Updated – December 1, 1998
BEHIND LINES
Chapter 1 - Part D
Commander Kara Dunnedy sat quietly in her office going over the performance reports of a pair of lieutenants who had just finished running combat simulations. She had sat there for ten minutes trying to decide what to write down as feedback for these two lieutenants. Dunnedy brushed her raven black hair from her neck and rubbed it, finally conceding. She conceded that their really was no positive way to explain the way they had lost the ship. To lose a ship of the Endeavor’s size and power to four small fighters was unbelievable. She sometimes wondered how some people actually hoped to get into a position of command. Dunnedy shook her head and decided to just put the reports away for now and come back to them later with a clear head. Dunnedy partly thought she should go and check on John, as he had seemed disturbed about Devaney’s orders. Of course, Major Lark had contacted her a half hour back to tell her that he had been given orders and had stopped training to begin a review of the new information. So she felt, barring an emergency, she'd try not to bother the Captain. If anything would help his mood, it would be a chance to spend time with Lieutenant Moore now that she was free. She didn’t fully trust Moore, seeing as she was an old acquaintance of Devaney’s, but the Captain and Lark did. That was enough for her to lay those concerns aside, for now.
Dunnedy decided to escape the reviews and the work of the inept lieutenants for a late dinner. She hadn’t eaten since the previous day and was now regretting letting these reports and simulations divert her from getting a bite to eat. She dashed towards the door to the hall when her console beeped and she got word of an incoming message. She sighed and slowly walked back to her seat and sat back down as it decoded and asked for her authorization.
The image on her comm screen switched from the standard symbol of the Federation, a circular constellation grid wreathed with two olive branches, to the image of Admiral Devaney sitting in his own office aboard the U.S.S. Sherman. Devaney was an older man, his hair silver, like his moustache, with a band of white around the bottom. His features were most definitely forceful and his silver eyes added a sense of coldness to him. A stern look was on his face, as always.
“Good day Commander.”
The Alpha Centauri First Officer straightened up and responded, “Sir.”
“I wanted to inform you that I’ll be meeting your ship in route to Starbase 28 by 1130 tomorrow.”
Dunnedy was caught off guard by his words, but hid it well, “Of course, sir. We’ll be awaiting your arrival.”
“Good. Devaney out.”
With that the screen switched back to the Federation symbol and left Dunnedy sitting alone in her office.
Great. If the Captain wanted to find out what was happening he was going to, sooner then he could have imagined, she thought. This doubtlessly wasn’t good. She stood, aware this would qualify as an emergency, and headed out of her door.
*****
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