A Good Conversation - Part I
Posted on Wednesday February 23rd, 2022 @ 5:35pm by Lieutenant Commander Curzon Bennett & Lieutenant Steven Edgeware
Mission:
EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: 10th Fleet Headquarters
Timeline: MD01 1800 Hrs
::ON::
It was all a blur. One moment he had been on Deep Space Three. About to do an autopsy on the bodies. Next the things had come to life! Borg! Why did it have to be Borg! Nano bytes obviously asleep inside the bodies while in cryogenic sleep. But once they started to thaw came alive at alarming speed.
Steven had been lucky. But not so a few medics. The drones had escaped and Steven along with the other senior staff and chased them in the Pathfinder. But when they returned to where the station should have been.It was gone.
Then weeks of debriefing by Starfleet.
Then while he was at home on Earth. Visiting his mother and family in Ballybrack, Ireland. New orders had come through. He was to report to Betazed where the USS Oberon was docked. As her new Chief Medical Officer.
Steven had a massive argument with his mother. She had never been to happy with him joining up to Starfleet in the first place. Worried she may suffer and embolism shouting at him. He left early and decided to spend a few days on Risa. Before heading to Betazed.
Now fully refreshed and decked out in his medical blues. Steven arrived at the airlock leading to the Oberon.
Crewman Anderson looked up from his console and sighed. It was only Oh-Nine-Hundred and already he was struggling with his duty shift. Not that it was challenging. On the contrary, corralling the various arrivals through the central transportation hub was a cinch, and therein lay the problem. The young man had joined Starfleet to see the galaxy. In his three years so far he had seen Betazed and Deep Space Three and thoroughly explored what both had to offer.
Anderson looked up as he heard the telltale transporter whine of the latest transport consignment. He supposed idly that the cargo was being transported to Bay Eight. Perhaps it would have what Dulmer and Luscly were looking for. A peculiar pair he thought absently. The young human focussed up and concentrated on his first arrival, a Lieutenant in the Medical Department it seemed.
'Starfleet ID, Sir,?' he asked politely and with a smile.
Steven reached into his kit bag and produced his id.
“ There you go Anderson. Long time no see, by the way how’s that shoulder doing?” Steven asked.
'Shoulder's doing good, Doc,' Anderson smiled as he returned the ID to the Medical Officer. 'Still gets tight when swinging a racket, but I'm sure it'll ease out. Everything's in order, Sir. Please proceed to the right out the door, and it should get you to the Turbolift. Details have been uploaded to your PADD if you get lost.'
Edgeware smiled and giving his padd a quick check he entered the turbo lift. Closing his eyes as the doors closed. He requested his floor and took a deep breath. As the car began to move. There were many smells in the universe, but in his mind. Nothing beat that new starship smell. Soon the car came to a gentle stop. Getting out he made his way to the CO’s office. Once there he pressed the door chime and waited to be called in.
'Enter!' Bennett called from his Ready Room. He was still getting used to his new chair, and was perched in it a little uncomfortably as he read through the latest report he was expected to digest before launch. The new Commanding Officer was grateful for the distraction.
Steven walked in and extended his hand. He had met Bennett briefly once before and wondered if he would remember.
“Greetings Commander Bennett. Good to see you again. How are you?” Steven asked.
'I'm well Doctor, er, Edgeware,' Bennett smiled, having a vague recollection of having meeting the Medical Officer briefly before. 'How was your journey to Betazed? Have you taken any time to visit the sights?' The Commanding Officer took his seat and indicated Edgeware should likewise do the same.
" To be honest sir. Not really. Due to a family argument I decided to leave Earth early. So I took a slight detour to Risa. Just my luck the transport from there to Betazed got delayed due to engine problems." Steven informed him.
'Well that's a shame,' Bennett replied sympathetically. 'Both for the argument and being delayed.' He laced his hands together and rested his elbows on the table in front of him. 'I might be biased, but I'd say Betazed has more to offer that Risa. Better food, better attractions to visit.' Bennett smiled, 'amongst other things.' He thought for a moment, 'we don't launch for another forty-eight hours roughly. You should take some time and at least visit the capital city tomorrow.'
Steven would like to visit the capital city. He had heard that some of the most breath-taking architecture could be found there. But with only forty-eight hours before launch, Steven needed to get sickbay sorted.
“ Thanks for the recommendation sir. But if we have only forty-eight hours before we launch. It might be prudent to look over sickbay. You know how Starfleet engineers consider something ready. Even if it’s not working 100%,” he explained.
The Commanding Officer nodded, 'that's quite fair Doctor. I know how we all enjoy getting our duty stations and offices just right before launch. It must have taken me the first week or so to get my Intelligence Department running just right the last time I shipped out.' Bennett smiled gently once more, 'are you looking forward to heading back out there?'
“ Oh yes sir. Will we be looking into what happened with our old posting, Deep Space Three or are going to be on other duties?” Steven considered Bennett as he asked this question.
The Captain regarded the man coolly for a moment. Bennett was used to keeping his cards close to his chest, as were most intelligence officers. But he was in a new role now, and it didn't help anyone if they were kept in the dark. 'That is one aspect of our mission, yes,' he confirmed quietly.
Steven nodded.
“ Well. It will be good for those of us who served on Deep Space Three. Give us closure so to speak. After all it was a terrible thing to find her vanished like that. But I suppose we’ll also be exploring as well. There are so many treasures to see out there.” Steven said.
'That's quite right. We're a multi-role starship, and the only one that Starfleet can spare at the moment,' Bennett smiled, 'we'll hold our own out there and we'll boldly go as the motto says.' Bennett looked to the Doctor. 'How about you, what do you hope to achieve out here?'
Steven rubbed his chin in thought.
[To Be Continued ...]
::OFF::
Lieutenant Commander Curzon Bennett
Commanding Officer
USS Oberon
Lieutenant Dr Steven Edgware
Chief Medical Officer
USS Oberon