Long Distance Goodbye

Posted on Tue Mar 3rd, 2020 @ 1:58am by Commander John 'Nuke Em' Sheridan

Mission: Mission 50: This Grey Spirit
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: 0900Hrs - November 23rd

Lieutenant John Sheridan sighed softly as he looked at the PADD that had been waiting for him at his desk when he reported for duty an hour ago. John McDougal had named John Sheridan as executor of his estate which meant that Sheridan got to handle everything rather then his family. "Computer... Open a channel to the Commanding officer... of the USS New Orleans... mark it as... Private."

"Confirmed, working." as Sheridan went over to the large wall monitor nearby, he tapped it once as it came to life. "Channel secured. connecting."

A face of a man appeared before him, he looked like his friend and student but was clearly older. "I'm Captain Michael McDougal... What is it son?"

"Captain McDougal.... Sir... Its my sad duty to inform you... of the death of your son..." Sheridan sighed softly. "No doubt that you got news yesterday.... but I thought you should hear it from me. I was his commanding officer... and his friend."

"Yes... We got the notice yesterday.." he paused as he closed his mouth then he opened it again. "John spoke of you frequently, he said many good things about you..." he paused "What happened son?"

"During the embassy evacuation, things escalated dramatically, they went from throwing rocks and stones to Molotov cocktails to phasers and old style automatic slug-throwers." he sighed. "I have theories... but you will hear words like this mission was botched and screwed up."

"Yes.. I did hear that, the news service painted the entire affair as something left forgotten." McDougal explained. "Is that actually what happened?"

"No sir." Sheridan responded. "My people and I did nothing wrong. Neither did the Marines assigned to the mission... but we lost a dozen people... Your son stayed to repair the power system for the transporter, when someone sniped him...." Sheridan explained. "He asked me to contact you and tell the real story behind what happened.."

McDougal nodded. "I understand.." he paused. "What will you do now?"

"Sir?"

"How will you honor my son's memory?" McDougal inquired.

Sheridan had no idea of how to answer. "I honestly don't know. I taught him everything I knew.."

"Yes. I know that son.... John spoke of you wish such glowing terms." McDougal responded. "and he died saving you and everyone else."

"That he did..." Sheridan responded. "I guess I will carry on and do the best I can..."

"Thats all any of us can do... Thank you John... for contacting me personally about.." he paused. "What happened." he added a moment later.

"It was the least I could do.. Your son left everything he had to me.... I'll get things sorted out on my end.... Do you have any special requests for the body?"

"No... Do with it as John requested.."

"He requested that I bury him in space." Sheridan answered. "Nothing special for him."

"Fair enough." McDougal responded quietly. "Then I'd best leave you to it John.. Again... Thanks for calling me about things.... " he paused. "McDougal out." and with that the screen went black. Sheridan turned and went back to the work he knew he had to get finished otherwise he'd never get it started. "Ah... John... why did it have to be you?"

The walls did not provide an answer, Sheridan for his part did not expect one as he went to work.