Stardate: 60430.0010
Title: The Start of a Long Day
Author: Ensign Laurence Adams, Special Ops/Security
Time: Before "Drawing the Line"
Scene: Starbase 9 / USS Relentless


Laurence Adams woke up, still dressed from the night before his head pounding as he lay face down on the bed in the small quarters the Star base had provided to the young officer. He pulled himself up slowly, the room spinning slightly.

"Computer, what time is it?"

<It is 1800 hours.>

Ensign Adams face paled. He was supposed to have reported to Lieutenant McFrey three hours ago.

"What happened, I didn't even drink that much?" The young officer asks no one in particular.

<Chemical Sensors detect traces of a powerful sleep compound in the atmosphere.>

*Sabotage!* Laurence thinks as he looks around, the fast movement causing his head to spin, and making him lay back down. Then he sees it, at the side of his bed. A spilled bottle of Tellerian Whiskey. A congratulatory gift from the crew of the Lusitania. "Those a-holes drugged me. Thanks guys," he says quietly.

Vertigo or not, Ensign Adams was late, and he needed to report for duty. Laurence stood and made for the door, before quickly stumbling to the latrine to empty his stomach of last night's dinner.

"I'll need to see the Doctor when I get in," he mutters, as he rinses his face, trying to clean the stupor away.

Laurence moved briskly now toward the berth where the Relentless prepared for launch. Upon setting eyes on the Intrepid-class ship, he smiles. He still couldn't believe he'd gotten his first choice at posting. Tapping his Combadge, he begins to speak.

"Ensign Laurence Adams to USS Relentless. One to beam over."

"This is Chief Riley on board the Relentless. I need your authorization code."

Larry's eyebrow shot up, this didn't seem normal.

"Authorize, Ensign Adams, Laurence. Delta-Alpha-Nine-Gamma-Eight," he says anyway. As he finishes he feels the familiar pull of the transporter, and the star base concourse fades away.


=/\= USS Relentless: Transporter Room =/\=

"Welcome aboard, Ensign," Chief Riley says from the other side of the console.

"Thank you, Chief. Security seems unusually tight for a Federation starship in a home berth. What's going on?"

"The Captain got into some trouble station-side. He's back on board now, but he was pretty beat up when I brought him back. I'm afraid I don't know the details, sir," the crewman explains.

Larry smiles, he's going to have to get used to that appellation being applied his direction.

"Thank you, Chief. I'm sure Lieutenant McFrey will fill me in on whatever details I need to know. I'll be on my way. Good day," Larry says as he makes his way for the door.

"Computer, where is Lieutenant McFrey?"

<The Lieutenant is in a meeting with the Senior Staff on Deck 1.>

Ensign Adams finds a turbo lift, and takes it to Deck 1. Stepping out, he finds the Conference Room and debates waiting outside. He's just about to turn around and head to the Security Offices.

*Better to be found working,* he thinks.

Just then, the door opens, and the Ensign, terrifiedly jumps back against the wall to avoid getting in the way of the higher-ranked Officers. The officers smile as they walk past, acknowledging the Ensign. Larry sees the COS, and is just about to step forward, when the Lieutenant stops.

"Ensign Adams?" He asks shortly.

"Yes, sir," Larry begins. "I'm..."

"You're late. By several hours."

"Yes, sir. I'm..."

"I don't want excuses, Ensign. We don't have time for them. In the future, you'd better learn to be on time. Meeting times are not suggestions, they are requirements. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir. It was an accident."

"I'm sure it was," Lieutenant McFrey says as Captain Khavok and Lt. Commander Winters step out of the Conference Room. "Captain, Lt. Commander, this is the tardy officer I mentioned in my report. My department is now all accounted for."

"Have a bit of trouble with the Station Security yourself, Ensign?" Captain Khavok says with a slight grin.

"Something like that, Sir," the Ensign says, his entire body rigid.

"I'll be on the Bridge. Nice to meet you, Ensign...?"

"Adams, Sir."

"Adams. Welcome aboard," Lt. Commander Winters says as she begins walking toward the bridge.

"I'll join you, Abby. Welcome aboard, Ensign," Captain Khavok says before joining the XO.

"Ensign, take your position on the Bridge. I've got a report to file about the recent events, which I'll forward to you. I'll inform you of a meeting as well. Be on time," McFrey says, as he starts to turn around. "Oh, and Ensign. You look like hell. Try not to embarrass that uniform."

"Yes, sir," Ensign Adams says to his COS, before walking toward the bridge, following the Captain and First Officer at a respectful distance.

*What a great way to start the day,* he thinks to himself, his head still throbbing.


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Ensign Laurence Adams
Security/Special Operations
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
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