Chapter 1.3

Posted on Sat Aug 6th, 2022 @ 6:36pm by Captain Wilkan Targaryen & Galatea & Commander Nathan Hawkins & Commander Ash Randall & Lieutenant Commander Cyrus Marner & Captain Nathan Bishop

2,050 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Hope
Location: Quarks, Deep Space 12
Timeline: 2431-03-08, 22:30

Admiral's Personal Log, Stardate 109185.5:

I am nothing short of exhausted. In the six months that have passed since my crew and I have been reassigned to Deep Space 12 it seems like it has been one disaster after another. Because of our distance from the heart of the Federation, it was believed by the Administration of President Gruzy and Starfleet Command that this would be the best candidate for a reserve Federation Headquarters should some disaster befall the galaxy. The reality has been quite different. Instead of serving as a backup for Command, Starfleet has assigned Battle Group Omega to the Station to serve as a rapid response force to locate galactic hotspots and resolve problems before they crescendo.

I won't deny that it is a nice change of pace from our former duties as Starfleet One and to be out of the limelight that had befallen us. Deep Space 12 has grown a lot since I first met her in the last days of the 24th Century. Back then it was a backwater outpost that had been neglected because of the Federation Day Massacre - even losing its original Starbase designation to a Deep Space one in the process. Today it's abuzz with life. It just shows how far we can come in such a short span of time.

And how far I have come in such a short span of time. Today is my 57th birthday. Being part El-Aurian I hardly look my age, but today I feel it a bit. I'm looking forward to just stopping by Quarks and having a nice drink before I go home to call my wife and see how her day went. Besides, who knows what tomorrow holds.

Quark's Bar was one of the newer franchises inside Deep Space 12's Grand Concourse, but it was a far cry from the original location back on Deep Space Nine or even Gateway Station. DS12's Quark's was a lot more intimate than the others. It was a smaller storefront with space for about 30 customers. It lacked the far more popular gaming equipment, but Willian wondered if he may make some concessions for Mr. Quark in the future. Looking forward he saw the holographic replica of Quark standing behind the bar.

"What'll you have, Admiral? We have a special today on the local synthale."

"No thanks. I love New Holland, but they make a dreadful ale," the Admiral excused.

Quark flashed a toothy grin, "Why do you think there's a special on it?"

"I was more interested in something a bit stronger. Do you have any more of that Saurian Brandy?" The Commander of the Station asked.

"Admiral, Saurian Brandy is illegal if you remember. I would never break the laws of the Federation," he reached under the counter and pulled a bottle from below, "well, except for with the Captain's approval." He poured a glass and passed it forward. He went to put the bottle below.

Willian put his hand on the bottle, "You can leave that."

The holographic Ferengi looked at the bottle then pulled his hand back, "Bad day?"

"Something like that. Today's my 57th birthday. My kids are on Earth with their mother, no one has barely acknowledged it, and I'm here hidden away," he finished his glass already and poured himself another. "Plus, even the strong stuff barely impacts me these days."

"It's on the house," the Ferengi said casually. "You need it more than I do."

Willian laughed, "Now I know you're not really Quark. He'd never give a gift like this." He poured another glass, "Doesn't giving away something for free go against the 59th Rule?"

He wiggled a finger condescendingly, "A common misconception. The 59th Rule says free advice is seldom cheap. Brandy isn't advice, but I can see where you got confused."

"We'll say it's a lapse from the brandy," Targaryen laughed to himself as the Ferengi stepped away.

"Happy 57th." Ash said, quietly, to Admiral Targaryen as she set a small box down on the bar in front of him. "You didn't think I would forget, did you?" The engineer asked, with a little smile.

Willian looked at the box, "Thanks, Commander. I was starting to wonder." He looked away from the box, "I haven't seen you down this way very often. Then again I haven't visited here myself very often."

"I've been spending my down time expanding my understanding of the Tuansee technology I collected when I visited their colony in the Coal Sack." Ash replied. "I've finally made a couple break throughs and it is starting to respond to my mental commands to do simple things like change shape and color. I figure, in a hundred years, I might be able to something useful with it." She joked, lightly, and nodded the direction of the small present. It was wrapped in sparkle paper that shimmered in the low light of the bar area and held the, characteristic, shape of a jewel case of one sort or another.

"I've been holding onto that for a, very, long time I figure it is time to give it back to you." Ash mused, thinking of the circumstance of how she ended up with the pocket watch and had held onto it for more than 30 years.

Willian looked carefully at the pocket watch that Ash had given him, "I haven't seen this in years, since I lost it in that poker game. How did you," he paused saying it, knowing Ash was a person of many talents. "I never thought I'd run across this again."

"Well, I am happy to be able to return it to you after so long." Ash replied, not getting into how she came into possession of it. "Happy Birthday." She added.

"Thank you," He held the watch in his hand. "Who would have thought we would've been together this long and even back here on this station," he said looking around at the Quark's franchise. "Back when we were both young and new to Starfleet who'd have thought this station would be home to the Coaxial Drive."

Ash shook her head. "No one in their right mind, certainly. That it exists at all, is a fluke, considering the design was rejected as impractical, insane and not in the interest of keeping peace in the galaxy, like so many of my designs, and its development banned." Ash said, with a shrug. "There are secrets, within secrets, where that drive is concerned, and I may be the only one who knows the whole story of how it came to be here." She said, wondering if her, long time, friend had figure out the how and why of it.

"Fortunately my father was not as pragmatic as so many others in the fleet," the Admiral answered, saying something positive about the storied Admiral Dazad. His father had commanded Deep Space 12 all those years ago, back before it had become as important as it was today. Thanks to relationships he'd cultivated he'd been able to pull some strings to make things happen. The luxury of being assigned to so many ships with baggage in his career.

Cyrus arrived at Quarks, looking about the place, then his eyes settled upon Willian, and he smiled. It was the Admiral's birthday, and he came to celebrate. In his hand he carried a box, wrapped in brightly colored paper with a gold bow upon it. He approached Willian. "Well now, felicitations to you sir on your birthday. I have a present for you." handing the box which was about sixteen inches in length and eight inches in width.

Beneath the wrapping would be found a metal tackle box with fish lures that Cyrus had personally created and also an image of both Willian and his wife together, hand drawn.

"This is amazing, Doctor," he said accepting the box. "How did you know it was my birthday? I don't think you served with me for my last one."

Cyrus chuckled, " I know due to medical records so.. I cheated?" giving a teasing wink to the Admiral. "I hope you like the items, and that you are willing to use them. I do wish I could have served under you earlier but better late then never?" smiling.

"The honor of having you with us has been mine, Doctor," the Admiral answered as he looked at the gift again. "It's been an interesting ride in a short span of time hasn't it? When you came aboard you didn't imagine I'd make you Chief so fast - not you're the Chief Medical Officer for an entire Sector. A far travel to be sure."

"I never knew that would happen and becoming a Chief Medical Officer for a sector. This certainly has been quite the ride. All I can do is my best, hoping not to make too many mistakes, and make certain you are keeping yourself well fed watered, and plenty of rest. You know the drill." Cyrus chuckled.

Willian took a drink, "I always knew that you were destined for greatness, Doctor, even if you never believed it yourself." He was about to comment further when he heard another voice join the chorus.

"Good to see I'm late to the party," the voice of Nathan Hawkins sounded beside them followed by the presentation of another birthday gift for the Admiral: a digital version of an terran greetings card. The jazzed up data pad contained messages and well wishes from many of the crewmembers who'd served with Teagarden across the years.

"No, you aren't the last one Nathan." Came the voice of Captain Nathan Bishop who had entered just after his friend. "That would be me." He jested as he handed the Admiral two bottles elegantly wrapped that hid very old Romulan Ale. "Happy Birthday sir and I hope many, many more." He said as he handed the two bottles of ale to the Admiral.

The Commanding Officer smiled as he looked at the gifts. He, technically, needed to repeat about how Romulan ale was illegal within the Federation and, technically, needed to ask for Commander O'Sullivan to come arrest his XO. Good thing he was off duty. Plus, Romulan Ale was one of the only things that could still trigger a buzz. "Thank you," he said sincerely, "thank you both. This is, this is wonderful."

Signalling to the holographic bar keep for a round, Hawkins turned back to the Admiral: "Happy birthday, sir, here's to many more."

Cyrus had stepped aside then gave a nod towards Ash. "How is it going?" he asked giving a smile.

"Living and learning, doctor...living and learning." The Chief Engineer replied, amiably, as she moved aside to make space for the pair of Nathan's to make their birthday greeting and present gifts to the Admiral. "How are things going for you, doctor?" Ash asked, in return. Dr. Marner was now in charge of the health and welfare of many thousands now and Ash knew, all too well, that the Maelstrom could present some challenges to both health and welfare.

"As well as can be expected, I am still flummoxed at being put in charge of medical for the whole sector. You and I can talk about how you are doing health wise later. This is a birthday party, and yes I am putting my own gag order on not talking shop." cracking a smile, "And I think a mint julep has my name on it." giving a wink. "Unless you want to talk shop?" having a mischievous glint in his eyes. He paused, "You know on second thought, let's not talk shop. I'm going to get a drink and enjoy it. We'll talk later."

"I second that," Hawkins chinked his glass with Bishop before taking a heavy sip. Though, of course, as normal it seemed the peace and tranquillity wasn't to last long.

The Admiral's communicator chirped, "Operations to Admiral Targaryen."

"Go ahead, Taasah," Willian approved.

"Incoming message from Starfleet for you, Sir. It's marked urgent."

The Admiral sighed, "I'll take it in my Quarters, Lieutenant. Give me a few moments to get there."

"Aye Sir. Operations Out."

"Duty calls my friends. Have a good evening and thank you all again," Willian said with a friendly smile as he wondered what fresh Hell awaited them all.

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