All Hands On Deck
Episode Name: All Hands On Deck
Written By: Starfleet
Cast: Ashilav, Balin, Clough, Edwards, Gellan, Ghorev, Golden, Haven,
Laco, Scion and Starfleet.
Produced By: Starfleet
Directed By: Starfleet
Aired On: Sat May 18 23:31:45 2002
Stardate: 52348.3
Time: Sat May 18 20:44:29 2002
Stardate: 52348
The Commander steps into the shuttle bay and makes his way to the front, where a transparent aluminum podium has been set up. Most of the crew is assembled, except those who are needed to man their stations. He walks up the podium and clears his throat. The chatter in the room begins to wane.
Scion steps into the shuttle bay, the doors clanging shut behind him.
Scion has arrived.
Ghorev stands at the edge of the crowd, in the shadow of a shuttlepod. He lowers his PADD as the Commander clears his throat, and waits for the meeting to begin.
Golden waves for Ensign Scion to join him near the front of the gathering after he turns to see who was entering.
Clough, at the appearance of the commander, pushes herself off the wall to stand more or less at attention. Her silence continues, but her gaze follows Balin and remains there as he reaches the podium.
Edwards follows Balin into the shuttle bay silently, a neutral expression on his face. When the Commander steps up to the podium, the XO moves to stand back and to the right of him, clasping his hands behind his back.
Ashilav is standing by Ghorev, folding her arms across her chest and leaning against the nearest non-humanoid vertical surface, watching the Commander intently.
From her position at the back of the crowd, Gellan passes a look over the assembled until Balin and Edwards enter the shuttlebay. Her gaze then follows the two of them silently to the front and the podium.
Balin offers everyone a single nod. He flashes a brief smile and says, "At ease." He sets a PADD down on the podium and glances down to it. "There have been some rumblings amongst the ranks, and I have been advised that all of the secrecy surrounding what happens at Station 419 is causing undue stress upon morale."
Ashilav arches a thin white eyebrow at that. She unfolds her arms and adopts a more neutral posture.
"There are concerns about legality what our senior staff is involved in, and a pattern of distrust has been emerging for the chain of command," continues the Commander, not mincing the words at all. He looks out over the eyes of assembled, his eyebrows bunching in the gravity. "Myself, and my fellow senior staff do not take these charges lightly." He pauses for breath.
Clough's own brows crease faintly, curiosity and concern mingling in her eyes. She listens in silence with her lips making a straight line.
Ghorev, clearly, was expecting this topic. He nods slightly as Balin speaks.
Balin continues. "Trust is earned. Not bestowed. And it concerns me that you feel you cannot trust us to make the right decisions, to do our duty by the uniforms we wear. Somewhere, the senior staff has failed you in this regard, because we have not earned your trust. So I am here, today, to help rectify that situation." A beat. "During your tour here on Station 419, you may have witnessed things that you have been ordered not to discuss. Each time you have been ordered to not speak of what you have seen, there has been sufficient reason to warrant such action, because the fate of the Federation itself, no, rather the fate of all life in the galaxy itself, has been at stake."
The Commander continues. "The Federation is facing threats that extend beyond the Gamma Quadrant and the dangers which that region has given us. Temporal criminals are eating away at the fabric of Starfleet's beliefs and ideals like a cancer. There are many times in which 419's senior officers are given orders which defy reason. A conspiracy to support these criminals, which digs to the very upper echelons of our beloved interstellar organization, is using this station, and its officers, toward their own ends. Our hands have been repeatedly tied with these criminals, and we are unable to act in a capacity which would bring them to justice, because their goals, are our goals. For even beyond the temporal criminals, beyond the conspiracy which reeks at the heart of San Francisco, lies the Lithian threat. We've been shown the future, my crew. And the terrible truth of it all, is this: There is no more life in Milky Way."
Haven steps into the shuttle bay, the doors clanging shut behind her.
Haven has arrived.
Ashilav's frown grows as Balin speaks, apparently not liking what's being said.
Laco scratches his arm.
Golden lips curl in a frown slightly.
Haven slips in through the Shuttlebay doors and quickly finds a place along the bulkhead then turns her attention to Commander Balin.
Gellan pulls her gaze from the podium long enough to pass a quick look across the assembled crew, allowing her eyes to rest here and there on certain crewmembers.
Clough sighs softly, but her expression does not ease. She continues to look up at the Commander almost without blinking.
"We have no choice but to find our own way," states Commander Balin. "We have arrested these people, have tried everything we know short of disobeying direct orders and dereliction of duty to our uniforms to bring these people to justice. However, they are shortly released, all charges dropped, and orders disseminated that tie our hands more with the puppet strings from Starfleet Command. And while we fight these criminals, we also fight to find ways of stopping the Lithian threat. We also are testing out experimental technologies on board the USS Aegs, which adds to our own shroud of secrecy."
"Each day, the decisions get harder and harder. We have no idea who among our ranks that we can trust. A veil of paranoia hangs over this station, and rightfully so," he says. "But trust me when I do say this: We have never lost our ideals. Sometimes we have to walk the line, and we waver, but we always stay on the side of what my uniform stands for. And that is the principles on which the Federation, and Starfleet, were founded upon. We may have to keep things from you in the future. We will not always be able to explain our orders. But do know, that while I breathe, Station 419 will always be a citadel of Starfleet beliefs and ideals. But it is by doing our duty is how we will defeat this rank weed that grows at the heart of Starfleet. By doing our duty, we will defeat the Lithian threat. And by doing your duty, to your uniform, to yourself, and to me, you will contribute greatly in this. And that means understanding that you're not informed of some things for reasons greater than yourself. Just always know that I am fighting for a greater cause. Your cause. I would be pleased to take your questions."
Ashilav is the first to raise her hand.
Balin nods once. "Mr. Ashilav."
Golden focues his attention on the Andorian.
Ashilav lowers her hand slowly. "Sir, I mean no disrespect to you or to any of the senior officers when I say this, but when one takes part in a mission that directly compromises the ideals of Starfleet... line be damned. The line was -crossed-. I won't say which mission, unless you want me to, due to issues of security."
Ghorev turns his head to gaze at the woman next to him as she speaks. There is a frown on his face.
Clough's gaze drifts from Balin to Ashilav, and her head tilts slightly. Briefly, her gaze rakes across the crowd as she awaits the response.
Balin shakes his head. "We will not be discussing specific missions, or events, nor will we discuss the details of what I have mentioned here today. If you personally feel that a line has been crossed, you are welcome to bring the concerns directly to my office and we will discuss it at length."
Ashilav narrows her eyes slightly, but nods. "Aye, sir. I'll do that." She glances sidelong at Ghorev, and then back to the assembly.
Balin waits for further questions.
Haven slowly blows out a low breath, shifting from foot to foot as she glances over the crowd.
Golden raises hand
Balin nods once to Golden. "Mr. Golden?"
Gellan lets her dark gaze flow across the gathered crew again, her brows drawing together in a frown of concern.
Golden moves a step forward and says, "Thank you sir. I have noticed that we have a strong presence of Department of Temporal Investigation agents here and based on what you just told us, this makes sense. That said, I am wondering if it perhaps might be desireable to try to get a Federation Intelligence Service team assigned here as well, the two Federation Agencies could support each other and perhaps the next time the temporal criminals are caught the FIS agents can make the arrest or take custody as we are talking about breeches of Federation Law -- that would make it harder for these corrupt elements back at Starfleet Command to interfere wouldn't, since the FIS doesn't fall under Starfleet Command's jurisdiction?" He kept his voice even and respectful.
Balin replies, "FIS has shown their complicity toward the temporal criminals, Mr. Golden. Frankly, I'm not so sure I trust the DTI officers here, either. I assure you I've tried every department in the Federation that will listen to me. It's exceedingly frustrating. Anyone else?"
Golden nods his head and takes his step back.
Balin looks to Edwards, then to Ghorev. "Do you have anything you would like to add, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Ghorev?"
Ghorev shakes his head, looking rather satisfied, though the frown from Ashilav's question still lingers. "Nothing at all, sir, except to note my relief that we've come far enough to make at least this much ... known."
Edwards clears his throat and nods slowly. "I think so, sir..." he replies, glancing out at the gathered crewmembers. "Who here still has doubts about our motivations? If any of you do, raise your hands."
Even the distrustful-seeming Ashilav remains still, although she watches Edwards like a hawk.
Clough's frown deepens, but only slightly. Finally, she leans once more against the wall she had been propped against earlier.
Edwards glances around at the utter lack of a response to his question. "I see." he remarks. "I guess that's not something you can ask of people. Probably think we'll have you all shot." There's a little humor in his voice at that. A little. "I'd like to see another show of hands. How many of you are Betazoid and believe the Commander?"
Gellan gives Edwards an odd look, even while her hand reaches upward without hesitation.
Golden scowls and crosses his arms as he stands next to Ensign Scion.
Scion's expression is impassive and unreadable.
Clough arches a brow, her frown disappearing into an expression of wry surprise. But, like Gellan, her hand raises. Her eyes slip from Edwards, who she had been watching, and settle finally upon Golden thoughtfully.
Haven shifts her gaze to Callie and holds it there for a long moment before looking over at Balin.
Edwards watches the arms come up, satisfied with the response, "You can put your arms down now." Glancing over the crewmembers once more, he remarks, "Now I know things have been difficult. And I'd like to apologize for some of my own behavior lately. Call it... emotional tension. It's been hard on all of us. But we're Starfleet officers, people. And while we do need to earn the trust of others, remember that we earned our positions through hard work and dedication to the ideals that make this Federation great. They don't hand pips out to anyone who asks for 'em."
Balin speaks up, then.
Gellan drops her hand. Her gaze, still drifting over the crew, lingers on Golden briefly before returning to the podium. A rather preoccupied frown is present even though she nods slowly.
"Thank you, everyone," states the Commander. "If you have further concerns, please schedule a meeting with me, and I will welcome the discussion of it. I assure you that your concerns will not be ignored. Thank you, again. Dismissed." He steps from behind the podium and begins to make his way to the door.
Golden raises his voice and calls out, "Thanks for taking the time to do this, sir."
Ghorev hurries into motion himself, saying to Ashilav as he pushes forward, "We'll speak later about the project."
Edwards spins about on his heel and wordlessly follows after Balin like the good lackey that he is.
Scion approaches the Commander as he moves, and addresses him quietly. "Commander, may I speak with you a moment?"
Clough crosses her arms over her chest as she lowers her raised hand, watching the command staff depart, maintaining her silence throughout.
Golden checks the setting on his phaser absently as if it was a casual comforting habit.
Haven sighs and pushes off the bulkhead. On to work where she knows what's to be trusted.
Ashilav nods quickly to Ghorev. At his back, she says something. She says something in a language you do not understand.
Gellan steps back from the crowd and toward the door, watching Balin and Edwards approach with a calm smile. She stands back to allow crew to pass.
Balin nods once to Golden as he passes, but stops as Scion intercepts him. "A moment, I am due for a subspace conference with the Romulan Senate."
Ghorev doesn't reply to what Ashilav says in parting. He makes his way towards Edwards as Balin's pause in stride causes a slowdown near the doors.
Edwards frowns as he regards Scion, but doesn't speak up.
Clough waits for much of the crowd to pass her by, then makes her own way toward the exit, offering only a brief nod to the paused officers as she goes by.
Clough heads out of the cargo bay, the doors sliding shut behind her with a clang.
Clough has left.
Scion nods. "Of course, sir. I simply wished to present to you a question that may aid you in your attempt to restore trust." He tilts his head slightly, gaze moving briefly to Edwards before returning as he continues. "Trust is not only earned, but it must be mutual. If you cannot trust your crew with sensitive information, can you expect them to trust your leadership outside the trust required by their affiliation?" He pauses a moment, then nods. "This does not require an answer, sir. But perhaps it may deserve thought."
Ghorev comes up beside Edwards. Ghorev whispers to Edwards, "If you've... I may have some..."
Golden waits nearby Scion so he can exit with him.
Edwards glances over at Ghorev, distracted, and nods a bit to him.
Haven pauses, Balin's response seemingly important to her.
Ghorev motions towards the door, then, questioningly.
Balin nods once to Scion. "Exactly why I have chosen to divulge today what I have, Mr. Scion. It's time for the cloak of secrecy to be lifted. At least a little bit. Good day, Mr. Scion." He steps around the former Borg and makes his way out of the shuttle bay.
Edwards returns his attention to Ghorev, once Balin moves along, and remarks, "Lead the way."
Ghorev heads out of the cargo bay, the doors sliding shut behind him with a clang.
Ghorev has left.
Edwards heads out of the cargo bay, the doors sliding shut behind him with a clang.
Edwards has left.
Golden "Should we head by the security office, Ensign?" He says to Scion moving alongside him.
Haven just shakes her head and steps out of the bay with the rest of the crew.
Haven heads out of the cargo bay, the doors sliding shut behind her with a clang.
Haven has left.
Gellan waits for some of the flood out of the shuttlebay to pass, and then files through the door herself.
Gellan heads out of the cargo bay, the doors sliding shut behind her with a clang.
Gellan has left.
