From: rneces@mastnet.net (Lynnaea AelCaymarth)
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 1997 15:23:07 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: re: USS CHESAPEAKE:  Extraction

SD 90720.2050
MD 14.1045
Scene:  CSO's Office
_____________________

Dana Bancroft's voice reverberated from her commbadge.  <<Ensign Keyrin,
your presence is requested in Shuttlebay.>> 

"Roger, Dana.  What's up down there?" 

<<It appears as if the Captain is leaving the ship.>> 

"What?!" 

<<Commander Brennan has informed us that the Captain requires immediate
medical leave and that Security is to ensure the safety of the mining ship
that Captain Bell will make her departure on.>> 

"Dear Gods,"  she breathed softly.  "On my way," she snapped.  

*   *   *

She made her way to Shuttlebay, and found the Captain awaiting her.  She
approached cautiously.  "Sir?" 

Captain Bell -- was she still the Captain?  What should she call her? --
nodded coolly at her, eyes frosted by an emotional ice.  Aelyria felt a keen
pang of regret and sympathy for her.  *This is not the way a Captain would
like things to end.*  The mining ship was there before them.  Issuing a
command to the pilot to open the hatch, she stepped inside, investigating
the interior.  It was old, and worn.  The CSO felt sharp doubts about
allowing the Captain aboard such a dubious vessel.  

"How old is this ship?"  she asked the pilot, a Rick Derringer according to
his name badge.  

"'Bout fifty years, ma'am."  

"Looks a lot older." 

"It's seen some heavy use.  Mining can be a cruel trade." 

*I'm sure.*  "When was the last time she put in for repairs?" 

"Six months ago." 

"Were any repairs made?" 

"We replaced some faulty wiring in the sensor systems, and upgraded the
crystals." 

She nodded.  *At least it's had some form of maintenance...* 

After a cursory nod to Derringer, she stepped back outside.  "Sir, I would
much prefer to see you aboard a proper Starfleet D-Warp," she sighed.  "But,
in light of the current situation, if you wish to take this vessel, you may.
It appears to be in good enough order, but it's by no means a luxury liner." 

"It will transfer me to a mining convoy leaving within a few hours,"  Bell
responded.  "For such a short trip, I think it will suffice." 

Aelyria nodded.  "Well, if the convoy is leaving so soon, you'd best board
and be on your way."  A pregnant silence followed.  

"I suppose." 

"Sir, it's been an honor serving under you.   I wish you the best of luck."
She held out her hand, one last gesture of contact. 

Slowly, as if it were a new action to her, the Captain responded, her grip
firm, her palm smooth, and then it was over, and the hatch was clanging
shut, blocking of the view of a woman who had known little but duty.

She stayed long enough to watch the slip slip like a rounded stone through
the waterfall of the Shuttlebay force field, and then she turned on her
heel, back to a ship that had just lost the tenuous foothold it had
struggled for.  

Respectfully submitted, 

Lynnaea AelCaymarth
Ens Aelyria Keyrin, CSO 
USS CHESAPEAKE

Amy:  Best of luck to you.  I hate to see you go, but it's a comfort to know
what a competent successor you have.  Hope we meet elsewhere in ASR sometime... 

 

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