Updated – August 9, 1998
NEW BEGINNINGS
Chapter 1 - Part B
Captain Dunnedy scanned the viewscreen, watching the stars dart pass her, wondering what she was doing. Weighing her feelings she couldn’t really decide how she felt.
War was looming. Her career had started during the General War, so she was ready for much of what lied ahead. Still, it was something she’d never look forward to or want to revisit. But the Federation couldn’t continue to stay penned in by the I.S.C. The reasons were sound and as close as the plans came to being betrayed to the I.S.C. by certain parties within Starfleet; they could not let the threat stand as was any longer. It was time, but she didn’t have to look forward. She hated to see it, but some of her own crew were a little thrilled. She wished it were all just youthful exuberance.
In addition, over two weeks before, Starfleet informed her she would be transferring to a new command. She’d be getting a ship from a brand new class and would be able to bring as many people over from the Endeavor as she wished, but still it seemed odd that she was a day away from saying goodbye to her ship.
Her attitude about the Endeavor almost made her laugh. She always claimed that she didn’t want this command. She’d often tried to deny it as First Officer, but Captain Samarra saw through her words. That was one reason she had such respect for her former Commanding Officer. Still, if she learned anything from John Samarra, it was to see the ship as a distant second to the crew. She did her best to live up to this. She hadn’t gotten confirmations from everyone she wanted to bring along with her and she hoped the team she had grown to respect wouldn’t be shattered completely.
Now, John and Katherine Moore were going to marry. Somehow, that surprised her. With all of these changes and upheaval she really knew she had to start reexamining her life. It almost seemed she was required to do this every few years. She had a position and a role she liked, but it seemed the glass was still half-empty.
Standing up from her command chair, she walked over to the science station. Lieutenant Commander Megan Takamira sat quietly at the console, wasting time. Coming up beside her friend, she sat down and joined her.
“Meg?”
Nodding at her friend, she responded, ”Kara, I don’t know yet.”
“Why?”
“I just want to spend some time with my Harry and think it out. I hope you can understand.”
Reservedly, she responded, “I do. I guess I’m a little jealous too.”
Smiling, Takamira leaned in saying, “Well I could set you up with someone when we reach Mars.”
Sarcastically, Dunnedy said, “That’s all I need…”
“Hey, I think Johnny makes my record perfect now.”
“Yeah, speaking of John, it’ll be good to see him again. I haven’t heard from him in a few month, so I wonder how he’s handling this war and everything. What’s he said to you?”
“You mean about the marriage. Well it’s hard to tell with him. He’ll take the war in stride, especially if it opens up a chance at an alliance with the Klingons. Besides, he and Kate have nice safe and comfy places, out of the fighting. But…”
Leaning in, Dunnedy asked, “What?”
“Well, Kate hasn’t exactly formalized everything with him.”
The Captain’s jaw dropped for a second. “You’re joking.” Thinking for a second, she said, “That’s why she asked us to keep quiet for now.”
“Yeah. The last I heard from Harry, she was about to, but who knows.”
“She’s got less than a two week.”
“Kate doesn’t tend to follow the usual paths.”
“John’s got his hands full, but I’m sure he knows that.”
Smirking, Takamira leaned in saying, “Still sounds like you’re jealous.”
Acquiescing, Dunnedy said, “Let’s just get to Mars.”
“Starting to yield, hmm?”
Dunnedy put her head in her hand and sighed.
*****
<-- BACK NEXT -->
Return to New Beginnings Main Page
Return to Star Trek-esque Main Page
