A Piece Of The Action - Chapter 47

Free Enterprise  –   A Piece Of  The Action – Chapter 47


Instead of breaking for lunch, the meeting went straight through until 1335 hours. Haxhis had been trying to drag her feet while waiting for a number of other races to show up.

The Cardassians, The Bajorans, representatives from six additional Nietzschean Prides and Katay, plus Starfleet bigwigs arrived. Thus they had to be brought up to speed. Haxhis patiently went over everything, then the haggling and maneuvering commenced.

From holographic cross sections of the non-restricted areas of the station, various representative heads made their selections of where they were going to set up shop and or live. Most races were going along with living together as a group, pride or conclave in their own communities. For example the Klingons had even chosen a name for their community. The Ring Of Fire.

While this was going on the Romulans stood back and watched silently with critical eyes.

“Aren't ye gonna get in on dis?” Captain Blackwood, the Cosarian asked of the stone faced Romulans in her infamous Pirate drawl. All twenty of the Romulans frowned at her in unison, as they didn't speak nor understand Pirate.

“Listen, while ye stand thar an dither all da good places be taken an either ye'd be left wit crap, da crapper or nutin'!” Captain Blackwood continued patiently as if she was speaking to children.

“She is right you know. If you wait too long you will miss out and will have to go on a waiting list. This is a one time, first come first serve offer. If you miss out, I'd hate to be you going back to tell the Praetor that.” Admiral Hemingway chimed in.
They didn't need to be told twice, the Romulans immediately dived in seeking a spot to plant seeds on the station. Fortunately or unfortunately for them the only suitable spot left was situated next to their cousins the Remans.

Tyr fought mightily to maintain a straight face and not laugh. The entire Romulan group looked as if they had been collectively caught with their trousers down. The Nietzschean Captain had to give them credit for not grumbling and or fussing, even though they knew they had been set up.

“We will watch them and if they get out of hand, we will take care of them for you.” their leader had promised, Admiral Hemingway.

After all, the Remans had learned a thing or two about spying from their cousins, and the other races they had allied with. So, they were no pushovers. They also knew that the Romulans were only setting up shop in order to have a duck blind to spy from. Starfleet knew also, but didn't care because they had nothing to hide. Yet....

Since they'd made such tremendous headway, Haxhis adjourned the proceedings until the next morning.

Tomorrow promised to be a long day because a big reception and dinner was going to be given for the bigwigs, dignitaries and ambassadors in attendance. Of course, that was the last place in the universe Tyr wanted to be. However, when duty calleth. . . . .

Tyr was busy mentally planning something special for a little “alone time” with Amanda, when Haxhis stopped Khan and he on the way out of the auditorium.

“I need to speak to you, Captain Anasazi. Counselor-Yeoman Khan, your presence in required, since this will also involve you.” Haxhis said. Tyr and Khan followed Haxhis to a small side room.

“Captain Anasazi. . . . .” she said, as she stood before both officers. “I do not require that you make a decision right now. Hear me out first, talk it over with your crew and family, think it over, then get back to me.”

Both officers know the Fleet Admiral Haxhis had to be talking serious stuff, so both gazed at her intently and quietly while she continued her explanation.

Tyr was privately shocked at Haxhis' proposal and was speechless. He glanced at Khan. The fact that the Katay had merely pulled his whiskers back, proved that Khan was not surprised at all.

“This must be part of his prediction.” Tyr thought.

“I know that you are a man of action, and that you detest politics. But, I am officially taking over command of this station in 4 days, and I need to have my staff in place. I've been given card blanche by Starfleet Command to select and promote who I need. Captain, I must have a Nietzschean Liaison, and since you have a sterling Starfleet record, plus the most experience, I chose you Captain Anasazi. I repeat, take some time, discuss this with your crew and family, then get back to me with your answer. If you have any questions, I still have an open door policy, any hour of the day or night.” Haxhis said.

“Admiral, will the Insurrection still be mine to command?” Tyr asked.

“I don't see why not.” Haxhis replied.

“I thought. . . . . . . I thought.” Tyr started but couldn't finish the statement.

“He thinks that being a desk jockey will prevent him from his command duties.” Khan piped up. Tyr cast a reprimanding glare at Khan, who simply ignored him.

“Who said you would merely be a desk jockey? Quite the contrary Captain, you will retain command of your ship. However, there will be a few changes.” Haxhis said. Tyr noticed her whiskers were pulled back and her bright amber eyes glittered.

“Changes?” Tyr asked.

“Sorry Captain, I'm not at leisure to reveal the details because they have yet to be finalized.” Haxhis said.

“Forgive me Admiral, but how am I supposed to make plans if I do not yet know what they are?” Tyr asked.

“Remember that Old Earth Boy Scout Motto: Always be prepared. You'll just have to trust me, Captain. Believe me it's all good. Now you two should get some rest. We all have a very long day tomorrow. Dismissed.” Haxhis said. Both men executed a military right, exited the room and headed for the nearest lift.

Tyr waited until they were in the lift to assail Khan.

“Khan? What was that about?” The Nietzschean Captain asked.

“You heard the Fleet Admiral. Change is afoot.” Khan replied.

“What kind of change?” Tyr asked, as if he didn't know. He just couldn't believe the possibility that. . . . . . .

“You are in store for a promotion of some type. Most likely she will promote you to Rear Admiral, because Amanda will be stepping down and retiring. And since it is customary to replace a flag officer with someone of equal rank. You don't have the rank yet. Soooooo. . . . . . . .”

“Surely there are others more deserving than I . . . . . .” Tyr started.

“Most definitely Tyr. But, Haxhis want someone she can work with, not some dunderhead who is being promoted because his or her Daddy or Mommy is some bigwig back at Starfleet Headquarters.” Khan replied. Tyr stared back the Katay.

“Tyr, you are going to have to trust that Haxhis knows what she is doing.” Khan continued.

When the lift stopped both men debarked and both Tyr and Khan went on instant alert. A blast from the past hit them simultaneously. Tyr growled deep in his throat like an attack dog, and he was a hair too fast for Khan to grab before he slipped away, and was on the run.

Meanwhile, Captain Dylan Hunt of the USS Louisiana had no clue. His ship and crew had been assigned to Deep Space Ten for the upcoming events and ceremonies. They were helping to maintain a Starfleet presence by showing up with 35 other ships, most of which were ferrying dignitaries.

Since Captain Hunt had been to Deep Space Ten several times in the past, he knew “the lay of the land”. He was showing off his knowledge of the station to his command staff by giving them his own cooks tour. Of course, he had no clue of the collision course he was about to run into.

One second he was walking, the next he was laid out flat on his backside, sprawled on the deck.

“What the . . . . . .?” Hunt asked, as he got up and looked around for the invisible bulkhead he had run into. His eyes bugged slightly when he saw it was someone he hadn't seen hide nor hair of in the past ten years. Not since the day they had both graduated from Starfleet Academy together. Hunt had prayed he'd never see Tyr Anazasi again, yet, here he was in the flesh. . . . . .

“Oh s.........” Dylan thought.

“Let's finish this. . . . .” Tyr said, in a low and menacing voice as he beckoned with his right hand.

“Damnit Tyr! I thought this was all forgiven and forgotten.” Hunt said as he stalled. He silently noted that his crew had cleared a space for them to “throw down”. He would have to reprimand them for that later. If he lived.

“Nietzscheans do not forget things, we merely put things out of our minds until a later date. Plus, a Nietzscheans brand of forgiveness is either found at the point of a knife, or the business end of a gauss gun. Consider yourself blessed by the Divine that you are not dead yet.” Tyr replied. Which meant by the time Tyr finished with Dylan, he'd wish he was dead.

“Don't!” Khan hissed behind him, to no avail. The Nietzschean was “in the zone, thus heard or saw nothing but his objective.

“Tyr, it was only a joke.” Dylan said.

“Strange. I did not find it humorous.” Tyr said as he backhanded Dylan. Again he wound up flat on his backside.

“You never did have a sense of humor, Tyr.” Dylan said, as he quickly got to his feet and went into defensive mode. It did no good. Despite Dylan's best and heroic efforts, Tyr literally kicked his tush down the corridor, the way an old Earth child would've kicked a tin can down the road.

To the untrained eye it looked like Tyr was giving Dylan a severe beating. However, those who knew the Nietzschean better, were aware he was pulling all of his blows. Much like a lioness swatting her misbehaving cubs. She wouldn't hurt them because she new they were smaller and weaker than her. But, when she got finished with them, they'd learned their lesson well.

“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!?!?” Haxhis' voice demanded. Everyone froze in place and blinked.

“You, you and you! Come with me, NOW!” she ordered. Pointing out the main characters in the drama. Tyr, Dylan, and Khan followed the Admiral to a vacant room that was in the process of being prepped for Andorian dignitaries. Haxhis ordered the workers out and they beat a hasty retreat.

When the door hissed closed all three men stood shoulder to shoulder and at attention.

“I repeat. WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON OUT THERE?” Haxhis demanded. Since Dylan had never met Haxhis before, Part of his mind could not believe he was being yelled at by a lion.

“It was merely a minor dustup.” Khan the ever diplomatic of the trio said.

“A minor dustup.” Haxhis repeated as she put her handpaws on her hips and narrowed her eyes at all three men.

“Kicking Captain Hunt's hinderparts around the circumference of Deep Space Ten does NOT constitute a dustup, Captain Anasazi! That looked like a good old fashioned beat down to me!” Haxhis replied. All three men blinked again and stayed silent. Reminding her of three bad boys covering for one another in trouble.

“Captain Anasazi, you are well aware that you are much stronger than Captain Hunt, yet you used your Nietzschean strength and took advantage of him.” Haxhis continued.

“Admiral. He was not injured.” Tyr replied. Inwardly proud of the fact that he'd made his point without killing the man. Standing next to Tyr, Captain Hunt looked like a plucked chicken, but he was unhurt except for a split bottom lip and various scratches on his face.

“Counselor-Yeoman Khan, you allowed this to happen. Why?” Haxhis demanded as she turned to gaze at her fellow Katay.

“Lady. This sore had been festering between them for years and needed to be dealt with and healed once and for all.” Khan replied sagely. In response Haxhis huffed, shook her maned head and gazed at the three men.

“Gentlemen. I am glad you have solved your differences. However in the future if you ever feel the need to express dissatisfaction with each others facial arrangements, please utilize either one of the gyms or holosuites. Remember we have dignitaries and ambassadors on board for this confab and they are the biggest gossips in the universe! Plus, I hear Joanne Chang is here from INN News, and the last thing we need is for HER to get a hold of something like this! NO MORE PUBLIC DISPLAYS IN THE CORRIODRS! DO I MAKE MYSELF PERFECTLY CLEAR?” Haxhis roared.

“Yes Ma'am!” Tyr, Dylan and Khan snapped to and replied in unison.

“DISMISSED!” Haxhis ordered. All three men beat a hasty retreat. Well, as fast as protocol would allow.

“Men! They are just little boys, all grown up.” Haxhis thought to herself as she pulled her whiskers back with mirth and chuffed.