A Strategic Check In

Posted on Wed Jan 5th, 2022 @ 5:56pm by Rear Admiral Rune Thul & Fleet Admiral Sturnack

Mission: Episode 2: 18th and Constitution
Location: Starfleet Medical, Reception
Timeline: Mission Day 11 at 0930

"You look great Imzadi," Vestar Khai said with a smirk as he played with Rune's collar and smoothed out the dress uniform of a Rear Admiral. "You have come so far, been through so much, this will only add to your strength and courage."

Rune narrowed his eyes at his husband and was fighting a losing battle with a smile that emerged after a sigh of resignation. "You always know what to say to make me be able to take on anything Imzadi and I love you for it, amongst other things. Are you and the boys getting settled?" Ro asked as the two watched each other and their surroundings.

Much had happened, a bombing at a Romulan Embassy that caused the deaths and injured just as many of several high ranked officers including the Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet. A solar double event at the Chalvana system, which Rune immediately suspected was foul play. Things like that didn't happen without warning. Though why there? Rune had wondered when it was reported on by the FNN. Something else was going on especially since it was before the bombing almost like a distraction, Rune had been an Intelligence operative long enough to get these hunches and they usually panned out correct.

They stood at the entrance to Starfleet Medical in San Francisco. Many coming and going past them in a rush. It seemed like no one could be in the moment like Rune and Vestar had learned to do considering all they have been through together.

"We will be, you had to stay while we went back home to get our stuff and make sure everything was packed." Vestar said still grief and pain in his voice. The funeral was still fresh in their minds and while they had all said their goodbyes and said all they wanted to say. The loss hurt regardless as emotions knew nothing of how or why they occur, just that they occur.

A tear fell down Rune's face and Vestar reached up and wiped it away. "I know, she'd be proud of you now you must go, Starfleet Command waits for no one and there is much to do." He planted a kiss on Rune's lips, soft yet passionate and smiled after pulling back. "I shall see you tonight, Rear Admiral Rune Thul, Director of Strategic Command. Go," Vestar said and gently pushed the Betazoid towards the doors.

Rune walked a few steps then looked back and saw Vestar waving as he ran off to the vehicle that dropped them off. "Courage!" Vestar called back and laughed as he got into the vehicle. Rune growled in annoyance and fierce love for that man, he turned back to the doors and entered.

He graduated the Academy and immediately dispatched into intelligence undercover work for most of his adult life that had taught him many skills and lessons, hopefully they will guide him in the semi political area of which he wanted no part. It seemed the universe and the deities had plans for him in that area, as he walked through the corridors of Starfleet Medical, a place he knew well as he had been surgically altered many times. Rune hoped that they knew what they were doing.

He was to report to the Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet, talk about nerve-racking as it seemed to finally sink in; he was now military advisor to the leader of Starfleet. A shiver ran down his back as he made his way, though considering the male was in a recovery room helped lessen the intense apprehension when one meets their leaders. A Vulcan male by the name of Sturnack, Vulcans, not the most pleasant people to be around but they are good and that is enough, well most of them.

"I'm sorry but visiting hours hasn't started yet," a voice from behind.

Rune turned around to find a medical officer who immediately snapped to attention once they saw his rank on his dress uniform. He may have growled at them, he wasn't sure as he returned the salute. "I'm here to see the Commander-in-Chief."

"I'm again sorry Admiral but the Commander-in-Chief in particular isn't accepting visitors at this time, however you can call him from one of the terminals back at reception." The medical officer replied apologetically and gestured back the way Rune had come, he was almost there anyway.

Rune eyed the medical officer for several moments in annoyance. He could now sense the thoughts of tension from them under his gaze. He put his hands behind his back and began walking towards reception with a frown.

He stood at the terminal once they arrived and the medical officer tapped at the console then waited standing in front of the terminal. The Commander-in-Chief's face came onto the display.

The face was lined with age: were Sturnack a human, he'd appear to be in his late 40s. As a Vulcan, however, his lifespan was much longer and more gradual in terms of aesthetic changes. Appearances were deceiving after all, it seemed. "Yes?" the Fleet Admiral asked, dressed not in a Starfleet uniform but a hospital gown, instead.

"Sir, I have someone here for you, are you well enough to speak with them?" The medical officer asked.

"I am," Sturnack nodded slowly. Given the state he was in, the list of visitors allowed up to see him was very small indeed. Most people who needed his attention had simply used the comm but, it seemed, someone really wanted to see him in person for some reason.

Rune began tapping his boot on the floor in annoyance at the medical officer, it wasn't loud enough to be heard by the Vulcan and for that he was grateful. He waited to be allowed to talk to the Fleet Admiral.

"Ah," came Sturnack's voice as Thul came within view. "Greetings Rear Admiral. I assume you have come to report in formally?" he asked, already anticipating the answer. "I am afraid I am not in an optimal state for company at the moment. However, since you are already here, you may come up anyway. Sturnack out," he nodded before the screen went dark.

Well that was that Rune mused and found that the medical officer left having returned to their duties. He made his way to the turbolift and realised one finger was tapping at the spot just behind his right ear. Though not as active as it had been during his youth, it was the ritual that calmed him as he walked.

Once at the room his superior was in Rune tapped the chime and waited.

"Enter," came Sturnack's stoic voice. As the doors swished open -- revealing the office that had been converted to a hybrid recovery room/command center -- the Vulcan could be seen sitting in a hover chair near the room's large windows. Beyond, the Golden Gate Bridge was visible in the distance as the green grounds of the Presidio spread out around Starfleet Medical. "Welcome, Rear Admiral," Sturnack said, looking away from the windows and swiveling his chair to face the new arrival. "I assume you wish to formally check in?" he asked, steepling his fingers in front of him.

"Rear Admiral Rune Thul, hereby ordered to assume Directorship of Strategic Command reporting for duty sir." Ro stated, a half smile appeared afterwards. "Thank you sir, I'm still reading up on my predecessor's documentation and current events. I am grateful you are still with us Admiral. Leadership is vital to stability, I can help your burden in terms of external affairs while your attention can be focused here on Earth." He said and gave a semi bow.

"While I appreciate your assistance," Sturnack said, "my attention is far-reaching indeed. Certainly beyond just Earth," the Vulcan noted. "However, I am glad to hear that you are bringing yourself up to speed on current events. A lot has happened...and is still to happen yet," he said, glancing up at the Admiral from the confines of his hover chair. "I officially welcome you to Starfleet Command, Admiral. Your service and expertise will be well appreciated by this administration."

Rune gave a half bow, his expression was somber. "It is the timing of all this," he said with concern. "And why the Chalvana system, then there's the order of how things happened. It all seems directed," Ro stated as he came to stand by the Vulcan.

"With a bombing in one hand," Sturnack cupped the air with his left hand, "and a system-wide crisis in the other," he held up his right, "it is difficult to dismiss the notion that the two could, somehow, be interconnected. Homeworld Security and Starfleet Intelligence are both working hard to sort through the miasma that is the embassy incident. You will, as they say, have your job cut out for you with the Chalvana incident," the Vulcan nodded.

"I have to insist on that they are linked, for it cannot be a coincidence that both events happened to have a Romulan connection. The Romulans don't do things randomly, well as far as I had learned during my undercover mission on Romulus years ago." Ro said with a nod. "The only question that needs to be answered is why. There could be a Romulan presence still in Chalvana, if this is important to them they'd want to monitor to situation." He had an idea, though he'd love to do it himself but that is the trade off isn't it, position for freedom. "Though I'll admit bombing their own embassy seems counterproductive unless it was an act to throw us off but they have sacrificed their own people and assets for their goals."

"The Romulans are not usually keen to waste manpower and material," Sturnack offered back. "There's a theory that the Romulans are, perhaps, being implicated by some other power that wishes to remain hidden. Investigations are, naturally, underway. And, of course," the Vulcan nodded, "you will have your own part to play in all of this. Now that you are formally in role, I'd like you to coordinate with the other departments: Admirals Hurroo and van Groesbeck are working the situations from their different angles. Strategic Command will need to coordinate with them."

"Now," Sturnack looked up, "I have a physical therapy session with Doctor Cowell to prepare for. If you need anything additional from me, please feel free to contact me over the comm. Thank you for your visit," he nodded, moving his hands to sit in his lap.

Romulans being framed? The Obsidian Order maybe capable of doing that and Rune wouldn't put it past them. He nodded to Sturnack. "Understood and thank you for letting me visit. I hope to see you back at Command soon, have a good day sir." Ro said and giving a half bow and walked out.

=/\= A joint post by... =/\=

Fleet Admiral Sturnack
Commander-in-Chief
Starfleet Command

and

Rear Admiral Rune Thul
Director of Strategic Command
Starfleet Command