Polaris Episode 1.1: Genesis

[Dohlman]

Episode 1.13 Genesis
written by Commander Zack 4/27/2002



Within a matter of a few hours Zack's entire life had taken a dramatic turn.  First he was offered a position onboard the Space Station Polaris as the Executive Officer, and only a few moments ago it had been revealed that Rhai would be giving birth to twins.

Zack felt excited, anxious and afraid all at the same time. He loved Rhai dearly, and could see himself spending the rest of his life with her. But there was so much he had not told her yet. So much about his
past. And what if she found out he killed a man on Bajor, to avenge the disease that almost destroyed the life of Rhai and their child...children.

Children! Within a few weeks Zack would be the proud father of two children.  Zack had faced countless enemies on the battlefield, and had seen comrades
decapitated before his very eyes, and yet all of these experiences paled in significance when compared to the prospect of raising and nurturing his own children. Zack's own childhood had been rocky to say the least. Without a stable childhood, how would he know how to be the best father he could be to his own children?

And there was something else. Something darker and far more terrifying. It was Zack's dark side. His evil tendencies and desires. After killing that man on Bajor, Zack felt it slowly returning. There was a part of him that took pleasure in slicing that man to shreds and torturing him - watching his life slowly drain away. It haunted his dreams, and plagued his thoughts. What if he really was just a murderer? Maybe the last 10 or so years of his life, during which he had been a by the book Starfleet officer, sticking to all the rules of the
Federation, had been an illusion. Perhaps he had been lying to himself - trying to be something he wasn't - something he was never really meant to be. It was
almost as if something was working against him, awakening a part of him that had been dormant for quite some time. By opening up his heart to Rhai, by allowing his emotions to cloud his judgements, he felt himself drifting closer and closer to what he used to be.

Zack's shield for the past 10 or so years had been his
emotional control and mental strength. Through the teachings of Surak, Zack had learnt to suppress his darker side. Now that Zack had let go of his inhibitions
and opened up his heart to Rhai there was no predicting what would happen..

If only he could talk to her - tell her how much he feared the fact that he was losing his grip on his morality. But he couldn't. He couldn't let her see how much of a monster he really was. For while loving her made him susceptible to his darker desires, at the same time her love anchored him and made him stronger.

Right now Zack found himself in Captain Jefferies's Ready Room. A few hours ago Doctor Johansson had revealed the news that Rhai was going to give birth to
twins. Zack still found it hard to believe this news. Before it could sink in, he was called in to the Captain's Ready Room.

[Dohlman]

Episode 1.13 continued

"Congratulations Commander. You and Rhai must be very happy. I am sure you will be a great father. No doubt there a few junior officers who are now breathing a sigh of relief, your presence will be missed on the Archer Command.  I must admit, you have shown me that perhaps a more serious attitude could help in some
situations," said Jefferys.

"Before I joined the Archer I had no true purpose in life. So much happened while I was on this ship. I met and fell in love with Rhai, and I learnt that I am going to be a father. Even though I thank you for my time on the Archer, I still thoroughly disagree with many of your decisions, your methods of captaincy and your carefree attitude whilst on duty. Only The Prophets know how you are going to be kept in balance without my discipline and seriousness onboard the Archer!" replied Zack.


And with that, Zack exited Captain Jeffery's Ready Room for the last time as XO of the Archer.

Gavin Jefferys smiled as he watched Zack exit his Ready Room. He realized that this was the closest he would get to a farewell from his icy ex-First Officer.  He knew that in his own way, Zack was bidding adieu to him and thanking him for his experiences onboard the Archer.

Jefferys stroked his beard and let out a hefty laugh, chuckling to himself.  

"Captain Kelly and the crew of Polaris Station have no idea what they are in for. I wonder how long it will take Zack to establish his totalitarian rule!"

***********************

"Everything is working perfectly. The next step in our plan has been executed.  Commander Zack and the other senior officers of the Archer have transferred to
the Polaris space station. Nothing will stop us now."

The dark figure addressed the meeting of his most senior officers, and once again took his place in the shadows. For now this was where he would have to
remain. But soon, quite soon, he would reveal himself and gain his revenge - Zack would pay. Nothing could stop him now.

[Dohlman]

Episode 1.14 Genesis
Written by Lt. Loran Jaan 4/29/02

Jaan had checked in with the Captain a little while before, taking his first look at ops and the station that would be his home during some of his duty shifts there. He was impressed with the size of the station, but not so much with the communications network it housed.

"Typical Starfleet," he muttered with a sigh. "Always overcomplicating."

He'd have a lot to do over the next few months to untangle this mess and get it running efficiently. Jaan was a great believer in simplicity. redundancy was good, up to a point. But after a while, too much of it could cause problems. It just meant more things that could go wrong. He'd make sure his communications staff understood that.

He had some free time before the Captain's dinner, so he took a walk around some of the station, trying to familarize himself with his new home. He'd been to Deep Space 9 once, while serving aboard the Stonewall. This place was at least as big, and if anything, even more maze-like. It would take him a while to get his bearings.

But he would give it credit, it had all the comforts and amenities of any community. He had a feeling he'd really enjoy his time here.

He didn't know much about the rest of his fellow officers. Most, it seemed from reading the roster, were coming from the same ship. That might make things uncomfortable for someone like Jaan. These people would already have formed a bond, and it might be difficult for someone new to break into the group. But Jaan had surmounted other obstacles in the past. He'd get over this one.

The captain seemed all right, as first impressions went. But Jaan had sensed something in the Captain's demeanor that kind of put him on his guard. He
wasn't sure what it was yet, but it made him want to tread cautiously around the man.

Jaan was used to getting attitude from the so-called "real" Starfleet Officers. Afterall, mustangs such as himself were a rarity in the fleet. It wasn't often that an enlisted person became an officer, and such an officer, called a mustang from the old earth naval term, was usually treated a little differently by the Academy graduates. They tended to look down on such self-made officers.

In a way, he could understand their resentment, if that's what it was.  After all, they had worked for years to get through the Academy and earn their commissions. He'd had his handed to him at the stroke of a keypad. It was irrelevant to them that he had earned it too, just differently.

Maybe that was what he sensed from the Captain - that mild resentment. If so, he'd deal with that. But somehow, he wasn't sure if that was it.

He discarded such thoughts as he arrived at what would be his office. He'd spend part of his duty shift there, moving between there and ops. He laughed
to himself. It was funny how people misunderstood the function of the communications officer. Most figured they simply sent and received transmissions. They didn't realize the whole technological realm that they were responsible for. Communications was just taken for granted.

He'd impressed that upon Captain Kelly. Anyone could sit in ops and work as the "switchboard operator." Jaan would of course spend time in Ops as needed. But he would mainly be needed to get this comm network straightened out, and maintained.

Jaan entered the office, surprised at the size of it. He was a relatively junior officer, and very low on the chain of command. But he guessed since space wasn't so much an issue on a station as it was on a ship. He sat
behind the desk, and started looking over schematics, shaking his head. He picked up another PADD and displayed a list of his staff. He nodded as he looked over their records. He'd have to reorganize them, of course. That would cause some initial disruption. But as they got used to his style and his logic, they'd come round.

Jaan paused, and looked around. Then he smiled. Yes, he was going to enjoy this assignment.!

[Dohlman]

Episode 1.15
by Capt. Matthew Kelly 5/1/02

The new officers of Spacedock Polaris stood chitchatting around the elegantly set table.  The lighting was subdued, offset only by the flickering candlelight.  Aimee had outdone herself with the preparations.  The room was done in a Victorian style.  A waiter in white attire served coffee and cucumber sandwich appetizers.  A Mozart concerto played softly in the background.

The large glass window showing the cavernous interior of the station was the only reminder of where they were, and when.  The only starship docked today was the USS Archer.  Smaller "worker bee" craft slowly soared around the Sovereign class like a child's mobile.  Even this huge ship was dwarfed by the size of the station.

Kelly looked around the room at his new senior staff.   A Cardassian first officer, a pregnant Bajoran counselor, an unproven Trill Science officer, a trio of pale-faced ynar engineers, an auspicious war hero, a feel-good diplomat, and a psychopathic doctor.

It was at the last thought that Dr. Johannsen, who Kelly later learned preferred to be called "Doc," raised his head.  He had forgotten for a moment that the doctor was a Betazoid and a skilled telepath.  He nodded to the doctor, slightly embarrassed.  The doctor returned a thin smile.  

[Dohlman]

Episode 1.16
by Lt. Alia Kenek 5/1/02

The newly named Lieutenent Alia Kenek had slinked into a corner at the officers' dinner, trying as hard as she could to become invisible.

She took a sip of her icoberry juice, wishing it were kanar.  But the last thing she needed was to be drunk in front of her new fellow and commanding officers. She promised herself she'd have a nice tall glass of kanar once she returned to her quarters.

Her eyes scanned the room.  Aside from Commander Zack, no one else seemed to be annoyed by her presence.  But, she reminded herself, the rest of them are probably just more polite.

Dr. Johansson turned and looked at Kenek from across the room.  Her conflicted, nervous emotions were palpable to his Betazoid senses.  It was very unusual to be sensing such strong nerves from Kenek.  Even when she'd seemed nervous before, her mental discipline that came from being a joined Trill usually prevailed.  Not tonight.  He nodded to the Bynars, with whom he'd been speaking, and made his way over to the lone Lieutenant.

"Good evening, Lieutenant," he said warmly as he approached.

Kenek, in her state, hadn't seen him coming, and nearly choked on her icoberry juice before responding.  

"Sir," she said formally.

The doctor looked at her sympathetically.  Her inner turmoil was pounding. "Congratulations on your new promotion."  He felt her tension rise another level at the word "promotion."

"Thank you, sir," she squeaked.

"This should be an exciting assignment," the Doctor said with an easy smile.  Kenek managed a very weak smile.  "I understand you're going to be the chief science officer.  Your extensive research work at the Academy on the detection of cloaked vessels should come in handy."

The doctor could feel Kenek's nerves calm a little at the honest compliment.  

But not by much.  "I hope so," Kenek replied, "Thank you."

Johansson placed a reassuring hand on the diminutive Lieutenent's shoulder.  

"I'm sure you'll do a fine job, Alia."

"Thank you, Doc," Kenek said, "This just.. wasn't..."

"What you expected?" Johansson finished.

Kenek nodded.  "Exactly."

"Well, considering our mission on this station," the Doc said, looking around, "I think we're probably all in for more than we bargained for,"  he leaned closer to her, lowering his voice, "And you're not the only one in this room who is nervous."

Alia smiled faintly at him.  Maybe he was right.  But she'd be willing to gamble that even if the others were nervous, they were probably more prepared to be dealing with this than she was.

[Rhai]

1.17
Written by Doc Johanssen 5/5/2002

Johanssen stood beside Kenek and smiled warmly at her and winked. He was proud of her.

He thought of the Archer and Captain Jefferys and he didn't really want to leave it, but he had to. This was the next chapter in his life and he was nervous as he told Kenek. He was so busy packing up his stuff from the Archer's sickbay and his quarters that he had almost forgot about Captain Kelly's dinner, and he didn't want to make a bad impression on him on the first day.

He wasn't sure if he was going to like Captain Kelly as he hadn't formally introduced himself to him, but he figured that now would be a good time. He told Kenek:" Well, I think I should say hi to our new Captain. I haven't had time to talk to him yet. As you know, I just arrived." He smiled at Kenek and then made his way to his new Captain.

"Captain Kelly I presume.", Johanssen said to Kelly. The new Captain turned around from the group of people he was talking to and nodded gracefully to Johanssen.

"It's about time, Lieut- Doc. I thought I'd have to start choosing another officer, but Captain Jefferys told me you were busy packing. I just want you to know that I don't tolerate being late, you understand?"

"Yes Sir, Captain Kelly. I will never be late again."

"Good! Now, what's your take on this war?"

"Excuse me sir?"

"You know what I asked. I said, what's your take on this war?"

"Well Sir, to be honest, I haven't been properly briefed on the situation and -"

"Oh, for god sakes! What has Admiral Cartwright gotten me into now? Officers who have no experience in the situation...... Oh dear.....  I'm so sorry about this.... I just expect my officers to know everything before hand, but there will be a briefing at 10:00 hours."

"No Problem sir. I will be there."

"Well, you darn well better be or I'll start searching for a new officer..."

"You won't have to." Johanssen held out his hand, waiting for Captain Kelly to shake it, "Glad to be apart of a new revolution in Starfleet, Sir"

The Captain shook Johanssen's hand and then said, "Welcome aboard, Doc, and if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."

[Rhai]

1.18
Written by Lt. Loram Jaan

Jaan stood sipping a drink as he looked around the elegantly decorated room.
At his first sight of the Cardassian officer, he'd had to fight down an
involuntary attack of pure revulsion. But he knew that there were more and
more Cardassians entering the fleet these days, and he, like a lot of
Bajorans, would have to adjust. They'd have to let go of the past.

Besides, he understood that Starfleet has a screening process in place to
prevent those who formerly served on Bajor during the occupation from
entering the academy. It had caused a bit of a protest on Cardassia, as many
claimed it was unfair to exclude those who had been "just following orders"
at that time. Rejecting common soldiers who'd had no part in the policy of
their superiors, while allowing former Bajoran resistance fighters entry. It
smacked of a double standard. But the protests were half-hearted at best,
especially since Cardassia had been on the losing side of the war almost
until the very end. They were living off the sufferance of the rest of the
quadrant right now, and weren't about to make TOO many waves.

How well that screening process worked though, that was another matter. No
matter how deeply the background checks were made, given the abilities of
former Obsidian Order operatives, Jaan was certain that more than a few
pasts had ben doctored to make some Cardassians eligible.

He didn't know if Zack was one of these or not. Jaan would have no way of
knowing really. He'd just have to give the man the benefit of the doubt. But
it was going to be an uncomfortable association.

Some of the others had seemed friendly enough so far, but he still felt a
disdain from them over his mustang status, mixed with an uncomfortable
deference toward him because of his supposed status as a war hero. He
sighed. He was hardly a war hero. He'd served aboard a ship that had taken
heroic action, yes, but he was just one member of her crew. He hoped both
feelings would quickly vanish as they got to know him.

The wine was certainly good, he thought. He knew he'd have to be careful.
Wine was a real weakness for him, and had a real tendency to go to his head.
And the resulting giddy, humorous epsiode would doubtlessly be a bad first
impression to make on his fellow officers.

Jaan watched his fellow officers, remaining aloof only in an effort to guage
them. He'd already met the Captain, but some of the others he'd only had
brief contact with. Kenek, like him, was a freshly minted Lieutenant. She
might be someone he could relate to. He was also pleased to see another
Bajoran aboard. That might help things. Commander Zack seemed to be as
imposing in person as the rumors about him indictated. He was a bit baffled
by the Bynars, but knew he'd have to get used to them fast, especially since
he and they would doubtlessly be working closely together. Most of the
others were still kind of unreadable, but he knew he'd get to know them all
in time.

Jaan was anxious to get into the routine of the station, once that was
established, and was well on his way to getting his own house in order. He
had many ideas for the revamping of the comm system, but he'd have to deal
with those later. So for now, he simply relaxed, and took in his fellow
officers.

[Dohlman]

Episode 1.19  
Written by Ambassador Vaudrian

Sophia approached Capt. Kelly as he stood talking to Aimee.  As he saw Sophia approaching, he quickly ended his conversation with Aimee and deftly moved over to Dr. Johanssen.  Sophia narrowed her eyes.  You won't get away that easy.  Sophia circled the room and spoke with the nervous-looking science oficer, Kenek.

"Congratulations on your promotion," said Sophia.  "We're going to need someone with your knowledge of Romulan and Klingon vesels."

"Thank you.  I didn't know my senior thesis had made such an impact," Kenek replied.

Sophia chuckled.  "The Federation command has eyes everywhere, my dear.  And don't be nervous; you're going to do fine."

Kenek blushed.  "Thank you."

Sophia nodded and moved onto Counselor Tae.  Sophia was working the opposite side of the room as Capt. Kelly, who was standing rather stiffly as he spoke with Lt. Jaan.

"Congratulations on your pregnancy.  Twins, is it?" asked Sophia.

"Yes," replied Tae.  "I'm due soon."  She rubbed her stomach.  Commander Zack walked over and smiled a slight smile at Tae.

"Commander Zack, I'm Ambassador Sophia Vaudrian."  She offered her hand.   He turned and appraised her before taking her hand.  His hand was as cold as his demeanor toward her.

"So you think you can salvage the peace process?" he asked Sophia.  He took a sip of his drink.

"It's what I've been trained to do, Commander.  And if I fail..."  She let the sentence linger.  Just then, Dr. Johanssen walked up.

"Ambassador Vaudrian," he said.  "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"And you as well, Doc," replied Sophia.  She had read up on her crew profiles.  As she stood chatting with Tae, Zack, and Doc, she looked over at Capt. Kelly.  He had cast a surreptitious glance in her direction, and she had caught him looking.  He looked quickly away.  Sophia smiled and kept talking of establishing buffer zones in Romulan and Klingon space, creating a well-trained Romulan-and-Klingon police force to deal with criminal and terrorist acts, plans to involve other planetary governments in the peace process, and plans to educate Klingon and Romulan children together in the same schools.

"Of course, this will all take time," she said.  She figured that if she could not win Capt. Kelly over, she would at least try to win over the crew.  The peace process needed as many stakeholders as it could get.

Zack said nothing, but merely stood glaring at her.  Tae and Doc, and even Kenek seemed receptive to her ideas.

As the party broke up, Sophia made sure she was the last to leave.  Capt. Kelly had bid adieu to Doc, and was about to leave.

"Captain," said Sophia.  "A word with you, if I may..."

Kelly turned and regarded her, nonplussed.  "Are you going to try to sway me to your liberal ideas surrounding a cooperative police force and the notion of Klingon and Romulan children holding hands on the
playground?"

Sophia lowered her head and laughed.  Then she looked at Kelly.  "Funny, that's the same sort of thing peace detractors said during the Civil Rights movement on old Earth."  Sophia paused, and a heavy silence hung between them both.  Sophia's countenance took on the air of utmost seriousness.

"The Klingon ambassador, Kura, is a warrior of first-rank.  Spotless reputation.  He has been romantically linked to Lursa of the House of Duras, but broke it off when their ties to the Romulan government were revealed.  It will not be easy to persuade him.  Romulan ambassador Sotha has been linked to the Tal Shiar in the past.  He is a man used to using violence and back-stabbing to get his way.

I have dispatched a small intelligence unit to an asteroid in the Gamma quadrant to ascertain whether any Tal Shiar were left there after the War.  If so, we may be able to extract information that would...compromise Sotha, and turn him to our cause.  As of yet, I have no strategies that I could employ to wield influence over Kura...except the finest blood wine I could get my hands on.  Oh, and expect some extra 'shipments' in soon."

Sophia leveled her gaze at Kelly.  "This peace process will move forward, Captain.  Whether you like it or not.  Perhaps you'd better reassess your commitment to it.  Because if you're not up to the task, I'm fully capable of relieving you of your duties."

Kelly's eyes gleamed like a cat's and he stood stock still.  If his looks could have killed, Sophia's head would be rolling on the floor amidst the dropped hors d'oeurves and crudites.

"Good night, Captain," she said.  Then she turned and left.