"The Healing Process"
(Previous Post: Tallulah's 'Battle...')
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 60325.2130
David opened his eyes and blinked them into clarity. He sat up and a nurse approached.
"Lieutenant? How are you feeling?"
David rubbed the back of his neck. "Like I got hit by the ANUBIS. How long have I been out?"
"Not long" as she scanned his bio readings, "looks like the nanites in your system have healed your internal injuries. I would like for you to remain until Doctor Summers returns..."
"Nothing doing" David said getting off the bio bed, "there's someone I need to see."
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 60325.2200
After going to his quarters and showering, David returned in a fresh uniform and stood by the bedside of Captain Arlington. The CO of the MERCURY stirred and looked up.
"David? David is that you?"
David nodded, "Yes sir. How are you feeling?"
"Like hell" Arlington replied, "but getting better. Kudos to Doctor Summers and her staff" as he looked around, "David... level with me. What in the hell kind of ship is this? I mean... I've never seen a sickbay this advanced or this big."
David smirked inwardly, "Captain... for now rest. I'm sure Captain Rikar will answer your questions when the time is right."
Arlington lifted his head. "You know... I could order you." he said with a smile.
David nodded, "True... you could" the massive engineer said pointing to his chest, "but no uniform... no orders."
"Damn you... just like your father" he said plopping his head back on the pillow.
"I'm a Dawson... what did you expect" the doors to Sickbay opening as David turned to see Lea. She nodded to her office and the CEO followed. Once inside she placed a PADD on her desk and hugged the engineer.
"How are you feeling?"
"OK... a little spaced out..."
"How so?" Lea asked.
David sighed. "I don't know. Its like... there's gaps in my memory."
Lea picked up a tricorder as David sat in the chair opposite her desk. She scanned as he continued talking.
"I mean... I remember Zulot talking to Sabrina... me and her in the shuttlebay. After that, its all a blank."
Lea closed the tricorder and thought back to the compound. How David's rage and anger kept her at bay as he pummeled Zulot. How bright red his eyes were.
"Lea... did you hear me?" David asked.
"I'm sorry... what?" she said.
"I didn't go off... you know" as the CEO looked around, "half cocked?"
She smiled. "No... you didn't." she said patting him on the shoulder. David arced an eyebrow at her.
"Lea... you're not a very good liar" he said as the doors to Sickbay opened again, this time Serenna and Ensign Eva entered with 2 security guards and 2 marines.
"Doctor" Commander Serenna said with a nod and she looked at David, "David... you need to come with us."
David looked at Eva, then the security guards, then the marines, "For?"
Serenna nodded to Eva and she produced a padd. "Lieutenant Dawson, under Article II, section IIIB of the SCMJ I am hearby placing you under arrest."
David stood rapidly as the guards stepped back. "Under arrest?" he said looking at Lea then back to Serenna, "for what?"
"Theft of property, destruction of Starfleet property, and insubordination."
"Serenna... I'm sure..."
"David... I'm not going to discuss this with you. Now either you go freely, or I'll drag your ass down there myself." the ExO hissed.
David's shoulder's sagged as he looked at Lea. "I told you you weren't a good liar" he said as he brushed past the security guards and Ensign Eva brought up the rear. Once the doors closed, Lea shook her head.
"Commander, far be it for me to question an order but was this really necessary?"
"Doctor" Serenna sighed, "My hands are tied. Captain's orders once he returned."
"Surely Sabrina could see that... his defiance helped save a lot more lives."
"And how many times are we supposed to cover for David with his irate actions? His incontrolable temperment? David knows the rules... and regulations better than any officer on this ship. *And* he's a Starfleet officer. He isn't exempt from the rules no more than we are."
Lea sighed. "I guess if this truly was his final mission with us, he's going out with a bang. He avenged his brother's death... somewhat. He helped saved the lives of the MERCURYs crew we left behind..."
Serenna's brow shot up her forehead. "Indeed" and she turned and left.
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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 #378
- Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko,
Commanding Officer of the Federation Spacestation Deep Space 9
