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- From: CaptJPArcher@xxxxxxx
- To: CaptJPArcher@xxxxxxx, JudyKaha@xxxxxxx, AnniClan@xxxxxxx, JDAster@xxxxxxx, TrevCloud@xxxxxxx, DrDominie@xxxxxxx, DianeDax@xxxxxxx, JamesDHntr@xxxxxxx, Gettinhappy@xxxxxxx, VAdmLanders@xxxxxxx, AlishaConnors@xxxxxxx, drdorafane@xxxxxxxxx, PhantomSojourn@xxxxxxx, liz_fleshman@xxxxxxxxxxx, Phantom_Sojourn@xxxxxxxxx, SmileOfTheShadow@xxxxxxx, CmdrTomCulkin@xxxxxxx, PS85ENIGMA@xxxxxxx, robert__mcqueen@xxxxxxxxxxx, admjamesruss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, Nardini@xxxxxxx, KaemonWashi@xxxxxxx, MuvPhuzVren@xxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 22:14:43 EST
-STAR TREK- PATRIOT -STAR TREK- Atlantis Jack stopped outside Judy's office. Knowing her from the past, Jack knew she tended to be an early riser. When he boarded the station, he'd inquired on her whereabouts with the computer. It had informed him she was already in her office. He made his way through the station. It was still kind of quiet at this time of the morning. Archer made it to the station commander's office, and stopped outside the door, ringing the chime. Judy, in her dress uniform for the funeral this morning, was checking herself over for any traces of command red. Thankfully the white dress uniforms came with gray fronts as red was disrespectful at a Chinese funeral. As it was so very early, she started at the ringing of her chime. Turning to the door, she said, "Come." Jack stepped inside as the door slid open. He was surprised to see Judy there, all dressed up formally, which was in sharp contrast to his own tired appearance......having been up all night. Then he recalled that today was the day for the funeral services for her former X.O., Commander Po. Oh cripes!!!! There's no way I can wait. The window for the Warp Highway means we have to go now. Well......too late to change things. Besides, I'm under orders from Commodore Zen to head back to Earth. Seeing Jack at this hour, at this time, somehow lifted Judy's spirits a little. Until he spoke. "Morning Captain. I'm very sorry to interrupt you at this early hour, considering what today is. But I wanted to check in with you as at 0500 hours, my ship will be departing for Earth. I've been given new orders for the time being by Commodore Kaylan Zen, who arrived recently." "Oh," Judy said. What could she say? Jack felt like a heel, having to leave as he did. He knew from his own past experiences just how hard it was to lose someone under your command, and he'd wanted to be here for Judy. "The Commodore wishes to return to Earth for the funeral services for those who died aboard the USS Challenger. In addition, I'm being given a briefing on the actual parameters of the mission I'm about to be sent on regarding the ship disappearances that have been occurring lately." He stepped closer to her. "I'm sorry Judy. I really did want to be here for you, please believe that." When he stepped closer, years slipped away. Or it was all the high emotion of the day. Whatever it was, without thinking and just like old times, Judy stepped closer as well and laid her head on his broad chest. Her eyes closed as she inhaled his familiar scent. Apparently they have both suffered loss, she hugged him, giving and receiving comfort. "The Challenger? Did you lose anyone close to you?" she asked quietly. Jack was silent for a moment as he held her, trying to keep from thinking about all they'd been through over the years......and all the fond memories that returned in that simple act of providing comfort. "I knew Jim Hunter. I taught him at the Academy. I wouldn't say we were ever friends. More like rivals if you have to call our interaction anything. But......in the years since he graduated, I found myself growing to respect him and the way he conducted himself." He stopped for a moment, just thinking, and holding her. He was surprised at how comfortable it felt to just be there with her after all this time. "He and I both were part of a number of campaigns during the Dominion War, including the Chin'Toka invasion where I lost the Valley Forge. It was Hunter's ship, the USS Challenger, that picked up our survivors." Jack took a deep breath as he remembered that day......a day where so many had died......even thought the battle was considered a success. "Even if I hadn't been ordered home by Commodore Zen......I would've needed to go. I owe it to Hunter for that rescue." Talk of the Dominion war conjured up unpleasant memories; Judy lost her sister in that war. She tightened her arms around him when he spoke of losing his ship. "You have to go," she said matter-of-factly. Part of Starfleet life was honoring those who gave their life in service. As if just realizing this long hug was probably improper, yet still reluctantly, she slowly stepped back and straightened her dress uniform. "You have your dead to honor, and I have mine," she said softly, then she looked up to his eyes, "You will be back?" She hoped. She dreaded. Though not with as much dread as when he'd first arrived. Which was an odd thing she would contemplate at another time. Jack let her go......and found himself regretting the separation......and the passing of the moment.. He nodded. "Yeah......I'll be coming back. There's still the problem of something out there causing ships to disappear." He took a long breath. "Whatever it is......it's coming this way. I have to intercept it before it can get here......and threaten the station......and you." The tenderness of the moment started to dissipate as the weight of the situation started to sink in. The thought of disappearing ships concerned Judy. He'd said something earlier about being briefed by a Commodore about his mission. She frowned, if she was, supposedly, his boss in this sector then shouldn't she hear that briefing too? "I need to know what's going on, too, Jack. I'd like very much to be in on the briefing the Commodore is going to give you.." That wasn't going to work though, not with two funerals in opposite sides of the Federation. "You can't stay and I can't go. You will brief me when you return?" That should have been a statement, but it sounded more like a question. This new relationship between them would take some working out. Jack nodded. "Everything I find out, you'll find out. This entire situation is somewhat......unusual. I'm not even sure if they really want me to know everything. Mind you, I've been making a a big pain of myself trying to discover what's going on, so I don't think they had much of a choice. Believe me......in future, I'll make sure if anything's going to be said, it follows proper protocols." Unusual was a good word for the situation. She nodded once, accepting what he said at face value. Not long ago she would have questioned if he would do what he said, but now.. Now she knew that if it depended on him, he would follow protocol. Starfleet Command however.. Jack rubbed his eyes and glanced at his chrono. He had just enough time to get back aboard Patriot, get her sent on her way, and then hopefully time to sack out for some much needed sleep. "Like I said, this entire scenario is not following standard procedures. So please, don't feel bad. It isn't anything you or I have done." He moved toward her again, giving her a small smile. "I have to go. I'll be thinking of you with what you have to do today. Be strong......for all of them." It would have been easy to hug him again, she even drifted closer as he moved toward her. But the unusualness, the uncertainty and strangeness of the entire situation held her back. She shouldn't be hugging him anyway, grieving or not. She settled for taking his hand, not to shake it, but with both of hers, she gave his a warm squeeze, "Safe journey, Jack. I'll be thinking of you, too." She didn't have to remind him to be strong, he was the epitome of strength in command. Jack returned the squeeze with one of his own......and they held hands for a few moments. Then......not really wanting to......Jack turned and left. As she watched him leave, she wondered if she'd see him again despite his words and Starfleet's current orders. Things happen, orders change and rearrange, messages get lost in transit. Anything could happen to anyone at any moment. Which brought her back to today. Be strong, he'd said. And she would be, for her crew, for Po's family, and for herself. Archer, Captain Jackson Phineas Commanding Officer, NCC-84777, USS Patriot Captain Judy Kaha CO of Atlantis Station: DS13
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