"Running Out of Time"
(Previous post: Tiffany's 'Making It Through...')
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Setting: NEW ALEXANDRIA, Section G, Level 1 Containment Area Alpha
Stardate: 60326.1800
Time Index: 1 1/2 hours before Lea returned to Sickbay
As Serenna and Lieutenant Commander Ryan stormed into the detention area, Serrena saw David lying on his stomach face down on the deck. She wheeled around and swooped down on Lieutenant junior grade Angleton.
"Just what in the hell happened down here?!" the ANUBIS' ExO demanded.
"Nothing out of the ordinary Commander" the dark haired security officer replied before Serenna cut him off.
"*Nothing* out of the ordinary? Then why is Lieutenant Dawson unconscious!"
"He became irate. He started talking to himself and became violent."
"Lieutenant" Ryan said, "I'd like to see the security feeds please."
"You'd have to clear that through Commander NabuS..." and she cut him off.
"*IF* you don't want to be brought up on obstruction charges..." and the tall blonde JAG officer let it hang in the air.
"Yes sir" Angleton replied and brought the feed up. Serenna and Ryan watched and heard the conversation between Angleton and David... saw David pick over his dinner. Serenna eyed the CEO as he just sat there not moving, then all of a sudden he exploded. Pounding on his head and begging Angleton to contact Serenna. The ExO glared at him after she tapped her badge.
"Serenna to Commander NabUS"
=/\= NabUS here. What can I do for you Commander? =/\= the Andorian security chief said.
"We have a situation here in the detention area. I need to see you now."
=/\= On my way, =/\ and seconds later, the Andorian appeared.
"Problems?" he asked looking into the David's cell.
"Commander NabUs" Ryan said, "Lieutenant Angleton has been relieved of his duty and we'd like another security officer posted here."
NabUs' eyes narrowed. "Why?" he asked as Serenna directed him to the security feeds. After he watched he nodded.
"As you can see Commander, David's rights have been violated and I want this man removed from the detail."
"Understood" he nodded and pointed Angleton out. Six minutes later, a stocky man built almost like the ANUBIS' CEO appeared.
"Commanders, this is Lieutenant Daniel O'Riley one of my best officers."
The red haired security nodded. "Commander Ryan, Commander Serenna."
As Ryan explained the delicacies of this situation, Serenna went to the console and released low amounts of O2 into David's cell. The CEO slowly stirred and sat up. Serenna stood before his cell.
"How are you David?" she asked as the CEO looked around. His eyes wandered back and forth and she could tell David was upset about something.
"I did it again," he mumbled as Serenna lowered the field and entered his cell.
"This time it wasn't your fault. The problem has been removed" as she helped him to his bunk, "what was it you needed to see me for?"
David looked through the destroyed PADDs hoping the most important one wasn't but it was. He sighed heavily, then she saw that sparkle in his eyes.
"I think I've figured out when Richard came into existence in his dealings with me."
"When?" Serenna said as NabUs entered the cell as well. Serenna eyed the Andorian officer who only smiled.
"Just watching your back Commander," he said as David huffed.
"Damn, does everyone think I'm a threat?" the CEO said looking at Serenna.
"You are... if you weren't you wouldn't..." and Serenna cut him off.
"Enough" the Romulan/Terran hybrid hissed, "that was the reason we had Angleton removed. If you would please Commander" she said as he glared at David and stepped to the other side of the cell before reactivating it. She returned her attention to David.
"Now... Richard?" she said.
"Do you remember the day I proposed to Sabrina?" David as as he got some water from the replicator.
"I do" the ExO replied, "and I remember the funk you were in for almost 2 weeks because of it."
"Wait a minute" Ryan said from the other side of the forcefield, "Captain Rikar and David were once involved?"
"Yes" David replied thinking back to the outburst Sabrina levied on him when she said he was responsible for Enaii's death.
"David and Captain Rikar..." Serenna paused, "were once close when we were assigned to the AVALON. When she regained her memories and Commander Enaii joined the crew it was learned that they were married therefore ending the relationship she had with David."
"That's having her a little *too* close to this case isn't it? She could be pressing for this court-martial as an act of revenge."
"No" both David and Serenna replied in unison and David spoke, "Sabrina may be a lot of things, but vengeful isn't one of them."
"How can you be so sure?" Ryan asked, "her wife is dead and she's pinning all the blame on you."
"Because I know her Commander" David replied, "trust me."
Ryan shrugged as Serenna pressed forward.
"Get back on track David" the ExO ordered.
"Right... well" and he stood and began that infernal pacing that irritated Serenna somewhat because as friends and former Academy classmates she found herself pacing endlessly when she had deep in thought and she knew where she picked it up from, "I was thinking back to then. I remember..." and David paused, "tearing my quarters apart. How I slacked off work and how Sio chewed my ass for it."
"Sio?" Ryan asked.
"Commodore Siobhan Reardon-Marxx, our former CO" Serenna replied.
Ryan made notes. "We need to get a statement from her as well."
"Why" David asked.
"As I told you before Lieutenant, we need *all* the well wishes from your former commanding officers as possible. It'll look good before the board if both your former captains spoke highly of you."
"I'll have to talk to Commodre Simmons about that. Commodore Reardon-Marx is a little out of *this* per view" Serenna said, the emphasis of the NEW ALEXANDRIA complex not needing to be mentioned.
"Agreed" Ryan said, "continue Lieutenant."
"The anger Serenna" David said, "was all Richard. I remember a lot of sleepless nights then... his voice. And in other instances."
"Such as?" Serenna asked.
"The refit of the AVALON... that strange alien influence that swept through the ship and everyone was sleepwalking..."
Ryan huffed, "*This* is a strange crew" she said under her breath taking notes as David continued.
"...when she stabbed me in the chest. For days of my recovery, I heard that same voice. It got stronger when he were transfer here and became more of a constant wail when Jor died."
"So let me get this straight" Ryan said, "your proposal to Captain Rikar... and I'm assuming that this person that stabbed you was the captain as well?"
David nodded.
"And the death of your brother are the reason you believe that your brother Richard has possessed you? And are you saying that Captain Rikar is to blame?"
"No and no!" David snapped, "you said you wanted me to remember what I could and I just told you!"
"David" Serenna said eying the CEO and he sat.
"Let's get this in line" Serenna said producing her own PADD, "the instances you remember involves you and the captain."
"Not just that alone" David said, "the DOUGEON EXPANSE. It wasn't just the alien influence there as well. I *felt* him. I felt his grip on me. I felt him..." and David paused looking at Serenna.
"What?" she asked
"I felt him picking my brain for information for when I eluded you. That's how he was able to hide for so long." and the CEo stood and paced back and forth, "and that's where I believe that the trouble is."
"Meaning?" both Serenna and Ryan said in unison.
"Richard said he was out to destroy my life because I destroyed his. But how can he when he's been a part of me for so long. Does he know that in destroying me he'd essentially be killing himself again? So he's done what he's done because of *me*... when he eluded you Serenna. The hijacking of the SPHINX."
"I'm lost" Ryan said.
"Think about it Commander" David said, "my brother... with the *knowledge* and training that *I* have."
Serenna nodded understanding. "In doing so making it look like it was all you and not his influence."
"Since we've nailed that down, we have another problem." Ryan said.
"That is?" David asked.
"Convincing the panel that you're innocent. I'm pretty sure we can get Commodore Simmons because of his dealings with David before. And I've read the reports about your run ins with Koneki. The other two members are going to be the toughest."
"And they are?" David asked.
"Captain Harris of the HORUS and Captain Sangolo of the SEKHMET."
David's shoulders sagged. "I'm sunk."
Serenna looked at him. "Sunk? What do you mean?"
"Captain Harris" David replied, "remember when I was relieved of duty and I was temporary assigned to the HORUS as the aCEO? Under Mimi?" and David dropped his face into his hands.
"Um... care to fill me in Lieutenant?" Ryan asked.
David told her of how he was relieved of duty for attacking Commodore Simmons and Commander Serenna. Koneki believed that David needed some time away from the ANUBIS so he re assigned him to the base and then to the HORUS for a short mission. While on the mission, he butted heads with Commander Vasquez and basically beefed up the engineering specs on the ANUBIS' sister ship, which pissed both Mimi and Captain Harris off.
"He told me he didn't like my style. Be leaved me to be a hot head and a show off because he didn't like me upstaging his CEO."
"Personal matters aside, he had a duty" Ryan reminded David, "and if I see any of their perosnal feelings towarss you seeping into their judgement, then I'll bring them up on charges." she said assuredly.
"Serenna" David said looking at his friend, "what are my chances? Do I have a snowball's chance in hell in getting cleared?"
"We'll do everything we can David" the ExO said looking at the chronometer, "we still have about an hour before the prelims start. I want you to remain *focused*. Are we clear Lieutenant?"
David stood and came to attention. "Yes sir" he said looking at the ANUBIS' executive officer.
"Get some rest and then get into your whites. We'll see you in an hour." Serenna said as she nodded to NabUs and he nodded to O'Riley. The forecefield came down and the ExO stepped through and it came back up. Both Serenna and Commander Ryan left and David sat. He remembered something his father once told him. Time was a commodity that man wishes he had more to possess...
...and the chief engineering officer of the Federation starship ANUBIS was running out of it.
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Julian Knight (d_dawson_1@yahoo.com)
as
Lieutenant David Dawson 2005 post #427
Chief Engineer
USS ANUBIS NCC 18501
