Checking Up

Posted on Tue Dec 4th, 2012 @ 4:11pm by Admiral Deela T'Lar & Brigadier General David Hurd Sr

902 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission 80 - Outpost
Location: Starbase 400/Sickbay
Timeline: Current

ON:

Deela had finished her meeting with Lokran and R'nard. now she needed to check up on Hurd who she heard was injured during the mission. She read the report too that Hurd lost some men. She wanted to make sure that he was okay. She did have an ulterior motive as well. What she had for him, it would definitely raise his spirits.

She walked into sickbay and looked around for Hurd. She walked over to him, "Hello Major Hurd. How are you doing?"

Looking at the Admiral, Major Hurd tried to sit up, but the pain in his chest wouldn't allow it. Instead, he eased himself up into a sitting position, Saluted, and said, ''So, So Ma'am, just thinking about the men I lost is all''. As hard as he tried, as he said these words, a single tear rolled down his face.

Deela grabbed a chair and sat down. She could sense his sadness and frustration loosing his men and felt for him.

Deela put her hand on his, "Loosing crewmen is never easy. I've lost so many people that I stopped counting after fifteen. You don't know this because you've only been on the Essex for a short time but I lost a fiance and a husband. What is worse is that it was under my command that they died. I felt guilty for so long, like maybe if I had done something different, they'd still be alive. Unfortunately, I wasn't given the gift of foresight...none of us were. So you can't keep kicking yourself. Mourn the death of your men, it's okay. Just don't blame yourself."

David wiped the tear from his face, and said, ''Yes Ma'am, May I request one thing Ma'am?''

"Yes you may."

After she had replied, Major Hurd continued, '' I would like to request that a memorial service be held Ma'am.''

Deela nodded, "That can definitely be arranged. I think it would be good for everyone involved."

Smiling, Major Hurd looked at the Admiral and said in a deep, gratefull voice, ''Thank You ma'am''

"There is another reason that I am here besides checking up on you. I know that you feel like you failed your men in some way but I want you to know that you didn't. What I am about to do isn't going to change what happened nor make this last mission any less painful but I want you to know how important you are to this team."

Deela revealed what she was holding in her hand and held it out to show him, "Here is your new silver rank insignia. We're promoting you to Lt. Colonel. And if you tell me that you are not worthy of this honor, I'll beat you over the head with it." She smiled briefly and then became serious, "There is one more thing I want you to do. I want you to make an appointment with Counselor Dallas and talk to her."

Dumbfounded, Hurd just lay there, gazing at the rank insignia in the admiral's hand. Slowly coming to the words he needed, David asked simply, ''Why me Ma'am?"

"Why not you?" She had never experienced such a overflow of emotions. Not only was he confused but he was also angry, sad, frustrated and depressed although he wasn't showing all of it outwardly. His emotions overwhelmed her. Deela stood up, "You laid your life down on the line. Believe me, you deserve this promotion."

Pausing for a moment, David replied ''Ma'am, I did not mean any disrepect in what i asked, it's just simply that i feel as though, at least at the moment, that i somehow failed in my mission.'' gathering his emotions, he continued, ''I mean do not get me wrong, i am happy to accept this promotion, more than happy, its just that, in a way i dont feel worthy of this''.

Deela understood what he was going through and could see that maybe it's still a little too soon to do this. He needed to come to terms with what happened out there , "I'll tell you what. You hold onto it, let it all sink in, then come back and see me. We'll make it official then."

Pausing to consider the Admiral's words, David replied, ''Ma'am, that will not be necessary.'' Catching his breath, David continued, ''I hereby accept, effective immediately, the promotion to Lt. Colonel'', and after a short pause, he added, ''That is, if the offer is still on the table Ma'am'.'

"Yes, it is. I knew that you'd see it my way." Deela smiled again and shook his hand, "Congratulations Lt. Colonel. Now, get some rest and get better."

Smiling, David took the rank insignia into his hand, closing his fist over them, and silently vowing to preform his duties to the best of his ability. Looking back at the admiral, he smiled, and asked her, ''Ma'am, will there be any formal ceremony's planned for this?

"I'm not sure if Admiral Bremer has planned anything. But as soon as you are released from Sickbay, I'm planning a little get-together in honor of those who have been promoted."

David paused for a moment before he spoke again. ''Yes Ma'am, they should be letting me out of here by the end of the day.''

"That's great. Expect an invite soon then." Deela walked out of Sickbay with a smile.

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