Two Tacticians Enter a Room (Mission Genesis)

Posted on Thu Mar 6th, 2025 @ 5:50am by Captain James Phoenix

865 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Frozen Acquisition
Location: Deep Space Nine
Timeline: Current

ON:

[Promenade]

The main floor of the promenade was bustling. Quark's bar was near capacity, and the tailor shop was filled with folks being measured for various clothing items. Starflleet and Bajoran Officers were walking back and forth with haste, either doing their rounds, reporting to duty, or making a hasty retreat to their quarters. The civilians were strolling, window shopping at almost everything.

James Phoenix was strolling through the promenade, albeit in uniform. He had a meeting with the Station Commander, but that wouldn't be for another hour or so.

There was always something new on the Cardassian built station to see. Experiences that one may never forget, or others that were just a forgettable clip of one's memory. For the Horizon's Captain, he had experienced so much on the station even if he had never served there. Regrettably though, it had been quiet a while since the last time he was aboard the station. In fact the last time he'd been to the station was during his tenure as the Horizon's first officer.

It was a wild thing to think about, let alone the fact that in those two years he had come a long way. He lingered on those thoughts while he wondered the promenade before stopping at a window to gaze into space. It was only then that he realized that he was due for his meeting.

---

[Station Operations]

After a few minutes, James stepped into ops off of the lift. Compared to the promenade, the command center of Deep Space Nine was relatively tame and quiet. He looked around and noted that there were only four officers present, not including himself or the station's CO. He stood there for a few more minutes before a Lieutenant wearing a gold uniform approached him.

"Captain Phoenix? Captain Shon is in his ready room waiting for you" the officer said.

James nodded to the officer. "Thank you Lieutenant."

As he watched her move off he approached the office and pressed the door chime.

"Enter" a voice came.

James entered and greeted the Andorian officer wearing a command red uniform with four pips. "Va'kel Shon" he smiled. "It's been a minute" he extended a hand.

"Ah Captain Phoenix" he accepted the hand and released it. "It certainly has. Two years now I think?"

James nodded. "Back when Jen Dalton was my CO. I believe you were just transferring here as DS9's new CO?"

Shon nodded. "That is certainly correct. Feels like an eternity ago."

"Yeah. Though I heard through the pipeline you're transferring soon?"

"Something like that I suppose. I'd go into it, but we don't have all day sadly" the Andorian returned.

"Sadly not Captain" James said. "I heard you have orders for me?"

"Yes" he slid James a PADD. "Command has given me these orders to relay to you. I'll let you look more in depth later, but the Horizon's orders are to report to ICE-II, a frozen Class M world near the Ferengi border" Shon started

James raised an eyebrow. "What's out there?"

"An abandoned SCE outpost. Barrow Station. It was used for developing experimental ground vehicles and small craft during the Dominion War. It's close location to the Alpha Quadrant powers proved crucial. Until the base closed after the conclusion of the war" Shon started.

"The crew were reassigned but plans to transfer everything; the craft, records, you name it, were put on hold and forgotten. The brass has a hunch that the answer is within the complex. They want you to find out why" he continued. "In addition, Starfleet wants you to salvage any equipment and craft that can be salvaged. That includes plans for them too. Barrow has someone avoided being detected by the Ferengi. But we both know that they'll try and take the financial opportunity if they find it."

James had a puzzled look on his face. "Would the Grand Nagus take that risk?"

Shon shook his head. "No. Especially since they are so close to becoming full members of the Federation. But there are those that disagree with this, and have defied Grand Nagus Rom."

"I see" James said.

"That's why they want the Horizon. She packs the presence and tactical capabilities of a capital ship to hopefully deter any hostile intent, but has internal resources to study this outpost."

"The Horizon is more than up for the task Captain" James nodded. "Anything else for me?"

Shon shook his head again. "Mission aside the Horizon's resupply should be complete within three days. It'd be sooner, but being where we are, we've been lacking a few things."

"Thank you Captain. On that note, I'll see that my staff is briefed" James said. "It was good seeing you Shon."

"Likewise" the Andorian watched the Human Captain leave. "Captain, one last thing."

James turned around.

"Be careful out there. The planet is remote and our information on it is thin" Shon warned.

"Aye" James responded. "We'll take care."

Shon nodded before watching the other Captain leave. It was good to see him again.

 

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