Mission Accomplished

[John Randall 0]

OFFICIAL LOG

ENSIGN JOHN RANDALL

USS CHALLENGER

 

 

(Personal Log Stardate 13282.4)

 

 

John was watching his panel in the engineering room of the Altair, having just

repaired a faulty junction box about an hour ago. He did not notice Lieutenant Eddie

Freeman come and take a seat a couple of panels down from him. A few seconds later,

Freeman observed, "This is an impressive piece of work." John did not react immediately,

but a few moments later, he thought he had heard someone say something. He looked

up from his panel, looked around, and saw his chief watching a panel. John said, "Did

you say something, sir?"

 

Freeman replied, "Eh, not much. Just saying this is an impressive piece of hardware.

I keep thinking it should be drawing more power than it is." John nodded. "Whoever

installed this did a hell of a job, no doubt about it." He then glanced over to Freeman.

"Think we could ever install something like aboard Challenger, sir?" Eddie pondered

a few seconds, then said, "Maybe. It'd take some serious refitting though; it'd be hard to

find room, if nothing else. And we'd need more power, if we ever wanted to use it outside

of extreme emergenices. But it could be done." John chuckled. "Could help us get out of

some sticky situations, huh?" Freeman smiled slightly. "True. I've been aboard Challenger

in a few cases when it would have been helpful."

 

John nodded, and turned his attention back to his panel, making a few adjustments.

His panel soon showed green across across the board, and he stood up, stretching kinks

from his shoulders and arms. Then Freeman said, "I don't think this'll be put in every ship,

though. Call it a hunch. Maybe a few recon vessels, though." John said, "Patrol ships would

benefit from it, too; wouldn't you think?" "Oh, yeah," said Eddie. "I could see how they'd

benefit. Come right up to the Neutral Zone on patrol with the Romulans none the wiser. "

John grinned at him. "Or the Klingons, too, for that matter." Freeman smiled. "Turnabout

is fair play, right? They both seem to love these things. Bet they'll change their minds once

they're on the wrong side of 'em." John laughed. "The Klingons would howl about it, that's

for sure."

 

The engine whine suddenly decreased, and John said, "Well, I think we're back in good

guy territory, chief." "Yeah, that's right," said a voice behind him, and Randall turned to look

at the face of the Altair's chief engineer, Lieutenant Parker. "Job done, mate." Freeman said,

"Yup, looks like it. We seem to have dropped the cloak." Parker said to John, "You lot did all

right, I'd say." "Thank you, sir," said the ensign. "Your guys did good, too. This is a good

little ship you've got here." "Yeah, thanks," said Parker. "I'm glad the cloaking device managed

to hold out this long." "You should have a lot of data to go on now, sir," replied John. "It's a

first-rate device, performing like that. Lieutenant, it's been a pleasure serving with you, and thank

you for the opportunity to learn some new things." "Same goes for me, Lieutenant," chimed in

Freeman. "It's been a wild trip, but you and your crew came through."

 

Parker said thanks and shook both their hands. John then excused himself, and went

to his locker, gathering his things for the beamover back to Challenger. He reflected how

good it would be to sleep in his own bed again. He got his things together, and made his way

to the transporter room of the Altair. He walked in, walked up to and stepped up on the dais,

preparing for the dematerialization. He was very tired, and intended to beam aboard and go

straight to his cabin for some much-needed sleep. The ship eased into its docking port, and

the Altair transporter chief, after obtaining the coords of and the verification that Challenger

was indeed docked at Starbase 33, nodded to John, who smiled briefly. "Energize," said

the ensign, and, seconds later, shimmered into existence inside the familiar transporter room

1 of the Challenger. He sighed and exhaled deeply, knowing he was home.

 

"Welcome home, Ensign," said the transporter chief, and John nodded. "Good to be

home, chief," he replied, stepping down from the dais, exiting the room, and walking to the

turbolift. "Deck 8," he snapped as he stepped inside, and the lift whisked him away. He a

arrived at his destination, exited the lift, and walked down the corridor to his cabin, nodding

his thanks at a couple of crew members welcoming him back. He walked into his cabin, and

deposited his duffel bag on his couch. He then walked into his bedroom, and turned on his

computer terminal. What he saw on the screen caused him to do a double-take, and he sat

down in front of the terminal, which was displaying the information that he had an urgent

message from his mother.

 

The ensign called up the message, then sat frozen in disbelief at the words on the screen.

They read, 'Hello, son. I hope this message finds you well in spirit and in health. There's no easy

way to tell you this, so here goes; your grandmother has been taken to McIverton General.

She's not doing well, son; it may only be a matter of time. I will contact you again when there

is more. Take care of yourself, and remember I love you very much. Be careful, my son. Love,

Mom.'

 

John turned the terminal off, and sat staring at the screen for a few moments, then got

up, and walked out to the living area of the cabin. He paused in front of one of the viewports,

and stood staring out into space as memories of his grandmother raced through his head.

A little while later, the door chime buzzed. He automatically responded, "Come," and the

doors swooshed open, revealing the figure of Jeff Michaels, who walked over to his friend.

"Hey, John, welcome back," said Michaels. John turned, smiled weakly at him, and said softly,

"Hello, Jeff." Michaels knew instantly something was wrong. "What's up, buddy? What's

happened?" asked the ensign.

 

John told Jeff about his mother's message; when he finished, Michaels put his hand on

his friend's shoulder. "I don't know what to say, pal. I hope she pulls out of it; that just sounds

lame, though." Randall smiled at him. "The thought is appreciated, though, Jeff." "You feel

like talking about it now, my friend?" asked Michaels. "Or would you rather be alone?" John

considered a moment, then said." I guess I'd rather be alone right now, Jeff. I'm not trying to

run you off or anything." Micheals smiled, and gave a little wave of his hand. "It's no problem,

pal. If you need anything, I'll be around." He started walking towards the door, and John said,

"Thanks, Jeff, and I will." Michaels nodded, and the doors swooshed as he left the cabin. John

turned his attention back to the viewport, and wondered what the hell he was going to do if

his grandmother died.

 

He had been very close to his grandmother until the day he left for the Academy. She

had kissed him on the cheek, given him a big hug, and told him not to worry about the family;

they would be all right. That thought brought involuntary tears to his eyes, and he stood in

the middle of his cabin with his head bowed, emotion overtaking him. After a few moments,

he composed himself, and suddenly felt drained. He tottered into his bedroom, took off his

uniform, put his pajamas on, and tumbled into bed, but sleep eluded him for a bit as memories

of his grandmother continued to be foremost in his mind.

 

After a time, he slept.

 

 

END LOG