<USS Avalon> The Meeting with Valdez

The Meeting with Valdez
By Captain Keith Ketchum and Admiral Juanita Valdez (played by Felicity Roan)
 
Keith beamed over to the outer office for his meeting with Admiral Valdez, he 
looked at the Lieutenant acting as her secretary, âCaptain Ketchum reporting 
as requested.â
 
âAh, Captain, the Admiral is waiting for you, go right on it.â
 
âThank you, Lieutenant.â  He walked into her office and went to attention 
in 
front of her desk, âCaptain Keith Ketchum reporting as ordered, Ma'am.â
 
Standing, the Admiral was holding no less than four PADDs.  âAhh, the 
illustrious Captain Ketchum.  Your name has crossed my desk a bit too often as 
of 
late.  At ease, Captain, please have a seat, let us discuss recent Avalon 
events, 
shall we?â
 
âOf course, Admiral.â  He detailed the events lately with the events of 
engaging the Ferengi and destroying one of their ships, and what occurred in 
the 
retrieving of the Romulan from their clutches.
 
Sitting there expressionless, she tried to keep an open mind to the events as 
the unfolded from the Captain's perspective.  âWell that is quite the tale 
Captain, but I'm afraid, I have a Romulan and Ferengi Ambassador who both want 
me to toss you out on your âbastardized lobesâ I believe the Ferengi said.  
As 
for the Romulans, they are demanding his immediate return.â
 
âI can understand the need for the Romulan's return to his people, which can 
be arranged shortly, but I have some issues with what the items that he beamed 
to the Avalon.  That caused quarantine on one of the decks for quite a while. 
 And the Ferengi could have just given him over as requested.  Before they 
instigated a fire-fight.â
 
Juanita Valdez nodded somberly and pondered this information.  âCaptain, I 
understand your position and the fact that you have put the well-being of your 
crew first.  It would seem that the Ambassadors have neglected to include some 
crucial details in their reports.â  Quietly she added, âwhich doesn't 
surprise me in the slightest; however, it's all dog and pony show sometimes.
 
âPlease proceed to obtain all the information you can on whatever the Romulan 
released onto the Avalon and ensure that your crew prepares as detailed of 
briefs on any and all Medical side-effects.  Once you and your Security detail 
are satisfied, return him to the Romulans, with all due haste.  As for the 
Ferengi, well let's just ensure that we have a full play-back available of the 
events as they unfolded undoctored, of course, and sent to me for presentation 
to 
them.
 
âOh, and Captain, one last thing.  A word of advice?  Please ask your Covert 
Ops team to be a bit more 'Covert'.  I strongly dislike playing Admiral 
Smooth-Over and prefer playing Admiral Valdez.â  She smiled at him, not in a 
disapproving manner, but in one of support.  The Admiral had played her part in 
the 
younger days, and knew how much of a true balancing act it was for the officers.
 
âAye, Admiral, I will have Mr. Manson get those logs to you, unadulterated.  
I understand about Covert Ops.  I dislike putting you in the position.â  He 
thought for a moment, âI'm sure the crew is already working on what the 
Romulan 
beamed overâ, he winked, âWith out his knowledge, I'm sure.  I have a 
meeting 
with him when I get back to get his point of view on the situation and try to 
piece together what happened before we arrived.â  He paused for a moment, â
Anything else, Admiral?â
 
âYes, just one last thing Captain.  There is the matter of the destroyed 
Ferengi ship.  I don't want a response.  I only want you to listen here.  I am 
aware of your affiliation with the fallen crewman.  I understand that your 
sentiment might have gotten the better of you in this matter.  Off the record, 
there 
won't be a mention of it in my notes or records, but I caution you to not let 
the sentiment get the better of you again.â
 
Standing, Valdez offered Keith her hand, âCaptain Ketchum, as always it was 
nice to see you.  Here are your next set of orders as well as the necessary 
rendezvous codes for the mission.  Good luck and keep the Avalon's crew safe.  
Dismissed.â  She watched him exit and thought about her time as a Captain. 'I 
would have done the same thing in his shoes, but I probably wouldn't have left 
any survivors.  Damn the bastards to hell...'
 
He nodded and turned on his heal and walked out of her office.  He didnât 
even bother looking at the PADD, but beamed right back to the Avalon.  âTime 
to 
clean up the messâ, he muttered.

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