Tales from the Los Lobos 25

So who is out playing who?

Another 1700 for the angry Bajoran to deal with while she gets her ship up and running. Do you feel sorry for her or them?

uniform  textures courtesy of  https://www.deviantart.com/mylochka

1 Janeway: Ah there you are. I was expecting you sooner.

Heath: Sorry ma'am.  I ran into several...issues.

Janeway: Oh, such as?

Heath: My boot heels kept getting caught in the sidewalk.

Janeway: I see

Heath: And then I got interrogated by Ford and Sito.

Janeway: Ah. What did they want?

2 Heath: Like everyone else they were convinced something happened when we went out to look at our ship.

Janeway: And did it?

Heath: You too ma'am?

Janeway: I heard what you told the yardmaster.

Heath: Did he tell you how they were completely uncooperative?

Janeway: Yes, I told them to restore full external power to the ship so they work could begin.

Heath: Thank you. So, when are they going to start?

Janeway: They aren't.

Heath: What?

Janeway: They refuse to go onboard.

Heath: But...

Janeway: They will supply you with everything you need to get her ready.

Heath: So once again, we’re left to fend for ourselves.

3 Janeway: Not entirely. All the yards resources are at your disposal.

Heath: We just have to do the work ourselves.

Janeway: I'm waiting to hear back from the head of Starfleet engineering about this.  In the meantime, they mentioned that you wanted to convert one of the shuttle bays to dedicated fighter use?

Heath: Yes. There are times when you need something faster and more maneuverable than a shuttle but with a bigger punch than a runabout.

Janeway: I see.

Heath: And since I already have the Dolls, why not let them do what they're good at?

Janeway: Dolls?

Heath: The Demon Dolls.

Janeway: Oh yes. The fighter squadron that we're assigned to be your shuttle pilots.

4 Janeway: Well, I've no problem with that. Variety is always a good thing.

Heath: Thank you.

Janeway: In fact, I have another group you might be interested in.

Heath: Oh?

5 Heath: The Lovely Angels?

Janeway: They're graduates of Tom Paris's piloting program. And while the Dolls are fighter/interceptors, the Angels are a fighter/bomber squadron. Tom said they love to fly just a few meters above the surface before attacking.

Heath: Sounds...familiar...

Janeway: I thought you'd like them. They're ready for deployment, they just need a home.

Heath: Need the hanger converted first. Plus, I need to get the Dolls' fighters out of storage. Speaking of storage, we need to inspect all the stuff they left onboard...

Janeway: How long do you think before she's operational enough to fly?

Heath: With all 800+ of the crew working... two, maybe three weeks.

Janeway: You'll have more than that to work on her

Heath: I mean when Chromia comes over with the device, I could ask her to lend some so of her staff to help

Janeway: You want them free to examine one of our top-of-the-line ships?

Heath: I'd rather helpful Klingons, than unhelpful Starfleet.

6 Janeway: I see. But as I said, you’ll have more than just the 800 of your crew working on it.

Heath: Are going to shame them into helping?

Janeway: Maybe, but go up a few directories on that PADD.

Heath: Okay, and... what... What is this?

Janeway: The crew compliment of an Odessey class starship is 2500. As you currently only have 800, that is the additional 1700 members needed to fil out your crew.

Heath: 1700...

7 Janeway: I trust you'll inspire them to the same level of loyalty as you have the others.

Heath: I... wait... what do mean by that?

Janeway: Pardon?

Heath: Did you simply do the same thing as she did and dump more of Starfleet 's unwanted problem children on me?

Janeway: Hardly. It was determined that you are what they need. Someone that thinks outside normal Starfleet ways. Someone who is willing to give them a chance and believe in them when no one else will.

Heath: ...

Janeway: Yes?

Heath: I get to handle them as I see fit. I do things my way. No outside interference.

Janeway: As long as you don't kill or permanently injure them, agreed.

8 Heath: When were you going to tell me this part?

Janeway: When I was certain I wasn't going to get a straight answer from you about what happened out there.

Heath: Why does everyone think something happened. It’s like you deliberately gave me a ship with something wrong with it and everyone is waiting to see it explode. But that couldn’t happen. It would be unethical, and further proof of Starfleet’s continued persecution of us even though we’ve been exonerated, wouldn’t it?

Janeway: yes, it would

Heath: So, if there’s nothing else, may I go? I need to inform my staff of our new arrivals.

Janeway: One last thing.

Heath: Yes?

Janeway: The Odessey is a special ship. She comes with her own special uniform that distinguishes her crew from others.

Heath: Really?

Janeway: I'll have it sent on to your ship tailor so they can start working on them.

Heath: Thank you.

Janeway: Now you can go. You can keep the PADD

10 Janeway: So… whatever’s onboard that ship you have it under your control. Plus, your ability to inspire loyalty in the disaffected… We’ll have to keep you busy before you can become a problem.

*chirp*

Yes ma’am?

Janeway: I want you to send a letter to my counterparts among the Klingons, Romulans… and the Dominion. Subject; The Proposal for the 113th Project