Time to say good bye.

Posted on Sun Jan 17th, 2016 @ 9:11am by Admiral Deela T'Lar & Commodore Andrew Clifford
Edited on on Sun Jan 17th, 2016 @ 10:52pm

839 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 90 - The Great Relink
Location: SB400
Timeline: MD2 - 09:00

ON: Cliffords quarters.

Andrew stared at the uniform laying on the bed for the umpteenth time. He stil couldn't make up his mind whether to wear it for the last time or not. He was officially off duty today, but it still didn't feel right; not yet anyway.

He decided to wear it and then got changed. Five minutes later he left his quarters. All his personal belongings had been put aboard his ship, so the room now looked empty. He was dreading this and Admiral Bremers announcement the previous evening had totally destroyed his plan to let Admiral T'Lar be the first to know. He took one last look around the room, then walked out the door.

As he walked down the corridor the events of the days since returning from their last away mission played through his mind like a broken record. The mission had cleared his mind and had helped him decide his next move.

He entered the turbolift and headed to his destination and the hardest task he had had in all the years of his time in Starfleet.

He arrived at the door to her office and stood there for a few seconds. Finally he hit the door chime and waited.

Deela was going over some information. She wasn't expecting anyone. She called out, "Enter" as she looked towards the door.

Andrew walked into the room and just stood there, "Hello Admiral. I've come to apologize, and to say 'Farewell'."

Deela observed him for a moment before speaking, "There is no need to apologize. What is done, is done. Have a seat." She waited for him to sit.

Andrew sat down and looked across at T'Lar. "Thank you." Although he was sitting he was far from relaxed.

Deela leaned forward in her chair, "We have served with each other for how long? I always knew this moment would come, just not so soon."

"I'm not sure how many years we have served together, I have never really counted them. But the thing I am sorry about is not telling you before Admiral Bremer announced it to everybody last night." Although he tried he couldn't keep the bitterness out of his voice,"That came as a surprise, as did my promotion." He looked at and touched his new epaulette, the lowest of the flag ranks, but a flag rank all the same. "Just in time for me to quit the service and go back to Earth. That's where I am going, Admiral. I need to rest, I'm tired, if that makes any sense. " He couldn't think of anything else to say, he just felt so tired. The only time he was not tired was when he was running on adrenaline, like the last battle.

"I do understand. I am grateful for the time we served together and for sticking with me in the move. I could not have asked for a better officer than you." She also considered him a friend.

Deela leaned back again, "You say you are going back to Earth. What are your plans besides rest?"

Andrew also leaned back in his chair as he relaxed slightly, "In truth Admiral, no idea. I have managed to get land. I now own part of a forest in Eastern Europe, so I am going to spend some time there, then look at what my options are. I seriously doubt I will ever need to work again, but I also know myself well enough to know that sooner or later I will get bored and need to do something."

The two of them continued to chat for a while then they said their goodbyes and Andrew walked out into the corridor.

With his meeting with Admiral T'Lar over he walked the rest of the way to the hanger deck. The route took him past several observation windows and he spent time looking out at the ships docked. From one window he could see the Kearsarge, and he mentally saluted her and her crew. He briefly wondered who would be the new commanding officer, but then he moved on.

Eventually he reached the hanger deck and found his own small ship, a runabout sized private cruiser. It had been over a year since he last took her out, but once he boarded everything checked out and the ship was soon ready to depart. Getting out of his uniform he sat at the pilots console and took the small ship out and away from the Starbase. He briefly put the viewer on reverse angle watching the Station shrink into the distance. Then engaging warp drive he headed off back to Earth.

OOC: Friends, I have really enjoyed my time on SB400 and on the Essex. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to post regularly or give SB400 the attention it deserves, so have decided to call it a day. To all of you, all the best with whatever you do and thanks for allowing me to join you here. Au Revoir Dave - Aka Andrew Clifford.

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