Well it had to happen sooner or later - Recert Dean House FINAL

Posted on Mon Aug 16th, 2021 @ 4:23pm by Remal Kajun & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Commander Dean House

Mission: Gamma Quadrant
Location: USS Sunfire Holodeck
Timeline: Before returning to DS9

snip - The simulation ended leaving nothing but a hologrid behind. That and three men, standing near the center. Remal looked to the computer, "Begin phase two." He announced. - snip

Remal approached Dean, motioning to the center chair, a good place to rest and contemplate for those interested. "So, Mr. House how do you feel?" Always the first question.

Dean glanced up at the two of them a moment and then to the chair there. Not sure how he felt about sitting or not. It could be seen on his face. However, to the question asked that was easy, "Disappointed."

"For what reason or reasons Mr. House?" Savar asked. "Are there areas you feel you could have improved upon?"

"Nothing is ever as easy as it might seem, which it does, but overthinking that aspect probably got to me." The second question would take a little more time to think about.

"Well, if you don't mind, and the Commander doesn't mind, considering it should have no bearing on the outcome at this point. I would like to enlighten you as to the bigger picture." Remal offered in a knowing way, his hands carefully placed behind his back.

"I know I'm not perfect." Dean motioned a hand out, saying by all means.

"I have no objections Chief. Please enlighten Mr. House to the bigger picture." Savar replied with his trademark Vulcan cool.

"Computer, replay from time index 08.075." the computer reset the scene to where the Sunfire originally scanned the system for warp trails. "Computer, remove the nebula and decloak the vessles." The computer chirped and responded.

Within the nebula, or lack thereof, 2 ships a good distant apart and in no danger one to the other. One the freighter Vengeance and the other an attack ship of unknown make and origin.

Outside the boundaries of the former nebula in a heavy class of Klingon Cruiser, a Klingon border patrol. "From what I can tell when you entered the system and discovered the cloaked Klingon ship, instead of attempting communication, you jumped to the conclusion they were hostile. You went so far as to lure them away and then proceeded to waste precious time calling for backup which was never going to come."

"In fact the Klingons were on patrol nearby, caught the distress call and came to the aid of the freighter as well. They stopped shy of entering because, like you, they would be defenseless upon entering. This scenario was stacked against you from the start, but when you start second guessing yourself, trusting your bridge crew exclusively, and making choices without all of the facts, you're bound to struggle." Remal said with a comforting grin. He was trying to be constructive, not destructive with his words.

"I was unaware of that fact. I did try everything I could think of to get assistance and no one came. Not even, our own Starfleet vessels." Dean still hadn't sat. "So I'm not completely sure if that was the program, or you two changing things. Either way, I know I did. There is one thing I don't agree with however." Pausing, "Maybe another, however, the main one.."

"Please elaborate Mr. House." Savar pressed the tactical chief.

"If they were friendly, and I didn't call and assumed they weren't. Why didn't they reach out. If you think about it, logically, being allies. They should have, and I believe did, get the signal. Never bothered to send a reply, or ask."

"Perhaps they were waiting to see what you'd do. Who knows really, with Klingons, or with simulations. Perhaps the scenario was programmed to wait for your input before triggering the next phase. Either way, you didn't immediately assume friendly. Which is not to say a bad thing, but until you tried you would have never known. "

"Now, after everything you've encountered, and everything you've been told, is there anything you feel you could have done differently to effect a different outcome? Now think about this one, I know you are a creative man, the probe thing was pretty crafty, right Savar?" Remal tried his best to steer the conversation towards a finale.

"Indeed it was Chief." Savar agreed. "I'm sure Mr. House agrees with us though I am waiting to hear his input on anything he could have done differently."

"To be honest, I believe the both of you already listed out what could have been done differently or tried. Even if there were some other ideas that were done. Thank you about the probe, by the way, sirs." Just a quick pause, "I could have, checked again instead of assuming. More than once. Maybe not have tried all the extra things that ran down the time the freighter had. Or had those done, while going ahead in to get there first."

"It takes on the spot thinking and creativity to get the job done sometimes, as long as you remember the basics. I have no further questions right now. I will have to review the data. What about you Commander, anything further?"

Savar looked at the tactical officer before replying. After a few seconds he replied. "I do not believe so Chief. I am of the opinion Mr. House showed himself in the best positive light under the circumstances and conditions he was faced with."

Dean gives a side glance for a moment. Eyes moving back and forth a bit, like he didn't quite hear Savar right. However, he wasn't going to question it and was going to take it.

Savar saw House's look. "Something you wish to say, Mr. House?" He inquired.

There was an amused look on his face a moment, "Nothing more than thank you for your words, sir."

"I believe the correct response is your welcome Lieutenant," Savar replied to House

"That is generally it, or some semblance of it, yes." Dean gave a nod and a light smile.

"Alright gentlemen, I believe we are done here. Computer, end simulation and show us the exit please." Remal just wanted the back and forth display to be over. Besides, he had enough information to submit his report to Starfleet. He motioned to the door, "After you, gentlemen."

"Thank you, sirs. I look forward to reading the report." Or sneaking to read it himself one way or another. Dean moved across the grid to the heavy doors.

OFF