From: Masakog@aol.com
Date: Sat, 31 May 1997 19:20:44 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: Talk about Gratuitous... No, Let's Not.
<<NRPG>>
Well, what can I say? A whole week without posting a CHESAPEAKE post was
beginning to get me down, so here we are again. This is actually not very
important, and won't have any impact on the mission as such... but, hey, it's
a CHESAPEAKE post... right? ::shrug... then *duck*::
<<RPG>>
SD 90531.2249
----------------------
Biological Sciences HQ
----------------------
MD 7.1000
"Display message index," said Lt(jg) Stephen Stenford to
his computer console. The display showed just one message, a
short form indicating that an urgent personal message awaited his
perusal in his quarters. Displaying no change in his expression,
Stenford left his office, telling a passing student to let
everyone know of his whereabouts.
***** ***** *****
-------------------
Stenford's Quarters
-------------------
MD 7.1015
Stenford had found the message, as indicated, waiting
for him. It was from his father requesting that he call home
immediately. Feeling rather like a fool -- or as much a fool as
a Vulcanoid could possibly feel -- he did as he was asked.
[Stephen?]
His father looked old; there was no other word for it.
He seemed to have gone gray within the two months that they had
not seen each other, and he seemed to have a more pronounced
slouch in his posture.
"Yes, Father," said Stephen, calmly emanating Vulcan
logic at him. His human father seemed too vulnerable for his
sensibilities. He didn't look like he was about to engage in
logical discussion.
[You must come home immediately,] said the Terran doctor.
[We need you here at home right now.]
"What has happened?" asked Stenford. The last time this
had happened had been approximately twelve years earlier, when
his little sister had gotten into some kind of trouble while on
a diplomatic mission of some kind.
[There has been an accident,] said the elder Stenford,
his voice heavy. [Teresa was on her way back here from Deep Space
Station 4 on a shuttle when it collided with a large interstellar
rock of some kind... possibly an asteroid...]
"Is she hurt?" asked Stenford calmly.
[We.. don't know,] said his father, hesitating only a
fraction of a second. [But I want you to prepare for the worst...
and we will... appreciate your presence here.]
"Understood, Father," said Stenford, his voice still
logical and calm. "I will make arrangements immediately."
[Stevie...] Dr. Stenford's voice shook slightly. [It's
not like last time, you know... just... please hurry.]
"I will, Father," said Stenford, adopting a slightly
less Vulcan tone. "I will return as soon as I can possibly get
transport there."
[Thank you, Stephen,] said Dr. Stenford. [A fair voyage
home, my son.]
"And a peaceful wait, my father," returned Stenford, then
cut the link. He began to gather his things immediately, putting
them neatly into bags and boxes he had stored.
To be honest, Stenford was more worried about his father
than about his younger sister. Teresaa had managed to get into
more trouble and messes than his other two siblings combined,
and she had pulled through just fine before. The effect on his
father, however, was disturbing.
Benjamin Spock Stenford wasn't Vulcan; the children's
Vulcan heritage had come from the mother's side. Teresa was the
youngest of them all, only twenty-two to Stephen's thirty-six
years... and she was Benjamin's baby. She was the most human
of the children, even though she was still quite the Vulcan most
of the time. She and Benjamin had been close, and every time she
had landed herself in a mess, Benjamin had suffered as though the
messes were his own doing and fate.
And now... an accident. Stenford wouldn't bet on his
conclusions -- Vulcans didn't bet -- but he was quite certain
that his youngest sister had launched herself into one too many
mess this time. No Federation officials effecting a dramatic
rescue this time; no surprise verdict by committees; no friendly
strangers pointing her in the right direction. An interstellar
rock of some kind... that didn't sound promising at all.
He allowed just the slightest of a mist to come over his
eyes for a moment. He had said the usual "Live long and prosper"
greeting to her on the day of her Academy graduation, not even
five months ago. She wouldn't live long and prosper now, of that
he was certain.
Packing the last of his few belongings, Stenford
contemplated matters. He would have to speak with someone about
this turn of events. Probably, he reasoned, the best person
would be Lieutenant Fielding. He would know what to do.
Respectfully submitted,
Masako Goto
LT(jg) Stephen Stenford
Former Biological Sciences Division Head
USS CHESAPEAKE NCC-31813
<<NRPG>>
Okay, you may throw virtual tomatoes at me if you must... I admit
that this isn't really a *post*, as such. Just FYI... his sister
did indeed get blown out of existence. :)
Amy: I'm assuming that your post is going to resemble Heinz
Ketchup. <G> ::duck::
Takako: Well, the *logical* person to approach would have been
Decker, of course, but can you seriously see Stenford
going up to someone like her? ;) Anyway, my assumption
is that he'll see Fielding, then he'll see Brennan. No
need to RP his meeting with Fielding, from my POV <G>...
and if, for some reason, he decides to skip that step and
go directly to CDR Brennan, that's fine, too. :)
Melvin: Coast is clear... I'm hoping that Amy will do the honors
sometime. <G>
Lynnaea: Congratulations, you are *done*! <G>
Fabian: All the best on your exams, Fabian!
Chris: Hope everything is going all right for you, Chris. We
miss you!
James: Guess what? Anne and Stavay might get another chance to
Talk. <G> My guess, though, is that all Anne would want
to do is ask about that sociological report. ;)
Naomi: And how are you doing, Naomi? I hope that you are doing
fine and that the weather is pleasant where you are!
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