A Time of Need - Part II

Posted on Fri 13th Jul, 2012 @ 1:58pm by Colonel Horatio Drake

865 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/2
Location: Deck 12: Main Ops
Timeline: Pre-Mission #1

This second part of the post was meant to take place before mission one and is set about a week apart from each other. But since I wanted to get them both posted before the main mission starts, I've used a bit of writers license!

ON:
“I’m not calling you sir... I’ll call you many things... but I’m not calling you sir”

Ashton was re-calibrating the secondary phaser targeting scanners from the tactical station in Ops. With the upcoming diplomatic talks, everyone was busy in preparation; even the tactical department. He didn’t mind though... not only did he enjoy virtually every aspect of his old department, it gave him a sense of belonging and purpose.

The voice came from behind him... he could tell someone had just come out of the main turbolift. Ops was very disconcerting for him and probably the most unusual thing he had, personally, had to get used to. On a Starship the Bridge is a privileged position to be in... usually only Senior Staff or Junior Officers are even allowed onto the Bridge at all. In contrast, a Starbase’s Operations Centre was a hive of activity... there was no protocol about who and who not was allowed in it and at any given time there were over twenty officers and enlisted personnel scuttling about getting on with one job or another.

But this voice he knew... this voice was the last voice he expected to hear at that point in time...

He turned to see a middle-aged man in an enlisted uniform standing a few feet away from him. The rank insignia told him the man held the rank of Sergeant Major; something that could only be achieved through hard work and time served. His face, screamed out as evidence of battles fought, some won, some lost – he was a man of experience and it showed. Flimsy, floppy hair that was now turning a dark shade of grey sat atop piercing blue eyes. Ashton knew this man... he knew him well...

“Sergeant Major... do you think it’s funny pretending to have a higher rank than you do?” Ashton had to use every ounce of his strength not to break into a smile.

“Colonel... I could ask you the same bloody question... where’s your yellow gone! You looked good in yellow!” Evidently the Sergeant wasn’t finding it as difficult to remain straight faced.

Ashton could restrain himself no more; he broke into a massive grin and cleared the few feet separating them in less than two seconds before embracing the Chief as if meeting a long lost brother.

“Jesus Ashton, I can’t breath!” The Chief blurted out.

Releasing him he held him by the arms and took a long look into his eyes, “Graham , it is so good to see you!”

“Likewise” he replied, a small grin creeping onto his face as well.

“What the hell are you doing here” He questioned, now leaning against the closest console.

“Well, I wouldn’t expect you to read your own manifest – I’m your new Command Chief!”

“Command Chief?! I didn’t even know we were getting one!”

“Well... I had to pull a few strings and a couple of favours...”

“But, hang on... last time we spoke Starfleet were giving your Chief Engineer on the Indomitable?” Ashton was suddenly confused.

“Ah, I couldn’t really be bothered with the hassle!” The Sergeant broke the line of sight.

“Hassle?! Graham, the Indomitable is Starfleet’s newest Sovereign Class! You were going to be given a commission!”

“Now, I thought I taught you rank means nothing!” Graham mocked being insulted.

“I know, but...” Ashton quickly found himself lost for words, “how long has it been now? Twenty six, twenty seven years in Starfleet?”

“Twenty seven” the Sergeant quickly reminded him.

“Twenty seven years, one of the most seasoned and highly decorated officers in Starfleet – the Sovereign Class is the only class you haven’t served on! They would have made you a full Commander, at the very least!”

“Exactly, and with what I’ve done for them the bastards can at least give me my choice of assignment and I chose here!” He said, in his harsh Scottish accent, as if it were a run-of-the-mill choice.

“Why?” The word left Ashton’s mouth before he could stop it.

“Do you honestly think I would let you run this place without me? God, it’d be a wreck within a month!” He said smiling.

Ashton was silent for a moment, “So... Command Chief, ay?”

“Yep” he brushed some imaginary dust from his tunic “I took the command course at the Academy and here I am!”

“... With Sarah and the kids, I trust” Ashton quickly added.

“Of course!”

“It really is good to see you, Graham...” Ashton suddenly felt very emotional.

“Of course it is” He winked at Ashton, “Right, what say we get a drink and you can tell me how on earth they have entrusted you with this monster of a station!”

Smiling, Ashton put a friendly arm around the Sergeant as the two headed off down the corridor to feed their old habit.

OFF:

 

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