No Present Like The Time

 Episode Name:  No Present Like The Time

   Written By:  Starfleet

         Cast:  Duncan, Golden, Malloy, Starfleet, Stewart, Takamura, Turtledove 

                and Tyler.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Starfleet

     Aired On:  Sun Nov 10 22:03:48 2002

     Stardate:  52770.6

Time: Sun Nov 10 19:40:00 2002

Stardate: 52770.4

The Rapid Response Unit of Station 419 are summoned to the Ward Room by Lt. JG Wendy Tyler. However, when they arrive, she is not yet there. A podium is set up near the room's display screen. The wide wall of viewports give a breath-taking view of the docking arms and the sleeping Aegis nestled against the station here in the Ward Room, and the comfortable looking chairs around the conference room's table exude with the presence of the Command Officers, for better or worse. T'sal is here, seated at the conference table. She's first in, and nods to each officer as they enter.

"Doctor." Golden says with a nod to her as he enters, and then takes a seat, smoothing his uniform as he does.

Malloy enters the wardroom, giving T'sal a rather sharp salute, repeating it to Golden, then heads over to pull out a chair next to T'sal. Looks like the meeting of medical staff anonymous is adjoined.

T'sal says in her monotone, neutral voice, "I greet you, Lieutenant." She folds her hands on the desk and says to Malloy. "And you, Nurse."

When he arrives, Stewart heads for a seat towards the rear corner. He pulls out the chair and plunks down into it, having evidently decided to opt out of the round of greetings.

Duncan slips in quietly and nods to Golden and the others, "looks like we've got a few more due in before we start." then takes a seat.

Takamura walks into the ward room and takes a seat next to Golden. "Good evening, everyone."

Turtledove enters quietly, takes a cursory look around, then heads for the table... choosing a seat next to Takamura. As she sits, she nods to Tak, Golden, T'Sal, Malloy, Duncan, and even Stewart. "Good evening, everyone."

Golden looks a bit off angle from his usual cool confident demeanor, like he has lots of questions and he is impatient to get the answers, but his mood seems up and he nods greetings or smiles to each person that enters.

T'sal plainly asks Golden, "Lieutenant, do you have any more information that you can share on the orders we have received?"

Takamura gives Turtledove a knowing look, raising his eyebrows a little. "Hello, Ensign."

Duncan glances around at the assembled group and then down at his PADD.

Malloy nods to Turtledove and Takamura, slightly nodding in Stewart's direction, raising a questioning eyebrow. Absentmindedly, he pats over his belt, making sure for the umpteenth and then some time that everything is there.

Turtledove gives Takamura a casual grin, in spite of her starchy, solemn posture. She tilts her head slightly, and responds, "Ensign." She then waits for Golden to answer T'Sal's question.

Stewart seems quite content to just lean back in his chair and watch, though at the moment T'Sal's question has caught his attention. Hence, that's what he watches.

Golden says, "Actually, no. I have the same orders you all got, and I presume we are going to be clued in at this briefing. I can say my curiosity is piqued."

Takamura turns in his chair to regard Lt. Golden.

Duncan glances up from working equations on his PADD and nods at Golden's statement but doesnt say anything.

Tyler steps in, carrying an armload of PADDs. She nods to the assembled officers once and begins to make her way around the table, distributing PADDs. "Sorry I'm a little late, I had to get here from the Aegis," she says. Once all of the officers have a PADD, she takes her own up to the podium with her.

Golden takes his PADD with a smile and looks it over with a quick scan before directing his full attention to the young science officer.

Malloy takes his PADD, looking at it with a frown, then leans back in his chair to see what Tyler is about to share.

Takamura glances at the PADD curiously, then looks toward the podium.

Duncan sits up just a little straighter when Tyler enters, all business now, though one hand still continues to enter equations on his own PADD.

Stewart collects his PADD, immediately plunking it down on the table in front of him and giving it a cursory examination. Until Tyler starts talking, the PADD will be his primary focus of attention.

Turtledove swings the PADD around, skimming it briefly before she, too, looks up at the podium.

On the PADD is are several documents. Elementary Temporal Mechanics coursebook. Reference materials.

Tyler straightens the PADD on the podium before looking up to meet the gathered officer's faces. "Uh, hi," she says a little nervously. "I'm Lieutenant Junior Grade Wendy Tyler, DTI Timefleet." She clears her throat. "Let me say right now I've never been in charge of a unit before, so this is sort of new ground for me. I'm green, I won't lie to you." She leans against the podium. "But, let me also add, my lack of applied experience doesn't mean I don't know what I'm talking about. When it comes to matters of time, I'm in charge. Nobody in this sector has the capacity to over-ride my decisions regarding the work we do. And I take that responsibility pretty seriously."

Duncan nods almost to himself on hearing that last phrase.

Golden nods along as Tyler speaks, his face a supportive mask of acceptance regarding the situation.

Takamura nods his understanding, now completely serious.

Malloy tilts his head slightly, trying not to blink too hard. He's listening, the digesting happens later.

Turtledove listens inobtrusively to Tyler, nodding her head and regarding the girl with quiet confidence.

Stewart stops reading when Tyler begins speaking, turning instead to look at her. His face is mostly calm, and curious.

Tyler clears her throat again. "That said. The Department of Temporal Investigations was formed eleven years ago, by the Federation Science Council, to monitor the timeline. As increasing evidence mounted that time travel was not only possible but relatively easy, the Science Council determined that our pasts must be secured to ensure the future we are supposed to have. DTI was set to the task of watching the timeline for inadvertent or malicious acts against the Federation's past."

Duncan glances around the room gauging reactions so far.

Takamura crosses his right arm over his chest using it ro support his left elbow. His left hand is cupping his chin. He taps his lips with his index finger, thinking about how all this applies to the RRT.

Golden nods along, adding in for his teammates, "Department of Temporal Investigations is bureau of the Secretariet, part of the Federation President's organizational structure like the Federation Intelligence Service is under the bureaucracy of the Federation Council, so not part of Starfleet but an independent policing organization."

Turtledove shows no obvious reaction to Tyler's speech at this point. She shifts slightly to acknowledge Golden's statement with a gentle nod, then turns her attention back to Tyler, listening attentively.

"The Timefleet is an extension of the Department of Temporal Investigations," Tyler says, picking up where Golden leaves off. "Paralleling Starfleet in its form, the Timefleet's function to patrol time and quell those threats to the timeline as they present themselves. It is a separate entity from Starfleet. You have been selected, as the best of the best of Starfleet, to participate in the formation of this new temporal fleet."

Malloy blinks, then smirks faintly, looking down at his PADD to hide the reaction visible on his face.

T'sal just lifts an eyebrow.

Golden looks at Duncan's suit for a moment, then down at his uniform, then back at the suit, then back to Lt Tyler, a faint smile on his lips and with a bright gleam in his eyes.

Duncan glances back at Golden and offers. "Page 17 subsection 3 has an image of your new uniform."

Takamura's hand keeps his jaw from dropping to far. His eyebrows raise in complete surprise. He then smiles contentedly at the compliment paid to them.

Turtledove flicks a look at Malloy and rolls her eyes just barely, her mouth twitching into a partially suppressed grin. The grin disappears quickly, however, as she shifts her attention back to Tyler.

Tyler clears her throat again. "Currently there is an incursion in the timeline of malicious intent." She moves to the head of the table and activates the holographic display inset into the table. An image of Earth during the Breen attack, displaying Breen and Starfleet ship movements. The world spins rapidly, then slows to a slow rotation. A spot flashes on London, England. "DTI HQ in London was the target of a theft of classified information. The thieves were Romulan time travelers."

With a sudden flaring of his nostrils, narrowing of his eyes, flattening of his lips and setting of his jaw, Golden demonstrates how much this news is found unfavorable in his worldview.

Turtledove turns her attention to the holographic display. Her eyebrow goes up sharply.

Malloy folds his hands in his lap, listening intently to the information dished out, again just digesting for the moment.

Takamura just glares at the news that their "allies" were involved in this theft. He lets out a low growl as he exhales.

Stewart just leans forward, though there's a hardening of his face. His mouth is pulled thin, jaw pressed shut. And this definately has his attention.

Duncan notes the reactions of the new members of the Time Fleet to this news.

Tyler states, "During the Breen attack, a unit of sixteen Romulan operatives made an incursion into the timeline to take advantage of the confusion. Half of these operatives prevented the Breen ship tasked with bombing London from completing its task. The other half assaulted DTI HQ and looted a databank of classified information. The Timefleet has been charged with the task of going back in time and stopping both units." She lets that sink in for a moment, then adds, "That means you'll be allowing London to be bombed."

Malloy blinks furiously at the last addition, opening his mouth, starting to say something, then snapping it shut again. Another blink, he opens his mouth again, only to snap it shut once more, rapidly. His right hand clenches into a fist though, knuckles standing out white.

Takamura looks incredulously at Lt. Tyler. He manages to keep his mouth shut though. His eyes seem to burn with an intense fire at the last instructions.

Duncan doesnt quite sigh at Tyler's mandate, but the look on his face says a lot, mostly about resignation to a task that must be done regardless.

Stewart just leans back in his chair, picking up the PADD from the table. His eyes have narrowed slightly, but hey, he's still here, and still listening.

Golden says, "If they split their assets in two teams of 8, we'll need to tackle one mission team at a time. The theft prevention would seem to be the higher priority, we'll need schematics of the office building, access codes to move around in there without attracting attention from that timeline's residents. If we take the mission team out on the ground to prevent the theft, then we might be able to deal with the Breen boarding team group as well, but if I may suggest a slight alternate plan -- if we analyzed the attack and defense schematics of the battle over Terra we might be able to pick a vessel or defense station that if fed the right telemtry data for targeting taskings might in fact destroy the Breen ship in question along with the Romulan's who were ensuring the city wasn't bombed. If we let the defense fleet handle that task for us, it cleans up the evidence, eliminates the threat... and, well, London won't be bombed."

Tyler replies to Golden, "London must be bombed. The ship that bombed London is supposed to complete its task. The timeline must be repaired. And... Despite how hard these orders are, we must comply with them." She clasps her hands before her. "May this be the toughest task we ever have to face."

Turtledove shifts her attention to Golden, listening attentively, though his last few statements are met with a respectful skepticism. Shifting back to Tyler, her lips purse slightly, thoughtfully.

Golden makes a thoughtful expression and asks, "Do you have the ability to track their temporal incursion from it's launch point? An ambush on them before they travel through time would allow us to contain them all at one location and allow history to play out as it was intended.

Takamura looks from Golden then to Tyler.

Malloy folds his arms in front of his chest, his lips drawn out in a thin line. Not a happy camper here.

Duncan simply listens and waits while entering new equations on his PADD.

Tyler nods to Golden. "Yes, but it's not quite as easy as that. The Romulans' temporal program is well protected." She looks about the table. "We've got a week to prepare. That means catching up on your Elementary Temporal Mechanics and the Temporal Prime Directive as well as planning the mission details."

Turtledove speaks up quietly. "And, the Romulans will likely be in their best position to resist us at the launch point." Her mouth curves upward slightly, as she nods to Tyler, acknowledging the order to 'brush-up' on the assigned material.

Takamura raises his hand slightly to ask a question.

Tyler gestures to Takamura. "Go ahead," she says.

Takamura says, "I was wondering. With the RRT being transferred to the Timefleet, exactly what chain of command do we follow?"

Tyler says, "You'll still be acting under the Starfleet chain of command, under Lt. Golden and Lt. Dakin. In matters of the Timefleet, though, Lt. Golden reports to me."

Takamura nods his head with a neutral expession.

Golden says, "Alright people, you heard the Lieutentant we are going to stop the Romulans from tampering with out timeline, and that means London is going to be bombed. Internalize that outcome and move past it. Remember, it's not our duty or responsibility to make policy, it's our job to execute it. The Temporal Prime Directive has been invoked in this matter and that means we have to trust in our elected governmental representatives and uphold the oaths we all swore when we finished the academy, whether we like them or not. They came to us because they knew we had the internal grit to do what has to be done, and the intelligence and training to make what needs to happen go down. I expect 100 percent effort on this matter, which means getting up to speed on the Elementary Temporal Mechanics and the Temporal prime directive -- particularly the parts about unnecessary interaction with outtime personnel and strict policing of any materials we bring with us backwards so we don't leave anything behind. Doctor T'sal and Ensign Malloy, I want you to get up to speed on any medical complications involving time travel that we made need to be aware of. Lt Tyler, Agent Duncan -- if you can provide a list of possible interdiction points so we can jointly run a gain/loss analysis of our deployable assets versus complications on site we can jointly assess which scenario we should go with and then commence training on that target. I'd also like to speak with you Lt Tyler and Agent Duncan tonight or soon in the week about the CoC situation that you just mentioned, I have some thoughts on that."

Tyler nods once to Golden. "I expected as much, Lieutenant," she says quietly.

Duncan turns to face Golden and says. "I've been working on the issue of interdiction points, and can forward what I have to you momentarily. There are several prime cusps along the time line that can be used, though the best of them have probably already been noted by the Romulans."

Golden says, "Of course sir."

"Are there any other questions?" Tyler asks around the table.

Takamura sits quietly taking in the rest of the details.

Malloy shakes his head slightly. "None, Sir." he volunteers.

Turtledove's chin goes up gently as Golden doles out orders and pep, regarding him with quiet confidence and respect. She acknowledges his words with slight nodding at the appropriate intervals. She shifts her attention to Duncan, then to Tyler. She shakes her head. "No, sir."

Tyler states quietly, "If you have anything you wish to speak to me privately about, I'll be available throughout the next week. If there is nothing else at this time, you are dismissed."

Malloy hmms, then stands slowly, picking up his PADD. "Well, if that's it....I guess I have some reading and thinking to do...."

Duncan says, "One thing Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the Time Fleet. The only job where if its not done right the first time, there is infinity in which to get it right.""

Golden rises from his seat with an easy confidence and says, "Lt Tyler, I am looking forward to working with you, and I think we will all benefit from your expertise and oversight in this most delicate and sensitive arenas in the defense of the people of the Federation." He looks to the others, "Everybody else... remember this is classified material and so you cannot talk about any of it except with the duly designated list of personnel cleared for the operation and project. If in doubt, don't talk, politely decline and say you will need to get clearance in a firm but respectful manner." He nods for the door so they can file out.

Takamura takes a deep breath and looks to Turtledove.

Malloy moves for the exit, then stops next to Turtledove. "I will contact you in a bit, neighbour, I got a thing or two to talk to you about." Giving her and Takamura a nod, he leaves, doors closing behind him swiftly.

Malloy heads out of the ward room, the doors sliding shut behind him.

Malloy has left.

Turtledove tilts her head toward Takamura as she stands up, regarding him warmly. She smiles quietly, then turns to Golden. She nods precisely. "Yes, sir. Understood."

Takamura stands up and nods to Golden.

Tyler collects her PADD from the podium and gives the officers a nod before moving to the door herself.

T'sal pushes herself up from the table and gathers up the PADD before her silently.

Stewart carefully collects his PADD, securely attatching it to his belt, keeping the fingers of one hand on it to make sure it doesn't accidentally fall off without his notice. He rises from his seat, but doesn't yet file out.

Turtledove nods politely to Duncan, smiling quietly as she heads for the door behind Tyler. "Thank-you, Agent Duncan. I look forward to working with you in the future." Pause. "And the past." She grins. "You know. Whatever comes up."

Duncan gives Turtledove a very quick grin as she exits. "Careful, temporal mechanics can give you a major headache."

Golden returns the nods of goodbye each in turn, not in a hurry to leave but waiting with a meaningful expression directed at agent Duncan. His expression is one with contrasting appearance, resolute seriousness certainly, but underneath an excited energy about a bold new frontier of service to the Federation.

Takamura sweeps his PADD off the table and follows behind Turtledove. He half whispers to her, "I think I need something to drink."

Duncan glances back at Dylan and gives a slight nod.

...A little later...

Golden says, "Okay... *this* was unexpected Mycroft. I'm not going to buck any orders from Starfleet Command, but if this is going to work -- internally and within the life on this station -- there are going to have be a few adjustments to how things go down in the CoC. Can I break down my concerns and suggestions regarding this to you?"

Duncan nods. "I thought you might have some things along those lines that you would want to discuss the moment I got notice of the transfer."

Duncan says, "lay it all out on the table and we'll see what we can do with it.""

Golden smiles agreeably and sits back down, "I'm not surprised, we've spoken enough that you can probably list my concerns off for me but I'll give it a shot anyway."

Duncan grins and nods as he takes a seat across from Dylan.

Golden says, "Okay first things first -- I have absolutely *no* problem with Lt Tyler; and I have no problem with her having operational oversight of this joint operations team. She knows more about temporal mechanics and time travel and that little problem coming down the chute at us then I will ever pound into my head or the heads of my teammates if we takes years getting up to speed -- and as we know we don't have years unless we go back in time and start studying so we can deploy in the future, then there is the edge of age to factor in. Better leave that stuff to the people who are already experts on it like you and Wendy. Flip that for a moment, the non-temporal aspects of all of this I am pretty sure I am way more up to speed on than Wendy, I'm a ground and ship line officer -- we've gone over all that. I think the best way to structure the joint operations aspect is to go with the same method we use for medical officers. Medical Officers in thier area of specialty can override an officer with more rank, can give specific directives, are in charge. Outside there area of specialty, staff officers like Doctors are not in charge, an line officer ensign can direct a doctor on proper actions. Now, I don't think that necessary extreme is the way to go, but I think that perhaps it should be worked out that you and Wendy are in charge of time, time travel, materials relating to travel and have direct input about the tactics and methods we will use in such operations -- but on the operations I need to be giving the shots except in areas where something new has come up and it could jeopardize the time stream. In otherwords, once you guys decide what we *must* do, and we together discuss how we are going to do it, when it comes time to actually get on with the doing, you guys give me a clear path. That's is point one, any thoughts on that?"

Duncan says, "Actually that is pretty much to the letter what your transfer entails. On the ground you will be in charge of the mission as I'm given to understand it. The mission parameters are the main thing. How did it once go? The president proposes and the military disposes?"

Duncan says, "One thing, Learn the temporal prime directive, get as much of it as you can, it has an answer for most issues you will face in the Time Fleet. The primary thing you must keep in mind is the phrase. "Preferred time line." In the end I don't think Losing London is going to be counted as "preferred"."

Golden smiles at the first observation and nods, his expression gets more serious at the second and says, "I'm glad we are all working from the same thought on both those points. If ordered to, I'll let London get bombed but I'd rather think that sort of violates some other directives like preserving lives and Federation property -- of course prime directives override the subsequent ones. Please get in touch with home office about the London matter as soon as you can so we know which fact plan we are going to be basing the operation off of." He cocks his head slightly and then says..."Go on to point two?"

Duncan nods.

Golden says, "Okay. Next topic is about the station CoC. Not that many have bothered, but if you check the organizational structure of the Officer of the Chief of Strategic Operations for Starfleet, you will see that the CSO has several subdepartments. One of course, is the ever fun to work with Starfleet Intelligence. Another is office of Starfleet Security which supervises all of the security elements in Starfleet. You will also find, if you look to that list, that Rapid Response is listed as its own department. Just like S.I. My point is, Rapid Response is as seperate a command and organizational structure according to that chart as Starfleet Intelligence, meaning that this team has no more business being put as a division under Lt Dakin's security department than an S.I. field office assigned to this station should be. When I was the only one here, it didn't matter much to me. Now I have almost a full team alottment, with officers from three departments, four if count that I am command officer not a security officer by career path. I've already heard grumblings and rumblings from other officers about how the RRT is becoming "insular" and "elitist" and that I should remind some members that they are still part of the security department and are no better or no different. With this new addition of duties and transfer of operational purview, this is only going to get more difficult. If we do ops for S.I. it's classified so we don't talk about. If we do ops for DTI it's classified and we don't talk about. That means our superiors in security or our peers are going to become suspicious and resentful that we are clued into things they aren't. This becomes less of a problem if we are moved out of the security department and the engineering and medical departments for that matter. I think we need an office/department of Strategic Operations on this station. We talked about the where and why before on this. I think now it is even more crucial because if we get a Strategic Operations officer put under the Command Branch on this station we could be reporting to that officer as our chain of command - someone who is going to be cleared for all the nitty gritty -- but when not on mission or training we can still work with the native departments we spring from. Takamura, Turtledove, Stewart and Devereaux the new kid that just came in would still work with security and do security tasks when not needed elsewhere but their chain of command for day to day would be the StratOps officer after me as the TC. This would enable us to more easily work with this joint operational structure, and work with S.I. as needed, and pull more standard RRT missions as well -- when security can't handle something or it fall in our purview we go in instead like hostage rescuse, instead of doing homocide investigations all the time. We could even help out by taking over completely the diplomatic security duties as part of our counter-terrorism aspects. Frankly with this new element added, it might be even better to make this a JOC -- joint operation command - department. Then Wendy and her project could be moved out from under Lt P'trell's department removing some conflicts there, the RRT would be put there removing and clarifying the situation in those previously mentioned points, and your office and fellow agents would be interfacing with JOC as would any SI that becomes involved and it provides one clear organization joint structure and information flow/exchange area that still falls under Commander Balin and if need be Commander Edward's supervision but frees us all up from people who don't get what we are up to and can't get what we are up to getting in our way. Any thoughts on that?"

The station's rotation slowly brings the anomaly into view.

Bailey steps into the ward room, and the door slides shut behind her.

Bailey has arrived.

Golden is sitting at the table across from Duncan, apparently in conversation.

Duncan steeples his fingers while listening, nodding occasionally at some salient point or other. "I think many of these concerns will be resolved by the fact that you are now part of an entirely different organization. Particularly one that is in the process of formation. One thing we need to do is avoid antagonizing our people in starfleet, we need them and whether they realize it or not, they need us."

Duncan glances up as he finishes speaking and nods to Bailey as she enters. "The newest members of the Time Fleet were just briefed tonight."

Bailey enters without much ado and makes her way to a seat as if that's what she had been planning all along. "I heard." She doesn't look quite happy about that stated fact. "I suppose they didn't listen to the concerns I had."

Golden says, "I agree completely, which is why I think this fragmented chain of command throughout the departments is an ill advised way to go. I think one unified JOC department would make it easier for *everybody* to work together and get along because it clarifies and delineates the situational realities better. Confusion leads to anger and anger leads to unnecessary problems."

Golden rises from his seat as Bailey enters, sits as she does. "Hello Agent Bailey."

Duncan nods to Golden. "Something we need to avoid, not just because its a problem for morale but also because the time will come when those same people will be needed, and better enthusiastic support rather than grudging indifference." then glances over to Bailey. "I'm sure that command has their reasons, besides, to be honest, how many of our operatives can really handle themselves in a combat situation? Most of them are scientists and administrators who wouldnt know which end of a phaser to point away frokm themselves."

"Hello Lieutenant," Bailey answers, shaking her head and looking to Duncan, "That's besides the point... We haven't /had/ to use phasers before. Why should we now?... And these black uniforms," she says, agitated. "And Tyler's in charge of them. Wonderful."

Duncan says, "Rebecca, how many of our people can face armed Romulans?""

Bailey purses her lips, her expression set. "I could. You could. ... We were trained to do this sort of thing... Get in, get out, remember?"

Duncan nods. "How many others? Could we put together a team large enough and with enough skills to take down a squad of Romulus's best? Let alone re-take a breen ship from another squad?"

Duncan says, "I'm good but I'm not that good.""

Presenting a reasonable expression, Golden says "Agent Bailey, I can appreciate your concerns about the RRT being folded in to what was your department's arena -- but I can assure you, we aren't just thug gun bunnies. We are trained to work alongside S.I. on both sides of the lines -- we are the Special Operations group of Starfleet, and for example, I have a background in Subspace Mechanics as well as the training in Starship, Planetside and Strategic operations. We can adapt to the new working protocols and get up to speed in the new regulatory and technical aspects. Really."

Bailey just raises her hand, halting that line of conversation. She asks, "And what is our place now? With this... /Timefleet/. We've given the military access to something.... something I don't believe they should have access to..." An apologetic look to Golden, "No offense meant."

Golden says, "No offense taken -- though from my understanding of my transfer orders it isn't that Starfleet is taking over time policing, but that the President is giving the FSC and DTI in descending order access to *us* rather than giving us access to time travel."

Duncan says, "Rebecca, RRT is not the military, and its certainly not starfleet, Most starfleet'ers dont even know what RRT is about. They are however our best option in a very quickly narrowing field of choices.""

Golden says, "What if a temporal incursion is caused by a group like the Borg -- would you say your historians and physicists would have a better chance of stopgapping such a problem alone, or with special operations officers to assist you?"

"So we're to function as the intelligence wing?" Bailey asks softly, reaching into her jacket to pull out a tiny padd. "You're the calvary?" That second question is focussed more at Golden.

Duncan nods at Golden. "Exactly. We now have access to a tool that we've needed. You think about the people we've lost in the past few years. Had we the RRT, we wouldnt have lost those people. With the Romulans taking an active even pro-active role in time travel, things are going to be a lot more dangerous, we need people who can handle that."

Golden answers Bailey, "I think that the people who understand the situation like yourself and Agent Duncan and your superiors make the priorities based on your background and training, and we help implement your needs as efficiently as possible.

Bailey taps something into her padd, then raises her other hand again. "Acceptable. As long as Timefleet realizes DTI doesn't follow their orders. We don't take our queues from your Starfleet Command." A pause. "If that is understood by all parties, then I'll do my best to make this working relationship run smoothly."

Golden says, "Well... that is understood under the umbrella of your oversight regulations in DTI -- I mean, if it is something in real time where Starfleet has jurisdiction then I would expect you would be in the same position to take orders from a starfleet officer as any other civilian or government agent. As long as that is understood by all parties I'm sure our working relationship /will/ work out fine. I mean, in the end we all have the same boss -- your Department answers to the Federation President and the Federation President is the CnC of Starfleet, so thus of the joint operational time fleet as well -- and he in turn answers to the people of the Federation who we are all in our own way trying to safeguard."

Duncan Nods. "I don't think you're going to have to worry about Wendy Tyler coming into your bailiwick and telling you how to perform an investigation, 'becca."

So young, so confident, so damn boyscouty - Golden smiles to the two agents.

"I take my cues from the Council, Golden. From the President. But not from any of your bloody admirals. I /don't/ trust the lot of them," Bailey says simply, looking to Duncan. "I know I do not sound like it.... but I am happy that we won't be going it totally alone any more."

Golden looks a bit stung but not rancored.

Bailey looks back to Golden, "I /do/ trust /you/. I hope that's enough."

Duncan nods and grins slightly. "Actually at the moment there arent any bloody admirals in the Time Fleet."

"No... just a Lieutenant (jg) science officer who never finished Academy," Bailey says.

Duncan chuckles. "Well if it werent for her, We wouldnt be where we are today. There wouldnt even be a DTI."

"Then she should be one of us, not Starfleet," Bailey says softly. "It makes me uneasy."

Golden cuts in, "Speaking of the lack of Admirals -- I have to tell you, my people are going to want to know how this reassignment is going to affect their career promotibility. For example, I was up for promotion boards to full Lieutenant before my reassignment here put that on hold based on the station organizational structure... and some of ensigns are going to be up for consideration for promotion after the next quarterly evaluation.

Duncan "We're all individuals when it comes down to it. She's trying to do her best in the only way she knows how. That she's not very good at being civil about it isnt her fault." glances back to Golden and notes. "As I understand it, the rank system will be pretty much interchangable. Thus if you end up leaving Time Fleet and returning to Starfleet you should take any rank and time in grade with you.

Golden says, "Okay... so in the meantime Lt Tyler is doing our QOE -- quarterly officer evaluations? And who is running our promotion reviews then? Don't get me wrong, I just want to be able to answer these questions when they come up."

Bailey nods and looks to her padd again. "Speaking of /time/. How soon will we be ready to move ahead?" A glance to Duncan.

Duncan says, "I believe we have a week to prep for the interdiction. And as for promotion questions for the time being we might as well use the resources we have at hand. Have you taken your line officer eval yet Dylan?""

Golden nods "Line officer eval for the station which covers starships -- took the ground command line test before I was assigned here. I picked up the administration courses for a department head while I have been here. Advanced Tactical course work in planetary support operations, strategic planning for sector defense operations, Regimental operational certification for planetary operations tactical planning both small unit incursion and guerilla resistance protocols. I planned Dagger of Freedom Mission for Occa for the Sector Admiral based on the intelligence we gathered from groundside sources and system scouting."

"Well, they are certainly giving us a more than qualified tactician, aren't they?" Bailey says with an amused expression. "I'm looking forward to this operation... you are aware I was the one who discovered that the Romulans...." She pausese, sighing, "I forgot to ask if he's cleared for this information."

Duncan chuckles. "Your contribution is mentioned in the briefing that all members of the RRT have been given, so I imagine they're clear for it."

Golden nods in agreement. "I can't even begin to appreciate the work involved with that, so all I can say to you is that I believe in your work enough to commit the souls entrusted to me into harms way to address it. Speaking of clearances, Mycroft, I'm going to need all my people moved up in clearance to at least Commander Level, level 7, if we are going to be able to have access to information to use for training and planning.

Duncan nods. "I was just thinking that very thing actually. I'll see about getting that set into motion."

Duncan pauses a moment and then says. "Actually, You're senior agent here 'becca, perhaps it would be better if you filed the requests?"

Bailey nods her head, "I'll take care of it."

Golden says, "Thank you ma'am. I appreciate it."

As the station rotates, the anomaly passes out of view.

Golden says, "Do you have any thoughts about the JOC suggestion we were discussing when Agent Bailey joined us?"

Duncan nods to Golden. "I think its a reasonable suggestion if not very appropriate."

Bailey listens attentively, "JOC?"

Golden winces. "Not very appropri-- I'm sorry. I don't mean to be inappropriate or to come on board and start swinging the weight around. I'm very eager and excited to work with this new program, and I can certainly take a wait and see posture perhaps none of the things that concern me will come to pass. I should let you two get to work on picking the operational junctures and get word from London so we can start planning the operation. Let me know when you get the word or if you like we can schedule a vis a vis for tomorrow or Tuesday to discuss this? I need to have a working plan by Wed so I have time to run some drills. Ah, I'll leave the explanation of my... uh... inappropriate idea to Mycroft."

Duncan comments to Bailey, "Joint operations Command, Its starfleet talk for "we want to deal with out own problems."

Golden blushes a bit self-consciously.

Duncan shakes his head and chuckles. "No, perhaps I said that poorly, by that I meant that it was a good idea, if not better than most solutions that could be put into effect."

Bailey smiles faintly at Golden's blushing. "You really expect trouble from your officers, Mister Golden?... I should think they'd /jump/ at a chance such as this."

Duncan adds. "And quite appropriate."

Golden rises from his seat and says, "People think that if it's secret and elite, its a bad thing. We are already getting some chaffe from the appearance to some of the RRT being elite and insular, this new posting and the surrounding elements will most likely just exacerbate the problem so I was making some suggestions on how to not only dodge that problem, but also clear up some problems related to this larger project in other departments. I have to go to a presentation for my officers now, so I have to excuse myself... but please, contact me as soon as you have more. Thanks again for your time Mycroft... pardon the pun, and I look forward to working with you Agent Bailey. Goodnight.

Duncan stands and extends a hand to Golden. "Honestly, I think a joint ops command is the best way to handle this, and as I said, earlier, Welcome to the time fleet. Oh, one thing, among our own we refer to the department as the Cassandra service."

Golden "Cassandra service... because she saw the future and no one would listen to her?" He shakes the hand offered firmly once and smiles, packing up his PADD and slipping it into his uniform.

Bailey smirks as Duncan says Cassandra, looking to Golden, "Pleased to have you aboard, Lieutenant. G'night."

Duncan grins. "Indeed that would be it. G'night Dylan."

Golden says, "Good night."

Golden heads out and into the corridor.