"Sometimes A Setback Isn't A Bad Thing"
(Previous Post: Tiffany's 'Once A CMO...')
====================================
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Lea stood over the sleeping form of the ANUBIS' chief
engineering officer. There wasn't anything she wanted
to do. No scans to be made. No tests she had to
enforce the stubborn engineer to take. It pleased her
to see that he was recovering nicely. She patted him
on his arm and left the sleeping CEO to get his rest.
====================================
"I live here" Grandpa Dawson replied, "but the
question is why are *you* here?"
David sighed and returned his gaze to the harbor. "I
feel as if I should be here."
"Nonsense boy" the elder Dawson snorted, "I told you
it wasn't your time yet." he added with a smile.
"But why?" David asked, "Grumpy, this makes no sense.
You lived a long life... just as Granny did. Mom and
Pops... Jordan..." his voice trailed off.
"Forgetting someone?"
David smirked, "I was kinda hoping not to mention him."
"But he needs mentionin boy" he said taking his great
grandson by the arm, "David you have to realize that
he..."
"I know Grumpy... I know" David said, "Richard is just
as much a part of me as I am him."
"Then why does that bring fear to your heart?"
"Wasn't it *you* who told me to face my greatest fear
I had to accept it? So I did. Problem being is the
hurt and pain he caused others through me."
"Just as he did when the two of you were younger.
Brothers... especially twin brothers David live to get
there doppelganger in trouble. But enough of that.
You'll have to deal with that when the time comes."
"Deal with what?" David asked, "Richard?"
"Yes. But enough of the dead David. Stop dwelling on
it and accept the gift that God has given you."
"Gift?" David said stepping away from his great
grandfather, "a gift?! Grumpy... I died! I should be
here with you all..."
Grandpa Dawson struck his grandson on the head with
his walking stick.
"OW!" David bellowed, "what the hell was that for?"
"A setback."
"A what?" David said rubbing his head.
"A setback David. Sometimes you need a good bump on
the noggin to understand that somethings just can't be
explained. You have to accept it for what it is. I
taught you to never question God's work..."
"I'm not Grumpy" David replied, "I'm trying to
understand why *I* was spared when everyone else was
not."
"In due time, he'll let you know" he said looking back
at the setting sun as it dropped lower and lower into
the Pacific Ocean.
"Beautiful... isn't it? Enjoy these David. You're the
reason we still have these."
David's brows knitted together, "Sunsets?"
Grandpa Dawson nodded. "Yes. Because you live. And as
long as you live, *we* live."
He stretched his arm to touch his grandson's
cheek...
====================================
David's eyes popped open and Lea jumped.
"You scared the hell out of me" Lea said clutching her
chest, "next time warn someone before you wake up like
that."
David shrugged. "Sorry. Next time I'll call you over
my combadge in my dreams."
Lea nudged David in his arm. "How are you feeling?"
David went to sit up and Lea didn't stop him. "Better.
Mind's a little foggy at times but better."
Since he was awake, there was no time like the
present. She tapped her commbadge, "Lea to Commander
Serenna."
=/\= Go ahead Doctor. =/\=
"My patient wishes to speak to you." she said with a
wink.
=/\= I'm on my way, =/\= the Romulan/Terran hybrid said
closing the connection.
"*I* wanted to speak to her?" David asked, "you part
betazoid Doctor?"
Lea had to think fast. "Serenna has an interesting
proposition for you David and I want you to hear her
out before you decide what you want to do."
David's eyes narrowed. Lea shuddered inwardly because
she was standing on David's right side and she saw the
eye. "What are *you* up to?" David asked as the doors
to Sickbay opened and Serenna walked in.
"Lieutenant" Serenna said, "welcome back to the land
of the living."
David nodded. "Thank you Commander. Now... let me have
it. Are they gonna drum me out of Starfleet? I'm being
put on admin leave again?"
"Being a bit pessimistic aren't we?" Lea asked.
"Goes with the territory" David replied.
"Well... this time that isn't the case" Serenna replied, "your court-martial has been... set aside for now."
David looked at both officers. "I sense a very big *but* in here somewhere."
Lea went to speak but Serenna cut her off. "David, I
have been given command of the USS HATHOR, a new
experimental ship that needs to be shaken down."
David licked his lips. Both Serenna and Lea sensed he
was warming up to it.
"A new ship huh?" David said stroking his beard. He
made a mental note to shave the first chance he had.
"But?"
"The ANUBIS' senior staff will be transferred to the
ship to help with the shake down."
"But?" David said again.
"This will give you the opportunity to get back to
work David. I know how much you loathe Sickbay..."
"Will someone please get to the point?" David asked.
"In order for you to go on this mission David, first
you'd have to be cleared..." Lea said and he cut her
off.
"Yes... I know. Cleared by you..." and David saw something in Serenna's face and he looked at the HATHORs CO, "and as my *closest* friend Serrena this means?"
"You'll serve as the HATHOR's..." and she paused.
"OK look... I died once" David said chuckling, "don't
leave me in suspense."
"You'll be the HATHOR's aCEO." Serenna waited for David
to explode.
"Assistant chief engineer?" David said, "I mean... who'll serve as CEO?"
"Elan will" Serenna said still waiting for David to go
into one of his patented tirades.
"So let me get this straight" David said, "I take it
you have selected the crew?" asking Serenna.
"Yes." she replied.
"I'd like to know the manifest" David said.
"David, what does the manifest have to do with
anything?" Lea asked.
"Humor me." the CEO said.
"Well" Serenna said casting a glance at Lea, "Maya
will serve as ExO, Uxtar as FCO, Nico as Sec/Tac, Lea
as CMO/COO..." and David chuckled. Lea smirked.
"Lea? Operations officer?" he said looking at the
doctor.
"What are *you* looking at?" she exclaimed.
"You'd look good in gold" David said.
"Ha ha" Lea said as David returned his attention to
Serenna, "what about Prav, Susan and Sabrina?"
"Pravat is prepping the tactical systems. Susan will
retain her post as Counselor and Captain Rikar will be
on board only as an advisor. The mission is mine David
and I'd like you to accompany me on it."
"Only as aCEO" David said, "did Koniki get to you?"
Serenna's eyes narrowed, "What does that mean?"
"Its self explanatory. Did the Admiral get to you..."
"No David. He didn't." and Serenna leaned in closer to
her Academy classmate, "you'd do me a big favor if you
say you'll accept."
David folded his massive arms across his chest. "And if I refuse?"
"Then she'll be short 2 officers" Lea said, "you and me."
David's eyebrow shot up his forehead, "Huh?"
"I told Commander Serenna that if you didn't accept
the post as aCEO then she'll have to count me out as
well."
"You'd do that for me?" David asked.
"By default the post of CEO should be yours, but due
to your..." Serenna paused, "condition..."
David sat in silence as he ran it through his head. By
right *he* should be the CEO, not the assistant. True
enough at one time Elan outranked David... and he was
still the AVALONs CEO as an ensign. Both men shared a
special bond... but this time, David outranked the
Oltharian.
**What the hell are you thinking about?!** David's
mind asked him, **you and Elan are like hand and
glove. Don't let your pride step in the way of
recovery**
"So... I'll be able to go back to work?" David asked
which startled both the ExO and CMO.
"Yes" Serenna replied.
"Limited... at first and when you feel stronger you'll
get more shifts." Lea said.
David looked at Serenna. "Be honest with me Serenna.
Who suggested that I serve as aCEO?"
Serenna was blindsided by that question. She could say
it was her idea, but enough lies and deceit had run
amuck in the past month.
"When I was given this assignment, Sabrina told me to
staff the ship as I saw fit. When I questioned her on
your availability she said it depended if you were
ready to return."
"I see" David said.
"One more thing" Serenna said, "if you accept before
we disembark I want you to talk to Susan."
David nodded, "You want to see if I'm still crazy or not..."
Lea smacked David on the arm. "David! Its not that..."
"Yes it is" both David and Serrena replied in unison.
"I've known Serenna too long Lea. I understand why she
wants me to," and David slowly stood as Lea went to
brace the CEO to stand but he did under his own power.
"I accept... *Captain* Serenna." David said with a
smile. Serenna smirked... then a light smile crossed
her lips.
"Come see me after you've talked to Susan" Serenna
said, "but now... return to resting Lieutenant."
"Yes sir" David said sitting back down.
"Doctor... a moment of your time please" the HATHOR's CO
said as she turned to leave. Both women stepped into
the cooridor.
"Did you do something to him?" Serenna asked.
"Like what?" Lea asked.
"I was expecting him to go off the deep end again."
Serenna said.
"He's been to hell and back Serenna... and a little to
weak to argue" Lea countered, "are you surprised?"
"Very much so. But let's see what happens when he gets
stronger." Serenna said as she turned to leave.
"Serenna" Lea said taking the ExO by the arm, "you
aren't expecting trouble from David are you?"
Serenna pursued her lips, "Lea... when it comes to
David, its hard to tell. True enough I've known him
the longest but you have to keep in mind that each
time he's had a bout with his anger he *appeared* to
be fine... until the next time he lost it..."
Lea went to go on the defense but Serenna raised her
hand, "*with* that being said, that's why *I* want a
full physche workup. Trust me Doctor... no one more than
me wanted to see David return. But for my sake I want
to be absolutely *sure* that Richard's influence is
gone. We have another 3 days before we're scheduled to
depart."
"Susan and I will have him in tip top shape Captain."
the CMO said with a nod.
"I wouldn't ask for more. Good night Doctor." Serenna
said as she turned to leave.
====================================
as
Lieutenant David Dawson
and
assistant Cheif Engineer
"A Starfleet officer... that's all I am and that's all I'll ever be." 2005 post #479
Stardate: 60327.2300
Setting: DREAMSCAPE
"Grumpy!" David said hugging his great grandfather,
"what are you doing here?"
Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 60327.2305
Julian Knight (d_dawson_1@yahoo.com)
Chief Engineer
USS ANUBIS NCC 18501
USS HATHOR
- Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko,
Commanding Officer of the Federation Spacestation Deep Space 9
