<USS Avalon> Opportunities

Opportunities

by Junior Lieutenant James Monroe



"Congratulations, Ensign. Starfleet is proud of you," Captain Straker?s voice 
cut through the small click of Monroe and his friends. Ensign James Monroe, 
hearing his docent, turned with a smile and a respectful nod. They shook hands 
and the Captain looked at the five other graduates Monroe had taken company, 
"Ensigns, congratulations."

Captain Straker, an Academy docent for the last three years, was the average 
height, a little pudgy from what he always claimed was sitting behind a desk 
far too long. The first hints of greying hair showed on his sideburns, and he 
had piercing grey eyes that if Straker got serious, a cadet could not refuse 
his demands and obedience was instant and unquestioned. But he was not without 
a sense of humor.

It was rumored around the Academy that Straker was a two star admiral that was 
demoted after he lost a squadron of ships in a matter of minutes during a 
Dominion attack on the Rigel supply routes. Apparently he had initiated a move 
against a higher ranking Admiral and his wing cost him more than three thousand 
lives. He subsequently lost command after the blunder, and reduced to 
Commander. Had it not been for Starfleet?s desperate need for people, the man 
would have lost his career. But it was also Straker?s experience that made him 
invaluable despite his dark history. 

Or so that was rumored. The other was a story of Straker being a ground soldier 
who put his men at risk during a planetary defense against four regiments of 
Jem?Hadar. Not willing to back down, he nearly lost all of those under his 
command. Needless to say, his career down spiraled from then on. No one had the 
nerve to ask Captain Straker.

"Thank you, sir," came as the immediately response from all of them. 

James gestured to towards his friends, "Captain- from left to right, this is 
Ensign Lyran, Mitchell, P?ral, Despatie, and Johansen."

Straker nodded, giving the most professional smile he could muster. He had to 
talk to Monroe, away from the crowd yet keep it casual. "Monroe, I don?t mean 
to interrupt your celebration, but I need to talk to you for a little bit."

Monroe looked at him curiously but immediately nodded as he placed his drink 
down on the closest table. He made some quick movements with his hands about 
being back soon and swerved his way through the crowd. He had lost Straker in 
the little time it took to put his drink down and struggled to catch up with 
the Captain who kept walking in a straight line- as if he was completely 
isolated. 

It was a few moments before Monroe caught up to Straker, "sir?"

"Have you ever considered the possibility of making your career past a 
starship?"

Monroe frowned, "well, not really. What did you have in mind?"

Straker turned smiling a little, but it seemed to fade at the edges, "you?re a 
very promising individual, you know that Monroe?" He smirked, "of course you 
do." 

Humor sparked in his eyes for the first few seconds but faded ever so slightly. 
"To make my point clearly, Monroe; I?ve placed a recommendation to Starfleet 
Intelligence based on your performance during your last two years at the 
Academy."

"May I ask why?"

Straker laughed, "I don?t think I need to tell you how good you are with covert 
operations, Monroe. You?re like a natural that with a little more practice 
would be perfect. But, it?s your decision. I didn?t want Intel ringing your 
doorbell asking when you were getting to work before I got a moment to talk to 
you first."

"I?ve also passed the basics of all ship procedures- and I do want to be on a 
starship. But if I go with Intel, will I even be on a starship?"

Straker shook his head, "I don?t know, Monroe. Intel sends you where you need 
to be. And if they send you on a starship, so much the better. But Monroe, this 
is an opportunity to work within Starfleet. Granted, the risks of being an 
operative cannot be seen as a greater or lesser degree than being on a 
starship, but it would suit to what you?ve been good at. Your reports say you 
passed the most of the courses like sniping, infiltration, hacking, stealth 
piloting," he smiled, "do I have to keep going on here?"

Monroe shook his head, "no, you don?t sir. But... Intel. It?s not something I 
thought I would be going into. Not now, not ten years from now."

Straker nodded, "I understand. It wasn?t until near the end of the war did I 
find myself in Intelligence, working on gathering information that could be 
used against the Dominion. Of course, I didn?t have to start at the bottom, but 
I had my fair of field operations. It?s a whole different point of view, 
Monroe. A lot of planet hopping. Or not, I saw myself on ships as well.

"So, Monroe, you have two choices. You can go with the Fleet and be on a 
starship. No harm, no worries. Or join Intel and still have the opportunity. 
With your skills, you become quite a commodity. Your rank and performance will 
be at the same standards as the rest in the fleet. Granted, it will be harder 
for you in your beginning years, but you?ll adapt just fine. As I said Monroe, 
just be aware that Intel has their eyes on you."

"And if I do join Intel? How long will do I have to make a decision? And how do 
I know they haven?t already accepted me?" He paused for a second, "how long ago 
did you put your recommendation in, sir?"

Straker smiled, Monroe?s questions brought that out of him. He was quick, but 
his questions weren?t accurate and to the point- enough. Intel would fix 
that."I placed my recommendation more than four months ago. Since then they 
have been monitoring you."

"So you were filling them in."

"Well, not just me, Monroe. A few others. Anyway, should you decide, Intel 
would like you to contact them in two days on a secure channel with this chip," 
Straker held out a chip and gestured for Monroe to take it. 

Monroe looked at the translucent green chip, no bigger than business card. 
Straker read Monroe, "If you don?t contact them in two days, the chip will be 
rendered useless."

"Alright, if I say yes, then what happens?" 

Another fix Intel could help with. Monroe?s belief that Straker had all the 
answers. Well, he did when it came to recruiting Monroe, but the assumption was 
not a good indicator."Why, you start immediately after contacting them. You 
will have two days to get everything in order. Starfleet Command will be 
notified that you will not be taking a post on a ship. Your request to the 
U.S.S. Delphi will be declined. You?ll receive transportation to Starbase 
Twelve, where you will have meeting with Captain Holden. The instructions are 
all in there, too. So don?t worry if you can?t remember everything now," the 
smile faded, barely recognizable and Monroe noticed that the spark his 
Straker?s eyes had gone out. It was all serious.

Monroe had gotten all of that, and kept it as clear as he could in his memory. 
"And where will you be, sir?"

Straker chuckled. The spark in his eyes had returned, "why here of course. 
Command knows that we recruit regularly. I won?t be seeing you after this, 
Monroe. New recruits, new people."

Monroe nodded, taking a second glance at the chip on his fingers. Straker 
continued, "which ever choice you make, Monroe, neither will harm your record. 
Think of it as simply a transfer. No harm, no strings attached. Hope you do 
join Intel, it?ll be a waste for all that skill to be used on a starship only."

Monroe looked up but Straker had already made his way back into the crowd, 
leaving Monroe to look at Straker?s back and then disappear as the crowd 
blocked Monroe?s view. 

"Monroe, stop standing there and get over here," Lyran shouted, waving his arms 
out.

He glanced at the chip, unsure what he was going to do. It did sound intriguing 
and promising to have the opportunity to have more experience than just being 
on a starship.

"Come on man, quit being a dead weight," Lyran shouted again. Monroe chuckled 
and stuffed the small object into his pocket.


                
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