From: Jerome, Taylor, Peter and Kim (kimtoussaint_at_yahoo.com)
Date: Sun Dec 23 2007 - 15:08:31 PST
"The New CO's nightmare"
( Continued from Taylor's 100 )
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Location: Dreamscape USS DISCOVERY
Scene: Bridge - how Kane once described seeing Selyara again after he'd been away as a POW for
six months
Time index: Three years ago ( Stardate: [2.4] 0712.0200 )
NRPG Written by Jerome
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Michael Turlogh Kane kept his eyes closed for a moment after the turbolift doors opened, sensing all eyes turn toward him. The new carpet on the bridge gave off its fresh smell, and the rythmic beeping of the various consoles around the bridge was a delight to his ears. He knew things wer going to be different, of course. There were schematics and plans that proposed various structural amendments to the bridge structure, and he was uncertain as to how they would turn out.
"Sir?" Kenzie's musical voice gently prodded into his reverie. "We're here."
"Shh."
"It's not pink, sir, I promise. You can look."
Kane opened his eyes and took a step out onto the new bridge, looking around in wonder. The OSC was gone, effectively doubling the floor space on the bridge, which was two-tiered. The upper tier was dominated by the forward-facing Tactical station - behind that were a number of secondary bridge stations, such as Engineering, Science and Damage Control. The lower tier, dominated by the large viewscreen - now displaying the static tritanium wall of the forward spacedock - was more spacious than before, allowing some distance between the Ops and conn stations. At the centre of the bridge was the slightly raised dais with the command chairs. Doors off the bridge led to the ready room and the new conference room.
And standing around at those stations were new, fresh faces, all looking at him, mixed in with a few familiar ones. Kane nodded at Ariel Mason on Tactical, grinned at Benny Kudal on the conn, and raised an Vulcan-esque eyebrow at Salor manning the bridge engineering station. And there, standing in the centre of the bridge like a vision from a dream, was Selyara. Kane paused for a moment, unsure of whether to approach her - he hadn't seen her since that vague time in sickbay when he had come round after being rescued from the Calnarians - but compulsion drove him forward.
Walking into her personal space was like passing through the Great Barrier - he felt a tingle all over his body at the soft, butterfly touch of her mind. His ruined eyes looked down into her face, seeking some tether to the moment as a dozen pairs of eyes watched them, but he couldn't stop himself taking her in, absorbing the image that had haunted his dreams for six lonely months in the mines of BYSS. The exotic olive eyes, the perfect lips, her very form - every arc and curve of her body had been visited and revisited all through the perpetual gloom of the underdark - and it took an effort of will not to simply forget everything and simply stand there.
He opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't make the words come, any more than he could release the feelings for her inside him.
**I know, Mike, I know.** Her lips never moved, but her glittering eyes remained focused on his.
The moment passed, and Kane tore his eyes away from her. He forced a smile, nodded toward the image of the drydock in the main viewer. "Nice to be back, folks. Anyone check to see if we can get cable?"
A ripple of laughter spread gently around the bridge, the desired effect. Kane held up one of his PADDs. "Carry on. I'll be in my quarters getting some sleep." He turned toward Selyara, careful to moderate his expression. "You have the bridge, Commander."
She nodded in a businesslike fashion. "I have the bridge. Welcome back, Captain."
Kane turned back towards the turbolift. Before the doors hissed closed on him, he closed his eyes, hearing what she really meant echoing in his head.
**Welcome home.**
_________________________________________________________________________________
Location: Daisy's dreamscape USS DISCOVERY, docked at Utopia Planitia
Stardate: [2.4] 0803.2030
Scene: Captain's Ready Room
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It was destined to be an unfortunate day for anyone who happened to be anywhere within, or who drew the attention of, the baleful gaze of Captain Michael Turlogh Kane. Luckily for the ship in general, the commanding officer was enconsced in his ready room, barely visible behind a mountain in PADDs and departmental reports, as the appointed hour for the DISCOVERY's launch into the void approached.
So when the door prompt chimed, it blew out the last remaining fuse in his notoriously short-tempered ego. "Come on, damn it!" he roared, watching in helplessness as a stack of PADDs tottered, then tumbled over to collapse onto the floor in a scattered ruin of plastic.
The ready room doors hissed open, admitting the wobbling belly of Daisy Byrne, and a moment later, Daisy herself. Kane stifled a snigger as she staggered over to the couch and flopped into it.
"You know," he said cautiously, "your uniform comes with a commuicator as a standard issue. The ship's computer also routinely monitors conversations in case someone wants to contact someone else through the internal comnet. Apparently all you have to do is talk into the air, and you can speak to someone on another deck."
"Shaddap, Mikey," she said, suddenly realising that the backward arc of the couch was too deep an angle for her to get up again without bursting an artery with the effort. "I had ta tell ya this in person."
"Did you finally remember who the father is?" chuckled Kane. "Or are you still going through all those faces in your mind?"
"I'm serious!" she warbled. "Farso's body is missin' from sickbay!"
Kane stopped. "What?" He threw up his arms. "Don't tell me this now, Daisy, we have to launch in thirty hours and I'm up to my arse in admin work!"
"It's true," she nodded. "Ah thought ah could help Haruko with th' autopsy on him, but the corpse is up an' dissapeared! Ah reported it to Loo'tenant MacGregor, an' that nice young feller promised he'd look inta the matter."
"Well, he hasn't reported it to me yet," said Kane, pursing his lips and looking at the pile of PADDs on the floor. "Maybe he's just working on personel reports - there's a horde of new service records to pore over. Anyway, I don't think anyone's going to be shedding any tears for Farso anytime soon."
"Ah guess not at that."
"Artair will figure it out," nodded Kane. "I've full confidence in him."
"Ya like him, don't ya, Mike?"
"Yeah," chuckled Kane. "He reminds me of myself at that age, you know? He tried to stop me going back to disengage the tractor beam on Ulfani Zeta and I had to thump him one. Plus, I miss being a security chief sometimes."
"Ya don't throw seven years of it away, Mike."
"But you have to step back, you know? Much as I'd like to do everything myself, you have to step back and trust that your department heads are doing a good job. And Artair usually does. I have high hopes for him, Daisy."
"Well, that's nice." Daisy took a deep breath. "Now will ya pull me up afore I have this here baby on your couch?"
_______________________________________________________
Scene: Deck 2
Time index: Later
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Kane was walking Daisy back to her quarters when she just came out with it.
"How long are ya gonna keep Artair off duty, Mike?"
Kane raised an eyebrow. "I hadn't thought about it."
"Think about it now."
Kane sighed. "I'd rather not, Daisy."
"Oh come on, Mike!" she laughed. "What's happened to you? You've turned into such an old grouch!"
"I have not. I've just grown up, that's all."
Daisy stopped in the corridor. "Oh, grown up nuthin'! Ya think that because ya hardly smile and ya snap at everyone, that it makes ya somehow growed up? More mature ta fit yer position as the big responsible captain? Yer forgettin' that we went through the Academy together, and ah know ya as well as yer own momma!"
"Don't give me that," Kane frowned. "In case you haven't noticed, I have a prosthetic eye that's a different colour from my real one, a few metres of polymer for a small intestine and a head full of bloody nightmares because it was my hesitation in activating the shields that allowed the Calnarians to cripple us. Your damn right that I'm a grouch, and until I feel like it Artair will stay off duty."
Daisy looked at him sidelong, then shrugged. "Have ya spoken ta Haruko much?"
"I said hello," said Kane. He shook his head sadly as they walked on. "I don't think she wants to have anything to do with me."
"Ah see," said Daisy. "What about Selyara?"
Kane chuckled. "Why are you always interfering in my love life, Commander?"
"Ah jus' wanna see ya happy, Mike!" exclaimed Daisy. "Ah'm shocked that you would even think that ah was interferin'!" She paused for a moment. "So it's love that ya feel fer her then?"
They turned the corner and approached her quarters. "You're such a nosey cow. Selyara is my executive officer, and the best one in the fleet."
Daisy stopped outside her door. "Ya never answered my question."
Kane sighed. Once Daisy got like this, there was no stopping her. He tried to find the words. "If there was a woman on the ship that I would like to show my feelings to, it would be her."
"Ah knew it.."
"No, you don't understand," said Kane, frustration evident in his voice. "It's not that black and white. The relationship between captain and first officer is the most public on the whole ship. I need to know that when I'm *not* there to give a command, people will obey Selyara as quickly as they would me. Nothing can impugne or infringe upon her right to command, and you know what would happen if we were to start a relationship. It would look bad, and not give the correct impression of a united command front on the ship."
"Has she said anything?"
"No, but I think she can feel how I feel for her. She's never given me any indication that she feels anything for me other than platonic friendship. But it's a disaster waiting to happen, Daisy, for all the reasons I've just said and more." He looked at her sadly. "I knew that being a captain was going to be the loneliest position of my career when I accepted it. Nobody likes the disciplinarian, nobody likes the person who tells them what to do. I am the commanding officer of the ship, not a friendly big brother who asks you if you please wouldn't mind raising the shields or scanning that nebula. People obey me because if they don't help me run the ship by doing what they're told I'll relieve them of duty. The top of the pyramid is the coldest place there is. So you see, Daisy, I *can't* love Selyara."
Daisy seemed stunned at this outpouring of emotion. "But ya *do*, Mike, don't ya? "
Kane turned around a walked away. "We have a big day tomorrow, we're launching at twelve-hundred! Focus on that now, not my well-being. Goodnight!"
The heavily pregnant woman digested that for a moment, then turned round and entered her quarters.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Location: Daisy's dream USS DISCOVERY
Scene: Captain's Ready Room
Time index: The Day Daisy left the DISCO three years ago
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The door prompt chimed and he half stood up - for a moment his heat leaped, thinking it might be Selyara, but when he ordered the visitor to come, the glowering feeling returned when he saw that it was Maverick and Daisy, who was holding baby Jason.
He slumped back down in the chair. "What?"
"We've come to say goodbye, Mike," said Daisy, and only then did Kane see Erika peek out from under her mother's maternity dress.
Kane swallowed. This was always going to be difficult. He looked at Maverick. "Tyler and Kyle are leaving with you?"
"Yes. The COUNTERSTRIKE too. Sorry to see me go?"
"You sorry to be leaving?" countered Kane.
"I don't know. PATRIOT's a fine ship."
Erika's eyes flitted from one man to the other as they sparred verbally.
"There's finer."
"Like here, you mean?"
"You said it, I didn't." Kane raised an eyebrow. "Look, I know the real reason for you leaving."
"I didn't know you were psychic."
Kane held up a hand. "Look, just..." He struggled to find the right words. He knew that Maverick was attracted to Selyara too, and the thought that he might actually get anywhere with her was really annoying. He met the marine's eyes. "Keep her out of harm's way."
Maverick nodded in understanding. "I will."
Kane stood up and came around the table to Daisy. He tried to smile. "No place for a young family."
"No, Mike."
"Be safer for them on the PATRIOT."
"Yes, Mike." Her lip was trembling.
Kane looked down to where Erika was staring up at him. "A whole new adventure, Erika. You must be looking forward to it?"
"Will I get to sit on the bridge of the new ship?" she asked innocently.
Kane smiled. "Maybe if you're lucky." He held out his hand, and Erika shook it. "It was very nice meeting you, Erika."
"You too, Mikey," grinned the little girl. "Although," she added cautiously, "mommy says you're not the man she remembers."
"Erika!" scolded Daisy.
"Oh." The innocent remark hit him hard. Kane looked at Daisy meaningfully. "I'm sorry."
The baby woke, started to squirm. Kane smiled half-heartedly. "Well, I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your careers."
Maverick nodded and left the ready room, but Daisy held back. "Mike," she said, "what about Selyara?"
Kane turned to the viewing port and looked out at the stars. "What about her?"
"I know you have feelings for her. Are you just going to let her go?"
"Not a whole lot I can do about it, Daisy."
"You should go to her, tell her how you feel," said Daisy earnestly, seeing his downcast features reflected in the starlight of the window. "If there were ever two people who should have been together, it's you and her. It breaks my heart to see the fleet forcing you apart. You two have something - "
"No. We don't," stated Kane flatly. "We never have, and now we never will."
"Mike - "
"Goodbye, Daisy. Have a good life. Your kids are wonderful."
Daisy ushered a confused Erika out of the room. "Bye, Mike. I hope you find happiness somewhere, I really do. Take care of yourself."
He didn't look up again until the door had hissed shut.
_____________________________________________
Location: Daisy's dream continues
Scene: GATEWAY, Crichton's office - revisiting the conversation with Mav
NRPG: Written by Taylor
__________________________________________
"A word Commander Davidson?"
"Sure. What's up?"
"In private Commander. Mister Crichton, do you mind if we use your office for a short talk? Don’t go far I need to run something by you as well" he said. Daisy was looking at him oddly, Mav wasn’t known for his formalities.
The engineer left leaving the two officers alone in the room. "Daisy, this isn’t the USS Fluffypuff, and you aren’t under the command of some fairy or a shop-a-holic CO. You are the commanding officer here, and you cant go around addressing people so informally."
She looked at him, confused over what he was referring to.
"Look, you as CMO, or Ships Counselor, its fine to use terms of endearment. Its considered bedside manner, and the caring speech that a physician or therapist should exude. But as a CO, you cant call people honey, it could be thought of
as unwanted advancement and get you into a lot of trouble. And then the awesomeness that is me would have to rush in ONCE AGAIN and save the day."
"You got to be kidding me"
"Look from one CO to another, just some advice in your transition. Be careful. Mister Crichton, you can return now."
Daisy groaned and managed a weak, embarrassed laugh. "God help me. I really did join the military, didn't I?"
_________________________________________________________________________
Location: Dream within a Dream
Scene: Daisy's quarters on the STONEHENGE
Written by Kim
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Daisy 'woke up' to Erika's hand on her shoulder. "Mom!!" the little girl whined. "I'm hungry." Daisy sat up and gasped. "Erika - how did you get here?"
"We live here, silly." grinned Gavi from the open doorway of Daisy's bedroom.
Daisy blinked. "No. I was on GATEWAY. It was all so sad what happened there and Ben put me in command." Daisy pulled Erika up onto her lap and hugged her tightly. The little girl gave Daisy a confused look and protested, "Mom - you're squeezing all the blood to my head" as Daisy went into a whole rant about how much she'd missed her kids. Gavi approached, grinning. "Mom, it's cool. We'll all be together for Christmas and we're going to go see Mav and LJ's other little brother on the PATRIOT."
"I bet Tyler will be there and he'll let me come into the kitchen with him and make cookies." Erika beamed up at Daisy.
It was only then she felt movement from the other side of the bed and realized she hadn't been sleeping alone.
Cade stretched and yawned. "What are you babbling about, woman? "
"Mommy had a bad dream that Starfleet took her away from us right at Christmas." Erika replied grimly.
Cade sat up and groaned, his thinning hair mussed from sleep. He put his hand on Daisy's shoulder and sighed. "I wish you'd let me go with you."
Daisy grimaced. "We've been over this. You know they need you in sickbay."
Cade stuck out his tongue at Erika. Then, he managed a weak grin. "While she's tossing
and turning with nightmares about Starfleet taking her away from you - I'm wide awake and you guys are taking her away from me."
Erika stuck out her tongue at Cade and teased. "WE had her first."
Daisy laughed weakly with one arm wrapped around her daughter and her other arm sliding around Cade's neck. The older man leaned down and kissed Daisy's shoulder. She felt the stubble through the soft fabric of her pajamas and laughed. "You need to shave."
He laughed. "You need to toss the rugrats out the nearest airlock and just stay here in bed with me."
Erika shoved him back, laughing. "Don't you call me a rugrat." Cade fell backwards, his head hitting his pillow - as if the light shoving from a six year old girl had carried the weight of a grown man. He laughed and groaned. "Oh, she got me."
Erika giggled - then yelled for Gavi. "Come on - let's give him noogies."
Daisy stood up as Cade pleaded. "Oh, for God's sake - no noogies from lightening boy over there. What little hair I have left will all fall out."
The two youngest children climbed all over Foster laughing as Daisy backed away from the bed. She finally turned to look out the window and studied the positions of the stars, trying to get her bearings.
Everything had felt "real". The smell of Erika's hair, the sound of Gavi's laugh, the feeling of Cade's whiskers against her shoulder. She sighed and began to smile, thinking she really was "home" and on her way to a warm, cozy, family holiday.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Location: GS2
Scene: Daisy's quarters
Stardate: 2.71223.1434
Time index: 0500hrs
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The Comm system beeped for a third and then fourth time. Daisy's eyes finally opened and she sat up in bed, startled. Her eyes widened as she recognized the GATEWAY quarters and the voice of Drake on the comm system.
[[ "Commander Davidson, meet me at the entrance to the promenade from the Operations station walkway immediately." ]]
She yawned. "On my way."
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NRPG: This sets up Peter for a post he's working on right now and tells more about Daisy's history with Kane and Daisy's anxieties over Command
Kim Toussaint AKA Commander Daisy Byrne Davidson, M.D.
Commanding officer of GATEWAY STATION
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