Re: Aden
The Ruane
I opened my eyes it was dark. I could vaguely make out dim lighting across the room and a blurry figure sitting at a desk. I tried to sit up but realized I was restrained. The room shook fiercely. The figure behind the desk stood to walk over to me, again, the room shook violently. As my eyes began to clear I realized I was in sick bay and on a bio bed. I had no idea how long I was here or what the stardate was.
The lights flickered a few times then all seemed to be normal. The ships Doctor tapped the bio bed panel and the restraints were released. It suddenly dawned on me that I could not hear. The lights came up and the flashing red panels ceased.
"Sick bay to Bridge, Captain, Aden is awake but I don't think he can hear at the present time. I have been talking to him but received no response." The doctor spoke to the comm.
"I will be down presently. We are clear for the moment but I expect we'll see some action in a short while. See if you can figure out why he can't hear. Fitzroy out." Is what I would have heard if I could.
The doctor handed me a padd and picked up another nearby and began typing out text. He motioned for me to look at the padd when he was done. He understood that I could not hear and that he was going to take a look as he thinks he may have missed something. With that he picked up a medical tricorder and scanned my head in all directions. How he'd missed that I ever would find out. Nor did I care. He stuck a tiny instrument into both of my ears and repaired the damage he'd found. About this time Captain Fitzroy entered sick bay.
The doctor finished up and I could hear again. Rufus approached and it all came back to me. I realized the Belfast was lost and that I was on Captain Fitzroy's ship. I did-liked this ship very much. Oh it was a powerful tool for the federation but I preferred a different look to a starship. I didn't like the bony fingers that attached the nacelles to the saucer, but I digress...
I felt much better now and asked the doctor if I was fit for duty to which he waved his hand towards the door in -go away, you're bothering- fashion. Secretly I think he was annoyed at having missed a simple hearing issue. I left the sickbay with Rufus in silence. Once in the corridor I stopped him.
"My crew?" I asked quietly.
"7 souls lost, the rest are here on the Ruane, Captain." He responded.
I was relieved. He then went on to tell me about the final scans of the remains of the Belfast. Apparently someone had sabotaged the ship. To what extent was unknown. The ships computer core was being downloaded into the Ruane's main computer in order for analysis. I asked of the most recent attacks and Rufus waved his hand in the air and continued down the corridor. I walked over to the wall and tapped a panel looking for where I was assigned quarters and headed in the direction of the green flashing lights along the wall. I touched the panel of my quarters and entered. Numerous padd's were on the desk. I sat down and picked up the first padd, it was the report of the crew: recovered and lost. I scanned the names of the lost and began to compose the letters for the next of kin to send to Starfleet for approval. I stood and walked over the to window as I was dictating to the computer. As I stared out into space my mind began to wander. I thought of Rufus. I also thought of my family on Earth. I needed a break and apparently a new ship.
"Aden to the Bridge" I stated to the computer after pausing the recording.
"Yes Captain", responded the officer at the comm.
"What is our current destination?" I queried.
"Earth Space Dock." responded the comm officer.
