Lt A.Dewitt- One Direction?
Emma Banin
((Shuttlebay, Indulgence of Chocolate-Coated Jama'haron, in orbit of Dangan Prime))
C. Dewitt: Where’s Captain Shayne?
As Connor asked his question, the shuttle hatch lifted with a hiss. Passengers began to file in, and the trio followed in behind. The interruption bought Naxell some time to mull over and choose his words carefully.
Naxell: I'm not privy to many of the details, Commander, but my understanding is that he was recalled to Earth. ::bemused:: I suppose we passed each other by on our respective journeys.
Naxell, Captain Naxell to be precise, was different. The denobulan came across as thoughtful, and deliberately so, but her instinct told her that this was not born of whimsy nor a casual attitude to the post and his surroundings, but from a scientific interest in all that he encountered. Much like Amelia she thought. Much like she use to be. A moment’s sadness at what she had lost before she replied to his question.
A. Dewitt: It’s the nature of the career. People you form a relationship with can be gone in the blink of an eye.
C. Dewitt: Sir, if I may. Commander Hobart is the current First Officer. ::pause:: Why wouldn’t he remain in that role?
Naxell: A very good question. I had the same. It turns out Commander Hobart has been reassigned to Deep Space 33 command staff.
She knew even before she asked the question the concern that not just Connor but Talia would be feeling. She didn’t need to be an empath to feel that.
A.Dewitt: Does Talia I mean Lieutenant Commander Ohnari know?
C. Dewitt: Response
Poor Connor as if the tension between their marriage and the lure of the engine room wasn’t enough it had now become so much more complicated for
him. She knew he would feel bad for Nolan, bad for Talia, bad for Randall, and bad for their marriage.
As much as it pained her to admit it, his affinity for his role, his concern for his mission bound him to Starfleet and the Khitomer with ties stronger than the ones to her.
Maybe she was wrong. Maybe she wasn’t, but that almost wasn’t the point. Whatever he felt about her own issues she knew what this meant to him. She had no choice but to support him.
Naxell: I see no reason to doubt you, Mr. Dewitt. You're Khitomer’s Chief Engineer. No one knows the ship better than you do, and you're Second Officer. Surely you must have known this day was coming.
A.Dewitt: Captain I’ve discovered that knowing and experiencing are two very different things.
C. Dewitt: Response
Ayemet smiled. Connor would make a fine First Officer. Whatever it meant for her, she was immensely proud of him, even if she was a little heartbroken for herself.
Naxell: And what do you say, Mrs. Dewitt? Anything I should worry about?
A.Dewitt: Oh SO much!
C.Dewitt/Naxell: Response
She looked at Connor giving his hand a gentle squeeze and the turning to Naxell, her eyes sparkling, her voice sincere.
A.Dewitt: The galaxy is a dangerous place, the Lattice Alliance have tasted defeat but they are still out there :pause as she smiles directly at Naxell: But you have a good crew who will follow your orders :glancing at Connor and back at Naxell: and a good First Officer who will help acclimatise you to your ship and your crew.
C.Dewitt/Naxell: Response.
TAG/TBC
Lieutenant Ayemet Dewitt
Ship Counselor
USS Khitomer
NCC 62400
A239810JA2Q