| Author | Message | ||
     Cdr. Velorna Tal |
"Craig Fel, for your cooperation in recent archeological expeditions at Xanadu and general good behavior - and based on the rather glowing reports from Master Chief Smith and Dr. ch'Garen - this Court has seen fit to commute the remainder of your sentence. All remaining months of service to the expeditions are hearby dismissed. You may consider youself a free man, Mr. Fel." "Thank you, ma'am. I've - I would hope that my reckless days are behind me. The joining has certainly aided in my maturing. As has this service with Dr. ch'Garen. I was actually hoping to continue the research with him. I've found that I've a bit of an interest in archeology - especially that of Xanadu." "I'm sorry, Mr. Fel. That won't be possible. The research teams have not returned to Xanadu since - the incident. We're still trying to figure out what the hell went on out there. Rest assured, however, that we will notify you if a possition becomes available. However, you do understand that such a position would be as a civilian as you are no longer cleared for Starfleet duty." "I understand, Commander. I just want to do my part." "We'll keep that in mind, Mr. Fel. In the meantime, it's almost time for this year's Party. I understand that Admiral Theron has quite a speach prepared. Court dismissed." --- Two hours later, former Starfleet Marine Captain Craig Fel found himself sitting beneath a large tree on a hillside overlooking Churchill Downs. He sighed and pulled his knees close to his chest, shivering slightly in the rather mild evening chill. The Party was in full swing twenty meters away, most of the crowd having been moved rather deeply and inspired greatly by Admiral Theron's speech. It wasn't that Craig minded looking the future. But he had desperately hoped that someday he could reconnect with his past. Though the Fel symbiont had left behind few ties in its previous host Jaina Veerna, Craig Serrold had left behind many friends and family in the Milky Way. He had been holding on to hope for so long that maybe he would find a way to get back to them all. He missed his father most of all, though whether it was just him missing his own father or Fel through him missing all of his previous hosts' fathers, Craig was uncertain. He still had not fully come to terms with his joining. And perhaps that had added to his misery on this cool night. "Are you going to sit there all night feeling sorry for yourself?" a soft, pleasant voice asked from beside him. "Or are you going to get up and ask me to dance?" Craig looked up with a sad smile at the small female form leaning against the tree to his right. So maybe there was one good thing about being trapped in M64 with no chance of returning to the Milky Way. She'd never be able to meet any of his myriad love affairs back home. "Why, Commander Ma'Aru," Craig Fel said as he pulled himself to his feet and took her by the hand. "Nothing would give me more pleasure." Kariasa Ma'Aru smiled back at him, her eyes twinkling mischeviously. "Oh, I'm sure we could think of something." ========== Christian D. Clem '01, aka "Aggie" Cdr. Velorna Tal, Executive Officer U.S.S. Coronado NCC-97901 - Craig Serrold Fel, Civilian Advisor R.S. Cerberus |