"Differences Of Opinion"
(Previous Post: Sabrina's 'Probabilities')
=====================================
Stardate: 60322.2340
Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section E, Level 7, Engineering Repair Bay 2
Life on board a starship, spacestation, or a outpost
was a quaint one. Especially of you had more than one
person there. One might form friendships that turn
into something more... some may not. But for the most
part, many do seek out others for compaionship and
more. They form tight groups that mold into personal
relationships. Some turn to marriage. Some into a
affair that last throughout the ages. But even with
that all, the *one* constant thing was... gossip.
Lieutenant Commander Mercedes Vasquez was running a
level 2 diagnostic when several engineers walked by
whispering and giggling.
"...I heard its because of their failed mission."
"No... its because he didn't get his promotion."
"Well... whatever the case may be, I'm glad he'll be
gone. I've grown tired of his temper tantrums."
"But Lieutenant Dawson is one of the best... I won't be
glad that he's leaving..."
Commander Vasquez's head whipped around. "Ensign."
"Yes sir?" the bald engineer replied.
"Who's leaving?"
"You haven't heard?" he asked.
"If I *had* I wouldn't be asking would I?" the second
in command of NEW ALEXANDRIA's engineering department
asked.
"Its Lieutenant Dawson sir. I heard he's leaving."
She hoped it didn't show on her face that her heart
dropped to her feet. "Thank you Ensign. Return to your
duties."
"Aye sir" and he left to catch up with the others as
she tapped her comm badge.
"Computer, locate Lieutenant Dawson."
=/\= Lieutenant Dawson is in his quarters on board the
ANUBIS. =/\=
She checked her diagnostic... it was in its final
stages and wouldn't need her attention. She headed out
of the engineering department and made a beeline
straight for the ANUBIS.
===================================
For the past couple of days, the former CEO of the
ANUBIS has done a lot of thinking. Lot of planning and
a helluva lot of plotting... but the one thing he
failed to do was sleep... up until 3 hours ago when he
finally drifted off on his couch...
===================================
David looked around and was back in Main Engineering.
"What the hell?" he said to himself as the red alert
klaxons started blaring.
=/\= Red Alert... all hands battlestations! =/\= came the
disembodied voice of Captain Simmons as engineers and
technicians scrambled around him. Lieutenant Ken Yates
ran up to him.
"Boss... don't you think you should get to the
bridge?"
"You're funn..." as Ken started shoving him toward the
door.
"Go... I got it down here" as the doors to M.E.
shut... and he marveled at how Ken moved him so
easily. He shrugged and headed for the bridge. Once
there, James swiveled in his chair.
"Mr. Dawson, we got less then 3 minutes before the
ANUBIS is pummeled to death."
"Pummeled?" David asked, "and we have ablative armour
why?"
James nodded toward the screen and as David looked,
his eyes widened. He quickly made his was to the
engineering station. Sabrina was hovering over the aux
tactical station.
"Lateral thrusters are not responding Captain" the FCO
said, who happened to be the ANUBIS' avatar Annie,
"Lieutenant Dawson, your assistace would be greatly
appreciated."
David nodded as he looked over his board. He made a
few adjustemts. "Annie... try that."
Her hands danced acorss her console and she nodded.
"Thank you."
"Captain, we're loosing life support on decks 7, 9,
10-13 and 15-17," Serenna said over the din of the
klaxons.
"David!" James bellowed as he worked on that task.
"Hull breeches on decks 3, 5, 7-9" Lieutenant
Commander Maya reported.
"David... what's wrong with you?" Sabrina said, "why is
it taking you so long to get on top of these things?"
"I can if you'll get off my ass!" the CEO snapped,
"I'm only one man..." when the bridge went dark and
small explosions broke out. Befoe the bridge went
completely dark, the center section where Captain
Simmons' chair sat erupted into a fireball. Smaller
explosions happened all around the bridge... first
Ops, then science, then navigation, then the auxillary
stations started to go. David looked just in time to
see the work station blow up in Sabrina's face.
"SABRINA!" David bellowed as he jumped up from his
seat and crossed the bridge and skidded to a halt next
to the ExO's burned and bloodied form. He gently
lifted her head.
"You... promised..." as her green eyes rolled up in
her head. David shook her.
"Sabrina?! Dammit... don't die on me" he said ripping
his sleeve off and wiping her face.
"Bridge to Sickaby... med..." and a bright light
engulfed the bridge as Enaii appeared.
"Promises Mr. Dawson... you should learn to keep them"
she said glaring at him as she picked up Sabrina's
lifeless body.
"I... I did keep my promise... I never..." and she shook
her head.
"*IF* you would have kept your promise, she wouldn't
be dead now would she?!" as she turned and entered the
light. David tried to follow, but was stopped by his
late brother.
"Once again, you have failed. Guess its a good thing
I'm dead Dave... I'd be ashamed of you if I were
alive..."
===========================================
David woke in a cold sweat looking around as his door
chimed.
"Who the hell is it?!" the CEO snapped.
=/\= David... its Mimi. =/\=
**Dammit!** he thought as he went to splash some cold
water on his face. After drying off, he approached the
door and it opened. She immediately bolted in.
"Is it true?" she asked as she looked around.
"Is what tr..."
"IS IT TRUE!" she snapped, "you're leaving aren't
you?"
"Well... guess that throws out me telling you before it
got around," the former CEO said rolling his eyes.
"It is true... I mean... why David? Why are..."
David huffed, "As I've told several people in ther
past few days, the reasons why are here" he pointed to
his head, "and they're staying there."
"With all that we've been through... you can *still*
talk to me David. I don't..."
"Don't what?" David asked through narrowed eyes,
"Think its a good idea? That I'm throwing away a
bright and promising career?"
"*Exactly!*" she said.
"Bullshit!" David replied, "and save your speeches
Mercedes because it'll only fall on deaf ears. My
mind's made up and I'm out of here."
"But you have *so* much promise!" Mimi cried, "and the
Admiral..."
David knew it was coming, so he was prepared and he
let her have it. "Admiral? ADMIRAL?! Oh no... don't
bring Koneki in this Mimi."
"Listen at you. You act as if he walked up to you and
slapped you in the face..."
"You must be the dumbest woman in the entire galaxy"
David said with a sarcastic chuckle.
"Excuse me?!" she replied.
"If you want to sing the praises of the great Admiral
Charles Koneki, do it elsewhere. Because I refuse to
bow to him like you do Mimi..."
"I'm waring..." and he cut her off.
"Warning me of what? You gonna write me up? Report me
for insubordination? Fine... do what you must because
as *soon* as I submit my report I'm gone. If I got to
hotwire a shuttle and blast my way out of here..."
"You do know he handpicked you to be here David. It
takes a helluva lot of talent to get a rise out of
him..."
"I Don't CARE!" David bellowed, "Look at the facts
Mimi... where's my father and mother? Dead because of
him. Where's my brother?! DEAD! Because of *HIM!*"
Mimi blinked, "Wait a minute... what are you talking
about..."
"Oh yes... dead Mimi. Jordan's dead." David looked as
if he was ready to explode as she covered her mouth.
"Oh my God... David... how..."
"This..." and he stopped, "it doesn't matter. *IF* I
wasn't here under his bootheel like my Pops was he'd
probably be alive."
"David... you can't protect him forever..."
"I COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING!" David yelled, and at
this point his blood was boiling hotter than plasma,
"Get. Out!"
"David... please..."
"OUT!" he barked and pointed towards the door as his
comm badge bleeped.
"What?!" he said after tapping it.
=/\= Lieutenant Dawson, this is Allyson. Admiral Koneki
requests your presence in his office. =/\=
"Tell him I'm on my way," he said as he closed the
connection.
"When I get back, I don't want you here." David said
picking up his padd and exiting. As he made his way
through the cooridors of the ANUBIS to the umbiblical,
his mind raced. He kept telling himself to keep cool.
Don't blow up at Koneki like he did with Mimi...but
his mind drifted back to the dream he had. He stopped
once he got on the platform.
"Sabrina" David whispered... as he made his way to the
flag officers office.
====================================
as
Lieutenant David Dawson
"A Starfleet officer...that's all I am and that's all I'll ever be." 2005 post #248
Stardate: 60323.0010
Setting: USS ANUBIS, David's Quarters
Setting: DREAMSCAPE
Stardate: 60323.0020
Setting: USS ANUBIS, David's quarters
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
