Quiet on the Bridge

Posted on 30 Oct 2014 @ 12:00am by Commodore Harvey Geisler

575 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Razmena
Location: USS Black Hawk || Bridge
Timeline: February 4, 2388 || 1800 hours

Harvey sat in the center chair, admiring the nebula spinning before them. Remembering his new Science Chief's words from earlier, it was clear that this nebula was about to collapse into a star. He had few regrets in life, and the top of the list was not being able to bring new life into existence. Were it not for that fateful meeting with Alison years ago, Harvey would have never given family a thought. Until her, he was content in a research lab, looking to cure the next disease or virus.

It was only in the last couple months of her life that they had even considered starting a family, though they both agreed that the only time to do so would be after the conflict with the Dominion. Obviously, that never worked out.

This nebula displayed on the viewscreen was the first time in years he could see the creation of new life, even if it would be a planetoid that would still take millennia to be capable of supporting life.

=/\= "Flight Deck to Bridge. The Mississippi is ready to depart." =/\=

Harvey couldn't smile at hearing Yeoman Carter's voice over the comm. His one most familiar person left on the ship he was sending into the danger zone.

She wouldn't be alone. Three armed security officers, Noxa's best, were accompanying her on the runabout to retrieve the Away Team. In two days, they'd return, bringing the Away Team back home.

Home. Harvey hadn't seen anyplace as home since Alison was killed. Thinking of the Black Hawk as home was enough to spark hope in his spirit. Hope of a life renewed, just as the nebula he watched swirl now outside the ship.

Tapping his combadge, and rising from his chair, Harvey said, "Flight Deck, Actual." He took a breath, then said, "The Mississippi is cleared to depart. Good luck out there."

=/\= "Acknowledged. Good sailing, Black Hawk." =/\=

The comm channel was cut out, leaving the ambient sounds of the life support system and the melodic beeping of console commands. Harvey was home alone. He heaved a sigh, and turned to return to his seat.

Harvey froze. His eyes started from station to station, alarmed at seeing them unmanned. His head quickly turned, taking in every vacant position, wondering where his crew went. He was stunned, and it didn't immediately occur to him to tap his combadge to alert security.

After what seemed to be an eternity, he rose his hand--

"Captain?"

He spun around to see a science officer look at him quizzically.

"Are you all right, sir?" the Bolian asked, rising from his station and taking a step towards his commanding officer.

Harvey glanced back behind him only to find the bridge crew had returned just as mysteriously as they disappeared. He closed his eyes and slowly turned back to the ensign. "Yes," he said softly, moving his right hand up to his neck, planning to rub it, but brushed against the medical monitor Doctor Quint had placed there. "I'm fine, ensign."

The Captain looked around the bridge one more time to be sure his crew was safe and secure. Something wasn't right, and the last thing he needed to do was draw attention to himself.

"You have the bridge," Harvey told the science ensign just before entering the turbolift. The moment the doors closed, he leaned against the back wall and sighed.


~to be continued~

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