Dropping the Other Shoe

Posted on Tue Apr 29th, 2025 @ 4:49pm by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Petty Officer 1st Class Kipp Lak

1,254 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: A Long Hard Road Ahead
Location: Gamma Quadrant, USS Firebird, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: One Week After Mission End

[ON]

Malcom rubbed his face and then hit the send button on the document he'd been working on for the past five hours. In the aftermath of the Second Battle of DS18, there were many details that needed to be accounted for, especially with the relief fleet now in full control. Captain Rees was already knee deep in his new command, and Malcom missed his steady presence already. Still, he had his own work to take care of.

"Sir, Admiral Boyle is here to see you," Kipp said over the comms.

The Admiral's sudden arrival came as a surprise. He'd had plenty of meetings with the man, but none in person. Perhaps the biggest shock was how politely he'd been treated. Boyle was part of the group of senior admirals who'd called for Malcom to be drummed out of the fleet, along with most of his senior staff. The six months of cargo duty had also been their idea.

"By all means, send him in," Malcom said and then stood up and straightened his uniform.

The Admiral entered in a rush. He scanned the room, as if expecting to be ambushed. William Boyle was a career Starfleet Officer, and Malcom knew that he was a capable, distinguished officer. His reputation was as someone who valued tradition, adherence to orders, and methodical action. In other words, he was almost the polar opposite of Malcom.

"Sir," Malcom said, coming to attention.

Boyle strode forward until he reached the center of the room. He nodded at Malcom's show of respect. "At ease, Captain Llwyedd," he said and then gestured to the couch. "Let's get comfortable. We have a few things to discuss."

"Of course, Admiral," Malcom replied. He waited until the senior officer was seated before taking his own seat.

"I've spent the last week reviewing everything that I could in order to get an understanding of what happened when the Constitution left the Gamma Quadrant six weeks ago. When I left, everything seemed to be well in hand and we had no indication that an attack was imminent," the Admiral said. "Clearly, we missed something."

Malcom was shocked to hear the Admiral admit a mistake. It wasn't something any Admiral did very often. Malcom decided not to say anything.

"Fortunately, the Firebird was able to get here before the wormhole was sealed. It's clear from everything I've read that you and your ship performed beyond expectations and were able to take control of a very volatile situation. Your personal leadership was outstanding and the work of your crew was of the highest caliber," Admiral Boyle said, and then he sighed.

"Quite frankly, if I didn't have all the proof in front of me, I wouldn't have believed you or your crew were capable of pulling this thing off."

Malcom gritted his teeth to keep from saying something that would probably get him demoted again. Boyle waved his hand in Malcom's direction.

"I know. It's a hard thing to hear criticism about your crew. And I am sure you have thoughts. But this isn't the time for that," Boyle said. "I have a number of orders for you. First, Stafleet Command is reinstating you to your full rank as Captain. You've more than earned it with your efforts here in the Gamma Quadrant. Secondly, I like what I see in Captain Rees, and as an olive branch, Starfleet is assigning him permanently to DS18."

Malcom smiled at that news. "Thank you for that, sir. He will not let you down."

"I expect not," Boyle said. He ran his hand across the back of the couch. "Your Chief Engineer has written an exhaustive report on the damage the Firebird has taken, especially the bit about the warp core being damaged from your use of that damn cloaking device. If it were up to me, we would throw that thing into a star and call it quits. Starfleet disagrees."

Malcom nodded. "It is temperamental, sir. But without it, we wouldn't have survived long enough for your rescue to mean anything."

"I know. However, you will require some drydock time, and I am ordering you to Earth to get it. You and your crew will receive four weeks of R and R while she's being patched up. I also want you to stop by Deep Space Nine on your way back and give them a briefing on the Jem'Hadar and Lorcan situation. They need to be aware of the security issues they will be facing. I expect a Bajoran liaison will want to be in that meeting as well."

"Yes, sir," Malcom said. The crew had definitely earned some shore leave, including him. A stop off at DS9 would allow him some time to drop in on Yumi as well.

The Admiral squirmed in his seat. "Captain Llwyedd, I have also been directed to place a letter of commendation in your file for your actions and leadership during this conflict. Starfleet Command considers your performance and your crew's performance above and beyond the call of duty under extreme circumstances. On behalf of the Admiralty, we admit that perhaps you were not being used to the best of your capabilities, and we assure you that this will be rectified with your next assignment."

It took all of Malcom's discipline not to let his jaw drop. "Why... thank you, sir. I will relay the Admiralty's appreciation to my crew. It will mean a lot to them," Malcom said.

Admiral Boyle nodded. "One final thing," he said. "A personal request."

"Of course, Admiral. How can I help?" Malcom said.

"Now that you have need of a new Executive Officer, and you are heading to Earth, I would like to assign my daughter, Commander Elizabeth Boyle, to the Firebird. She's currently working at Starfleet Academy, like you once did, and has served on many different types of ships. She's been an XO before, and I think the two of you would work well together. I would also be personally in your debt."

Malcom's mind raced. It was highly unusual to assign someone as XO without the current Captain's consent. Theoretically, he could decline the request. But there was a lot that Admiral Boyle was saying without saying it. He didn't know anything about Commander Boyle, but he knew that if he declined, Admiral Boyle could still make the Firebird's life a living hell. He didn't want to go back on cargo run duty. It also wouldn't be a bad thing to have an Admiral in his corner for once.

"I'd be honored to have Commander Boyle as my XO, sir," Malcom said. A broad smile creased the Admiral's face.

"Thank you, Malcom. I truly appreciate it. You can meet up with her when you arrive on Earth. I'll let her know the good news," the Admiral said and then stood. "You're free to get underway as soon as you decide you are ready. I'll hold down the fort here."

Malcom stood as well. "Thank you, sir."

Admiral Boyle extended his hand, and the two officers shook. "Thank you, as well, Captain," Boyle said and then walked out.

Malcom sat back down in the chair, trying to decide just what he'd gotten himself involved in. Then he remembered the promised shore leave.

"Future problems can stay in the future for now," he said to the empty room.

[OFF]

Captain Malcom Llwyedd
Commanding Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

RSS Feed