Covert Mission 4 - Log 2

[John Randall 0]

OFFICIAL LOG

LIEUTENANT JOHN RANDALL

USS CHALLENGER

 

(Personal Log Stardate 11512.24)

 

John went to the cabin that been assigned to him by the quartermaster of the Avenger. He deposited his duffel bag on the sofa in the living area, then sat down himself. He ran his hands through his hair, and let out a huge sigh. He felt drained after all the emotion he had expunged recently, and decided to heed Admiral Baldwin's advice about getting a meal and some rest.

 

He stripped off his uniform and went to the head to take a shower. 20 minutes later, he stepped out and toweled himself dry. The sonics had cleaned and refreshed his uniform, but he took some civilian clothes from his bag and put those on. He then left his cabin and went down the corridor to the turbolift. "Deck 3," he said as he stepped into the car, and the lift whisked him away.

 

A few moments later, he arrived at his destination, and exited the lift. He went along the corridor to the mess hall, and the doors slid open at his approach. He went in and went up to the replicator on the east wall. He ordered fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a peach cobbler for dessert. He sat down at a nearby table and proceeded to devour his meal, not realizing how hungry he actually was.

 

John finished his meal and was wiping his mouth with a napkin when he became aware of someone standing at his table. He looked up and found himself staring at a very pretty blonde who smiled as his eyes met hers. "Hi," she said breezily. "You're new on this ship, aren't you?" John nodded. "My name is Amanda Richards," the blonde continued. "I'm the security chief of the Avenger. My rank is the same as yours, I see. And you are?"

 

"I am Lieutenant John Randall, chief engineer of the starship Challenger," he replied, and Amanda's eyes widened slightly. "The Challenger," she repeated. "I've heard some tales about that ship. You must be very proud to be aboard her." John nodded again. "That I am, Lieutenant," he said, then waved towards a chair. "Please join me." Amanda beamed at him and sat down. "So you're the chief of security here," Randall continued. "I feel safer already."

 

Amanda gave a musical laugh. "Compliment acknowledged, Lieutenant Randall, but you strike me as a man who could take care of himself in a fight." "Well, I like to think so," grinned John. "But I'm not in your league, I'm sure. I only know the bare basics of unarmed combat, being an engineer. You would wipe the deck with me were I ever stupid enough to challenge you."

 

She grinned again. "I don't know about that," she answered, her eyes roving over the man seated before her. She would put him at about 6 feet 2, around 230 pounds, and he definitely took care of himself. She admitted privately to herself she liked what she saw. And those intense blue eyes.....She suddenly gave herself a mental shake, and assumed a businesslike air. "So to what do we owe the privilege of having the chief engineer of the Challenger aboard the Avenger?" she asked.

 

John sobered at that request, and Amanda was a little taken aback at the change in the demeanor of the man before her. "I'm afraid I can't say anything about that, Lieutenant," he said. "I'm here under orders from Admiral Baldwin." Amanda nodded. "You're part of the mission we're about to embark on, then," she said, nodding. "Fair enough. I've been charged with providing security for a team that's about to be assembled, and I have every reason to believe you will be part of that team, Lieutenant. I have some pretty good men and women on my staff, if I do say so myself. We will look after you, Lieutenant, that's a promise."

 

John smiled. "As I said before, I feel safer already," and they shared a laugh. "It's nice to meet you, Lieutenant, but if you don't mind, it's been a long day for me, and I'm suddenly feeling very fatigued. If you will excuse me, I'm going to call it a day." Amanda nodded, thinking to herself that he did indeed seem to be tired, probably even weary. "Please call me Amanda when we're not on duty," she said, smiling at him. John returned it, saying, "Very well, and I am John. Pleased to meet you," and he extended his hand which she took and briefly shook.

 

"I hope you rest well and deeply, John," she said. "If you don't object to me being brutally honest for a second, you look like you're about to drop where you stand." John nodded. "No offense taken, Amanda, and that's a fair assessment. As I said, it's been a long day." Amanda nodded. "Then off to bed with you, Lieutenant. Permit me to escort you to your quarters, so I can catch you if you drop." John laughed. "Who am I to turn down an offer from the security chief," he replied, and Amanda gave that musical laugh again.

 

The two officers left the mess hall and took the turbolift to deck five, where John's quarters were. They exited the car and made their way down the corridor. They arrived at John's cabin, and he smiled at the chief of security. "Thank you for the escort, Lieutenant," he said, and she nodded. "My pleasure, Lieutenant," she answered. "Pleasant dreams to you."

 

"Thank you," he replied, and went inside. She remained at the door a few seconds after he entered, her mind filled with the after-image of the man she had just met. No one else had made such an impact on her after a first meeting, and she was actually annoyed with herself for feeling this way.

 

She went along the corridor to her own cabin, and entered, sitting down on the nearby sofa. She kept telling herself that John Randall was no different than any other man she had met, but her inner voice was telling her something different, and she was not sure she liked it.

 

In his cabin, John sat on his sofa, his head thrown back against the back. 'Please, please, don't let this turn into another Sara Edwards,' he thought desperately to himself. He could not go through that again. Then, thoughts of Anastasia entered his mind, and he closed his eyes. He was finding he already missed her, and he had been gone only a couple of hours. Then he mentally kicked himself. 'Yeah, and if she saw you acting like this, she'd kick your butt,' he thought, and gave a rueful smile.

 

He got up from the sofa and went into the bedroom, undressed, and climbed into the bed. He told the computer what time to awaken him, and was almost instantly asleep.

 

END LOG