The Final Goodbye

[Crystal Rose]

Crystal was in her quarters on the Olympia, she had a holo-puzzle active on the desk but she wasn't trying to solve it now. She had too much on her mind and desperately needed to unwind. She wasn't really that tired but she couldn't focus.

She had finished the shoreleave authorisations and was debating going on to the station herself. She felt she had a lot to do here, maybe she wasn't cut-out for being in command. Maybe she should go back to science. Maybe she should go to sickbay and just get the doctor to knock her out for 48 hours or so...

Crystal sighed deeply, trying to decide what she was going to do next. Then her door chime went and saved her the trouble of making the decision.

"Come in" Crystal called.

Tag: someone to drag the FO on shoreleave

[Deleted]

Word had eventually filtered down to sickbay that the Olympia was out of danger; After Jack had made a final check of the remaining patients in sickbay he nodded to Mike to take over and made his way off to his quarters.

Jack took a shower and dressed in a clean uniform he had acquired an extra god pip and attached the three to his collar. Jack was looking forward to having Mike’s and Janet’s promotion accepted so he could give them the good news.

Mike picked up the PADDs with the requests and made his way to the First Officer’s quarters, Jack had come to respect Crystal although he didn’t know her all that well he knew that she was going to be a fantastic officer to work with.

Jack pressed the panel next to her quarters and waited for the door to open, as it did he saw Crystal looking up to see who her visitor was.

“I see I am not the only one who doesn’t know how to spend shore leave.”

<Tag Crystal>

“well I think I can solve our dilemma I will order you to take shore leave, and you order me to take shore leave and that way we have no excuse, How about we head to the station and grab something to eat?”

<Tag Rose>

“Oh by the way I have some staff promotions I would like you to rush through for me, I think some good news will help my staffs moral.”

<Tag Rose>

[Deleted]

Steve was calmly sitting at his desk in his ready room, going over the mission reports and checking how much damage it was estimated that the Olympia had taken. Luckily, they had gotten away from the Romulans without any much damage, which is always a good thing.

Just then, the comms beeped. =/\= Bridge to Captain. =/\=

Steve pressed the button on his desk to reply. =/\= Smith here. =/\=

=/\= Sir, we are recieving a Priority One transmission from Starfleet Medical on text for your eyes only. =/\=

=/\= Okay, thank you. Patch it through to my Ready Room. =/\=

=/\= Aye sir, Bridge out. =/\=

The comms cut off, and Steve accessed his data terminal on his desk. He put in a command to access the message and then was asked for his authorisation. 'Must be really serious.' He thought. 'Surely it must be good news.'

"Authorisation Smith Four Seven Delta Echo." Steve said, and the computer accepted his code and accessed the message. The more he read, the more his heartbeat sped up and it began harder for him to breathe. After reading the message at least a couple more times, he switched the terminal off and ran a hand through his hair.

His hand shaking, he reached to the comms button and opened a shipwide channel:

=/\= Captain Smith to all senior staff. I know it's shoreleave, but I need to see you all in my Ready Room immediately. Smith out. =/\=

Once the comms were cut off, Steve just sat there in silence, taking deep breaths with a couple of tears falling down his face.

[joelhuebner]

Huebner was reading quietly in his quarters. The last mission had taxed his knowledge of the Olympia's tactical systems and he was brushing up on the specs, reliving the mission to ensure that any errors he made would be corrected before next time. Suddenly his com chirped:

=/\= Captain Smith to all senior staff. I know it's shoreleave, but I need to see you all in my Ready Room immediately. Smith out. =/\=

Setting his PADD aside he quickly changed out of his lounge clothes and put on a fresh new uniform. As he was putting on the shirt he stopped suddenly looking at the gold pips on his collar. For a moment he hesitated, wondering what he had done so well to earn those pips. Quietly he returned to the task of dressing, thinking of his family and how much he missed them.

Suddenly his com chirped again. Reaching for the panel he saw his wife's face appear. "Hi Honey, how are you doing?, she asked.

"I'm doing ok how are you and the kids doing dear?"

"We're just fine, I don't have a lot of time right now, but we'll be arriving on Starbase 204 in a few hours. I hear that you are docked there. Is there any chance you can meet up with us?"

Huebner replied, "I hope so, I miss you all so much, I'll com you soon, I have a staff meeting to attend with the Captain and the rest of the Senior staff. I love you honey!"

Switching off the com he left his quarters and headed for the Captain's Ready room. He waited at the door and heard "Come in", so he entered. Without having much contact with the crew since shoreleave Huebner was surprised to see that he was the first one there.

"Hello Captain!" Huebner pulled up a chair to wait for the others and tried to make small talk with Captain Smith.

"Sir, I don't mean to pry, but do you have a family?"

Tag Smith

[Crystal Rose]

Crystal was surprised to see Jack, she had assumed he, like most of the rest of the crew, had all ready gone off ship. His next words explained things a bit.“I see I am not the only one who doesn’t know how to spend shore leave.”

Crystal gave a wry smile, "It's so difficult to unwind. I keep feeling that there is something else I ought to be doing." She paused and sighed "not that I've ever been particularly good at taking time out."

“well I think I can solve our dilemma I will order you to take shore leave, and you order me to take shore leave and that way we have no excuse, How about we head to the station and grab something to eat?”

Crystal broke into an actual smile at that point, "Sound good to me." She dropped the PADD she was holding onto her desk and headed to the door.

“Oh by the way I have some staff promotions I would like you to rush through for me, I think some good news will help my staffs moral.”

Crystal nodded, it still seemed strange that people were coming to her to get promotions sorted.

"Of course," she replied "After we've had that meal."

They made it to the restaurant, a human/bajoran fusion place and were looking at the menu when their comm badges chirped.

=/\= Captain Smith to all senior staff. I know it's shoreleave, but I need to see you all in my Ready Room immediately. Smith out. =/\=

Crystal dropped the menu and she and Jack headed back to the Olympia as fast as fast as possible. She had heard a tone in the Captain's voice that she didn't like. He was upset about something and barely holding it together. As far as Crystal was aware there weren't many things that could get Steven Smith that upset. Given that the Olympia herself was fine that meant it had to be Arya or Renora.

Crystal and Jack reached the ready room just in time to hear Joel ask the Captain if he had a family. Crystal suppressed an involuntary wince, maybe she didn't know the Captain as well as she thought but she didn't think that was very hopeful.

She settled quietly and waited.

[Deleted]

Steve was standing behind the chair that was situated behind his desk, and he leant forward and rested on the top of it with his forearms. Joel had arrived and acknowledged Steve. Just as he was about to say something else, Crystal and Jack entered.

As they entered, Joel asked a question

"Sir, I don't mean to pry, but do you have a family?"

"Getting smaller and smaller all the time." He replied under his breath, but probably audible enough for the others to hear. While Steve waited for David to arrive, he began to pace and occasionally stared out the window, saying nothing. To the outside observer, there was something seriously wrong, but for the moment Steve wasn't giving anything away as to what it was.

He then return to his chair and sat down. "Thank you for coming." He addressed the occupants of the room, in a low gravely voice. "Once Mr Tan gets here, I will begin."

[David Tan]

=^= Captain Smith to all Senior staff .. I know it's shore leave .. But I need to see you all in my Ready Room immediately .. Smith out =^=

David heard the Comm, 'Immediately' wasn't going to happen, unless he got this relay fitted in the next few minutes.

"Sir ... You heard the Comm ?" Ensign L'denz said.

"Yes, but we need this in-place." Tan replied.

"I can manage this Sir, not a problem." L'denz reassured the Second Officer, "Might take me a little while longer, but hey, it's not like we're going anywhere, is it."

David thought about it .. With almost everyone but essential maintenance and re-fit crews taking advantage of the shore leave, he'd decided to assist wherever possible. But it was obvious that the Captain needed his staff.

Handing the micro-caliper to L'denz, he stood, brushing off his overalls ..

"If you have ANY problems, get hold of me OK."

"Aye Sir."

Tan entered the turbo-lift and stated his destination ... Steeping onto the Bridge, he walked to the ready room and entered ..

"Thank you for coming." Steven addressed the occupants of the room, in a low gravely voice. "Once Mr Tan gets here, I will begin." he finished as the door opened, "Right on cue David."

"My Apologies Captain." Tan said, taking the seat to the right of Steven, "I was helping replace the new phaser relay's."

After a few seconds silence, the Captain began ..........



< tag : Captain >

[Deleted]

David entered the Ready Room and offered his apologies. Steve just waved it away and waited for David to sit down. As he wasn't really that much later than the rest, Steve didn't see that it was that much of an issue....besides, something FAR more important was on his mind right now.

Steve cleared his through and began what was probably one of the conversations that he never would have wanted to have. "A short while ago I recieved and communication from Starfleet Medical back on Earth. When we left Starbase Bellicose to start on our mission, it was arranged that Arya, my wife, would get transported from there to the better equipped facilities on Earth. Everything went ok, and she was still in her stasis. The doctors on Earth weren't able to find out any more information on the virus that had struck her down."

He paused, letting the information sink in. "Now I didn't bring you here just to tell you this. Starfleet Medical have contacted me to inform me that the virus is now beginning to affect Arya even in her stasis which, as nothing resembling a cure has been found, is going to kill her. They have estimated that she will last only 30 hours."

Even by saying all this to his crew, Steve was managing to keep his composure. This was by no means an easy feat. "I know we have just finished a very stressful mission, and I also know we are on shoreleave, but realistically I have two options. One, I can get transport to Earth on one of the other vessels here at the Starbase which should get me there with plenty of time before Arya passes, with you staying here with the Olympia on shoreleave. Or, the second option is that you temporarily forego shoreleave for now and come with me in the Oly to Earth, which will be much faster. Once on Earth I will make sure you all get extended shoreleave."

He stopped talking for a few moments and then looked around the room. "What will it be?"

[David Tan]

" ...... One, I can get transport to Earth on one of the other vessels here at the Star base, which should get me there with plenty of time before Arya passes. With you staying here with the Olympia on shore leave. Or, the second option is that you temporarily forego shore leave for now and come with me in the Olympia to Earth, which will be much faster ... Once on Earth I will make sure you all get extended shore leave."

David listened to his friend and Captain. Watching him as he spoke, Tan could see it was taking all Steven's will power to control his emotions. He had known the Captain for a long time, and knew he would not 'order' the Olympia to Earth, but chose to leave the decision to the Senior Staff.

"What will it be ?" the Captain said, sitting down.

"Captain ..." Tan said, looking around the room before continuing, "From a ships' readiness point of view we can depart in two hours. We should reach Earth within twenty four hours, but if Engineering can hold us at one hundred and fifteen percent, we should make it in eighteen."

Several people round the room nodded in agreement, "I say we go !" David said, then waited for the rest to speak ..........


< tag : Senior Officers >

[Deleted]

The Captains words hit Jack close to home, memories of his wife filled his mind the virus that killed her and the choice he made. Tan was the first to agree to go Jack nodded as he spoke.

“I agree the sooner we get there the better, I can have all my staff back on board within thirty minutes.”

Jack’s hands were clenched in fists emotions were running through him, he tried to focus on the things he needed to do to get sickbay at peak readiness instead of letting his wife fill his thoughts although he was unsuccessful all he could think about was her.

[Crystal Rose]

"Starfleet Medical have contacted me to inform me that the virus is now beginning to affect Arya even in her stasis which, as nothing resembling a cure has been found, is going to kill her. They have estimated that she will last only 30 hours."

Crystal heard the Captain's words, even though she had half suspected them she was still shocked. Of course, there was no way she was going to let the Captain take a transport. She dimmly heard the numbers as David recited them although to be fair they had been what she had been reading before Dr Crane had arrived.

"We're going back to Earth," Crystal said flatly. "I'll deal with the arrangements as you have enough on your mind."

*************************
A while later.

The meeting had finished and Crystal was standing on the empty bridge. She took a deep breath and tapped her comm badge.

=/\=This is Commander Rose to all Olympia crew. Shoreleave has been cancelled. Please report back on board within the hour. We are shipping out in 95 minutes. All department heads please meet me in the conference room in one hour.=/\=

She knew she was cutting their time to gather the crew down but she also knew it could be done. No doubt there would be one or two crew members who had over indulged all ready but they would cope. With that she hurried back to her quarters she had a lot to do.

[David Tan]

Crystal had watched the Olympia's Officers, first David, then each in turn, as they had sympathized with the Captain's plight. Then turned to face her Commanding Officer.

"We're going back to Earth." she said flatly. "I'll deal with the arrangements as you have enough on your mind Captain."

The decision was made ..

An hour later, Tan had been over the ship, ensuring that whatever issues each department had, would either be resolved before the Olympia left the Star base, or en-route. But would not interfere with the departure.

"How we doing David ?" Crystal asked, standing next to the Second Officer.

"We'll be ready Commander ..." Tan replied, checking several read-outs on his panel, "I've requisitioned several photon torpedoes to replace the ones used, Commander Heubner will bring you a full report in the briefing."

"We need to get the Captain back to Earth." Commander Rose said quietly.

"We will ... The Dock-master has given us immediate departure clearace, say the word and we're out of here. Engineering has assured me we can take the warp engines to one hundred and fifteen percent, that should shave off several hours. I've already informed the department that I'll be spending some time down there."

"A new career on the horizon David ?" Crystal said smiling.

"Erm 'NO' ! ... It takes me all my time to remember which direction we're traveling when I'm down there." Tan said, feigning shock, as if revealing a secret, "But the people down there 'DO' know what they're doing, and with a little encouragement ......"

"OK ......" the Executive Officer said, a relaxed smile forming, as she checked the chronometer above the view-screen, "Department heads will be here in ten minutes, I'll be in the conference room."

"Aye ... Ma'am." Tan said, grinning as he felt the XO's eyes burn for a second into his back with mock annoyance, knowing how much Crystal hated the salutation ..........

[Deleted]

Jack had returned to sickbay to oversee his staff returning from shore leave, after a few of his nurses trickled in the annoyed face of Janet Reilly storm through the main doors. She eyed Jack over for a moment before raising an eyebrow and saying.

“Commander now, congratulations.” Janet’s tone was less than congratulatory and more sarcastic.

Jack only smiled in response and wondered how Janet would have spent her shore leave had it not been cancelled, he came to the conclusion that outside of work she must have a nice side to her personality, however unlikely it seemed. “we are returning to earth there is a patient at Starfleet medical that isn’t responding to treatment and her husband needs to be with her.” Jack didn’t reveal that it was the captains wife the last thing Smith needed was receiving sympathy from the entire crew, and no doubt word would spread quickly enough without his help. “Have the medical staff report in, after they do I need to see you and Mike in my office.”

Janet nodded at Jack before heading off to the experiments she was conducting.

Jack made his way off to his office, sitting behind his desk Jack sighed heavily Jack hadn’t been back to earth in at least three or four years and now he was going he had no choice but to face his family. He had kept in contact with his own parents but he had fallen out of contact with his mother in law and his brother in law. They still blamed him for Stacey’s death and he was sure once they learned he was on earth they would look him up to get some things off their mind.

Jack was lost in his own thoughts when Janet and mike entered the room, Janet cleared her throat loudly indicating she was in no mood to wait around, Jack stood and smiled at both of them before pressing a small control PADD on the front of his desk opening a small drawer, he pulled out two small wooden boxes and handed them t the two officers.

“You have both earned these promotions, Mike Hall from this moment on you will hold the rank of Lieutenant Junior grade, Congratulations. And Janet I made a special request regarding your rank instead of going to lieutenant you will move up to lieutenant commander you have performed duties well above the rank of lieutenant and I decided it was best to skip you up a rank, besides you need the authority to take over in case anything happens to me.”

Mike was grinning uncontrollably while Janet kept her cool emotionless face. “Now if you will excuse me I need to attend a staff meeting.”

Jack left and made his way to the bridge, entering he saw Commander Rose and Commander Tan standing in the centre of the bridge, he made his way over and said.

“My staff is all accounted for Medical department reports ready when is the briefing due to start?”

<Tag Rose/ Tan>

[Crystal Rose]

Crystal and David were talking on the bridge it was just a matter of waiting for the last few clearances to come through.

“My staff is all accounted for Medical department reports ready when is the briefing due to start?”

Crystal sighed slightly, "I was just about to head into the conference room. Would you to join me?"

The three officers walked into the conference room and Crystal almost flopped into the nearest chair. The Captain's worry had been weighing on her too.

"Before the others get here I'd like to talk to you both. I know the Captain has been under a lot of stress recently, he understandly hasn't been quite himself since his wife collapsed."

There was a touch of bitterness in Crystal's voice, Arya Smith's illness had been one important scientific mystery she hadn't been able to unravel and it still nagged at her.

"He seems to be coping okay although I have no idea how he is dealing with everything. I doubt I'd do as well. I'd like your help to try to make things as easy as possible for him and to keep an eye on him, make sure he's not pushing himself to far. David, you've known the Captain longer than I have and Jack, you're the medical professional. I need your help."

Crystal gave another sigh and sank further into her chair.

[David Tan]

"He seems to be coping OK, although I have no idea how he is really dealing with everything. I doubt I'd do as well. I'd like your help to try to make things as easy as possible for him and to keep an eye on him, make sure he's not pushing himself to far. David, you've known the Captain longer than I have and Jack, you're the medical professional. I need your help."

Crystal gave another sigh and sank further into her chair.

David knew all too well how much Arya's illness had affected his friend. Steven was almost distraught to the point of leaving the Olympia to be with his wife. But he'd been convinced by others that there was nothing he could do should he decide to sit by her bedside.

"I think ...." David began, ".... All we can do is support him, and be available should he need to talk. We should get Olympia back to Earth as soon as we can. The less time he has to dwell on the outcome, the better. he won't appreciate condolences from the Senior Staff or crew, so we should try to get him to Arya with minimal fuss."

"Is there a possibility he'd have an adverse reaction to this situation ...." the Doctor began, " .... because if I'm called upo ...."

"He'll be fine Doctor." Tan interrupted, and was about to continue when the door opened, allowing several of the Senior Staff to join the meeting ..........

[Deleted]

Jack was quite as he stood next to Commander Tan listening to Commander Rose voice her concerns. Jack looked to the floor gathering his thoughts before he said.

“I don’t know the captain as well as the both of you do, but I know the situation he is in the best thing for him right now is to feel like he is doing something it isn’t a question of if he is going to push himself to hard but when he starts.” Jack looked to Tan and then Rose before then saying.


“I nearly killed an innocent person to save my wife... I didn’t sleep for days on end, I didn’t eat didn’t care what happened to me I only had one goal.. The captain is strong he will come through this.”

Jack turned as he heard the door open and more senior staff entered the room. Jack took his seat and waited for the meeting to start, he avoided looking at anyone preferring to take the few minutes to fill in the PADD in front of him containing routine documents such as equipment and medical requisitions and the staff roster.

<Tag>

[Deleted]

Hours after Steve made his annoucement to the rest of the senior crew, the USS Olympia was well on her way to Earth. For pretty much all of that time Steve had been holed up in his quarters. Right now he was standing over Renora's cot and was watching her sleep. She had grown pretty fast, but still wasnt able to walk or talk, or even attempt to. Little Renora was also still far to young to have any idea about what was going on around her. One day, Steve was going to have to tell her what happened to her mother, Arya...but today wasn't that day. It seems he is going to be left with the prospect of running the Oly AND looking after her on his own.

'Gonna be a challenge.' He thought, tears welling in his eyes. 'But for you sweetheart, I WILL get though it...and I WILL be strong....I promise you.' Steve wiped the tears away and approached the door to his quarters. As the opened, he stood in the doorway and turned to Renora. "I'll be back soon. Don't go anywhere." With that, he exited his quarters and headed towards the turbolift.

Upon entering the turbolift, Steve asked to go to the Bridge. He took a few moments to make sure his invincible Commanding Officer persona was intact. When he was satisfied, he nodded to himself just as the turbolift doors opened. Calmly as he could, he stood behind his command chair and just watched as the stars flew by.

[Deleted]

Jack Crane returned to sickbay tired and weary. He was unhappy to say the least to see Janet had lost her emotionless face only to be replaced with the smug look of victory, Jack knew what was coming next he wouldn’t like.

Janet approached Jack slowly holding out a PADD to him Jack took it and looked down. Janet stifled a smile as his eyebrows raised up as he read.

Jack didn’t know what kind of joke this was but it sure seemed funny to him, he looked up at Janet his eyes squinted in a look of displeasure as he said. “you can’t be serious about this.” He was waving the PADD in Janet’s face hoping she would lose the look of smugness.

Janet took a deep breath before saying to Jack. “No as of this moment I am taking over sickbay you are relieved, I am doing you a favour I read your file you are ordered to see a counsellor once a fortnight according to records you haven’t see one in three months until you have Sickbay is mine.”

Jack clenched his jaw as he lost all sense of funniness in the situation. “I can fight this you know.” He fully intended to do so.

Janet smiled she had already thought that through. “You could but who too, do you really think any of the senior crew wnat you around, you are a reminder of what could happen to the captains wife an ugly reminder that loved ones die, I doubt whether Smith will want to see you anyway, If I were you I would stay in my quarters for a while,”

Jack had to control his breathing, Janet had seen the opportunity in the situation she made a cold and calculated plan not considering anything but her own ambition. “You made a mistake here Janet you played your hand you might win this time, but you have made an enemy you didn’t need if you go through with this I promise I will crush you bring an end to the career you so desperately hope you have.”

Janet laughed a fake laugh if only to show Jack she wasn’t scared. “You can try but I will win.” She leaned in close and whispered into Jack’s ear. “people like you don’t win, you couldn’t take me on even if you wanted too... I will always be a step ahead of you Jack.”

Jack stepped back. “That’s Commander to you.” Jack let out a sigh of resignation as he read the PADD again, Jack stood with his back straight shoulder squared as he said. “Computer transfer all sickbay command codes and authorisations to Lieutenant Commander Reilly.” He waited for a second before the computer asked.

=/\=Please state authorisation code=/\=

Jack eyed Janet for a moment before saying. “Authorisation Crane Alpha gamma two, seven, four, Alpha.” The computer than stated what Jack didn’t want to hear.

=/\=all sickbay command functions have been transferred to Lieutenant Commander Janet Reilly=/\=

Janet smiled a genuine smile as she looked at Jack and said. “Commander Jonathan Crane, I herby under authorisation as acting chief medical officer and Starfleet regulations relieve you of duty effective immediately, until such time as you seek counselling as you have been ordered.”

Jack turned on his heels and walked out off sickbay and headed of to his quarters, his head hung in defeat his body filled with anger.

Janet walked over to the nearest comm. Panel and activated a ship wide announcement.

=/\= As of this moment Commander Jack Crane has voluntarily placed him self off duty effective immediately I have been assigned as acting Chief Medical Officer Doctor Janet Reilly out.=/\=

Jack heard her victory announcement over the ships comm. As he sat down in his quarters. Voluntary indeed.” He muttered to himself. Looking at the door he said loudly so the computer acknowledged he was talking to it. “Computer lock doors, disable all non emergency comm. Placed to me.”

Janet walked across sickbay and into Jack Crane’s office, as she walked behind his desk she ran her hand over the fabric of the chair and sat down, She raised her feet and rested them on his desk. “That was too easy.” She said to herself as she looked around her new office.

OOC: Jack Crane will not be contactable for the time being all medical needs are to be addressed to Janet, whom I will be posting as for the time being.

[David Tan]

With less than an hour of Olympia's journey home remaining, David was at Operations when the Captain entered the Bridge.

Everyone was silent, as he stood silently behind his chair, seemingly, engrossed in the stars. Tan was checking status reports as the Comm came to life ..

=^= As of this moment Commander Jack Crane has voluntarily placed him self off duty .. Effective immediately .. I have been assigned as acting Chief Medical Officer .. Doctor Janet Reilly out =^=

Steven's head dropped a fraction, but Tan saw the action and walked over to him.

"Captain .. If you'll allow, I'll go down to Sick-bay myself and see whats going on ......"

Steven nodded in silence.

Within minutes David entered Sick-bay ..

"Lieutenant." Tan said from the doorway, "Office .....!"

Tan remained where he was as Reilly handed over a tricorder to one of 'her' nurses, before nodding and walking into the office. David followed her and closed the door. several nurses found things to do, anything was preferable to looking through the glass separating the office from the rest of Sick-bay ..

"That 'announcement' could have been ... Avoided !" Tan began, holding up a hand to silence the woman before him, "Before you say anything, yes, it needed to be done, but I'm sure you could have gone about the hand-over with a little less fan-fare."

"Sir the change of CMO needed to be made public."

"I know that Lieutenant ... While I'm not one hundred percent sure what's going on between Doctor Crane and yourself, I'm warning you not to make this a personal vendetta to get this office.

Janet began to speak, but again Tan held up a hand .. Looking from the hand to Tans face in a deliberate action, Janet remained quiet.

"Don't give me any excuse to 'suggest' your removal as Chief Medical Officer." David said, opening the door.

As he walked toward the doors, Janet following, he turned ..

"Congratulations on your appointment .. Lieutenant." Tan said, his face hardly portraying the sentiment.

"Thank you Commander." Janet said, almost, but not quite keeping the grin from forming on her face.

As Tan re-entered the Bridge, Star fleet command was speaking to the duty Helm Officer ... They would be in orbit in less than forty minutes. David looked at his friend and Commanding Officer. making the slightest nod, which Steven returned, Tan watched Earth grow on the view-screen ..........

[Crystal Rose]

The Olympia sped towards Earth. There was an uneasy air on the bridge but Captain Smith seemed to be holding things together. Crystal was trying to spend as much time on the bridge as possible, if the Captain needed her she wanted to be there.

=/\= As of this moment Commander Jack Crane has voluntarily placed him self off duty .. Effective immediately .. I have been assigned as acting Chief Medical Officer .. Doctor Janet Reilly out =/\=

Crystal bit back a couple of comments, as First Officer she was supposed to approve personnel changes. Still it seemed David was on the investigation all ready. She would try to catch up with Jack at some point.

Crystal went down to her quarters planning a quick rest and a cup of coffee before they entered Earth orbit. To her surprise there was a personal message waiting for her, it was tagged Luna. She hadn't been home since she had been assigned to the Olympia over a year ago so it was no surprise that her family wanted to catch up.

She ran the message. It was from her father. "Hi darling, so pleased you're back but you could have let us know earlier. You're mother is running an exhibition this week. We've arranged a family meal for the day after tomorrow and are looking forward to seeing you before then. Your Uncle Martin has cleared things for Jedda to visit you and take a look round. She's planning to go to Starfleet Academy in the autumn." he shook his head briefly. "I hope you've been looking after yourself. Let us know when you get in."

Crystal sighed, her parents wouldn't know the reason's for the Olympia's return and they likely wouldn't care too much. They were just keen to see her. She had sent messages of course but it wasn't the same. Her parents had never quite understood her love of science and she had always felt a bit out of place at family gatherings still she would certainly make time to see them all. Crystal did want to see her cousin Jedda though, Jedda was the only other member of Crystal's family to have any sort of scientific inclination and the two of them had gone on fossil hunting expeditions and Jedda had visited Crystal during her research several times and been interested in everything....

Crystal downed her coffee and returned to the bridge. the Olympia had dropped out of warp now and was approaching Earth.

[traininghopper]

Richard wasn't looking forward to seeing Earth again, there was nothing for him there. Nothing at all. No relatives, no sweethaearts, nothing but the vaunted headquarters of Starfleet with all it's self important, and pompous admirals and politicians. 'It's just too much like paradise', he thought to himself as he looked over the energy distribution report that had been handed to him by one of the ensigns working in engineering.

"Reroute half of the of the power from the saucer's nacelles to the sheild matrix that way we don't overload the power curcuit in that section of the ship", he explained manipulating the readout on the PADD to show the changes before handing it back to the ensign, adding jovailly"I want it done before we get to Earth so I can run a Level two diagnostic on your it, we don't want to explode in spacedock do we?". 'That should buy me at least 2 more hours on the ship during shore leave', he thought to himself smilling. It wasn't that he wasn't sociable, it was just Earth. There was very little work you could do there, and everyone was always so happy and smiliing, Richard couldn't feel that there was any real depth to the people there unlike on the ships, starbases, and shipyards dotted across the galaxy.

Sighing, he moved over to the master display table, in front of the warp core,suverying the still unrepaired damaged from the Romulan, encounter'. The majority of the work had already been done by the engineering crews on ship but nw that the ship was heading to Earth for shore leave, some of the them had started to slack off, which anger him.Richard like maodst cheif engineers was very protective of his engineering and didn't want to have to rely on the spacedock's help to, 'fix her up' but at the moment it looked like he would have to. It was slightly maddening.

And why earth for shorleave?', Lucifer asked himself wondering why, it wasn't unusal for ship s to take shoreleave on earth, but a rarety, a ship was only really called to earth for two reasons, 1. So it's command staff could be briefed by the admirals personally, or 2. To join the Ninth fleet to defend it.

[Deleted]

*Posted in the point of view of Dr. Janet Reilly*

Janet had succeeded in her first phase of her plan; she gave Crane no choice but to co-operate with her. She was concerned with one aspect though Jack had told her in no uncertain terms that he would fight her, she hadn’t completely been surprised although she had hoped he would just quietly accept it without making too much trouble for her. Now she only had a short time to consolidate her hold on the job of CMO.

No doubt Jack would make an appointment with a Counsellor as soon as possible and once he did she would have no option but watch as he took his job back. However Janet was ready her plan was to spread the opinion Crane wasn’t up to the job and at the same time convince people she was. She thought about the people she could sway over to her way of thinking, Commander Tan was out he made his opinion of her blatantly clear, Captain Smith was out, his mind was on other things. Commander Huebner didn’t have the power to boot Crane her only option was Commander Rose.

Rose was the perfect person for Janet’s needs as first officer she was in charge of personnel and would have the ear of the captain, convince her that Crane was wrong as CMO and the opinion would no doubt spread to the rest of the crew.

Janet looked around the Chief Medical Officer’s office with a sense of trepidation and excitement she was so close to finally getting what she wanted but at the same time she knew it could all blow up in her face, she needed to use all the cunning and intelligence she possessed to keep the office. Mike Hall could be a problem for her he was young and seemed to grow loyal to Crane for some reason, his mood had gone downhill ever since Crane was relieved of duty she knew he couldn’t know the circumstances behind Crane’s sudden decision but she was sure he had his suspicions. Janet needed to keep him out of the way while she executed her plan.

She had some time to prepare Rose would no doubt be too busy to have time for Janet until they reached earth. She had to think of a way to keep Mike from digging around to find out what happened before they reached earth which wouldn’t be long. Janet pressed the small computer console on her desk and pulled up Mike Hall’s personnel file she looked through it for anything she could use, it didn’t take her long before a grin passed her lips.

Mike had family on earth, more importantly family he hadn’t seen in at least two years all she had to do was make sure he took shore leave. She tapped her comm. Badge and said in a voice that was much softer and friendlier than her usual hard professional voice.

=/\= Reilly to Dr. Hall please report to the CMO office. =/\=

Janet only had to wait a few seconds before Mike unhappily walked into the room, Janet smiled something foreign for her face to show, her lips were usually flat and unfeeling or curled in a smug grin. She looked up at Mike and said.

“Mike we are nearly at earth and it occurs to me that you have been working extremely hard recently and you deserve to take some shore leave, perhaps visit your parents I am sure they will be proud to find out about your promotion.”

Mike’s demeanour completely changed from sad and moody to refreshed and happy.

“Thank you Ma’am I will do that if I may be excused I would like to pack.”

Janet smiled even wider, he had forgotten all about Crane just as she had hoped he would.

“Of Course dismissed.”

Mike left the office and left Janet alone to her scheming; she took a deep breath and leaned back in her chair allowing herself a moments rest before she started her work on Commander Rose.

To Be Continued...

[Crystal Rose]

The Olympia made Earth orbit and when the Captain had once again announced shoreleave Crystal decided that there was at least one more thing she had to do before leaving the Olympia. There had been a new member of senior crew assigned to the ship and so far she hadn't found the time to meet them. It was supposed to be her job to be in touch with the crew, she had been a touch neglectful.

She checked with the computer and found that Ensign Martin hadn't left the ship yet. She went down to the engine room and looked around she soon spotted he looking at a diagnostic screen. She walked over.

"Hello Ensign, I hope nothing's seriously wrong." He looked up. "I'm Crystal Rose," She held out a hand "I apologise for not introducing myself earlier."

Tag: Ensign Martin.

[Deleted]

Jack Crane had sat in his quarters for the last few hours as the Olympia made its final approach to earth. Jack wasted no time in contacting a counsellor at Starfleet medical and making an appointment.

Jack stood and walked to the window that was now looking over earth, he sighed his session was due to start within the hour. He didn’t want to go but he knew he had too, Jack disliked counsellors with a passion, always asking questions with no relevance making something out of nothing. Jack took in the view on more time before turning and heading for the door.

SMACK... Jack walked straight into the door. “aaaah Dang it.” Jack stood holding his forehead looking angrily at the door. He rubbed his head for a second before letting out a frustrated sigh. “Computer unlock door.” The door swished open and Jack grumpily made his way towards the transporter room, as if his mood wasn’t foul enough now he had a headache.

*****On Earth*****

Jack materialized inside the main building of Starfleet medical his uniform was clean and crisp boots and pips shined, stuff he usually didn’t bother with but since he had nothing else to do while in self seclusion inside his quarters he did them. Jack hadn’t been inside Starfleet medical for some years and wasn’t surprised to see the decorations had not changed much. He looked around the main lobby he was now standing in, he noticed the paintings of famous doctors that adorned the walls Jack shrugged his shoulder as he looked from picture to picture in truth he had no idea who most of them were never mind why they were famous.

After wandering around the massive building and being stopped from going into certain areas by rather large muscled security personnel, Jack had finally found the office of the Counsellor he had contacted. A woman who sat at the desk in front of his office door looked up at Jack and smiled.

“Do you have an appointment Commander?”

She inquired with a friendly and upbeat voice. Jack found her happy mood irritating as no doubt did many people who had gone there without really wanting too. But Jack returned the smile albeit a little less effort was put into it.

“Yes I do, Commander Jack Crane.”

The woman pressed the computer console and looked at the names that appeared on the screen for a few moments before saying. “Yes, Counsellor Hamilton will be with you in a moment, please take a seat.” Her hand motioned towards a row of four seats against the wall near the office door, Jack nodded and made his way over.

Twenty minutes past and Jack’s facial expression had changed from fake happiness to extreme annoyance. “One moment indeed.” He muttered under his breath as he was left waiting. A few more minutes passed before a crying woman exited the counsellor’s office, She walked away with her head hung in sadness, a few seconds later a thirty something year old man with the rank of Commander stepped out of his office and looked at Jack and said.

“Mr. Crane?”

Jack stood up and nodded at the Counsellor before heading into his office. The office was nicely decorated and consisted of a desk on the right side and two couches facing each other on the left. Counsellor Hamilton sat on one and motioned his hand to the other for Jack to sit on. After Jack had sat the Counsellor Hamilton looked up from the PADD he was reading and seemed to eye jack for a moment before saying.

“Mr. Crane it says here you are supposed to seek a counselling session every fortnight but you haven’t been to one in over three months why?

Jack sighed leaned back onto the couch, he was doing all the things people did as they stalled for time to think, he had no reason for not going but he was still trying to think of one regardless.

“Uhmmm slipped my mind.”

Jack said in a way that a child does when they tell a lie they know is pointless telling. The Counsellor just nodded as he entered information on the PADD. He looked back up and smiled as he said.

“Mr. Crane you have said in a past session that you....”

Counsellor Hamilton paused as he heard jack let out an annoyed sigh, Hamilton raised an eyebrow as he asked. “Something wrong?”

Jack was now frowning at Counsellor Hamilton as he said loudly. “DOCTOR.”

Counsellor Hamilton shook his head and smiled before saying in reply. “No it’s Counsellor.”

Jack was now glaring at the counsellor letting his annoyance show very clearly on his face. “No I’m Doctor.. It’s Doctor Crane.”

The Counsellor nodded with a look of fake confusion on his face as he asked, “What’s wrong with Mr. Crane... do you feel you need to be called Doctor... Perhaps for a sense validation.”

Jack was now positively looking at the Counsellor with complete distaste, if looks could kill Counsellor Hamilton would have died five times over by now. Jack slapped his hands on his knees before standing and saying loudly in both frustration and anger. “That’s it I am out of here good day Counsellor.”

The Counsellor only sighed before shrugging his shoulders and saying just as Jack was about to reach the door. “you are of course free to leave ... but if you do you won’t be able to return to duty.”

Jack stopped dead in his tracks and his head fell as he sighed loudly. He turned and slowly made his way toward the couch again.

An hour and a half later Jack emerged from the counsellor’s office with a PADD in his hands, A PADD that recommended he be able to return to duty. Jack was smiling now but he decided not to return to the Olympia just yet he decided to find the seediest bar in the city and drink enough so that when he did finally get around to visiting his parents he wouldn’t remember it afterwards.

[traininghopper]

"Nothing for you to worry about Commander", Richard replied not seeing her outstretched hand as he was concentrating on organizing the work schedules for the repairs to be done in the dock. As much as he hated the idea of letting the goons from the dock into engineering and helping with the work, he had to grudgingly admit the ship needed the attention, nonetheless he was trying to get as many people from his team as possible to show the dock workers around the ship and basically do the majority of the main work.

Handing the red engineering PADD to a crewman Richard looked up at the commander and shook her hand cautiously, he knew shaking someone's hand was a test of charcter but for now he wanted to stay unknown, he had more important things to do then play siocail politics, even if the other person looked nice. "Umm... we have a problem with some of the plasma relays on the starboard side of the ship, it's nothing serious but I'd like to move the ship over to Uptopia Plantia to recieve a minor refit to some of the systems, I won't bore you with the details, could you ask the captain for me?".

'No, you need to stay here and help the idoits at space dock fix the ship up not fratise with the rest of the crew on shore leave', his mind reminded him. Richard got nervous around females ans children, it was like something that seemed to have been built into his personality. Most of the time it was a good thing, it allowed him to concentrate on his work, but at times like now it did feel like a kind of a burden, a lose. Sighing Richard gave up trying to focus on engineering reports. He would spend a cpouple of hours on the surface, it wouldn't do that much damage to try , "Commander can you recomend somewhere on Earth that isn't swarming with politicains?".