Lizzy McNizzy had done it. She’d secured passage aboard a freighter heading to the border. The local public comm channels themselves showed that something was going on near Rhontaka system as civilian ships and commercial vessels were all reporting to stay away as several Starfleet ships had been seen streaking that direction.

For her next big story, she had a doozy of an interview planned, she had a contact on the Culver City was going to get her in touch with the hot, fresh new CO, LCdr Varyn K’lev. Lizzy would be lying if she said she didn’t find him very attractive in his profile picture. But she wasn’t here to pick up a date, she was here pick up a scoop. The Sheliac and Tholians had never liked each other much but this was the closest the 2 had been to actual war in several decades. And if war was going to pop off out here, her Mcnizzits would be the first ones to hear about it.

((CC, Bridge))

Bong recieved a call from a civilian freighter. It simply asked to speak with the Captain. So he tapped his comm badge and informed K’lev who was in his ready room. As Lotharys looked on oddly.

In his ready room, a puzzled look crossed K’lev’s face as he received the chief’s notification.  “Did they say what they needed?” he asked Bong.

“No sir. The comm is from one, Elizabeth McNizzy. Should I ask her to state her business sir?” Bong replied from the bridge.

Lotharys perked up immediately.  “No way!” she blurted out in excitement, before she could help herself.  Regaining composure quickly, she addressed Bong.  “She’s one of my favorite independent journalists.”

K’lev heard her speak, but with her distance from Bong’s combadge he couldn’t make out what Lotharys had said.  “If you would, please, Chief, but unless she’s trying to sell me something I’ll take the hail anyway.”

“Patching it through sir.” Bong said.

“So Captain. I work for Star Crossed and I’m also an independent holocaster. I was wondering if I could get a quick interview with you. I know you probably don’t have a lot of time, what with the war brewing here on the borders and all. I promise not to ask about anything that’s classified” She said, fishing already. It wasn’t at all true, because in fact, the situation on the Tholian border was currently classified as ‘Secret’ though not ‘Top Secret’ yet.

K’lev settled back in his desk chair, quickly typing a text message to Chief Bong that read Press.  Wants an interview; how’d she know about this mess?  And how’d she know we were involved in it? before he answered.  “I can perhaps try to answer a few simple questions, Ms. McNizzy, but I’m not sure how much I can say beyond that.”

“Oh thats great thanks. So, I’ll start off with an easy one. What did it feel like rescuing the crew of the Shuswap? That was your vessel and the…Blythe right?” Lizzy jumped right into it. She’d had good sources.

Oh good, a not-classified one, K’lev thought to himself.  “Shuswap’s a tough ship, with a skilled crew; knowing she was in trouble was sobering.  Thing is, in a situation like that there’s not a moment to lose; if you stop and think, you might get there too late to help.  We were lucky to be in the right place at the right time, with the right people and the right knowledge, that when the call came we could answer, and I know I speak for everyone aboard both Culver City and Blythe when I say we were glad we got to her in time to help her out.”

“Hmm, thats touching Commander….really…and what about the crew of the Kozlov that was lost a few days before in the same incident that left the Shuswap nearly crippled. I heard only a few dozen of her crew were recovered alive.” Lizzy knew how to go for guts on stories, and she smelled a good one here.

“I had heard the same,” K’lev nodded sadly.  “I wish there was something we could have done for her survivors, but all we had on sensors at the time was Shuswap, and she had our hands full.  I do know, though, that the ship that rescued them no doubt did all they could.  Of course, though, that’s hollow comfort to grieving families.”  He sighed.  “The only comfort I can offer right now is that their memories won’t be forgotten.”