From: "Melvin Pollack" <pollack@enews1.nrl.navy.mil>
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 09:33:24 -0400
Subject: Re: USS CHESAPEAKE: Extraction
> ***********************
> MD: 14.0930
> Scene: USS CHESAPEAKE, Ready Room
>
>
> "Bell to th'Tellan. Please report to my Ready Room.
> Immediately."
>
> Brennan himself rose also, and when the Romulan OPS officer entered
> the room, CO and XO turned in tandem to greet him. "Gentlemen," Bell
> began evenly. "I see no need to waste time." She swiftly
> ounded her desk and headed for a console mounted on the far left
> wall, the other two in close pursuit. Once there, her hand shot out,
> and she tapped in a few quick commands as the display screen hummed
> to life.
>
> "Computer," she intoned immediately, "This is Captain Bell, Amanda
> H. Emerson. Begin sequence for transfer of command, authorization
> Bell-beta-omega-four-nine-one."
>
> <<Initializaing...>> The soft, feminine tones of the ship's
> computer responded. Bell nodded to Brennan.
>
> "Computer," he said, his voice steady, "Continue sequence,
> authorization Brennan-epsilon-gamma-six-six-three."
>
> <<Acknowledged.>>
>
> Bell and Brennan both stared at th'Tellan. Whatever he may have
> been thinking, he did a pretty admirable job of concealing it. With
> only the slightest pause, he took a breath and began, "Computer,
> conclude sequence, authoization th'Tellan-gamma-delta--seven-two."
>
> <<Transferring...>> There was a pause of about thirty seconds.
> <<Command transfer complete. Commander Brennan, Daniel J., now
> recognized as Commanding Officer, USS CHESAPEAKE.>>
>
> Brennan swallowed once. "I relieve you, sir."
>
> Bell snapped her gaze back to him. "I stand relieved," she said
> after a moment, then sighed. "Thank you both." She took a step
> back, exhaling slowly. "Tell the crew, if you would, that they have
> my every confidence. It was an honor serving with them."
>
> "Of course," Brennan said quietly, nodding.
>
> "And at that," Bell said tonelessly, "I leave you to your ready
> room, sir." She walked quickly to the door, collected as ever.
>
"Sir," th'Tellan interrupted. "I just wanted you to know that it was a
pleasure serving with you."
"The same," Bell said.
th'Tellan watched his ex-captain leave, then turned to Brennan. "Er,
Captain?"
Brennan paused at the title. It would take some time getting used to
it. "Correct. Captain Bell has a medical emergency to deal with."
So does everyone else on this ship, th'Tellan thought. I thought
people were leaving in droves on the Stonewall. "I assume that means I'll be
taking first officer...." th'Tellan trailed off at seeing Brennan's face. "Or
not. I just thought that was the protocol. I mean, that's what happened on
the Stonewall...."
"I haven't decided yet. I'm still waiting to talk to Admiral Jokinen.
In the mean time, you may regret wishing for advancement; I'll need you to
handle most of the First Officer duties until we get this mess straightened
out. Can you handle that in addition to your current duties."
th'Tellan mentally kicked himself. That's all he needed, more
paperwork. "I understand, sir. Don't worry, there shouldn't be a problem.
<Pause.> Anything else, sir."
"Yes, you'll be pleased to know that we've finally gotten a CEO. His
name's Tarrell Armstrong. You'll be getting more information upon his
arrival."
[Any more info, Takako?]
"Yes sir."
Brennan nodded. "Dismissed."
Scene: Derek's Office
MD 10.1500
{AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WE'RE CAUGHT IN A TIME WARP!}
Why me?
Sereh walked into the office as Decker and Fielding were talking.
Fielding stopped in midsentence and turned to Sereh. "What do you want?"
Sereh looked at both of them. "What were you discussing?"
"We were discussing how our fearless leader is falling apart," Decker
responded. "Did you know that her breakdowns are ruining my social life?"
"Actually, I was unaware that scientists were usually popular."
"She's got you there," Fielding through in. "Actually, I'm not quite
as worried. It's just that.... I don't know what to do. She'sgoing to drag
down this department...."
"With all due respect, Murray is hardly the sole cause of this
departments problems. I have had to replace and rearrange an entire
department, change full departmental proceedings, and work with both the
students and instructors to fix various problems in approach."
"I know, I know. But she's not making it any easier. I don't know
what to do."
"It is quite simple. We do the best we can, we help Murray in the
changes, and then we leave her alone. Murray must find her own approach to
leading the Science Department. She cannot do that as long as she feels we are
instructing her on how to behave. And again, I believe that it is our overt
feeling that she will fail that is contributing to her failure."
"I can't believe that you're defending her," Decker shouted.
"I cannot believe that you are attacking her. She is the main reason
that you are still aboard this ship. I believe she feels that you have a high
potential, and that, despite some problems, you will make a capable officer."
Decker was taken aback. "I don't believe it. I mean, why doesn't she
show it."
"That does not appear to be her way. In fact, I request that you not
mention that I told you of my conclusions. I believe that she has defended you
against requests of removal from the higher ups. And as for not believing it -
I am a Vulcan, I cannot lie." I have been knowingly incorrect, however.
"Well, I never.... Gee, maybe I have been too harsh on her," Decker
said.
Submitted by....
Melvin Pollack
Lt Cmdr Avikar th'Tellan
OPS USS CHESAPEAKE
mpollack@wam.umd.edu
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