On Approach

[Allen Armstrong 0]

Lieutenant Armstrong sat in his sparsely furnished crew quarters aboard the USS Natchitoches, leaning to the left with his elbow on the arm of the chair. His chin rested on his balled fist as he watched countless stars streak past the view port. In his right hand he held the report about the goings-on at Sky Harbor Aegis. It contained only that information that was was pertinent to his duties. He was troubled by the events that were outlined in the report. He wondered what to expect when he arrived. He could imagine being greeted by the business end of a Romulan disruptor. He shook those thoughts from his head, rubbing his weary eyes with his thumb and index finger. He went over the report one more time, just to make sure he had all the details right. Shaking his head, he gazed out the view port once more, finding the streaks of light soothing. He found himself just as anxious about his return to the station as he did when he first set foot upon the deck of Pylon 1.

 

 

 

 

“Computer,” he began, “open logs.” He waited for the tone to sound before he began, taking a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Personal log, star date 1003.04. I am en route to Sky Harbor Aegis to resume my duties as security officer under Centurion tr'Jeth Dabi. The situation on the station is one that I am not looking forward to walking into, but such is the life of a Star Fleet officer. The station is on high alert, with fears of another attack, and further mutiny within. Mutiny...” The word hung in the air as he continued to gaze out the window. “Could it really be that? Would Commander Chirakis act without the best interests of the station and its personnel in mind? Could there be more to this than a simple power struggle? Ambassador Drankum must have seen what occurred in the command tower to be a Star Fleet plot to wrest control of the station from him once and for all. I imagine he'll view my arrival on the station as a little to convenient to not have something to do with it. Even though the 'paper work' for the return to duty should have been on his desk before the attack.” He paused, unsure of what else to add. Leaning his head back and closing his eyes, he gave the command to close the log.

 

 

 

 

Inhaling deeply, he exhaled a sharp sigh, as if he were about to embark on the most unpleasant of missions. He doubted he was going to get much sleep before the Natchitoches docked with Aegis.