The Somnium - Part One

Posted on Sat Mar 21st, 2020 @ 4:24am by Fleet Admiral Heather Duval & Admiral Jake Yamaguchi & Chief Petty Officer Malia Rojas & Post Captain Plataea "Phantom" Lasky

Mission: Mission 98: Building Our New Home
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 1100Hrs - September 10th, 2393

Admiral Jake Yamaguchi moved down the hallway, he had left his PADD in his office as he was off to see Fleet Admiral Heather Duval, one of only a few dozen people in the Federation who could command his attention and make it stick, she was also his direct boss which also helped the matter of his attention. He reached his destination as he smiled at her yeoman. Chief Petty Officer Malia Rojas. "Is the Admiral available?"

Rojas regarded Yamaguchi with a measured look of affection and pity. "You are expected. Go on in sir," she commented as Yamaguchi did so. He found himself regarding the older woman as she was lying on her sofa with one arm draped over her eyes rather than sitting at her desk. "Are you here to alleviate my issues and concerns?"

"I do what I can," Yamaguchi answered quietly. "You and I had a meeting ma'am" he added formally.

"Jake..." Duval regarded him as she regarded him with a rather dark look. "How many times must I ask you to call me by name when its just the two of us," she added as she sat up. "My name is Heather," she added as she gave him a look.

"Yes Admiral," Yamaguchi answered evenly.

"Not even my grandkids vex me so," Duval answered as she rose to her feet and came over to where Yamaguchi was sitting, she could tell that something wasn't right with her Executive officer on this fine day so she decided to leave it for now and focus on their meeting, if it became an issue then she would deal with it if and when the time came.

"I'm sorry you should say that, Admiral," Yamaguchi responded, his tone sounded cold and offputting.

Duval regarded him in silence, this was not the usually jovial and happy Jake Yamaguchi that she was so accustomed to working with, this was someone who was not in a good mood and the more she regarded him, she more she could see just how angry he was. "Jake... What's wrong?"

"It's not important ma'am," Yamaguchi answered in a whisper. "I... With respect ma'am... Please don't ask me to speak of it..." he added quietly, he knew she could easily demand his cooperation and he would be compelled to give it to her. "Alright... So long as it doesn't affect official business... Then I will do as you ask and not bring it up... But Jake... This is not like you and I am concerned."

"I appreciate that ma'am... But it's deeply personal... It's not work-related on any level whatsoever."

"Okay... If that's what you want Jake... I'll leave it be... But you know that I'll listen should you require it of me." Duval sounded less of an Admiral and more as a caring mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

"I understand..." Yamaguchi paused. "We can tend to the matter after the meeting... If we have time," he answered, giving in.

Duval nodded her head. "Alright... Shall we?" she inquired.

"Yes Admiral, let's proceed." Yamaguchi picked up an empty PADD before he called up his notes that he had prepared for just this occasion. "The USS Shinano is presently stationed nearby in the Cantrel system, installing a transwarp gate there. Which they should add to the gateway network in six weeks, then from there Talon reported that she and her crew will be off to the Ravanar system, mostly to lead the efforts on reclaiming the system for the Federation and to establish the new colony there. Talon expects to be there for at least four months while she and her people handle it."

Duval raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot of work for one ship, should we add a second ship to that workload?"

"No, Talon knows what she's doing and she believes in her people. No. Leave it all with her... But send her ship for refitting and some serious downtime afterward..." Yamaguchi paused. "If Talon objects... I will talk to Admiral Patterson and ask Carl to deal with her if she becomes unruly on the subject." as he suddenly smiled. "I know my sibling well."

"Agreed. On the leave time and refitting..." Duval paused. "I admit Jake... I do not like this development along the border with the Tholians... That's the sixth incursion along the line in two months. mostly small ships appearing from high warp near Federation ships and installations... But to date, nobody has fired any shots..."

"Agreed," Yamaguchi answered softly. "Maybe we're being paranoid about it... But we're not," he added quietly. "Shall we address the Cassini next or do something about the border...?"

"Deal with the border first... I assume you have an idea?"

"Most of the Fourteenth is dealing with the infrastructure upgrades, what isn't is on patrols in various places... The ninety-second fleet is more of the same story but there are three battlegroups in the eighteenth fleet that have no assignments as yet... I would like them to patrol the border, one of those groups is battleships and two of cruisers... so about eighty ships in all."

"Alright, Contact Admiral Lexial Enca and make it happen," Duval answered. "Now, onto the Cassini... Shall we ask Fleet Captain Edward Wayne for his take on the situation?" the older female inquired of Yamaguchi, a gentle smile appearing on her face.

"Sure. I need to meet the good Captain anyway, now might as well be a good time." Yamaguchi paused as he tapped his combadge. "Yamaguchi to Operations, could you contact the Captain of the USS Cassini for me, mark it as a high priority and when you have him, pipe it in here please?"

"Certainly Admiral. Placing your call now." came the voice of the woman who looked identical to his spouse but Plataea Lasky was certainly not the spouse of Jake Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi moved over to the large wall monitor as he tapped it once while he settled in for the wait.