Consolation Prize?

Posted on Sun Jan 5, 2020 @ 10:59pm by Captain Maritza Soran & Lieutenant Alanna Wells

554 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Doors of Perception
Location: OPS
Timeline: MD38 1045

[ON]

Maritza finished reading the briefing on activites along the Romulan Neutral Zone, and marked it read. Putting it aside, she picked up another padd, and looked at the next task.

"Ah." she said softly. She'd forgotten about this. She'd sent it in before the visitros had arrived through the portals, but It had taken OPM a few weeks to get it recognised. A promotion. Maybe now was not the best time for it. Would it feel too...little, too late?

"Only one way to find out." She muttered to herself, and reached for her commbadge "Dr Wells, would you come to OPS please?"

Alyssa was back on the station for a few days. She'd spent much of her time since Jason's disappearance on Pangaea in one place or another. She taped her combadge. "On my way."

She wasn't sure what the commander wanted of her, but the timing was good.

Several minutes later, she walked into the command center, and then to the commander's office. She stopped by the yeoman's desk. "I'm here to see commander Soran."

The young man showed her to the small meeting room. "I'll just tell her you're here." And true to his word, Soran arrived a few moments later, something small in one hand.

"Thank you for coming Dr Wells. How is life down below?"

"There's plenty to keep me occupied," she replied. "The colony is expanding, there are several archaeological sites being excavated and cataloged, and we've taken strides to make the portals more secure."

"I'm glad to hear it." Maritza wasn't sure how to broach the next subject. "Normally, I would spring this on you in a staff meeting..." people should be publicly recognised for their achievements afterall. "But I wanted to speak to you first. To assure you that the paperwork was filed well before last month's events. In recognition of your tireless work setting up Pangaea." She held out the small box with the solid gold replacement pip. "Congratulations, lieutenant."

Alanna took the box, surprised since she felt like much of her work was unremarkable. She opened the box and looked at the pip. Then she started to cry. "I'm sorry. I appreciate this, I really do. It's just that...it's not the same without Jason."

"If he were here, he'd tell you the same thing I am. Its nothing to do with him, this is all about you, and its well deserved." Maritza went to the small replicator and came back with a white handkerchief. "Everyone remembers the grand plans and the flashy moments. But more remarkable is maintaining high standards day in and day out in the face of all the galaxy can throw at you."

"Thank you." Alanna took the handkerchief and wiped her face. She'd been more emotional lately. "I really appreciate it, and for the reasons you mentioned. I thrive on the type of work we've been doing on Pangaea. Not just with the portal complex, but the archaeological sites and the exploration. DS5 is a scientist's dream posting, and I'm grateful to be here." At the same time, she really missed sharing it with Jason.

"Well, there's plenty to do." Maritza allowed. "Congratulations, full Lieutenant Wells"

Alanna smiled. "Thank you, ma'am."

____
OFF


Lieutenant Alanna Wells
Chief Science Officer
Deep Space Five

Commander Maritza Soran
CO
DS5

 

RSS Feed