reyes,
and Lieutenant Green rounded out the Polis’s contingent.  Only Clarke and Petty Officer Murphy represented the Arkadia’s
woefully depleted command staff, Ensign Larch having remained behind in
acting command of the damaged ship.  Anya called the briefing to order.

“As I’m sure you’re aware by now, once the Arkadia’s repairs
were completed, Captain Kane’s intent was to attempt to return the ship
through the anomaly to her own time.  In light of Kane’s death and the
new damage sustained in the recent attack, we need to reevaluate the
situation and help Dr. Griffin weigh the Arkadia’s options.  Thoughts?”

“This is highly irregular, Captain,” Indra objected.  She eyed Clarke
with thinly-disguised skepticism.  “I’m sure Dr. Griffin is a competent
medical officer”—Clarke offered an ironic nod at the backhanded
praise—“but she has no business in command of a starship.  Under
Starfleet regulations, you are authorized to commandeer the ship and
appoint an appropriate acting commander.”

“I beg to differ, Commander.”  Clarke’s tone was mild, but across the
table from her, Lexa noted the tautness at the corners of her mouth.  
“As Chief Medical Officer, I’m well aware of the regulations regarding
incapacitation, and as I think you well know, that regulation only
applies when all senior command-eligible officers are absent or
otherwise incapacitated.  I’m a fully-certified bridge officer with the
rank of lieutenant, and Captain Kane made sure I served shifts in the
command rotation.  Though I’m sure he never anticipated a scenario like
this,” she muttered in an aside to herself.  “Like it or not, I’m in
command of the Arkadia.”  She gave Indra a brief, wintry smile.

“Agreed.  It’s Dr. Griffin’s call to make.” Anya cut off further
debate on the subject and shifted her attention to her science
officers.  “What do your analyses indicate?  Is a return through the
rift even possible?”

Monty glanced at Raven for support, clearly uncomfortable at being
put on the spot.  “It’s still largely speculation, sir, but our scans
suggest that the anomaly is symmetrical.  If the Arkadia flew
into the rift, theoretically, she would reemerge on the other side at
almost the exact instant she disappeared.  But….” He hesitated.

Raven finished his train of thought.  “The distortion is growing
increasingly unstable.  The longer we wait, the riskier any attempt
becomes.”

“Meaning what?” Clarke asked.

“Meaning temporal shear inside the rift could rip the Arkadia apart,” Raven stated bluntly.

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