961127.23 XO Found (Capt Dharmajiva, CO; Cmdr. T. Blake, XO)
Tana Ragsdale
From: Damivist [mailto:dami...@bigpond.com]
Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2011 10:56 PM
To: Tana Ragsdale
Subject: Re: Joint Log
~.\~ Start Log ~.\~
It was incredibly annoying thinking that he could go it alone and finding he could not. He had almost got the dynamic of his team right, but now... he had to choose someone to step up, leaving a gap where one currently did not exist.
Though he did find essentially that his options were many because there were much more personnel to choose from than his time on The Scylax or Hellebarde, it was the confidence and belief that the person could do the job right which weighed heavily on his mind.
Faith, he had faith in almost all his Department heads... so which one could be exposed to a gap for the time being... already his decision had been made.
Sometime later...
The Security Officer escorted the tall blonde man in, something was odd about him, like things weren't quite right with him and it made Vin wonder whether he could have possibly made the wrong decision.
~No faith, Vin. Trust others because you are going to need their help.~
"Are you okay Commander, do you have an idea of why I called you here?"
The question was answered with a nod before the man nodded, and whatever was bothering him was buried behind cheerful warm crystal blue eyes, “Yes and no Captain. Forgive me, but there’s something you need that you think I’m best suited to provide, I’m just not sure what that is, at this point. And, in honesty, not sure I trust that I’m right in what you want.” He smiles, “It would seem we’re both having a bit of a rough time.”
"Tell me about it... " muttered the Vin. More clearly and louder though, trying to keep the 'air of command' Vin continued. "I may be having a tough time, but so is everyone else. In fact the whole fleet is being downscaled... yes though... I guess that makes us officially part of the Fleet now." as he was standing, he looked clearly into the eyes of the commander, trying to communicate something but finding himself lacking.
"All this has done..." Vin spoke waving his arms to identify his situation and the overall situation combined "... is highlight things that are important. Friendship, communication and trust. Toby, I do hope that in the short time that we have come to know each other that I can count on you as a friend, and I do trust you... so therefore I have come to the decision that it is best you serve me in the Executive Officer's position."
For a moment he paused and gave time for the former Counsellor to consider. "... it is not an order Toby, it is a request only. I know you have family, and sometimes things are more important than what we do in Starfleet, but I do need your help."
Remaining quiet while Vin spoke Toby came to some realizations, Vin had likely been victim to the same problems Toby himself had suffered recently, and he was not surprised when Vin revealed why he’d called Toby here. “I have family, here on this ball of ice yes. To best care for them means getting this place in order, and dealing with everything including nightmares trying to take over and unhinge minds. It’s a good thing you’re here though, Cait may have a few fits over my accepting and it’s best if at least one of us is out of range of her Irish temper. I will take the position, and with luck I will better be able to do what I’ve been trying to do here already.”
"Nightmares to unhinge minds... you mean?" questioned Vin. Whatever elation Vin had felt on the acceptance of Commander Blake to the position of XO immediately disappeared. Last time these nightmares occurred they only occurred to Vin, not anyone else. How many others were being affected he wasn't sure, but it was not good news.
There was a little hesitation before Toby nodded. “Yes sir. I know of myself and Cait for certain. I don’t know of any others at this point.”
"This then is not an isolated incident." worried Vin. "It also isn't the first time this has happened to me Toby, this doesn't just unhinge minds... it stretches the very fabric of reality." He paused for a moment because a multitude of ways to answer or broach this subject was too numerous to mention and every one of them just didn't seem to do it any justice.
"Three years ago... when I was part of the Fourteenth Fleet, my life was very different. I did not nor even expected that I could have a child. Yet my eldest, well..." this avenue of approach seemed difficult. The whole idea of what Vin had already been through was difficult. Difficult every time he mentioned it, every time he had to bring it up for counselling. It was just too... unusual.
"I had a dream once, nightmare really... that was so very real, about two and a half years ago. In this nightmare I lived a lifetime of being considered a hunted animal. My wits, my ingeniuty my only weapons against the humans. Yes, the humans were hunters like this galaxy has never seen, even greater than the Hirogen as mentioned in the well publicised 'Journey of Voyager to the Delta Quadrant'." he shuddered trying to keep all the memories from flooding back.
"Recently since Jobel, my Counsellor, hypnotised me in order for me to deal with some of the issues that arose from my living an entire 'other' lifetime, the nightmares have come back. I also believe it is why I lost control when I was hypnotised..." It was truly apparent that Vin did regret what he did to Jobel.
"But to re-iterate Toby, these dreams once before altered my reality... I did not have an eight year old child but for in the alternate universe, and now I do. Somehow though, this reality has decided to explain it, as if..." As a man of science Vin didn't like to believe in certain things but... "... as if some unknown force is trying to balance things."
There was a complete silence between the two for a time, just thinking about the possibilities of reality changing around them.
"Toby. You have to go now. You have been appointed even if you are waiting for the red uniform. I cannot chase this up right now. But get anyone out of the heads of Staff that need to see me to come and deal. I can only have a couple of people at a time here... but get them to see me if you need help."
The whole thing Toby listened to, and there was nothing once in his expression or posture to indicate that he did not believe the man before him, “I will get them together and get them working on it, if you need anything or even just to talk you call. I am a trained counselor, and perhaps in that talking there will be clues.” He nodded to the Captain, then actually saluted him, before he took himself off his steps determined.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
End log
Captain Vincent Dharmajiva - Commanding Officer
Commander Toby Blake - Executive Officer
Paradise-IV.