New Assignment
Posted on Wed Nov 12th, 2025 @ 1:18am by Captain M'Raz & Lieutenant Tavin Suárez
1,234 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Collating Data
Location: Conference Room 12 | Starbase 343
The corridor lights of Starbase 343 provided enough illumination to see the smallest speck of dust on the bulkheads, reflecting off the polished deck plating as Lieutenant Tavin Suárez made his way to an office to speak with Captain Arev who had his new orders, information about his next assignment. The station itself an aging but well-kept facility that felt like a place of transition. Too busy for peace, too quiet for war, but tension was building and the recent catastrophe in the Sol system was tipping the scale. Though War often meant knowing one's enemy, and the Federation knew nothing of The Borg.
Tavin’s boots clicked in measured rhythm, a Vulcan’s discipline wrapped around that ever present pulse of Human curiosity. His orders had been simple: Report to Captain Arev at a specified time for reassignment. Nothing more. The vagueness was unsettling, but intelligence officers were accustomed to uncertainty and being uprooted abruptly, but this kind of silence usually meant something else.
He passed a view port where a pair of old Oberth class science vessels hung against the black. Beyond them some larger starships that seemed to be alert and ready. The situation had left everyone on edge.
A junior ensign stepped aside as he approached. “Lieutenant Suárez, the Captain is expecting you. Office Level Three, Section B.”
Tavin gave a polite nod. “Thank you, Ensign.” His accent was softly shaped by both Vulcan precision and his father’s old Terran Spanish infections that made the simple reply sound almost musical to some.
The lift did it's job and it carried him upward. He clasped his hands behind his back, trying not to dwell on the possibilities. A reassignment could mean anything from providing guidance to a Federation Ambassador to a desk job at some forward operating base... or something far more dangerous.
He collected his thoughts and composed his posture as he stood outside the office waiting for the Captain to acknowledge his presence.
"Enter," Arev said. After weeks of working out of a Conference Room, the office had been proposed as a quieter spot. Personally though he preferred the Conference Room and the presence of others. After everything that had happened, people of any species were welcome.
Doing as permitted, Tavin Suárez entered. "Captain Arev?" He had never met the man before. Tavin was hoping he had indeed found the right office and the right Captain. "Lieutenant Suárez, Sir. I was told you have information and new orders for me. A new assignment by the sound of it. That and it seems like everything I have is sitting in a cargo hold."
"I am he," Arev said. "Please, have a seat. This won't take long. You're being assigned to the USS Crazy Horse which is due to depart shortly. Your gear is hopefully en route to the ship already; if not, you can catch up with it the next time you're back this way. Any questions?"
Tavin nodded cautiously. "Well, yes, I do. I have several, but I believe that is logical given my going into this relatively blindly, Captain. Respectfully, I would like to know about my new assignment. What is it that the... Crazy Horse will be doing?"
The intelligence officer prepared to listen and take mental notes. "I suspect this abrupt assignment is because of what happened in the Sol system. If you'll excuse my ignorance. We don't know much about the Borg yet from what I understand, and up until recently, Sir, my concentration has been the Cardassian incursions or as they tend to spin 'minor navigational errors' into Federation space and occasionally checking in on the instability of the Klingon houses."
"The Captain will fill you in on all of that," Arev said. "It's unclear at this point how deeply the Borg have penetrated our communications so, for the moment anyway, mission parameters have been compartmentalized."
"A logical course of action," replied Tavin. The lieutenant gave an affirming nod. He did not know anything about the Crazy Horse, who its current Captain was, nor it's crew which apparently included him. "That these Borg got into the Sol system is disheartening. Heightened security measures make sense. May I inquire as to who has command of the Crazy Horse?"
"Captain M'Raz," Arev answered at once. He called up the captain's record and did a quick survey before continuing. "Nine years in command. Second officer on the Jane Addams; assumed command when the captain and first officer were killed in actions along the Cardassian border. Survived the attack on Sol System and the Battle of Arcturus. From the citations and commendations on his record, he's capable and determined."
Tavin appreciated the rundown. "Yes, Captain M'Raz sounds more than capable for this. I believe we would be able to make headway in this conflict be it through diplomacy or tactical strategic offense. Though we do not know much about the Borg, there must be a weakness. I am determined to help find that."
"When it comes to the Borg," Arev said, "there will be no diplomatic overtures. Admiral Stillwell's orders. Beyond that, the Admiral has indicated that 'cautious' diplomatic efforts could be possible. The Admiral has expectations that there are those will use this situation to their advantage. His words."
"No diplomatic overtures?" Tavin raised a brow. "We have..." Tavin paused and thought about the next series of words to come out of his mouth. He pursed his lips. "This must be an incredibly perplexing circumstance. That the the Federation has opted not to attempt to explore diplomatic avenues."
"Captain Istrade of the USS Broker attempted diplomatic contact after the events in Sol System," Arev said. "She and the entire crew of the Broker were lost. I'm surprised you didn't see the live stream footage of the event."
"An attack on the Sol System was not on my purview at the time. It took me by surprise as it did the fleet," stated Tavin. "Suffice to say, I did watch the attack and aftermath from afar. Helplessly from afar."
"Indeed," Arev said. "I doubt that will be the case any longer. It's my understanding that Captain M'Raz intends to get into the fight." He paused a moment to study the man opposite him. "If this is a concern for you, if you would prefer to remain behind the lines, now would be the time to say so."
Tavin Suárez was quick to make a interjecting motion with his hand "No. That's not what I meant nor what I want" he quickly stated. "Up until the Sol attack from the Borg, we were more concerned with the Cardassians and the Romulans. The Borg have changed everything. This is where I need to be."
"Very well," Arev said as he passed over a PADD containing what they had on the Lieutenant's service record and a copy of his orders. "Report to Captain M'Raz aboard the Crazy Horse and, pending his approval, you'll take up the position of Chief Intelligence Officer for the ship."
"Thank you, Sir. I will report to the Crazy Horse and see Captain M'Raz," replied Tavin. "May we bring this conflict with the Borg to a close soon" added the intelligence officer as he prepared to depart.
"Agreed," Arev said, "and ... you are dismissed."
Captain Arev
Temporarily Attached to Assignments
Starbase 343
Lieutenant Tavin Suárez
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Crazy Horse
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