"Back In The Swing of Things"
(Previous Post: Tiffany's 'More Than...')
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Stardate: 60323.1600
Setting: USS ANUBIS, David's Quarters
After being excused from the bridge, the former CEO,
now reinstated back to his old job stopped by his
quarters to do something he hadn't done for a while.
This was the place he normally did this so if felt
comfortable. He sat at his desk and began.
=/\= Chief Engineering Officer's Log, Stardate 60323.15. The ANUBIS is, like she has always have been, running at peak performance. The 'wash' that had taken place back at NEW ALEXANDRIA on the internal warp tubes is working well beyond my wildest dreams. And that of the former CEO Lieutenant T'Reni. I give credit to her and the engineering department for their fine work and their continuing successes they make on a daily basis. All departments have reported no engineering repairs needed so all is well. =/\=
David sat back and looked at the holo image of himself and formally Lieutenant Commander Samantha Rikar, now his CO. David rubbed his scalp and shook his head. As of late, he hadn't had any dreams of death befalling the ANUBIS' new CO or her wife...
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Setting: Dreamscape
David glanced around and he was standing in the doorway to what appeared to be a chapel. There were two torpedo casings at the fore of the room and two UFP flags were draped across them.
"No" David whispered as he slowly approached and a ominous figure approached David from the rear. The figure grabbed his elbow and turned him around.
"I always knew you'd be a failure Lieutenant" Admiral Charles Koneki said gruffly, "I'm almost ashamed that you carry the name of a man I truly admired."
"Admiral?" David asked confusion falling over the CEO.
"You didn't expect me to be here? Its always a sad occasion when a CO has to give the eulogy to two fallen officers. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."
"Who... I mean... wha..." David asked as the casing doors sprang open. Koneki loomed over both shaking his head.
"She would have been one helluva flag officer, but now we'll never know" he said glancing into one casing, then the next, "and my top field operative. Do you *know* the time I invested in her? The sacrifices I had to make to make her what she was?!" Koneki's voice dripping with anger, "all because of *you*!" he said pointing a finger at the CEO. "Because of *you* they're dead!"
David quickly rushed to the casings and the nightmare stared again.
"No..." he said with a tremor in his voice, "not Sammi" he said staggering back as he bumped into someone. He quickly turned and his blood turned cold.
"*You*!" she hissed, "haven't you done enough? You would disgrace my mother's passing by being here?!" a older version of the COs and ILOs daughter said.
"Talia... please, you have to believe me... I did..."
"*What* I want to believe is this" she said raising a phaser and firing...
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Setting: Reality
David woke with a start in a cold sweat and he was shaking. He pushed back from his desk, tearing his uniform from his well chiseled frame and headed for his shower. After showering he dressed in a new uniform.
"What the hell's wrong with me?" the engineer asked while loooking at his hands. He needed to clear his mind and there was only one place he could do that.
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Stardate: 60323.1700
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Engineering
Entering his domain for the first time after being reinstated as the ANUBIS' chief engineer, David headed for the pool table. The deck was unusually dark and he thought that he might be dreaming again... or living a hellish nightmare. As he approached, the lights came up and the entire engineering staff popped up.
"SURPRISE!" they all yelled in unison, "For he's a jolly good fellow! For he's a jolly good fellow! For he's a jolly good fellooooooooooooooooooooow..."
"Get back to work" David said with a grin.
"...which nobody can denyyyyyyyyyyyy!"
"Well... maybe one or two of us" Lieutenant Ken Yates said as he clapped the CEO on his back, glad that he was back in his post, meaning he could resume his duties as the ANUBIS' power specialist and not the aCEO. The former CEO now aCEO nodded agreeing.
"It is good to have you back David, despite what Ken says. I believe I can speak for everyone that it would not have been the same if you did leave."
David smirked. "Well... I wouldn't concrete that yet T'Reni." and he sighed.
"Well... why not?" Lieutenant junior grade Allison Tapalia asked, "I mean... the grapevine said Captain Rikar reinstated you this morning."
David shook his head. "That's true, but this will be my final mission for the ANUBIS. I agreed to assist in the recovery of the MERCURY survivors and after that I'm done."
The engineering staff exchanged glances and whispers started which turned into a wash of questions. David held up his hands.
"I know that you all have questions, which will probably go unanswered because my mind's made up and the decision is final, but if you all would be so kind one of my final orders is this..." and David looked around the engineering deck.
"Well... don't keep us waiting." Ken said.
"I want you *all* to familiarize yourself with the GUNDAM class vessels."
Everyone exchanged glances.
"You know something we don't know boss?" Chief Petty Officer James O'Donnell asked.
"No and that's the thing Jimmy boy. I want to all to know the GUNDAM inside and out. Her strengths and weaknesses..."
"But that's something you can do on your own time Lieutenant." Ensign Zak'Dar said and the Vulcan aCEO cleared her throat looking at the Klingon ensign.
"True enough, but *I* want you all to know her" and he sighed, "because I don't think I can look at this objectively. Many of you know... some of you don't but I lost my brother on that ship..."
There were some gasps, and David knew that the gasps were the sounds of 'maybe heard as rumor now confirmed'
"...and I need your help to keep me focused. I have never asked for anything out of any of you that I wouldn't be willing to do myself... I just don't want to give Captain Rikar any bad information."
"Well hell... I say let's do it. Let send the boss off on a good note." Ken said as the entire deck erupted with cheers and whoops. Several engineers came up to shake the CEOs hand as the aCEO looked at him quizzedly. She stepped away from the noise into the CEOs office and tapped her badge.
"Lieutenant T'Reni to Counselor Mei."
=/\= T'Reni? A pleasant surprise hearing from you. What can I do for you? =/\= the ANUBIS' counselor asked.
"I need to speak to you on a... delicate matter."
=/\= Is everything alright? =/\= Susan asked.
"I may be looking too much into this, but I am concerned about David."
There was silence over the comm link. =/\= I am available now if you'd like to talk. =/\=
"I'll meet you in your office in one hour. T'Reni out."
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Julian Knight (d_dawson_1@yahoo.com)
as
Lieutenant David Dawson
Chief Engineer
USS ANUBIS NCC 18501
"A Starfleet officer... that's all I am and that's all I'll ever be." 2005 post #269
- Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko,
Commanding Officer of the Federation Spacestation Deep Space 9
