Cogito ergo sum

[Akhetaten]

"So what's the plan? You're clearly not going to sit here and watch from the sidelines," the Commodore's voice echoed through the Vice Admiral's quarters.

"I didn't call this meeting so you can ask me what the plan is, Edwards," Maria responded with a firm tone, "offer me ideas."

It would be a silent two or three minutes in Uhmen's quarters after her last statement, as her guests were pondering.

"Vice Admiral, may I?"

"As you were, Captain," she turned her head to look towards Brown who was seated on the opposite side of the desk.

"I believe you should discuss the matter with someone that can do something about it first. I think that is the solution you're looking for, ma'am."

"She's not wrong," Christopher said, standing in front of the observation window and looking out towards space, "Kemp-Smith has already shown he trusts you."



"It's only right if you at the very least consult him, Uhmen."

He wasn't wrong. Uhmen knew she already had the Fleet Admiral's full support on all of her previous endeavours not only in Ontario but also in Coronado. Not only that, but Kemp-Smith had even gone the extra step to share the Vice Admiral's trust for Revenant - something which came as a pleasant surprise to Uhmen.



"So what are you suggesting then? I tell the Fleet Admiral that the Republic's doing nothing about the alien threat? That all our hopes so far lay with the LSF who are not even to be trusted? That we need Auxo's help in this?"

"Don't be silly, Maria."

"Think of it differently; the Republic has thrown countless of resources and its best engineers - its biggest minds - into Project Akhetaten. From the ship's very construction thirty-four years ago to her return to service seven years ago to her retrofit four years ago. What matters truly is how you approach the matter and how you form your.. complaints."

"Elaborate."

"Ask for a hearing; perhaps a comms channel with the Government. Speak with them. Offer solutions to the problem rather than simply mentioning the problem. That's what they looove to hear. Solutions."

The Vice Admiral's gaze would turn towards the Commodore who almost spoke in riddles. He'd stare back at her through the reflection on the glass.

"The difficult part is finding those solutions," he added, "I've got a few things in mind myself to pitch towards the Fleet Admiral. But we'll not only need his approval," he turned his head towards the Vice Admiral, his eye locking onto hers before he continued, "we'll also need his own opinions on the matter - don't forget that."



"So what are those solutions you're pondering of?" She asked the Commodore.

"Give some time, Uhmen. I'll need to think about it some more," the man replied before walking towards the door, "I'll let you know when I've got something to work with," he added before stepping out of the Vice Admiral's quarters.

"Dismissed, Captain," Uhmen nodded to Brown, who firmly got to her feet and walked out of the quarters.