So here you go!
"Wanting More Than Having" - Cmdr Morrison
Written by: Brad Edwards and Ian Martell
Kathleen sat at the ops console durring gamma shift. It was a quiet night dispite the fact that they were flying through a feild of subspace distortions each able to sheer portions off the ship. Still Kat wasn't worried, Lin, the helm officer this shift was good, besides Adandar had made projections as to the movements of the anomolies and except for one wierd encounter a while ago they had been right.
She noticed something flashing on her screen, a incomming com signal. She opened the address file... To Kathleen Morrison USS Backlash. She put her finger over the button to open the message when she felt something, the most gentle caress a distant touch...
'Thump' the PADD fell on the floor as she put her cup down. She crouched down to pick it up. As she did she found her desk chair and sat down, looking at the PADD it was blank. Wasn't there a message for her?
"Commander?"A voice called.
Kathleen looked at her desk, the com unit was on it was Admiral Craig looking at her with a slightly worried expression. Of course there was a message, it was from Admiral Craig.
"Sorry Admiral,"She said with a smile. "Just got distracted."
"It's okay, if your busy I can contact you later."
"No Admiral, by all means continue,"Kathleen said, putting down the PADD and pressing a few buttons as though fixing something on it.
"Well, Kathleen I know you've only been first officer of the Backlash for six months but, I believe your ready to move up. I've spoken to Captian Hansen,"He shoots her a knowing smile "... it was hard to get him to agree to let you go, but a little arm twisting did the trick... Besides, its not like he'll want for applicants."
That was true, Kathleen's box had been flooded with requests for transfers to the ship for the longest time...
"Very true sir... but what do you have in mind?"
"Well, Command has made official the plans for the 23rd. They've filled a couple of spots, but they have yet to put anyone in their exploration directive slots and asked me to find someone to command the Tervan-Dai."
The Tervan-Dai? What kind of ship was that, the name didn't strike anybells with her, mabey Lt. Carls knew... Exploration Directive? Mabey it was a science ship, an Oberth or the new Vincent Class...
"The Trevan-Dai sir?"
"Hmm, yes. Just getting her last coats of paint... She's sitting at Utopia Planitia awaiting the final tests on her saucer/drive links..."stops, knowing that he was pulling her strings by egging on her curiosity, smiled.
"What class is she sir," As if it would matter she thought as the words left her lips.
"I thought you'd never ask. A nebula. The entire fleet is composed of Nebula, Galaxy and Sovereign class vessels, and yours would be assigned to forward exploration missions and occasional diplo duties when she's closer to home..."
Kathleen let her breath out in surprise. A Nebula that was even better than she had hoped, a Nebula for her first command!
"A Nebula, in the 23rd... sir I'll take it!"She said with out a second thought.
"Thought you would."Craig replied. "The captain has already arranged to have the Backlash put in"the comlink beeped indicating she was recieving another message. "at Utopia within the next 3 weeks, you know how he likes to keep her in top shape..."beeped again"... and, of course..."
"Yes, sir, if you'll excuse me I'd like to take this call..."
Admiral Craig nodded, and leaned back in his chair.
She pressed the accept button on her com-station to take the message.
The screen lit up and on it was Kevin. Kathleen hadn't seen him for months and was amazed that he was hanging around for her, they'd only been together for just under 2 years.
"Kat!"He said his face lighting up with genuine pleasure at seeing her. And Kathleen's heart melts. He always had that effect on her.
"Kevin,"She couldn't help but smile. "I wasn't expecting this, what's up?"
"Whaddya mean what's up? I just heard that the Backlash was putting at Utopia, and I managed to arrange for some time off and thought I'd call you as soon as I could..."
"That's great... we can celibrate my promotion togeather,"She said waiting for his reaction before going on.
"Your what?"His face a mixture of excitement and happyness.
"Your looking at the first Captian of the USS Tervan-Dai"
Kevin was extactic. "Kat, that's incredible! What is she? Where is she? Whose she being assigned to ? Come on, don't keep me hanging! " he gushed forth, almost more excited than Kat is.
"Give me a second,"Said Kat overwhelmed by his ethusiasim. "She's still being checked out at Utopia Planitia and she's a Nebula Class, assigned to the 23rd, exploration and diplomatic missions... I guess the Taurhai peace accords paid off for me huh?"
"No kidding! Wait 'till everyone hears the news! Wow, I guess it does make sense though, doesn't it. It was you and Hansen that negotiated the cease-fire when Algernon was attacked, after all... Wow! 23rd... That's sure a long way from home. Aren't they going to be based out our sectors near Taurhai space?"
"Yes, but I'll be a Captian, we do get shoreleave even if most don't take advantage of it."
"True, and hey, they can't haven't filled all the spots in 23rd. I got asked to take the same post I've got now over there, with Fleet Ops, 23rd, maybe I should think about taking it" It was just like Kevin, always putting them first, even though they're just 'seeing' each other. Wait she thought, hadn't he got offered a Vice-Admiralty over in 27th?
"What about your promotion, you can't pass up a chance like that, can you?"Kat asked, it was not the first time that Kevin had put off promotion for her.
"Ah,"He said his face obviously hiding his true feelings behind a mask of normality. "You know how it is, Vice's are a dime a dozen, haven't I always said that the Rear's are where its at? Besides, I've got a few strings I could pull, I know a bunch of the people already going, including our mutual friend, Fleet Admiral Morgan. Its not like I won't come across another offer over there, besides, I want to talk to you about something when you put in at Utopia."
"Sure, but before I get there don't make any decisions okay?"Kat said.
"Of course not, have I ever just gone ahead and done things.. without at least hinting at it later?"He smiled then waved and cut off the com-link.
"Captain Morrison?"
Kathleen leaned back in her chair, Captian Morrison... she liked that..
"Captain Morrison?"
"Yes?"
It was the admiral, the screen had gone back automaticly after Kevin had cut off the communication.
"Sorry, Admiral, "
"Not at all, well, I really need to go, and you need to inform your Captain of your new assignment. Your promotion will be effective the second you step onboard the Tervan-Dai... I'll send out what we have so far for 23rd personnel as well as your crew list and the list of applicants already in for your senior staff... Looks like you've got a fair bit to do."
"It does indeed, thank you again Admiral, I appretiate your confidence, I assure you I won't let you down..."
"Its always a pleasure, hmm, can you keep a secret?"
"Of course!,"Kathleen said smiling her gossip queen mode kicking in. "I'm the very soul of discretion."
The Admiral smiled somewhat ironicly, apparently her reputation proceeded her.
"I'll leave with this little bit of insider info, which Captain do you think has been given a chance at 22nd Fleet Admiral, but has yet to be told, because we're all,"He smiled "Devious bastards over here? Congratulations, Kathleen, enjoy your new command... Craig out"
Kat smiled it was turning out to be one helluva day, in a good way. She got up and hurried to catch up with Hansen, if she knew him he was on one of his famous 'random' walk-throughs that the crew loved so much, after all how many people other than the crew of the Backlash, could say they met let alone served under the man who fought Zeus.
It certainly was a helluva a day. It was hard to believe, when the Centauran Dr. Moranon had made his discovery, the terraforming of Mars was over in less time than anyone had thought possible. And now she was hiking through the hills, looking for some damn artificial lake in the woods because instead of Kevin waiting for her she'd found a map and a pair of hiking boots...
She presses on, thinking that what ever ambush Kevin's been planning had better involve something to drink because, she's exausted. Damn why doesn't take me out to dinner like other men... and not have me drag myself up some mountain, not only that, but he bribed her new crew not to beam her up the mountian. He'd better be ready to answer for this, Admiral or no.
The path wound up through the new but quickly aged forest. It really was beautiful, even if a bit weird. She can remember living in domes, and now they're all gone. But still Mar was beautiful and made better by the abillity to walk around outside without a space suit under the pink sky. Then Kathleen noticed something, the path just a few meters ahead switched back down. There was no lake up here...
"Oh great I'm lost! perfect"She groaned.
Suddenly the trees just stopped and before her was a jut of red Martian rock fully 50 meters long, extending out from the mountainside, and a familiar figure stood there staring at the panorama of Mars before him. Kat was stunned by the beauty of the veiw, quickly forgeting her tired legs and complaints of a minute ago and walks up the jut to stand beside Kevin taking in the veiw that was before them.
Spread out before her was Keyorsen City, recently released from its dome and surrounded by the forest that was put all around it and up the mountains in the area as well. Almost imperceptibly, Kevin glanced at Kat and smiled slightly. Then in one smooth motion, pulled something from his pocket, spins in front of her and kneeled, holding before him an open ring box, the diamond shining in the sun from behind Kat.
"Kathleen, I know this might be a little sudden, but there's no one in the universe I would rather spend the rest of my life with and, well... Kathleen... will you marry me?"Kevin said looking longingly up at Kathleen.
Kat steped back surprised by gesture, then she looked around her, the perfect setting, a beautiful terraformed Mars, and the only man she'd ever seriously thought she loved, and gorgeous as well, the answer was simple, and fitted her mental image of what she wanted so well.
"Yes, of course I will!"She said finaly
Kevin got up, slid the ring onto Kat's finger, and all she knew then was joy...
Hmm, that had always been such a good memory, it had been a while since she'd been on Mars. But then, it wasn't every day that one got called into Starfleet Hq. The new buildings were truly beautiful, and fit amazingly well into the new Martian landscape, it was hard to believe that it had only been 2 years ago that since she had been here last. Now she was stuck sitting outside a briefing room, having been summoned halfway across the Federation (well, all the way) and had been interrupted while on leave with her Husband. She barely had time to break him the news. But now the rushing across the galaxy over and since she had nothing else to do, she thought about names for her first child. Rembering the conversation she had with Admiral Hansen last week about the same topic.
"We've already ruled out Kevin... too egocentric for Kevin's liking.
"Hmm, true enough,"Adm Hansen said. "Kathleen, do the galaxy a favour, don't bring another James into the universe... and certainly not a Duran!!"
"Well, mabey Lucas after Admiral Casey, it could't hurt to score points with the Chief of Strat Ops could it?"Kathleen said next.
Admiral Hansen smiled ruefully but amusidly.
"No, I suppose not, but wouldn't the other Hansen be disappointed then? He is the C in C and though he may not mind if its not a James, he might if its a Lucas instead."
"What about Vorak? Wasn't that the Brikar that helped you in that fight with Ghandi?"He said, knowing that was a button to push with Kathleen.
"Not fair bringing that up! He attacked me first. And besides it wasn't the real Ghandi. Anyhow Vorak Morrison, just doesn't sound right."
"He'll be so disappointed. So, if not Vorak, then what?"Smiled James.
"True, mabey,"She said half lost in thought. "No not Lewis or Adam,"Either would bring up too many memories.
"Uh huh..."
"Mabey Jason,"She said finaly.
"Hmm... Jason."
After my father, Kevin and him always got along, I'm sure he'd agree.
"Of course he'd agree, he almost always does.. very easy going,"James said his face frowning slightly.
"It's part of his charm..."Kathleen said in her husband's defence.
"Captain Morrison, this way please..."A young Lt appeared through the briefing room doors, cutting short Kathleen's reverie.
She got up, and used the 'Picard manuver' to strighten her uniform before following the Lieutenant in.
The room is quiet there is a desk at the far end of the medium sized room with 3 Admirals sitting at it, all Fleet, all ones she knows only a little. In addition, in the darkened areas around the side of the room there were stepped seats filled with people, some she knew and some she didn't and in the middle of the room is a table and a chair before it.
Taking a deep breath, Kat, walked up confidently to the chair and infront of it snaped to attention. "Sirs, Captain Morrison reporting as ordered."
"Sit down, Captain" the Admiral in the middle says. The three regarded her dispassionately. There are no smiles in the room and no loose chatter.
She pulled the chair back fliching internaly at the sound of it scraping on the floor, the sound echos through the quiet room. Then sat down trying her best to look as though this was the most casual thing in the world for her. While inside she was nervous beyond all understanding.
The Admiral in the middle seemed to almost forget that she was there as he turned his attention to a PADD that an aide brought to him, whispering in his ear. The aide wore a uniform with JAG markings. The other two looked at Kathleen as if assessing her and finding her wanting. Someone coughs and then falls into nervous slience.
Kathleen could wait no longer. "Sirs may I..."
"A word to the wise Captain, don't speak out of turn." said the Admiral on the left.
Kathleen fell silent left to await her fate in total quiet. Five minutes passed as the Admiral in the middle considered the material before him and then passed it in turn to the others. Finally, the middle Admiral looked up.
"Captain Morrison, as is already established, you seem to be rather curious as to why we brought you here. In fact, it this very thing that has made this meeting necessary." He pauses, infuriatingly to look down at something again. "We have reviewed your records extensively, Captain. Throughout we have found examples of you seizing initiative, charging off to accomplish various goals and following the paths of many of your predecessors and peers into... unorthodoxy. As such, after discussion with Fleet Admiral Morgan, you were remanded to here for review."He paused again apparently in no hurry. "Ah, Mr. Morrsion, it seems that you have before you the choice of leading one of two lives. One, a Starfleet Captain onboard the,"He checked the files as if the fact was too unimportant to even remember. "Tervan-Dai. You perform, exploration missions and various diplomatic duties...."
There was another pause but Kathleen waited patiently learning her lesson from before.
"....In the other, it appears that you could be... Vice Admiral 4th fleet Ops? " the Admiral looks mildly surprised over to the one on his left. "where did this come from .."Smiles began to break out across the room "... you told me this was some kind of... I apologize, Captain... it appears..." The admiral on the right was beaming and the one on the left is almost fell out of her chair laughing "... that I was misinformed. Perhaps you could read this to the assembly?"He pushed a PADD forward.
She picked it up and began to read.
"As of Stardate 60235.02 pending her acceptance, Captian Kathleen Morrison, shall be hereby promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral with all rights and privliges and thereof be assigned to command the Operations Desk of the 4th Fleet..."
She smiled at the middle admiral, and without a thought about her friends on her ship (who will understand) and Kevin (who always understands) she spoke
"Thank you Admiral, I accept this promotion."
The Admiral noded, smiled and came around the desk to shake her hand. The Admiral on the left, long renowned for her personal irreverance was still on the floor laughing, being helped up by the other admiral. Various people came down and shook her hand congratulating her, one person even stoped and asked her "So, did you really fight Ghandi?"
Thinking back to herself back on the Backlash she smiles and looked the person right in the eyes.
"Sure did, let me tell you for a pacifist he's got a wicked right cross."
"Mom, how could have fought Ghandi? There's no way... you just sit behind a desk all day!"Jason said, sitting in her lap, on the couch in her home in Keyersone Downs. Ever since Starfleet HQ moved, Keyerson Downes had become the home of all the Up and Ups in the fleet. And more importantly, the Up and Staying Ups.
"Once, a long time ago, I used to Captian a starship, and well it was then I met Ghandi, you see the Giver's came back... nevermind, just believe me okay..."She said, not wanting to go into the details of that long convoluted story that she had told many times to many people, few beleived her.
She looked at Jason, he was kind of big for her lap and a bit too old to be always hanging on her 'apron strings'.
"Now how about you sit beside me and you can tell me all about school, okay?"Kathleen said lifting him off her lap and placing him on the couch beside her.
"Sure! But I still think you're getting mixed up with the Prez... Oh yeah, he called."
"James, when?"
"He called, like, an hour or two 'fore you got home. Uncle James said he's gonna drop by and tell me all kinds of embarrasing stories about you.." he smiled happily and mischievously, as only children can.
"Well when he's done be sure to ask him about the recipies of his and Admiral Abandar's"
"'kay!" He gets up and bolts for the door, which is just opening. Almost tackling him to the ground, he grabs Kevin as he walks in. Having him switch over to JAG worked out so well. Sure, he'd never get beyond Vice, but he didn't seem to mind. Besides, it gave them more time together. quickly gaining the upper hand in their struggle, Kevin picked up Jason and slings him over his shoulder, and in a pause that seemed to last forever, but only lasted a second, looked at Kathleen and smiled. It really had all fallen together. And with James leaving office next year to retire early with Aylynn... well, who knows?
text only: alert staff that minor alterations have been made to new uniforms issued on stardate 553453.5 All dress uniforms shall now be allowed to be black as well as standard white, and standard duty uniform 2 shall include a black, not brown, jacket with division colour stripe. -thought you'd want to know early - Cmdr Franklin, Fleet Ops.
"Bridge, this is the Captain."
Daystrom seemed to snap out of a reverie and snaps out sharply. "Sir!"
"Is everything alright up there, Cmdr?"
"Sir! Um..."
"Yes.. well, when you get a chance, review the nav logs and see that we didn't just fly into an anomaly. No rush though... when you're ready, Cmdr."
"Yes, sir!"
Daystrom looks around, slightly bewildered.
Kat looks around too, she was back on the Bridge of the Backlash, and still 'Commander' Morrison, she looked out the veiwer, they were in the gauntlet. Was that all a dream. No it couldn't have been, the day Kevin proposed, the day Jason was born, her promotions, all of it had to be real... didn't it. No she was here on the Backlash, it had been a dream, as she thought about it she saw that it was more of nightmare. How had she'd been so blind.
"Kevin, you idiot why'd you have to do that for me."
Lin looked over, her eyebrow raised.
From behind her came Daystrom's voice "Cmdr? Kevin?" and then he looked around, as if assuring himself that no, there aren't any Kevin's on the bridge.
"Sorry, just... nevermind... sir, we're only three minutes after last I checked..."
"What? full systems checks everyone.. there's something wrong here..."
The shift ran on, and if not weird enough, a planet appeared beside the ship. It would have been better had the Captain been on the bridge at that point, jumping in surprise isn't quite as impressive as the Captain's slightly exasperated and quizzical looks. But he appeared soon enough and even though they ended up 10 light-years away, her shift ended. Luckily, she didn't have to run a double. If that was what happened on Gamma, maybe, she thought she should never cover it again.
Kathleen returned to her quarters. She almost walked straight into the bathroom with out realizing the difference in decor. On her sitting room table, dead center and made of wood and gold, sat a 20cm tall, old style set of scales. Unbidden, a 'memory' of Kevin's study comes to her mind and she can see it sitting on his desk. His symbol of balance.
Surprised and curious, Kathleen walked up the table them crouching so the scales are at eye level. One of the trays is unbalanced she noticed. She reached out and slid the small calibrating lever until it restoring the balance.
"Sorry my love, I promise I'll get it right this time..."
