Stardate: 60703:2355
Title: My Poor Baby
Author: Executive Officer Abigail Winters
Time: During & After “A Handful of Quantum Rocks”
Scene: The Relentless


Cocky was definitely one of the words Abby would use to describe the Chief of Engineering. He had an attractive physique; however, the fact that he knew it made it somehow less appealing. The reason the XO was smiling was because when Kal spoke about the Relentless it was obvious that he really did know his stuff and the over-confidence he usually projected disappeared. He also managed to explain his plan without being patronizing.

As she left engineering the XO took a route that was out of Crewman Robbins path - there was a limit to how much sucking up she could take in a day. With a quick stop at the science department to chat with Maxine the XO headed to bridge.

=/\= Bridge =/\=

As the Captain got confirmation from Ensign Levi that everything was ready and in place Abby noted a look of mischief in Alex’s eyes. Even after they had left a terrified looking McGee in charge on the bridge the look didn’t disappear.

After five minutes on the ‘Last Dance’ with the Captain, Abby decided she didn’t like his flying and she was never going to get in the co-pilot’s seat with a hangover.

With Alex actively encouraging Abby to open fire on the Relentless the XO thought of Admiral Foster and her theory that Captain Khavok would prevent her from denting the ships she was on, Abby wondered if she should tell the Admiral she was wrong.

~

Back on the Relly the jubilant mood didn’t last long as the planet Parsus came into view and the Relly started making her descent. As they touched down on the planet in one piece a collective sigh escaped the bridge crew.

Leaving the bridge in the hands of Thomas, the Captain and the XO made their way to the exit. When they arrived at the door the CSO, CEO, McFrey, a few other crewmembers and a small security contingent met them. As the door opened the security detail went out first securing the immediate area.

As Abigail stepped onto the planet she shivered at the cold wind that blasted past her face. Reaching up she secured her cap and turned her jacket collar up before venturing forward. A quick look of the land left Abby with no doubt that this would never be rated as a top vacation spot. The ground was cover with gritty sand that was often picked up by the wind and flung into the away team’s faces. The ground was littered with rocky outcrops making it difficult to travel and scattered about was debris from wars long past.

Mcfrey assigned Adams to accompany the Captain and XO as they did a visual inspection of the Relentless. A few scratches could seen from the earlier shots. Abby smiled but as she looked at the Captain she could see him shaking his head and she was sure she heard the muttered words “My poor baby.”

Returning to the rest of the away team a sombre mood seemed to have gripped them. The barrenness of the planet and the reminder of distant battles and life lost weighed heavily in the air. The Captain had a particularly haunted look in his eyes.


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Lt Commander Abigail Winters
Executive Officer
USS Relentless
NCC–11966
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