Taking a Breath

Posted on Sun Oct 4th, 2015 @ 12:28pm by Captain Jack Solomon

629 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Episode 89 - Futility's Return
Location: USS Essex, Chief Engineers Office
Timeline: MD2 2300hrs

Jack was finalising his reports for Admiral T'Lar after the completion of the Borg mission. He was gathering his thoughts on the performance of the crew during the actions that took place and also gathering his thoughts on his own actions, both personal and professional.

As he got up to walk over to the replicator, Jack caught a look of his reflection in the wall mounted unit and for the first time in the past few days, he caught sight of the third black pip now on his gold uniform shirt collar. He stopped for a moment and absent mindedly ran a finger over all three ranks, making sure the third one wasn't a dream. Feeling the third pip confirmed he wasn't dreaming and a smile crept across his face.

"Computer. Hot Chocolate, double sweet," Jack requested and he pick up the beverage once it was provided and hesded back to his desk.

The past few days were still a blur in some respects. He recalled requesting permission to go on a personal mission to both Deela and Admiral Bremer to meet with Talia, his ex-girlfriend and sometime personal enemy who had re-appeared after several years away claiming to have in her posession evidence that would exonorate him from a case he was convicted false by Section 31 several years before. Assigned to the Steadfast along with Zhan, T'Lar, Phoenix and First Ramata`tar.

Jack shrugged a grin from himself as he recalled his first thoughts of serving with a Jem'Hadar warrior after his time spent in the Dominion War. That was one for the books. Despite this, his friends had been there for him during the mission. Whilst Jack had been captured by Toral, son of Duras and enemy of the Klingon Empire, they fought to rescue him and Talia.

That meant a lot to him and wouldn't be forgotten. Ever.

It felt instantaneous but almost as soon as they had returned to SB400, Jack had his rank re-instated, was transferred to the position of Assistant Chief Engineer on SB400 and was then assigned to the Essex as Chief Engineer for the mission. That alone made his day. Serving as a senior officer again, especially on the Essex, gave Jack a sense of pride and honour and he made sure to perform to his fullest duty. However the Intrepid Class Starship had taken a beating during the mission and on the return trip home, Jack had assigned all repair crews and spare operations teams on repair and damage control.

With the starship now docked at the Starbase, extra personnel were assigned to the task and the Essex was now back up to her full specs. Jack was proud that she was shipshape again and that he had performed well with a crew who was slightly familiar with him. A crew that had performed admirably under his command and Jack made note of this during his reports to the Admiralty.

After finishing his reports and transmitting them to Admiral T'Lar and Fleet Admiral Bremer, Jack took another sip of his drink as the door chimed. He looked up and saw a young ensign waiting for his attention.

"What is it, Ensign?" Jack asked.

"Commander, just to confirm that the ships final repair teams have disembarked to the Starbase. Your belongings have also been transferred to your quarters," she reported.

"Very good Ensign. Get yourself on your way, I'm just finishing up here," Jack answered. As she nodded and left Engineering, Jack smiled as he felt the thrill when she had said "Commander" and sat for a moment.

"Thats not getting old anytime soon," he said to himself. A few hours later Jack was back in his quarters, off shift and resting, preparing for his first shift in his new post.

RSS Feed