"Delays"

[Col. C.E. Harper 0]

"Delays"

Harper Log 08.31.05

May 17, 2397

Sol System, Terra orbit

 

Harper was lounging on her sofa, cup balanced on one knee and PADD in the other hand, procrastinating. In about an hour, she needed to be down at the VDC for the ball. Her dress uniform was already laid out on a chair in the bedroom, waiting for her to stop delaying and get dressed. She was reluctant to put it on, though. It was still too new and stiff -- she'd worn it only twice -- and like many officers she was more comfortable in fatigues.

 

Besides which, she was trying to put off her return to Earth. Thus far she'd remained on the Agincourt as part of the skeleton crew that manned the ship while others were on leave. She'd spent hours en route juggling shifts to afford everyone the largest solid blocks of leave time possible, but the bridge watches, at least, had been simple. She'd simply volunteered herself for day watch, and that was that. She'd take her leave time later, sometime when she could go somewhere relaxing. Which Earth was not.

 

"Diplomatic receptions," she grumbled, draining the last of her juice. "Utter waste of time." Politics was one thing; that she understood. Getting together for self-congratulatory back-patting was something else entirely. Depositing cup and PADD on the table, she sat up and looked glumly towards the bedroom. It really wouldn't do to be late, and the transport facilities would be crowded. Time to don the monkey suit and face the music.