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     William Daren |
Crossing Over Ten days. More than a week. Not quite two weeks. For ten days, USS Coronado stayed in orbit of Reorsa virtually empty. The Reorsan Civilian government had come to claim the vessel, placing it’s own people in temporary command until such time as her future could be determined. In just ten days, so many things can happen… * William Daren had always liked holes in the wall. He found a strange solace in places not frequently visited or known about. Places where someone could go if they wanted to be just left alone to sulk in the aftermath of a decision. Perhaps that’s what Will Daren was doing here at the ‘Lazy Braid’ at three-fifteen in the afternoon. He’d been on the planet for just about a week now since all the former Starfleet crew vacated the ship in order for the Reorsans to “process” her. He still wasn’t quite sure what that meant, but that’s the word Gerard had used. There was a small motel just up the road from here, and Daren had most of his personal belongings transported there since he wasn’t sure just what this new military force would want him to do with himself. Secretly he worried about how his past actions would weigh in with those putting the new fleet of ships together. Particularly, he worried if perhaps his recent problems with denying the initial request by the Alliance would find him with some low-priority Space Station assignment. Maybe in charge of some decaying orbital, when all he ever wanted out of life was the thrill of Starship command. He looked down at what the Braid bartender had called ‘Louvra-juice’ and took the last sip of the golden liquid. “It really tastes nothing like Peach. But it is tasty.” The braid seemed to shrug; at least Daren thought he did. “Another, sir?” He nodded, “Please.” The small pub was quiet in the mid-afternoon hour, which is why it was such a surprise when two Reorsan Security Officers barged in a moment later. Daren turned to look at the entrance immediately, and the two men looked right at him. Then one of them spoke something inaudible into a comm. unit. Daren turned back to his newly arrived glass of Louvra-juice, and waited. One of the Patrolmen stayed in the entranceway, while his partner strolled up to the small bar, only two positions away from Daren. “William Daren?” “That’s me.” The man nodded to his partner, and then looked back at Daren. “Please standby for Admiral Theron.” Daren raised an eyebrow. He thought about what the man had just said, then it sunk it further, and he straightened his slouch. He looked to the braid bartender, “You got anything stronger?•••••••••••• took under 15 minutes for Admiral Charles Theron to arrive at the bar. He most certainly didn’t arrive alone, and his presence seemed to transform the lonely city street into a high-security zone in a matter of seconds. As he approached the bar he found Daren there sitting on a stool and drinking something purple in color. “You’re not the easiest man to find.” Theron said to Daren. “I wasn’t trying to hide.” Daren grinned, uneasily. He’d never really officially met the Admiral before, but he’d certainly heard of him. “Places like this just seem to suit me, I guess.” Theron nodded and cut right to the chase. “I’m here because of your personal request to join our new Military fleet…” Daren sensed a ‘but’ in the mans voice, as if he was about to say ‘but, it’s been denied. Sorry loser, we've got some wonderful parting gifts...’ Then a split-second later Daren realized: why would the Admiral go to such lengths to find someone he was going to kick to the curb right now? His mind was going at slipstream, but his eyes didn’t show it. “…you’ve been accepted. But…” Oh, no. Daren gripped the glass a bit harder. “…there were a few voices that didn’t quite believe you would be up to the task we’re giving you. But Admiral Aldur and I agree, and that’s all that matters right now.” Daren seemed humbled. “Thank you Admiral, from the deepest part of my bei-…exactly what assignment are we talking about?” “Coronado, of course. She’s yours again. There have been a few changes made over the past week, but nothing you won’t find too different. She’s got a few new letters painted across the hull, for starters.” Theron grinned. “Admiral, that’s…That’s wonderful. You guys had me stressed for a while.” Theron’s grin turned to a smirk. “The way we see it, Commodore, to put any other officer in charge of RSS Coronado would be disturbing a cosmic relationship that’s grown extremely intertwined over the years. Admiral Aldur and I just aren’t in the business of disrupting universal patterns in that way.” Daren nodded, understanding the point. “And a crew?” “The requisition for a full crew is being filled now. It’s going to be a tight mix of former Starfleet crews and Reorsan natives. It’s a fleet-wide policy now, to mesh the two generations together and get them working and thinking as one.” Theron paused. “Your senior staff will of course be up to you.” Theron slid a PADD across the bar, with several names on it…nearly all he recognized. Many of those under his former command had not been given assignments yet. “We’ve saved nearly all of your former senior staff from being shipped out to other postings. If you want them, and they want you…they’re yours. If not, we can find other ships for them, eventually.” Daren looked over the list and saw names like: Tal, D’rall, Prescot, and Canterbury… “You’ll have to contact them yourself though. In fact, I encourage it.” Daren nodded. “I’ll get moving on this right away Admiral.” Daren stood and looked at the man, a Reorsan through and through. “We won’t disappoint you, sir.” Commodore William Daren Commanding Officer (IC) USS Coronado NCC-97901 Sim Executive Officer http://www.jestertrek.com/coro2400/bodies/depts/command.html#co |