"Making Things Right"
(Previous Post: Tiffany's 'Did I Miss...')
===================================
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 2, Dawson's Quarters
Stardate: 60325.0800
For the rest of the evening, the same words played themselves over and over in the head of the ANUBIS' CEO.
**YES IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT SHE'S DEAD!** Sabrina shouted at him. The beautiful hue in her emerald green eyes gone and replaced the the coldness of space. Her body trembled with anger and sadness and she glared at him as if she seriously wanted him to deny her claim. Had his actions cost the live of a crew member? He believed no, because Starfleet officers that died in the line of duty knew what they were getting into before they put the uniform on.
But Enaii? Dead?
The CEO shook his head as his chime alerted him that he had a visitor.
"Come" David said as the Oltharian giant entered and nodded at him.
"Good morning David" Elan said, "I thought you might want to see these" as he handed the CEO a stack of PADDS.
"Elan..." David said as he sifted through them, "what are these?"
"Updated reports submitted by the engineering staff. Repairs completed, warp effenciency, repair time once we reach NEW ALEXANDRIA, current work orders..."
"So have you been named acting CEO in my absense?" David asked.
Elan shook his head, "Not to my knowledge" he added with a smile, "but we can check. Computer" the Oltharian engineer spoke into the air, "who is the current chief engineer of the ANUBIS?"
=/\= Lieutenant David Dawson. =/\=
Elan smiled, "See... your job is still intact."
David harumped and dropped the PADDs on his desk, "For now maybe. Once we get home, I'm pretty sure my career as a Starfleet officer is over."
Elan's brow crumpled. "Why would you think that?"
David nodded the massive engineer to a seat which he took as he leaned against his desk.
"Once again... my anger has gotten the better of me. I know it... even though everyone is telling me it hasn't. Sabrina hates me..."
"Now David" Elan said, "not knowing the details of your relationship with Captain Rikar, she could never hate anyone."
"Oh really?" David added, "well... not just a half hour ago she blamed me for Enaii's death. Me... of all people." as David paced back and forth, "true enough Enaii and I never saw eye to eye, but I'd never wish death on her."
Elan simply nodded, but said nothing as David continued on.
"Elan... how did it happen?"
The Oltharian told the CEO how Enaii's pattern dissapated in the SURIAL atmosphere. Of how they tried to re-route her pattern through the Heisenberg compressors to re-establish. But it had failed. David shook his head.
"What in the hell was she thinking?!" the CEO said, "if she already knew that transport was impossible..."
Elan stood and blocked David's path of pacing. "The commander knew that our window of opportunity was gone..." and he paused and looked away.
"What?" David asked, "the opportunity was gone because?"
Elan sighed. "You hijacked the SPHNIX." and the massive CEO plopped into the chair behind his desk.
"So it *is* my fault" David mumbled, "Sabrina's wife is dead because of me."
"David... do not..." Elan stared to say but was cut off.
"What? Blame myself?!" David said as he turned his back on the Oltharian engineer.
As Elan turned to the door, he stopped. "David... it is imperative that you do not take blame for Enaii's death. With all that you have gone through, you need to stay focused..."
David spun and exploded. "FOR WHAT?!" he snapped, "the sake that I *might* be able to salvage something of my career?! Oh yeah... I can see Koneki now. Even if the JAG corps *doesn't* through the book at me for murder what will my career amount to? Being a level 2 engineer on the station? OR... better yet, a machinist mate 3rd class. Do you actually think Koneki will allow me to remain the CEO of this ship?!"
Elan nodded. "I do."
"Then you're a fool *Commander*" David replied, the general term he often times used in referring to Elan in his former rank.
"David... I remember reading a report submitted by your mother when she visited OLTHAR PRIME when I was a junoir grade Lieutenant" and he paused and checkled, "the first time. She spoke to both the Religious and Science Circles and the one thing she said that stuck with me was 'Hope springs eternal all possibilities in the universe' Take a look at me" he said pointing to himself, "when I resigned my commission and returned home I never thought I'd be back in a Starfleet uniform. But it was people like your mother with her words, my mother and her encouragement..." as he smiled at David, "and me remebering the fire in the eyes of a chief engineer who held the rank of ensign. His determination, his drive for perfection when he knew he'd never have it, his desire to learn and hone his craft, the love of his craft."
David glanced at him. "Well... times change Elan. That starry eyed ensign is no more."
Elan took a step toward the CEO and smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder. "He's *still* here. And I admire you David. For when you have faced your most toughest times you stood your ground. That says something about the man."
David smirked, "It doesn't. For all intents and purposes I should be on my way to EARTH. I wanted to call it quits before we left on this mission.."
"But here you are..." as Elan spread his massive arms outward, "as you said, Koneki *could* have accepted your resignation before we left. He did not..."
"*Only* beacuse Sabrina and James talked me into staying!" David hissed, "see... that's *exactly* my point. Ever since that murderous bastard killed my brother things haven't been the same..."
"So let me get this straight." Elan said, "you still blame Koneki for Jordan's death?"
"Koneki had nothing to do with my brother's death. But I'm willing to bet my career that *he* knew about the MERCURY being missing. But as far as blame goes, he'll always wear the blame for my parents' death."
Elan shook his head. "That's a dangerous path you're contemplating walking David."
David's brows knitted together. "How so? It was his fault. *HE* sent the STONE MOUNTAIN close to the Romulan border knowing that he needed to sent at least 3 more starships to back her up. We know the history of the Romulan Empire during the time my Pops was alive. So... like I said, he'll always wear the blame for their deaths."
"Just as Sabrina has laddened you with the death of Enaii. Just as Talia will blame you for her mother's death." Elan said tight lipped, "do you see the path now David? For one to truly heal... for one to truly accept what has happened, one has to let go all anger. All admonishment. Admiral Koneki is no more guilty in the death of your parents as you are with Enaii's."
David wheeled on his friend, "But there's a flaw in your line of thiniing Commander. Zulot."
"What about him?" Elan asked.
"HE KILLED JORDAN!" David snapped, "so... what's the line of thinking on that?! And... to add *more* insult to injury, he escaped!"
Elan draped his hands behind his back. "Answer me this question David. While you were on SURIAL III, did you have a chance to kill him?"
David shrugged, "I don't know. I can't remember much after Sabrina and I arrived in the Shuttlebay."
"From what I heard you did." Elan replied, "the walls was coming down around you and you chose to save Lea." as he placed his hand on David's shoulder again, "that there shows you that you *can* forgive. If you hadn't... we'd be minus *3* Starfleet officers other than one."
David knew he was boxed in. Elan was right as the CEO sighed.
"The needs of the many...." he mumbled.
"As I suspect is probably what Commander Enaii thought. And now you need to think the same. Worse case, Koneki can re-assign you to a job you might not like, but its for the benefit of *all*... not just one. Your brother paid the ultimate price... just as your parents. But in both instances look at what happened. The crew of the STONE MOUNTAIN was spared... just as the crew of the MONTAGUE. The crew of the MERCURY was spared...."
David glared at him. "Now... you see *my* point. For the MONTAGUE's crew to survive my parents died. The MERCURYs crew is still alive because my brother died. The crew of the ANUBIS is alive because Enaii died..."
It hit David like a wave. In all three instances, it had been his lifelong dream he wished he could change because there was nothing he could do. He sat in his chair. "Sabrina's right. It is my fault. Just like its always been."
"David..." Elan said as David turned his back on the Oltharian engineer.
"You're dismissed Lieutenant."
Elan went to say something, but simply nodded. "Aye sir" and he turned and left. Outside in the corridor he thank the guards for leting him see David and as he got further up the corridor, he tapped his badge.
"Fairborn to Ensign Mei."
=/\= Go ahead Elan. =/\=
"I think I have made a error in talking to David. For the good I had hope I brought I think backfired on me."
=/\= How so? =/\= the counselor asked.
"Let us discuss when I see you. Where are you currently?"
=/\= Sickbay, =/\= she replied.
"I shall see you momentarily. Fairborn out.
===================================
Julian Knight (d_dawson_1@yahoo.com)
as
Lieutenant Davbid Dawson
Chief Engineer
USS ANUBIS NC 18501
"A Starfleet officer... that's all I am and that's all I'll ever be." 2005 post #388
- Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko,
Commanding Officer of the Federation Spacestation Deep Space 9
