A little help for Randall from Long

[Guest Robert Long]

Robert Long is sitting at a table in the Challenger's mess hall drinking a cup of coffee.

John Randall enters the mess hall after his first shift on duty; grabs a dinner plate, sees Long at a table by himself, and goes over to join him. "Hey, Ensign; mind if I join you?

Robert sees Randall walking up to him and motions to an empty chair. "Have a seat, Ensign."

"Thanks," says John as he sits down, "Whew, I'm bushed."

Robert smiles while he asks, "Enjoy your first day on official duty?"

John gives him a small smile, "Yeah, wasn't too bad; just re-tooling the fusion generators."

Looking a little more serious Robert says, "I want to apologize to you for making you so uncomfortable back down on Betazed."

John who is taking a huge bite of food, waves his hand, "That was me as well as it was you, Ensign; it just brought back some memories, that's all."

 

After taking a sip of coffee Robert says, "I still apologize for it, I should have noticed the signs you were getting uncomfortable."

"I guess it was just all.....what was going on and everything." He hesitates a moment. "My father was a big part of my life, but he's dead now."

Robert leans forward, caring entering his eyes, "Do you mind talking about what happened? I won't push if you don't want to talk, but talking to someone new might help."

As he lets out a huge sigh, "Well, according to Starfleet records, my dad was killed in an "accident" in the Martian spacedocks. But, what it doesn't say is, my father was a former Starfleet Intelligence officer."

Robert raises an eyebrow, "You sound like you don't believe that. Star Fleet's official ruling that is."

"I have never believed for one second that my dad met with an accident. He knew his way around starships too well for that. A lot of his missions had to do with the Romulans, and I'm convinced that it was them that had him killed."

"Hearing what his background was I can tell why Star Fleet doesn't want to have any ruling except for that, especially so close to Earth. I assume you've tried appealing and they won't budge?"

John nods, "You got it. They told me to drop it for my own good. But, I'm telling you now, Robert; I will never rest until I find out the REAL truth, and, then, someone's gonna pay."

Looking John in the eyes Robert says, "John, I am going to act like you didn't say that last part...but I think I may be able to help."

John nodding resignedly, "I'm sorry, Robert; I was just getting that off my chest. How could you help?"

"I understand. Have you heard who my parents are?"

John shakes his head in a negative gesture.

"My father is the Rear Admiral in command of Starbase 36 near the Klingon border, and my mother is a Fleet Captain commanding the flagship of the fleet patroling our side of the Klingon/Romulan neutral zone. I am sure if I explain to them what happened I could talk them into trying to help."

John stares at him in shock for a few seconds "That's......incredible. Maybe I should be more nice to you, eh?"

Robert starts to show a slight smile "Would you like me to contact them and see if they'll help?"

"Robert, that's an incredibly generous offer." John ponders a second, "All right. Maybe if I have a little clout on my side, it'll turn up something."

"I also have some contacts in the intelligence field from my first assignment out of the academy, I was involved in a couple, I suppose you could call special ops, missions with and I kept a couple contacts."

"Any help would be greatly appreciated, my friend. My father's full name was Marcus Julian Randall, Starfleet Intelligence Corps ZX-4493. That's pretty much all I have".

"I'll do my best John. Also, I'll let you know if I find anything either way."

"Thank you, Robert. If anything comes of this, I'll owe you big time, sir."

Robert finishes his coffee. "It's no problem." He looks at the chronometer, "I need to get back to my office, I'll get in touch with my parents as soon as possible." As he stands up.

John stands up, and offers his hand. "Warpspeed, Mr. Long."

Robert takes John's hand and shakes it. "See you later John." He walks out of the mess hall and heads for his office.

John nods, sits back down, and finishes his meal.

 

END LOG

Challenger JL 3-22-11.doc