The First Goodbye
Posted on Mon Dec 6, 2021 @ 9:34pm by Lieutenant Nicole Anderson & Lieutenant JG Camille Lévesque PhD & Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit
756 words; about a 4 minute read
Mission:
Archangel
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Morning after Mail Call II
The turbolift door opened and two officers stepped onto the bridge. Nicole felt heavier and heavier with each step towards the ready room door. She paused just before the door and looked to Camille. "You know," she said, quietly, "it's not to late to just give up on our dreams and hide in our quarters."
Camille laughed. “When I first came aboard, I found her terrifying, and would have dreaded this. Now, you’re the nervous one.”
Nicole gripped the padds in her hands a bit tighter. "Not nervous at all. After all, the worst she could do is kill us." She pressed the chime on the door and stood back.
After a moment, the door parted accompanied by a soft "Enter!".
Inside, the Captain was seated at her desk. She'd already completed a report detailing the events relating to the abduction of Admiral Markus' children, two members of her own crew and the subsequent rescue mission to successfully retrieve the hostages. She doubted quite highly that anyone would ever actually read this, well aware that Markus would see that the report was buried into the depths of the electronic mire where such reports were sent to die. But, she wrote it and filed it all the same.
The Victory was on route back to DQ8, where the ship would take on fresh supplies as well as receive components for systems upgrades to their shield generator systems. A few weeks at least of being stuck on the station while the work on the ship was completed.
Nicole walked in and stood in front of the Captain's desk. "Good afternoon," she said. She paused a moment too long, getting a glance from the Captain. "Captain...we need to talk." She put the padds down on the Captain's desk and looked at Camille.
Leaning back in her seat, the Captain said "Oh?"
“I’m requesting that my commission be suspended and I be permitted to leave the ship,” Camille said confidently.
"And I'm officially requesting a leave of absence." Nicole said.
"This is unexpected.." Kennit said.
"There's been a development," Nicole said, handing the Captain the padds. "We've been offered positions that, well, we couldn't turn down."
"Daystrom Institute. That is unexpected. Congratulations.." Kennit said after a moment.
“Merci,” Camille replied with a smile. “I’ve been able to do fantastic things here, Capitaine, but this is an opportunity beyond my wildest dreams. My own team, the freedom to research as I please, and the resources or the entire Institute behind me. I have to take it.”
"And with Doctor Hanopar retiring," Nicole said, "I should return to Ancient Grace to oversee the hospital. Given Starfleet Medical has now given the hospital its official blessing, they're going to want an officer in charge to oversee the students as well as the hospital itself."
"Rigel and Alpha Centauri aren't exactly next to each other," Camille noted, "but we're figuring it out. Close enough for no subspace comms delay, at least, and only a few days at warp."
"I've also included a short list of qualified doctors who could run Sickbay," Nicole said. "With transfers in our favour, you could have someone here before you leave DQ8."
“Oh, good idea,” Camille said. “Captain, I’ll have a list for you, too, but in the meantime, Monsieur King will do the job well.”
The Captain gave a short nod, “Forward the candidate’s information to me. I’ll review it.”
"Understood," Camille replied.
Nicole let out a breath. "Well, I appreciate the facade of calmness and emotional detachment you're putting up for our benefit. I know deep down, you're just devastated." She gave the captain a wry grin and stood up, offering a hand. "Fair weather, and safe travels, Captain. Thank you for everything."
Standing, the Captain shook hands with the Doctor. “Fair weather? What’s the fun in that?”
"I've heard that the expression 'may you have interesting times' is considered a curse," Camille said, standing up to join the Captain and Doctor. "But as you say, where's the fun in that? May life never get boring for you, Captain." She extended her own hand for a handshake.
Grasping the scientist's hand in hers for a firm handshake, the Captain answered, “good luck with your future endeavors, Doctor.”
Nicole smiled at Camille and gave her hand a small squeeze as they filed to the door. She gave the captain a final nod of thanks and stepped out, the door closing behind them.
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