Steven McLeod> Steven was in his quarters reading over a report from the other Flight Controllers on the Runabout's Status He heard the Door Bell go off.
Brock Dantara> ::Brock had decided to stop by Steven's quarters to see how progress was going with the marine training.::
Steven McLeod>::yells::Come. ::smiles and comes to attention:: "Good evening, Captain. Can I get you something to drink or eat? Can I get you a seat, sir?
Brock Dantara> ::Enters:: Hello, Steven. I hope you don't mind me dropping by. Just wanted to see how the Marine training schedule was shaping up. Mr. Ramius has also has
Extensive training, and wants to help teach, so we have that in our favor.
Steven McLeod> ::nods::Well, sir, I was going over the Runabouts status right now. The Marine training should be in place by the end of the gamma shift next ::smiles:: Sir, take a look at this picture I got last Shore Leave of the Family
Brock Dantara> ::Takes the Pic.:: Very nice. Family is important. the older I get, the more I realize it. That your daughter?
Steven McLeod> ::nods:: Aye, sir, the youngest, Brooke Ann. She's a Doc over at SB25. One of many, sir, but I think the youngest is the most special.
Brock Dantara> ::Smiles:: That often is true. I'm an only child, so I got all the attention ::Grins::
Steven McLeod> ::smiles:: That's how Mackenzie was for many years.
Brock Dantara> Your son?
Steven McLeod> Aye, sir, he's the one over at Sierra One. Just got married to a Romulan, Mnhiea Khoval, a while back, they are having kids soon.
Action: A call comes in that there is a new message for Brock :Action
Brock Dantara> Mnheia Koval.... I spoke to her just a short time ago... Excuse me, ::hits commbadge:: Dantara here.
Communications Officer> Sir, new message over the Subspace for you, text based.
Brock Dantara> May I? ::turns the computer screen toward him.::
Steven McLeod> ::nods:: 'Course, sir
Brock Dantara: ::Taps the comm, and begins to read as the text appears, line by line.::
Steven McLeod> Anything important?
Brock Dantara: ::sighs.:: Unfortunately, yes. ::He stops for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts.::
Steven McLeod> Aye, sir?
Brock Dantara: This doesn’t go into any kind of detail, but there has been some sort of incident at SB25. Medical facilities are said to be currently offline, and there is a list of casualties. ::He scrolls down to where his daughter's name is
Brock Dantara: highlighted, and swivels the screen back to Steven.::
Brock Dantara: *screen
Steven McLeod> ::speechless:: Sir?
Steven McLeod> ::reads screen:: Oh, no...
Brock Dantara: I'm terribly sorry, Steven. Bringing this kind of news is the worst duty a CO could ever have.
Steven McLeod> Brooke...my precious Brooke ::puts hand in head for a moment::
Steven McLeod> Thank you, sir...
Steven McLeod> Is there any way I can find out?
Brock Dantara: If there's anything I can do for you. Feel free to take off your duty shift. Khambatti can cover for you.
Steven McLeod> ::Shakes head:: I can cover my shift, will help me focus.
Steven McLeod> If I may ask how does your people deal with death of one close?
Brock Dantara: I could ask Admiral Helm if he as any details. Depending on the nature of the incident, they may want to keep it quiet and not have a lot of subspace chatter.
Steven McLeod> ::nods:: Of course ::smiles weakly:: I guess the separation came sooner than we ever thought
Brock Dantara: Well. I'm afraid that's something I never was good at.
Steven McLeod> ::nods:: most aren't
Brock Dantara: We have our own cultural ways of mourning just as all raced do, but dealing with death is not my forte.
Brock Dantara: When I was a cadet, I lost a best friend to a party of Orion raiders.
Steven McLeod> ::chuckles:: It isn't for most people, you know, sir, I had many people die under me in the Corp, but this pain is different
Steven McLeod> That must of hurt, yet you got over it, obviously since you serve with one now.
Brock Dantara: I blamed myself for his death for a long time
Steven McLeod> ::nods weakly::
Brock Dantara: And at the onset of the war, I lost my wife. She had been acting strangely for a couple days, then was just gone. That certainly was not like Shian. I think I may have slept with one of those things
Steven McLeod> Seems to me, you at least have some experience with death...
Steven McLeod> The Imposters?
Brock Dantara: ::Nods:: But not so much that I ever want to get used to it, or callous from it.
Steven McLeod> ::Nods:: If you will excuse me sir, ::stands weakly as though he is 30 years older:: I have duties to execute as the Leader of the Clan.
Brock Dantara: This kind of pain is part of what makes us what we are.
Steven McLeod> Indeed, sir
Brock Dantara: Alright. Can I have the Counselor look in on you later?
Steven McLeod> ::thinks:: Sure, sir.
Brock Dantara: And Steven, one last thing...
Steven McLeod> ::pulls out a necklace:: Aye, sir?
Steven McLeod> What is that?
Brock Dantara: One thing I forced myself to learn, is that we cannot allow our pain to turn to hate. To consume us. Barry was killed by an Orion. I have no ill feeling with Mel. I love her like a sister. I refused to allow my self to let my pain make me hate a race.
Steven McLeod> ::nods:: Aye, sir, it was probably a chemical mistake or something... by the way, sir, Can I get some sub-space time, I have some calls and such to make
Brock Dantara: It isn’t easy to do. But we’re officers. we're the best of the best. Never forget that.
Brock Dantara: Whatever you want.
Steven McLeod> ::salutes:: Aye, sir, and thank you, sir
Brock Dantara: Anytime, Steven. I'm only sorry I can’t do more right now. ::Leaves::
Steven> ::goes grabs the leather book off of his night stand, the picture of the Clan, and a cup of Chi Tea from the Replicator and settled down in front of his screen to compose the message to the Clan.
