<USS Avalon> Not Close Enough

Not Close Enough

by Colonel Alder Shimbrodus and Ensign Anthony Manson

Alder sat comfortably in his seat, a smug smile that he practiced all too often 
in his career in Starfleet. Being the Executive Officer of the Avalon elevated 
his career beyond his expectations. But the General seat was his main goal. 
After Murgo took over, Alder took himself off the center seat, and took his 
time doing so. A blank empty space filled the viewscreen. It turned from a 
heated exciting day to "just another" day. Another day, another threat 
neutralized. The usual.

Alder yawned, sitting here for five minutes had made him bored of the daily 
routine already. He got up from his seat, and made his way to turbolift, 
signaling his bodyguard to accompany him.

"Where will you be headed sir?"Ensign Marsh said respectfully. 

"Hmm," Alder considered that for a moment, "I suppose anywhere will do. As long 
as it gets me out of the bridge." 

"What about the General?"

"What about him?" Alder shot a glare at Marsh. The man stood straighter, "I 
meant no disrespect."

"Of course you don?t. Deck five."

"As you wish," Marsh responded as the lift started and descended through the 
decks.

"I wonder if Anthony is on shift today."

"I checked the schedules, he is currently attending to his duties. And he has 
sent another request for transfer."

"I?ll be sure to deny it," Alder smirked. The lift stopped and both men walked 
out of the lift. Alder set a slow pace, while Marsh automatically paced his 
superior officer.

"Sir, do you think it?s wise to keep him on board? The man has made it clear he 
is targeting you at every opportunity."

"Keeps you on edge, doesn?t it?" Alder replied. "Besides, I like visiting old 
friends. What makes you think I could stay on this ship without paying my 
humble respects?"

Marsh said nothing as they strolled into sickbay. Anthony was preoccupied with 
something and turned his head to the source of the opening doors. His face 
immediately changed worse then what it had been. First Skyler, now having Alder 
set foot in here deepened his brooding and aggravated nature. 

Alder smiled at that face. He always did like to toy with Anthony, the man was 
full of reactions that made Alder laugh from time to time, "That?s not how you 
would greet your first officer, is it, Anthony?"

Having no intention to play whatever game Alder had in mind, Anthony 
straightened himself up from his work at the end of biobed and made his way to 
the main console. "I really have to get some things done.. Sir. If you would 
like to be kept updated, I suggest your operations officer be more prompt when 
I give reports."

"Oh, but she is. I just wanted to double check."

"Then you should consult my superior."

The smile widened, "yes, your superior. But I am your superior. I expect a 
report now."

"As I was saying," Anthony replied through clenched teeth, "I have things to 
do, Commander."

"Are you disobeying an order?"

That did it, "I?m not playing any of your fucking mind games."

"What did you just say to me?" Alder took a step forward but Marsh mirrored his 
movement and placed himself in front of the Commander.

"Something wrong sir?" There was a smile that formed on Anthony?s lips he 
didn?t realise until it was too late. He looked at Alder with cold eyes as his 
hands molded around an object, "you need your subordinate to do your job too?"

The response came with a lightening grab and twist of Anthony?s arm, followed 
by a kick sending the Ensign back a few feet from the biobed. Marsh was a whole 
lot more observant than Anthony gave the man credit for. 

"You fucking idiot, I didn?t say harm him!" Alder grabbed the man by the arm 
and pulled away. Marsh stumbled, regaining his balance from the force of 
Alder?s pull.

"He was reaching for a laser scalpel," Marsh defended his actions.

Alder smirked, part of him nearly envied the audacity of the former Lieutenant 
Colonel. He knelt down looking at Anthony. "The last time you tried something, 
you were on biobed one for two days. You really should try to avoid situations 
like these."

Anthony glared at him, "whatever you say Colonel."

Alder sighed, his fun had dissipated quickly. Standing back up, he waited until 
Anthony got back to his feet slowly. The smile still attached on Alder?s face, 
and Marsh standing close by with an anxious look that Anthony might try again. 
Anthony looked past him, Marsh was more nervous about doing something wrong 
again then defending the Colonel. 

Alder didn?t say anything and walked out of sickbay, Marsh lingering behind for 
a moment, making it look like he was doing his job. Anthony shook his head as 
he looked at his weapon. It wasn?t a scalpel. It was a phaser.

"Damn," Anthony mumbled, and went back to his work.


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