"Nearing The End"
(Previous post: Tallulah's 'Consoling')
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Stardate: 60322.1300
Setting: USS ANUBIS, David's Quarters
As the former chief engineer was packing the last of
his belongings, news had spread of his resignation of
his commission. Several of the engineering staff had
tried in vain to contact him, but to no avail. David
had stomped on his comm badge so he could get a
moments peace... then it was the constant chiming at
his door. He ignored it as he continued about his
business. He had put away the last of his clothing,
including the outfits her had worn as the bounty
hunter Kreedar Brell. He smirled as he closed the
container.
"Maybe you'll come in handy after I leave that
floating space rock" he grumbled as his door began to
chime again. He had finally had it. Whoever was at the
door was goning to receive the galaxy's biggest ass
chewing for bothering him. He approached and when the
doors opened...
"Hello my friend" Elan said as he entered.
"Elan" David grumbled, "now is not..."
"I heard that you have decided to resign." the
Oltharian said as he looked at the CEO, "if I'm not
being too nosey, may I ask why?"
David frowned. He felt it was no one's damned business
as to why... but there was something about the
relationship that David had with the Oltharian
giant... they were kindred spirits so to speak. David
instantly thought back to the time when he was a
ensign and Fariborn was a lieutenant commander and
they were forced to bring the special warp drive that
Elan's mother had designed, the QDS. In that time,
David learned to curb his temper because never once
since he'd known Elan had he seen him utter one
negative word about anything... or anyone.
"My reasons are personal Elan... that's the best I can
give you..."
"David... forgive me for being so blunt, but you
aren't..." and Elan's eyes darted back and forth in
his head as he serched for the words, "'cowering out'
are you?"
David arced an eyebrow at him. "Cowering out?"
"Yes" the robotics engineer replied, "I've heard that
term several times while attending the Academy. I know
that you're going through a terrible loss..."
"You don't know the half of it" David grumbled and
looked at Elan, "but my loss *isn't* the reason why."
"Then why?" Elan asked.
"What the hell do you mean 'why'?" David replied, "I
told you why. My reasons are of a personal nature."
Elan sighed, "David... you happen to be one of the most
talented engineers I've had the pleasure of meeting
and serving with. I just hope that you aren't throwing
away what could be a promising career."
David chuckled, then burst into laughing. "A promising
career? Of what?! Re-charging and re-calibrating
phasers and phaser rifles? Oh... I got one... how about I
just hang around NEW ALEXANDRIA and scrub and scour
all the warp nacelles of these rustic old warships
turned ultra high tech machines."
Elan grinned, "I've always appreciated your sarcastic
side David. That makes you special. But that's just my
point. You being placed on admin leave isn't the end
of the world. I'm confident that Captain Simmons will
re-instate you real soon."
"THE MAN HAS HAD *3* MONTHS!" David bellowed, "and I'm
still on the shelf. I can't go into M.E. without a
damned guard. Sensitive areas of *this* ship that *I*
was the only one that would go into to repair whatever
the hell needed it, I can't go into without being
watched?!" David threw his arms up exasperatly, "Are
you kidding me?! So why stay?! For the chance that
James would get off his ass and say, 'David...you've
been sidelined long enough. Time for you to get back
to work.' I don't think so. I'll just do everyone a
favor and just disappear."
Elan nodded. "To do what?" The Oltharian had been ready to correct David in that he had been 'sidelined' for only about 12 days, which had been far from the 3 months he had claimed. Although Fairborn could imagine that those days had felt like an eternity to someone like Dawson, the Oltharian had not seen it fit to correct the concept of time of the former Chief Engineering Officer.
"Basketweaving" David replied, his comment laced with sarcasm, "...pottery making... whatever I damned well feel like doing..."
"Even becoming your alter ego and pursuing the men who
killed your brother?"
That stopped David in his tracks. It was as if Elan
had this sense because it was right at the forefront
of the CEOs mind.
Elan smiled. "The one constant thing about us
engineers my friend... some of us are easy to read.
People and friends alike can normally tell what we're
thinking before we can think it. Well... maybe not when
it comes to the work we do because it would completely
baffle them. But other than that, we only know one
speed... and that's maximum warp. Once we've dropped
out... we're easily readable like a ship cruising at
1/3 impulse." and the giant placed a hand on the CEOs
shoulder, "I implore you to re-think your decision."
David quickly shrugged Elan's hand away. "Nothing
doing. My mind's made up. Like I told Sabrina *as
soon* as the ANUBIS pulls inside NEW ALEXANDRIA, I'm
going to submit my report to Koneki and then I'm
leaving my pips on his desk." he said hotly, "and
there's nothing *anyone* can do to change that."
"David... you're turning down a very dark road my
friend. Vengence is a dangerous game..." Elan said as
David smiled wickedly.
"I'm a fast learned Elan... and at times I *like*
playing games."
"This isn't a game that's meant to be played David"
Elan said as the CEO pushed past him and he followed,
"let me ask you a question. Let's say it takes you 10
years to track down... what were their names?"
"Zulot and T'Preel?" David snapped.
"Yes... those two. OK... ten years... you finally track
them down. From what I've heard I'm pretty sure they
know that you aren't Brell... that you're actually
David Dawson... a chief engineer who's looking for his
brother's killers. David..." and Elan placed his hand
a little more firmly on the CEOs shoulder, "men like
Zulot and T'Preel aren't stupid. They'll put two and
two together and if you aren't careful, you'll end up
like your brother."
David's eyes narrowed at Elan. "*If* that be the case,
then I'll see both of those murderous bastards in
hell... where I'll continue to kick their asses for
all eternity! Now... if you'll excuse me... I plan on
being finished by the time we reach NEW ALEXANDRIA."
Elan signed again. "David... if that's how you feel
then I wish you the best of luck in your new
endevours. You are the best friend I've ever had and
you have a heart of pure gold..." and the Oltharian
giant smiled, "well... gold and BORG implants..."
David rolled his eyes.
"It is my prayer that that golden heart of yours
doesn't turn to brimstone or ice. May your heart and
soul find the peace that was denied your brother." and
with that, Elan nodded, smiled and then left. When the
doors closed David looked into the mirror.
**We don't need him... we don't need anyone. You have
me now... that's all you need.** his reflection told
him... and the CEO nodded.
"Damned right we don't need him... or anyone" he
replied as he continued packing.
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as
Lieutenant David Dawson
"A Starfleet officer...that's all I am and that's all I'll ever be." 2005 post #229
Julian Knight (d_dawson_1@yahoo.com)
Chief Engineer
USS ANUBIS NCC 18501
- Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko,
Commanding Officer of the Federation Spacestation Deep Space 9
