"Difficulties"
(Previous post: The Bosslady's 'Insomnia'
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Cargo Bay 7
Stardate: 60325.0700
After dropping the CMO off in her quarters, David had returned to cargo bay 7, or 'Sickbay 2' as it was dubbed since Elan, Pravat, and the marines had converted it over. David walked in and was greeted by the Oltharian giant.
"David... what brings you back by?" he asked with a smile.
"Double checking Elan. Not that I doubt your abilities..."
Elan held up a hand, "Your every confidence in me pleases me David. It wouldn't be right if the chief engineer didn't check up on modifications made to the ship."
David rubbed the back of his neck. Every time he heard Elan refer to him by his position, it made David somewhat leary to the fact that this man that stood before him once held the rank of lieutenant commander, *his* superior. And in their first meeting had learned more from him than his final year at Starfleet Academy. David grinned slightly.
"Well... thanks for making this easy... *Commander*" David replied and Elan laughed at the connotation of his previous rank.
"Is there anything else you need?" David asked.
"Not that I'm aware of, but if I do I know where M.E. is *sir*" the Oltharian replied.
David shook his head, "Well... I'll see you later" and with that, the CEO headed off to his next destination.
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Engineering
Stardate: 60325.0710
David entered his domain and was greeted by the former acting aCEO... well... both of them.
"Boss" Ken started out to say, "I want to apolog..."
"Denied" David replied, "I at times tend to forget the sins of my father."
"See" Karen Watkins said, "I told you he doesn't hold grudges."
"You don't know the Boss like I do" Ken said as T'Reni approached.
"Mr. Yates, Ensign Watkins... have we completed the diagnostic on the... make up AAG?"
"Um... we're headed that way sir" Karen said as she took Ken by the arm. David was rubbing his eyes as T'Reni cocked an eyebrow at him.
"I believe the best remedy for that is sleep Lieutenant."
"I'll sleep when I'm dead T'Reni" David replied, "there's too much going on for me not to..."
"*That* is why you have a full staff of engineers, technicians, and specialists at your disposal David. So *you* won't have to do all the work. Now... since this is my watch, I will ask you politely to get off my deck."
"Yes sir" David replied as he headed for his next destination.
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 9, Section 9 Alpha
Stardate: 60325.0720
David stepped off the lift, rounded the corner and saw Ken and Karen engaged in a passionate kiss. David smirked because he didn't have a problem with his officers in their personal relationships, but when they were 'on the clock'...
"Um mmmm" David said clearing his throat as they separated.
"Oh... um... Boss..." Ken said.
"The diagnostic Mr. Yates" David said holding out his hand as Karen placed the PADD in it.
"Just completed it sir. The field is holding strong and the tests we ran complies with the parameters set..."
"Thank you" David said, "now... if you two are finish I suggest you finish your... *other* business in the privacy of one of your quarters."
"Thanks Boss" they both replied and headed off. As David stood reading over the information as it flowed across the screen, he had the eerie feeling that he was being watched. As he looked up, then around, then behind him, his suspicions rang true because on the monitor behind him was the image of Lieutenant Commander Serenna.
=/\= Mr. Dawson, correct me if I'm wrong, but I did specifically tell you to get some rest didn't I? =/\=
"Serenna... do you have some... perverse perversion in *always* checking up on me?"
=/\= In your dreams David, =/\= the ExO replied, =/\= but why are you still awake? =/\=
"Its called not being able to sleep Commander. *And* its called having your ship not so ready to face what is coming so you want to.."
=/\= Excuses Lieutenant, =/\= Serenna replied, =/\= now, =/\= she said as she leaned in closer and her image appeared to be coming toward him, =/\= return to your quarters. *Get* some rest or do I need to personally escort you? =/\=
The look on her face spoke volumes. But David was prepared.
"You gonna tuck me in Commander?" he asked with a wry grin and Serenna rolled her eyes.
=/\= Get to bed David Dawson, or tucking you in is going to be the *least* of your worries. =/\=
"See you in a couple of hours Commander" David said and the screen went blank.
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, David's Quarters
Stardate: 60325.0730
David placed his comm badge on the nightstand, tossed his uniform on the floor and got in bed and stared at the ceiling. He tossed, turned, and ended up staring at the ceiling again. He turned and faced his nightstand and activated the holo imager of him and his brother. David smiled, then frowned as he thought to the whereabouts of his kid brother as his remains were buried deep in the ground back home. He shook his head to clear his mind. They were less than 7 hours from SURIAL III and the only thought on his mind wasn't sleep... but Zulot. How he had stashed the crew of the MERCURY deep in the heart of Cardassian space. How the challenge of getting there wasn't the problem, but getting the MERCURY survivors out...
...and how the chief engineer of the Federation starship ANUBIS was going to kill his brother's murderers. He closed his eyes and as he drifted off to sleep that was the image that consoled him...
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Julian Knight (d_dawson_1@yahoo.com)
as
Lieutenant David Dawson
Chief Engiener
USS ANUBIS NCC 18501
"A Starfleet officer... that's all I am and that's all I'll ever be." 2005 post #330
- Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko,
Commanding Officer of the Federation Spacestation Deep Space 9
