Changing of the Guard - Part Two

Posted on Fri Sep 30th, 2022 @ 5:05am by Grand Admiral Gregory Turner & Ambassador Lu'Pal

Mission: Mission 108: Grains of Sand
Location: Various Locations - Starfleet Command
Timeline: 1600Hrs - December 1st, 2393

Grand Admiral Lu'Pal regarded the view outside of her office and while she was happy to admire the view. It did nothing for her as she got to admire the golden gate bridge over the San Fransisco bay area and little else. The weather was stunning, according to her yeoman who was a native. Lu'Pal saw the weather as too cold and too wet. She was not a fan of the sights of the local area and she would not miss the environment either.

Lu'Pal sighed softly as the doorbell beeped at her. It interrupted her reverie as she turned her attention away from the view that did nothing to calm her or comfort her. Lu'Pal chided herself for her lack of emotional control. "Enter."

The door opened and in walked Grand Admiral Gregory Turner. "So. You are leaving us," he commented without any preamble. "Your work for high command was more than acceptable. Why leave us?" he paused. "You didn't bother to explain any of this to anyone..." he regarded the Vulcan before him.

"Hello to you too, Gregory," Lu'Pal answered without any surprise colouring her tone with the way he had just barged into her office. Needless to say, he had not been expected and the look on her face had said as much.

Turner regarded the Vulcan before him. Her departure from Starfleet command's senior roster of officers had not been expected and what was worse was that he knew in another timeline. He and Lu'Pal would have had a child together. "It is regrettable that you are departing Lu'Pal." He addressed her simply.

"Perhaps Greg," Lu'Pal answered quietly. "I had considered the matter most carefully." she sat down in a chair while she turned to face him. He was more than twice her size and mass. Yet she was unafraid of him as the two had served together on more than one occasion. Lu'Pal had introduced Greg Turner to his present spouse. Miranda Sinn-Turner who could arguably be called insane. Lu'Pal had never held value in such a distinction as it reeked of emotionalism. Also, it showcased that people were being overly judgemental. Miranda was a very capable officer and her successes showcased this.

Turner regarded the smaller-framed Vulcan woman before him in silence as he breathed in and then out slowly. "So. You wanna give up all this?" he spread his arms as he spoke, as he indicated all of their surroundings. The offices, the building and the local area.

"Of course I would. There is nothing I desire that is holding me here." Lu'Pal explained in a flat, even tone of voice. "But my service to the Federation won't simply stop. It will take on another form," she explained. "I've decided to go back to being an Ambassador for the Diplomatic Corps," she added.

This did explain a great many things as far as Turner was concerned. He had never known Lu'Pal to act rashly or in haste. Such was simply not in her mode of doing things. She was always careful and always thoughtful on such matters. "When does your new posting take effect?"

"In a weeks time," Lu'Pal answered. "I would like for a few days to handle another matter which I've been putting off for some time now," she added.

"Oh." Turner regarded her with a curious look on his face. "Can I be of assistance?" he was curious as to what the concern was and if he could assist her with the matter at hand.

Lu'Pal did not wish to cause her old friend and comrade further problems in life. She had caused him too many as it was. "No," she answered quietly. "It will not be necessary," she added. She knew that he would be only too willing to help her and she did not need to come between him and his spouse on a matter such as this.

Turner could almost hear the hesitancy in her tone and rather than push her on the matter. He opted instead to simply drop the matter and let this one go. "Fair enough."

"Why are you here Greg?" Lu'Pal inquired of him. "Not that I don't enjoy your company. It's not in character for you to drop by like this," she explained.

"I came because..." he paused a moment as he was suddenly unsure if he should say it. In another life, the woman before him would have been his spouse rather than Miranda. The trouble with the matter was. Lu'Pal knew this as well. Turner sighed softly. "I wanted to wish you bon voyage and good luck," Turner answered quietly.

Lu'Pal looked up at him, she had never taken her eyes off of him during the entire meeting as she rose to her feet. She gently took his hands in hers as she smiled. "Thanks." and with that, she kissed him on the lips. "Until our next meeting old friend."

Turner returned her kiss with one of his own. Their final goodbye was spent in silence as the two parted company for what both were sure was their final time.