Please Don't Go

Posted on Mon Mar 26th, 2018 @ 6:55pm by Colonel Ellis Ijaan & Commodore Domingo Martinez

1,584 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: [USS Ottawa] S1, E1: Abducted
Location: BAFY Temporary Quarters (Sheppard)
Timeline: MD+1, 1130 Hours

Dom was walking to the temporary quarters of Ellis Sheppard, he knew she was planning her retirement from Starfleet and part of him could not blame her, she had been put through hell and he knew that. But Starfleet still needed her, and he knew that as well. He tapped on the intercom of her room, he was showing up unannounced, and they had actually never met. As far as she knew, he could be stopping by to say he was ready to take over the command of the Ottawa, but she knew that was needed for that command code ceremony her Ottawa was being retired, and he assumed she saw herself being the same way. Commanding Officer retiring with her ship.

Ellie was packing her things. She was getting ready to get on a transport with Ijaan. She had seen enough in 9 years that would last her a lifetime. She and Ijaan were going to settle down on a colony, or maybe Earth or even Trill, if he wanted. Just far away from star fleet. She needed her rest. And time to heal. Then the door chime called. "Enter!" She called, turning towards the door.

The doors swished open and he walked in, she met him near the door. "Hello Colonel, I am Captain Domingo Martinez," he said, but that should be obvious, his uniform bore the rank of Captain. He smiled as he reached out to shake her hand.

Ellie accepted the hand and then turned back to her packing. "What can I do for you, Captain?" She said. Her voice was a bit rushed. She was in a hurry to get away. She didn't know what else needed to be discussed. After she was debriefed, she had talks with Admirals and Generals to keep her in the service but her mind was made up.

"I want you to reconsider the staying on the Ottawa." He said, trying to get her attention and getting straight to the point.

Ellie closed up her suitcase. "You and probably the entire fleet. I made up my mind, captain. I believe you seen my ship. I am happy I'm still alive and with me my crew. When I joined, I wasn't even aspiring command, and then my captain fell ill and I had the responsibility of all those souls and I couldn't even bring back all of them. I couldn't protect my captain. And seeing what my counterpart went trough, I just can't, sir." She walked to the bathroom to see if she left anything there. As a marine she always traveled light. But she always checked if she didn't left something accidentally. She also started to check the closets and drawers. She tried to ignore the captain as she wasn't intending to stay any minute longer. She hoped he would give up and just leave.

Dom stood in the room, he could tell she was hurting emotionally. "You mean you shouldn't, but I would be lying if you said I did not need you, to join me. I want you to be my first officer." Said Dom laying it out on the table, waiting for the recourse from Ellie. He could see that she was in pain, but she needed to face her past, she is a Starfleet Marine and her beloved Starfleet still needed her.

Ellie turned to him with a sigh."Captain, you said that right. You need me, I don't need you. What I need is some rest and time to heal. I have seen people die, captain. And I know what you think, I am a marine, it comes with the job. I does. But what I have seen....It hurts...It...I just can't." She turned away trying to suppress her tears. She swallowed and then took a deep breath. "So unless there is something you need me to do, that no one else in the fleet can, let me know."

"What are you going to do now that your back? We all have things that we have done, we are not proud of? sacrifices we had to make. Choices that haunt us, you may be able to run from the Ottawa, but you can not run from your past. It will catch up to you." He said, playing her little cat and mouse evading game. He could tell this was going to be a challenge, to get her to agree. But he liked a good challenge.

She took her suitcase as she couldn't find anything left in the room, she was all packed. "Captain, you don't understand, what happened there wasn't my choice to make. I was pulled in and all I could do was stand by and watch. You wouldn't understand, you weren't there." She walked passed the captain and walked in to the hallway. She was getting the feeling she wasn't going to get rid of him that easily.

Dom followed her out of the room, "Your right, I was not in that hell, but I under heart ache and misery and I have lost crew under my command before. Your not the only one that has regret and doubts." He said thinking of Sarah, and to make it worse, now she has asked to serve under his command. "I understand how you think that the Ottawa, is going to be constant reminder, of all the pain. The pain will be there even if you leave." He told her, as he continued to walk along side of her.

Ellie stopped. "Captain, my Ottawa is being retired, I wouldn't be surprised some of the technology that was fitted on it is stripped. So no matter where I go in the fleet, the Ottawa can't remind me." She thought a moment. "The pain will always be there, I will not convince anyone otherwise. But I need time to morn and heal, and even then I don't know I want to come back. Unless there is something I still can do out there that no one else in the fleet can. So I ask you, captain, is there anything? If not, I rather get on my transport. Someone is waiting for me."

"Your brother needs you, I need you. He has been abducted, Starfleet intelligence learned he being held in a holding cell on Cestus III, they believe the Gorn are behind his abduction, hiring mercenaries to capture him. They are in route to pick him up. I have orders to recover Colonel Sheppard." Said Dom. Hoping this would change her mind. He did not want to tell her about her brother abduction at first. But at this point he had nothing to loose. He knew she would agree to help him as mission advisor or acting first officer.

Abruptly she stopped and she turned to the captain. "Why wasn't I notified of my brother's abduction when I got back? This is the first I hear of this." She looked at the floor for a moment. "Fine, I will join you for this mission, but only this mission. Once my brother is back..." She didn't finish the sentence, she hoped the captain would understand where she was going.

"Starfleet felt that you had enough on your plate, and you would not agree to the mission since you turned down command of the Ottawa, I knew better. Colonel I am assigning you the role of first officer, and Jazin the role of second officer, the crew will need a strong first officer and I know you would be perfect for the job." He said, knowing the crew would accept her. There former commanding officer.

"Very well," She pointed in front of her. "Well, lead the way, this is your show."

Dom started to lead the way. "We will have a intelligence briefing with Mister Hannigan at 1400 hours, our new intelligence chief for the Ottawa." Said Dom as he took the lead, waiting for Ellie to follow him to the ship. He stopped by a window, it showed an insignia class starship in drydock.

Ellie nodded. "Yes, captain."

"There she is, our new home." Said Dom as he pointed out the window, allowing Ellie a moment to see the ship, before continuing their walk to the Ottawa.

Ellie followed to where he pointed. She wasn't sure if she was suppose to say anything about it.

"We are launching first thing in the morning, I wanted to launch tonight, but the SS Teko will not arrive with the last of our supplies till very late into the night." Said Dom as he lead them to the airlock.

Ellie nodded.

"Get situated then meet me in the ready room by 1400 hours." Said Dom. He wanted Ellie to be in that meeting.

"Understood, sir," Ellie as she dragged her suitcase along. "My quarters are on deck?" She pointed forward.

"Three," He said. "I'll see you at 1400 hours, I have a couple of meetings to attend too." Said Dom as he walked with her onboard the Ottawa, but he called out "Bridge and deck 3." Said Dom, as the turbo lift doors swished open on deck 3. "Colonel, we will get him back." Said Dom as the doors closed.

She watched the doors close. "Yes we will." She then walked to the corridor to her quarters. She never thought to be on ship again when returned. Here she was. At least she had some time, before the meeting, to talk to Jazin. She would probably have to explain why she suddenly changed their plans.

 

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