A Good Conversation - Part II

Posted on Friday February 25th, 2022 @ 12:33pm by Lieutenant Steven Edgeware & Lieutenant Commander Curzon Bennett

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: 10th Fleet Headquarters
Timeline: MD01 1800 Hrs

“ Obviously I would like to know what happened to the Station. But also it would be interesting to see new things. Like maybe a first contact? Perhaps nose around one of those forest moons out there. Find a new species of animal or plant. But of course be there for the crew when they get sick or hurt,” Steven said.

'Spoken like a true doctor and man of science,' replied Bennett with a smile, 'I dare say there'll be more than just forest moons and and new animals to encounter - the Shackleton Expanse sounds like a dangerous, mysterious place to explore from the scant reports I've seen. Did you know Starfleet sent out an exploration mission in twenty-three-ten? Never heard from again, from what I've read.'

“ I heard something about that in an old report. There was speculation about many different aspects as to why they vanished. From a pack of metal and flesh eating space Amoebas to they came across a secret base and had to be silenced,” Steven said.

'Those guesses are as good as any,' Bennett replied with a shrug, 'It was pretty far out on the frontier in those days - most of the Beta Quadrant colonies that side of the Klingon Empire had yet to be settled.' He broke out into another smile, 'we'd best be on the look out for any space amoebas then.'

Steven gave a smile.

“You know that may not be as silly as you think. Historical files on the maiden voyage of the Enterprise D say they found something along those lines. Talking of surprises I hope the engineers did not as they usually do. Sign off the ship with an untested sickbay. The bio beds should of been calibrated to at least a rating of 90% no lower,' Steven said.

'Is that so?' Bennett replied with a small shake of the head, 'I didn't know the calibration had to be that high. Have you checked?'

“Oh yes. You must remember that not all of us originated on good old Earth. Vulcans have very low blood pressure which is difficult to read. Unless the bio bed is set high it would not be much use.” Edgeware said. ”Sometimes the Engineers forget that.”

'I see - hopefully that won't be the case this time, Doctor Edgeware.' Bennett looked at him and his lips quirked. 'I would hope as well there would be no need for you to look for surveillance devices this time around either.' The Captain steepled his fingers together, 'a most distressing report to read. Did you ever catch who was responsible for it?'

Bad memory’s of the day Deep Three vanished rose up in his mind. He blinked a few times. Steven had been on the verge of discovering who had put those devices in sick-bay. When the incident with the Borg nano probe infested bodies had diverted him.

“Could I trouble you for a glass of water please?” He asked.

Nodding, Bennett got to his feet, walked the short distance to the personal replicator and asked for a glass of chilled water. Carrying the glass back to his desk he placed it gently in front of the Doctor, then took his place back in his seat. Bennett leaned forward with a look of concern, momentarily playing with the wedding band on his finger, 'something concerning you, Doctor?'

Taking a sip of water Steven calmed himself.

“Sorry Captain. It’s silly I know. I was on the verge off confronting the person responsible. Then all that trouble with those corpses happened and we know what happened there. It kind of brings it home that if we had not gone off on the Pathfinder. Our fate would of been the same as Deep Space Three,” Edgeware said.

'It's not silly at all, replied Bennett with sympathy as he observed the doctor. 'You all had a close brush with death - who knows what would have

'No need to apologise,' replied Bennett sympathetically. 'You had a close run thing there. A few different decisions and it may have been you, not the Executive Officer who had stayed behind. No wonder Captain Bishop decided to retire after that - who know how many people that tragedy affected? Are you getting any Counselling sessions you need?'

Steven took another sip of water.

“Yes. Well I can’t very well tell those who survived the catastrophe to have counsellor sessions and not go myself.” He looked at Bennett more seriously.

“With all the recent activity with our Klingons friends. Plus the poor Romulans. Do you believe we will ever get the chance to actually discover what happened to Deep Space Three ?”

'I think we shall,' Bennett replied. 'I'm not going to take us out there into danger and not come back without answers. That is simply not in my nature, I'm afraid.'

“There is nothing to be afraid of. That is a good trait. Plus it is reassuring to hear that you will do that. I fear that the answers to our questions won’t be easy to discover," Steven agreed.

'I'll say. Both the Tenth Fleet and Pegasus Intelligence having poring over every bit of data over the past year. They've found nothing,' Bennett smiled humourlesly, 'or at least, nothing that they've cared to share. One little ship may be all the difference to the puzzle.'

Steven considered this thoughtfully.

“Maybe what ever caused it might let their guard down if one ship is seen poking around. But that also could be dangerous. Remember the Klingons have not been behaving themselves lately,” Steven warned.

'The Klingons haven't been behaving themselves for a long time,' Bennett replied easily. 'Klingons were my expertise for a long time. After the Dominion War that is.' He smiled, 'no-one really expected them to go off on this path, if they're honest. Still, there were plenty of signs that they would if we had looked hard enough. And here we are twenty years later, the bonds between us frayed like never before.'

“ I used to have some ties with the Klingons on ... Deep Space Three. But that’s kind of fizzled away now. I don’t think anyone will acknowledge me now. Which is a shame it came in handy when I was there,” Steven confessed.

Bennett sighed, 'an in with some Klingons would have been useful,' he brought his head up and grinned. 'But we'll manage as Starfleet has managed all along, and forge our own path. Once we're back in Federation Space, we should be alright. Some more water?'

Steven shook his head.

“No in fact I think it’s best I be going there is plenty to do before we launch.” Edgware said

Bennett nodded in satisfaction. 'Thank you Doctor. And thank you for the good conversation - you've put my mind at rest.' The new Commanding Officer got to his feet and extended his hand, 'dismissed.'


::OFF::

Lieutenant Commander Curzon Bennett
Commanding Officer
USS Oberon

Lieutenant Dr Steven Edgware
Chief Medical Officer
USS Oberon