Rest Is For The Weak MISSION END

Posted on Tue Aug 17th, 2021 @ 5:24pm by Captain Rueben Gregnol & Executive Officer Jake Ford

Mission: Mission 13: Stowaway
Location: Deck 1 - Captains Ready Room
Timeline: MD10 18:00
1248 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure

The battle and reclaiming the ship with the Fenris Rangers' help had left Gregnol confused with how he felt about the view, and his conversation with Persis had left him more determined to find a way to make his new viewpoint work. He looked up as Jake came into the wardroom minus Eden. Maybe it was time to broach his viewpoint with the man who he had been concerned about stepping into Mahone and Uhin’s footsteps but had proven his loyalty, compassion and experience instantly and proven he had been the right person to be his first mate.

“Drink?” The Russian was drinking Jeassaho’s Betazoid Nectar like it was going out of fashion but he knew his wife would not blame him in the slightest. If she knew he was drinking or that his faults were so pensive she more than likely would have joined him.

"Nectar? Hell yeah," Jake nodded, sliding up a chair. "You look like you've got a lot of things on your mind...but you don't want to say any of them." He smiled slightly. "Honestly I think I feel the same right now." He took the glass and took a sip. "At least we didn't lose anyone."

Gregnol did smile a bit at the man's reaction to nectar. Everyone loved Betazoid nectar. They really should create a sill of something on board to produce it. "Do not tell J until I can replace it." He said pouring a large glass for the man. "I do have a lot of thoughts on my mind. We did not lose anyone but it was close. Nollel's head injury, Bela's shoulder, Dixoho..." That thought was just left how it was, the woman was safe for now in the statis unit but that would need to be figured out eventually. "What is on your mind?"

"What's on my mind is that we got lucky," Jake replied. "If the Rangers hadn't shown-up we'd have been in trouble back there. Real trouble. If we're picking up jobs that have the potential to go south, we need to be able to defend ourselves better. We should consider upgrading Rosie sometime..." he sighed, raising a hand before Reuben could interrupt. "But I know that advanced weapons and deflectors cost a hell of a lot and we're not exactly flush. So we're in a tough spot."

Gregnol opened his mouth a few times to stop what the man was saying but he needed to talk just as much as the Captain needed to listen. It was why they worked and sometimes they were on the same wave length just different roads to the final destination. "Which leads perfectly to my thoughts. I want to help people again. I do not trust Starfleet after they let me down and tried to use J against me and Selina before that but I do want to help. What do you think about us become Fenris Rangers ourselves?" He wondered.

"Join the Rangers?" Jake shifted in his seat. His gut reaction was one of surprise; he'd not expected Reuben to be thinking about that so hard. He was also a little uncertain about their relationship with the crew of the Thrai either, given everything that had occurred during their first encounter. Then again, having friends and a support network would be a huge deal for them. "It's...worth considering. That would burn a few bridges here in the Federation. I know you don't trust Starfleet, but...I'm sure there are people who still do. Are you sure you want to do that?"

"I am not planning on throwing it open that we are Fenris Rangers which is why I need someone to do some investigating beforehand to see who thinks what on them but it could be a good deal. The ship gets repaired and we get to do some good out in the universe properly. I am fed up of constantly being rescued, I want to be the one doing that." It was why he had joined Starfleet in the first place. It seemed so long ago that, that had been the values he idolised.

"I can't argue much with that notion. Helping people is something that comes naturally to me, too." Jake nodded. "If you want I can talk to Liha; she might be willing to give us a little more understanding of the Rangers themselves. If she doesn't kill me first, of course."

"Maybe it is a conversation for us both with her?" Gregnol offered. He did not want her to kill off the best Executive Officer he had ever had. "I also think we need to get someone talking to the crew on the low." Gregnol wanted to see what the crew as a whole thought about it all, they would need everyone on board.

"Makes sense. Let's put some feelers out, see what the general feeling is. We can't force folks to follow us in this; the Rangers are outlaws - vigilantes, some would say. The cause might be justified, but there might be some dissenting voices." Jake scratched his beard. "Honestly though, this bunch is pretty tight. I think they'll be okay with it."

"Let us talk to Liha first then get someone else to prod and poke people." Gregnol could only come up with one person. "Robertson? It might distract him from sleeping beauty." Gregnol said gently. Any time he thought on Dixoho it was with worry and concern for the woman being kept alive only by the status unit. It was impossible to know how long it would maintain her nor if this idea would work.

"Yeah." Jake frowned a little. The whole business with Dixoho was a tough one. He wasn't close to her, but he knew she'd been with Reuben a long time, and it would be hard for the Captain to deal with being so helpless. "You holding up all right on that front?"

"Not sure on that." The woman was one of the first people he had employed and she was the heart of the ship and sometimes the only damn person who believed in him other than Jeassaho. He was loyal to those loyal back and the woman was so much more than that. "But she is alive and we still have more time so I feel like it has all happened for a reason... that reason. How are you doing after it all?"

"Like I said, we got lucky," Jake mused. "I hate to think what would have happened to the poor girl otherwise. We'll keep an eye out for someone that might be able to help, of course."

“Of course.” Gregnol rubbed his head he was not sure if they were just fooling themselves or not but it gave them all time to figure things out and let go if they needed to.

Jake nodded at Reuben's discomfort. "You should get some rest, boss. We'll be back underway in a day or two, Rangers or not."

"No time. We need to find out how the crew feels and what route we are going to take." Gregnol said sitting up straighter. He would rest after he spoke to Liha. She would be able to give them a better idea of what they are like.

Jake made a mental note to nudge Jeassaho, the only one on board who would be able to force the Captain to take a needed rest.

"Let's get to it then," he nodded.