Calling Old Friends - Part Three

Posted on Sun Jul 31st, 2022 @ 7:51am by Commander Ethan "Hardcase" Duval & Lieutenant Commander Ouros Yamaguchi & Brigadier General Jerris zh'Fegerro

Mission: Mission 115: The Pale-Fac'd Moon looks Bloody on the Earth
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 1315Hrs - November 10th, 2393

Captain Ouros Yamaguchi emerged out into the lobby area when she spotted Commander Duval waiting outside of the building. She emerged out into the fresh air and bright sunshine when she suddenly found herself facing the Andorian General. zh'Fegerro. "General sir." as she snapped off a salute after coming to attention.

"Captain. I want you to take the rest of your day off." the Andorian explained. "Every now and again, there are moments in transition but they are bookended by moments of revelation. I suspect you are about to have such a moment here and now. I would like for you to take a little time to consider it before you decide yes or no."

"I will. Thank you, General."

zh'Fegerro nodded. "Good day." and with that, she nodded to Duval before departing. She waved off the private to come with her as well. Since Duval had Yamaguchi with him, the two could be left alone. Ouros was still a marine, even if her present status was undecided.

Yamaguchi watched the other woman in silence. "I suspect you aren't here for the climate," she commented. "What are the particulars of the assignment and how long does it last?" she inquired of her old mentor.

Duval knew what this young woman wanted and thus, he would provide it to her. "Well. We have a situation brewing with a Federation member state. I don't wanna go into details here and now. But I want you for one reason. You're psionic abilities." he commented. "Plus I've watched you for some time now. You seem to be trapped with that uniform..."

"I've had this feeling of being trapped now, for quite some time." Yamaguchi paused. "I can't put my finger on it but it's been getting worse over time," she admitted.

"Walk with me Ouros," Duval commented. "You feel you must measure up to the expectations of others. You must behave a certain way, you must constrain yourself to certain rules and certain ways of doing things," he commented. "I had that same issue. You can't talk to anyone because they see big, mean and scary," he commented. "Becoming my Exec will not be a walk in the park, if anything it will increase your issues but the bright side is that your schedule will become a heck of a lot more flexible. You won't need to learn the fifty best ways to kill a man with your finger."

Ouros smiled. "It's really tempting."

"I know. I want you on my bridge girl." Duval rumbled at her. "I was asked who I wanted for my Exec. I said you and Admiral Lasky thought I was insane."

"Wait. Admiral Lasky knows you want me.?" Yamaguchi paused, this was something that had not occurred to her before. "I'm not sure how I feel about that."

"You should feel flattered. He supported me in this effort." Duval explained. "He's the reason I'm walking beside you now. He's also looking into a claim I made that your rank is artificially tampered with." Duval paused. "He said he'd take it to Captain Rabb himself before I came here. He told me that Captain Rabb would look into it."

"I wondered about my rank," Ouros admitted. "I ignored it as I considered it to be too much of an issue to address," she admitted. "When would I start?"

"More or less tomorrow morning." Duval sighed. "It's the best I can do considering I'm more or less throwing you into the fire without any protection." he regarded her. "Ouros. I am not going to mince words with you. I am throwing you to the wolves. Not because I want to but because we're heading to a crisis. I want my best student beside me on the bridge of the Gaarni." he paused. "Also, the assignment is permanent. But, that also depends on you," he explained. "I want you at my side. Nobody else will do girl. You were my finest... I asked for you."

"I suspect that if I turn you down. An opportunity like this will never come up ever again." Yamaguchi paused. "What the hell. Let's do it. I accept your offer."

"Outstanding!." Duval answered with a wide grin on his face. "Admiral Lasky should have stuck in that request for you by now. It'll serve as your transfer orders. I'll leave you behind so you can clean up, say goodbye to your marines and the like." he commented. "You will want to obtain new quarters on the Starbase." Duval paused. "Now I know you have a lot to go and do so I won't detail you further. I'll obtain the quarters on the Starbase for you and leave the keys with your father." Duval then grinned at her. "When you get to the Starbase. Go and see him, I know he'll be overjoyed to see you."

"Thank you, Commander. I won't let you down." Yamaguchi answered.

"Once you settle in. I suspect you'll be fine." Duval then grinned at her. "Off with you, Ouros. You got a lot to take care of and very little time to get it all done." With that, the two parted company.