Parting Words

Posted on 30 Apr 2017 @ 8:51am by Admiral Zachary O'Connell & Commodore Harvey Geisler

475 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: The Finnean Crisis
Location: Deep Space Nine
Timeline: MD 1 || 1430 hours

Still standing, Zachary noticed that Harvey had remained in his chair while the rest of his staff filed out the door. “That’ll be all, Lucmer,” he told the representative from the Department of Temporal Investigations. “I’ll meet you back aboard the Columbia,” the Admiral stated.

“Admiral, I—“

“I said aboard the Columbia, Mister.” Admiral O’Connell had rarely been one for firmness, but given the Department’s tendency for overreach, and that Task Force 9 had jurisdiction in this matter, Zachary was intent on exercising his authority for as long as possible.

The man in black looked at the seated Captain, then to the Admiral before reluctantly nodding and leaving.

“Harvey, I don’t—“

Harvey waved a hand to cut off the Admiral, not knowing in advance if it would work. “Why us?” he asked. “Why me? Why the hell would the Black Hawk be in the Convergence Zone?”

Zachary looked at Harvey for a bit while composing a response. “I was planning for the Black Hawk to lead the Task Group assigned to Finnea,” he confessed. “As for the ship being inside the Zone… well, you and I both know what happens when your curiosity gets the best of you.”

"What about the Temporal Prime Directive?" demanded Harvey. "Isn't telling me something that I'm about to do a violation? A paradox in itself." Harvey stared at the admiral through narrowed eyes as his former roommate stood unwavering and unwilling to reply. "Zach, what is it you're not telling me?"

At last the Admiral sighed.

At least it was some form of a response, thought Harvey. But it still wasn't worth anything.

“Look, Harvey. Over the last few minutes, I’ve told you everything I know. If there’s even a shred of validity to that message you sent… or will send… There’s no one better to figure out you, but you.”

Harvey nodded slowly. He hadn’t hoped for anything more for the Admiral to say, but he had to try. For now, he had too many questions, and Harvey had a feeling he’d have a lot more questions than answers very soon. “At least tell me what’s up with that letter you sent me.”

“The letter?” Zachary asked. “It’s just a letter. Figured I’d let you know how much I appreciate what you did for me, my wife, and the fleet over the last few months.” He sighed and turned to the exit. Just as the door opened, the admiral turned to look at Harvey once more. “Sometimes, Harvey, you just have to look past the words.”

Harvey was left alone in the ward room. He sighed, feeling that even though he’d accomplished and regained so much, he suddenly was more alone and lost than ever.

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