"Report From Higher Up"
[ Con't from Jessica's "All We Need Is A Little Time To Think and Rest" ]
###################
{{The First Law of Robotics States that: A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.}}
- Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992)
--==(/\)==--
Stardate: 60304.0900
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section D, Level 5, Primary umbilical connection to the USS ANUBIS
"Captain!" A very respectful voice called out as the man exsited his ship to take care of business on the station, "may I have a moment of your time?"
James T. Simmons, former Commanding Officer of the USS AVALON and now the man in charge of one of only four Scarab-Class ships assigned to NEW ALEXANDRIA, smiled inwardly. He had not seen the person who had called out to him, but the senior most officer of the USS ANUBIS knew exactly who it had been. It only took a fraction of a second for the captain to visually confirm his suspicions once he had turned around to see the towering Oltharian as he approached.
"Lieutenant Fairborn," Captain Simmons said with an inviting smile remembering the giant from his time on his former ship. "What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to make sure that the upgrades to the SPHINX and BARRACUDA had meet your expectations," the imposing Oltharian said in an overly respectful tone, a tone that was not unusual for the pacific giant who had never in his career raised his voice at anyone for any reason.
"Lieutenant," James said as he resumed his walk to the station followed by the massive engineer, "I clearly remember your dedication to your work and am absolutely certain that whatever work has been done will not only meet my expectations but also yours, which I greatly suspect are set several notches higher than mine."
"You are too kind Captain," the Oltharian replied, adding a deep bow of respect. "I merely aim to please."
Upon hearing that the ANUNIS' Commanding Officer stopped in his tracks and turned to look at the mountain walking next to him. "Lieutenant, it has been my experience that many who claim to, and I quote, 'Aim to please' are in dire need of target practice. That said though I am glad to see that there are exceptions to this and that I count you amongst them."
"Again you are too kind Captain," Elan said, the smile on his face saying it all.
"Now," James continued, "I remember you well enough not to be one to openly question your own work, so why come to me this time and ask about the upgrades? You could have as easily confirmed the perfect working condition of those drones without my input. So my guess is that there is something else on your mind."
The Oltharian's head dropped indicating to James that he had hit the nail right on the head. As large as Elan might have been, there had been one characteristic about the colossus that made him the loveable giant that everyone liked - he was a simple man to understand.
"Captain Simmons," Fairborn began than stopped as if suddenly reconsidering what he had wanted to say. After several moments of uncomfortable silence, the Oltharian continued with a question that James instinctively knew had not been what the engineer had wanted to say when this little discussion had begun. "How is Lieutenant Dawson?"
"David is recovering in the Infirmary," the Captain replied as he looked into the giant's white eyes in an attempt to understand the thought process that had lead to this. "You should go and speak with him," James added, "I am sure that he will be most pleased to have a fellow engineer pay him a visit."
"Considering what I did to him," Elan admitted, "I do not feel it to be my place to visit him as he is recuperating from whatever ailment he had been suffering from."
"Elan," James countered with tapping the giant on the back, or at least as close to the Oltharian's back as the Captain could reach. "You did what needed to be done and I am sure that David will not hold you or anyone else responsible for what happened. We all have our moments, and it was fortunate that you were there to put a stop to his before it got worse. He won't be angry at you," the ANUBIS' Commanding Officer grinned, "in fact I think that he might actually be grateful for what you did."
"I strongly doubt that Lieutenant Dawson will be grateful for my having knocked him unconscious," the Oltharian said with scepticism, "but I do appreciate your attempt to make me feel better about the events that unfolded."
"Listen," James began in a tone of voice that partially echoed his rank and experience while at the same time coming across as one engineer speaking to another, "if you are so concerned about going to see David on your own, ask Serenna or Sabrina to accompany you. They will make sure that everything goes smoothly, not that I suspect that it wouldn't anyway." Looking at the massive being next to him, Simmons could not help but smile broadly at the thought of a giant such as Elan having to have his proverbial hand held by *anyone*.
"Thank you Captain," Elan said, again offering a deep bow of respect to the Commanding Officer of the ANUBIS, "I will do as you have suggested."
--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette {f_charette@hotmail.com}
Lieutenant Junior Grade Elan Talak Fairborn 2005 post #085
Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA
