Failure in Eleven Minutes – She Didn’t Slow Down – Star Trek Fanfiction (Red Directive #44)

 

Leaving the captain’s quarters at oh eight hundred hours on my first full day of command had an eerie feel to it.

I looked at my old quarters when I was First Officer across the hall as I stepped into the corridor and felt indifferent.

I continued on into the corridor and headed towards the turbolift.

I tapped the panel next to the door when I reached it and stepped in. “Bridge.”

I took a controlled breath as the door shut behind me. I stood up tall and clasped my hands behind my back holding Lieutenant Darak’s new pip.

At first I questioned my decision about rushing his promotion when I was only the acting captain of the Cairo.

Then I reminded myself we were in the Gamma Quadrant and it was a necessity to have a First Officer at my side in this unexplored territory. The requirement outweighed the uncertainty.

In no time at all, the turbolift reached the bridge and the door slid open. I stepped onto the bridge and heard the boatswain whistle. “Captain, on the bridge.”

Gamma Shift had apparently been briefed on the new command.

I acknowledged with a slight nod and headed for the captain’s chair.

Alpha shift was starting to take over their consoles. Most yawning in doing so.

Four hours of sleep was more than sufficient for Vulcans, but not most other species.

I stopped at the Science Console as our Denobulan ensign was about to leave. He noticed me approach him, stopped and saluted me. “At ease, ensign.”

He put his hand down and mildly relaxed. “Aye, captain. Gamma shift reports no major incidents.”

“Acknowledged, ensign. Remain at station for further assignment.”

He gave me a small questioning look but nodded in acknowledgment and returned to the science console.

I could sense Lieutenant Darak behind me and I turned to face him. Based on the expression on his face, he knew exactly what was occurring.

I gave a single confirming nod and turned back to scan the rest of the bridge.

Ensign Jaxa was already taking over her shift at the helm when I walked in. Drim had just walked in from the turbolift and headed to the ensign sitting at the comms console to relieve him. Kurn had already assumed his position even before I stepped onto the bridge.

I walked towards the front of the bridge and without saying a word, Lieutenant Darak followed at a steady pace behind me. PADD in hand as expected.

We reached the main display showing the normal view of Warp 6. I paused for a brief moment to observe the field alignment, then turned to face my crew. Sharply, I stated, “Bridge.”

Everyone came to attention. Some with widened eyes.

I ensured I was positioned front and center to observe the crew as efficiently as possible. Our time together had been limited. However, depending on Starfleet Command, that duration may extend. Maintaining morale was therefore a functional requirement for mission success.

In a slightly elevated, controlled tone, I made my announcement, “Lieutenant Darak.”

He stepped forward and positioned himself beside me, turning to face the crew.

“Effective immediately, you will assume the role of First Officer.”

No reaction. No acknowledgement. Only silence.

I was focused on affixing Commander Darak’s new pip to his collar to assess the crew’s response.

I completed the adjustment, aligned the uniform precisely, then gestured toward the turbolift. “You will accompany me to the briefing room.”

He proceeded ahead of me.

I began to move and sensed Ensign Jaxa and Drim observing my movement.

I stopped at the helm and allowed my fingertips to rest briefly against the console. “Ensign Jaxa, maintain present heading.”

“Aye, captain.”

Her voice was subdued. Controlled, but uncertain. She returned her focus immediately to the main display, hands moving with disciplined precision.

It may have been a rapid decision, but it remained both rational and necessary regardless of crew perception.

I continued forward, pausing at the communications console where Drim was actively monitoring subspace channels. “Drim.”

He adjusted his console input and shifted full attention.

“Maintain communications lockdown. No traffic in or out. Monitor all bands for irregular activity and Starfleet frequencies.”

“Aye, captain.”

Drim complied without hesitation and resumed his monitoring. He appeared unaffected by the change in command structure. A predictable Ferengi trait.

I continued, stopping between tactical and science. I turned first toward science. “Ensign.”

The Denobulan ensign straightened immediately. “Yes, Captain T’Varen.”

“Your name.”

“Ensign Belar, captain.”

I remained still, hands clasped behind my back. Commander Darak was waiting at the turbolift.

“Your duty period has been extended, Ensign Belar. You will be relieved when operationally feasible. For now, you will remain at the science station for the duration of Alpha shift.”

His reaction indicated dissatisfaction. It was irrelevant. He would adapt.

“Report any irregularities immediately.”

“Aye, captain.”

His focus returned instantly to the console. Less reluctance… more urgency. Noted.

I then turned toward tactical. “Kurn.”

He looked up.

“You have the bridge.”

A brief grunt confirmed acknowledgment. He moved immediately toward the captain’s chair.

Commander Darak remained positioned at the turbolift.

In my experience, Cardassians exhibited impatience. This one did not.

As I approached, he activated the door panel and allowed me to enter first. He followed without delay. “Briefing Room, Deck Two.”

The turbolift began its descent. Silence was maintained.

The transition to deck two was brief. We entered the corridor adjacent to the captain’s quarters.

As we passed them, the sensation returned.

I glanced towards my old quarters. That space would now be occupied by our new First Officer, Commander Darak… 

The thought produced an unfamiliar response.

Not typical of Vulcan discipline.

We reached the briefing room and opened the door for us. Allowing me to step inside first. 

Without a word, he took the chair at the head of the briefing table where I used to sit from across the captain. I followed behind, then studied the captain’s chair before I finally sat down into it slowly. Everything about this still didn’t feel right.

I reminded myself, it wasn’t my ship, not my real command.

Aside from the lingering unease, I saw no value in delay. I looked at Commander Darak and held his gaze. “Assignment of First Officer is a position that carries increased responsibility. I expect no deviation in performance.”

“You will see none, captain.”

“Our objective is unchanged. We will return to the Alpha Quadrant and report to Starfleet command.”

He didn’t respond, because he knew I wasn’t finished. “The Cairo is operational… but no longer within standard design parameters.”

This time he nodded in agreement. He knew it as well as I did—he and Commander Pelia had made certain of it.

“As First Officer, you will also ensure operational continuity across all departments.”

Another head nod.

“You must remain in consistent contact with Commander Pelia in Engineering. Identify inefficiencies and correct them without delay.”

I paused, recalling I had not yet formalized the promotion. “Computer, update command structure and duty assignments accordingly.”

“Acknowledged.”

I looked back at Commander Darak. His gaze met mine without hesitation. “Deviation from established parameters will be addressed immediately…”

“I will ensure compliance, captain.”

As I studied his expression, I became aware of a conclusion I had not previously articulated. He was the only Cardassian I trusted. After our time alone on EOS Prospera, I had observed aspects of his species I had not accounted for. I noted that this would require eventual report to the Vulcan High Council.

His intelligence was… advantageous.

“This crew will function with precision.”

I barely completed the statement when my comm chirped. “Bridge to Captain T’Varen.”

It was Kurn.

“Report.”

“You need to return to the bridge. Now.”

No explanation. None required.

I tapped it again as Commander Darak and I exchanged a brief glance. “Acknowledged.”

We both stood immediately. There was no time—or need—for further exchange.

I moved quickly to the briefing room door and into the corridor, pushing past the lingering unease of the captain’s and first officer’s quarters without acknowledgment.

Commander Darak kept pace at my side without instruction.

We both reached for the turbolift panel at the same time, our hands making brief contact at the door panel. I withdrew mine immediately. He continued the motion and opened the door.

I noted the contact.

Unexpected.

Within acceptable parameters… for now.

We stepped inside and I observed him briefly from my peripheral. He showed no reaction to the minor contact.

He stated evenly, “Bridge.”

The turbolift ascended its short distance and within moments we were back on the bridge. I moved directly to the science console where Belar and Kurn were standing. Darak remained beside me, precisely where he was expected to be.

“Report.”

The ensign hesitated slightly. “We’re detecting minor variances in warp field alignment.”

I looked at the console. The readings appeared within acceptable parameters. I began to question the necessity of the interruption.

Then I felt it.

A shift in the ship’s rhythm.

Subtle… but present.

I looked back at the console. The variances were no longer isolated—they were increasing.

Kurn pointed toward the display. “That’s not minor, that’s total misalignment. Fields are starting to shear.”

Commander Darak stepped forward and reviewed the data himself. “At current rate, structural stress will exceed tolerance within 11 minutes.”

I looked between the three of them, then spoke sharply, “Bridge, at your stations, now!”

Everyone moved immediately to their assigned positions. Only Commander Darak remained at my side in the secondary command chair, PADD in hand, already running analysis.

The comm system chirped above us and Commander Pelia’s voice came through the speakers. “Engineering to Bridge.”

“Go ahead, Commander.”

“That didn’t take long did it? First officer, now is he?” She cackled into the comm.

“Tell me that is not why you contacted us, Commander. Report.”

She cut in immediately, “Of course not. What the hell is going on up there? The warp field is becoming increasingly unstable.”

“We are aware, commander. Crea—”

“It’s obvious,” she responded. “We should just drop from warp, safe and slow.”

Ensign Jaxa spoke up, her voice tight with concern. “I don’t know how safe that is, commander. We should maintain course.”

I saw Commander Darak shake his head. “That plan has a high probability of failure. I’ve run analysis on the variances. If we attempt recalibration at warp—revising tolerances and adjusting calculations—we can correct this into a new stabilized warp field. It is dangerous… but efficient.”

I considered their suggestions.

Dropping from warp was inefficient. Maintaining current conditions was unacceptable.

Darak’s solution… presented the highest probability of success.

The ship began to shake slightly. Not violently—but enough. Enough for every crew member to feel it.

I spoke, “Commander Pelia, you will realign the warp field while in transit.”

“Captain, that margin is—”

“Sufficient.”

A brief pause.

“Proceed, commander.”

“Engineering out.”

The transmission cut out and I looked over at Commander Darak as he continued running calculations across his PADD. He must have sensed my attention. “Margin for error is narrow.”

“Agreed.”

“Recommendation… immediate execution.”

The instability increased with each passing second.

“Commander, revise tolerances and adjust calculations in real time.”

He did not respond verbally, but his hands were already moving across the PADD.

Through the rising vibration of the ship, I gave the order. “Commander Darak… make it so.”

The computer initiated a countdown. “5… 4… 3…”

I did not question it. I knew the commander understood the parameters.

“2… 1…”

The ship stopped shaking abruptly. Not gradually—immediately.

Control restored.

Commander Darak spoke first. “Warp field stability has been restored within revised parameters.”

I turned to the helm. “Ensign Jaxa, report.”

“Course has been maintained. Arrival time to the Alpha Quadrant, unchanged.”

First day leaving the Gamma Quadrant… and just as anticipated, complications arose from the modifications made to the Cairo.

The ship was no longer operating as designed.

But it was operational…

Form was no longer relevant…