Richard felt good to be back on the station, he enjoyed his trips on the Arizona and everything, just he thought of Supply Base 901 as his home. Richard was sitting at his desk reading daily reports of the station since he left. Then came the report containing Lieutenant Kelly's deeds and escape. This made Captain Wallace angry.
12 Civilians and 3 Star Fleet personnel were killed in Kelly's bomb. A total of 15 stupid and uncalled for deaths. The bomb caused a hull breech and 23 hours of around the clock work to repair. How the hell did a man come to this? Could it be revenge? No something must of happen to him. The door chime ringing broke Wallace thoughts. "Enter."
Captain Roberts walked in with two PADDs. The news must of been good for had a smile on his face. Richard got up and asked if cared for a cup of coffee. Roberts respectfully declined.
"I've got good news." Roberts said sitting in front of Wallace's desk.
"Captain Anderson's raid has crippled the Jem'Hadar's white supply very bad. We just intercepted this message to all front line soldiers.
Attention Jem'Hadar commanders, one Vial of white every 16 hours." Roberts felt rather good.
"And now what sir?" Wallace asked wondering why the Captain was seeing him.
"You see in 13 days the Task force will be relieved. Until then I want all available ships to keep the pressure on the Dominion troops. So I have some places here for you to patrol. This should be easy cause of Commander Garek's sensor masking system. I also have some assignments for Banshee and the 58th. Here." Roberts handed over a PADD that contained Wallace's orders and assignment.
"Very well. Sir I shall not let you down. " Wallace said reading over the PADD. Roberts walked out and left him alone to read his orders.
Wallace tapped his comm badge. "Commander Carter please report to my office."
[Yes sir on my way.]
It took Commander Carter about 15 minutes, she seem somewhat happy to report to his office. Wallace took it that she that he was a fairly decent commanding officer. However he knew he was no Jeff Pike.
"Commander Carter, Captain Roberts wants Banshee to join the Lexington. You guys will be taking part on a Jem'Hadar repair yard destruction. You'll be leaving around 0430 hours tomorrow. The mission will take almost two and half days.
That's it for now, your dismissed Commander. Oh and good luck!" Carter smiled and shook her head, turned and walked out the door to his office. She was starting to feel sorry for the Jem'Hadar they had seemed to be getting slaughtered at every battle.
Wallace had called Garek into his office. The two were good friends but some sort of distance was between them. It was hard to see if it was either one but it was difficult to tell. " We are going on patrol again. I need you and every other senior Fleet officer on the Arizona by 0630 hours. "
"Why all of us?" Garek asked not understanding this patrol.
"Well we're going to be taking out the Minura relay station. It's protected by 12 Jem'Hadar fighters." Wallace handed his XO a PADD.
"Sir with Sensor masking..." Garek was not allowed to finish.
"Lieutenant Kelly could have given them information on how to pick us up. We must assume that . I want everyone to be on the Bridge by 0615 hours. "
Wallace got up and walked out of his office and looked onto the command deck. He saw Colonel Tarik, and relayed that he would be in charge for awhile. At lest 2 days. He then saw a young female Ensign wearing red.
"Ensign do I know you?"
"No? Sir. I'm ensign Bannson reporting for duty Captain."
"Alright let me see your orders." The ensign handed over a PADD that contained her orders. Wallace read them over and saw they were ok. "You a pilot?"
"Yes, class four qualified."
"Good you're the Arizona's new conn officer. And guess what your going on your first mission tommrow be on the Arizona no latter then 0630. Ensign Razek take care of this Ensign." Wallace left the command deck and headed towards the Easy Inn. He needed a few drinks.
He then changed his mind and head towards his quarters. Once in his quarters he sat on the couch, and thought for a few seconds and then leaned back. His door then chimed.
"Enter."
It was Commander Mallory. She had a PADD in her hand. She didn't seem too happy. "What is this I'm going on a Combat patrol as fourth officer. An Ensign even out ranks me. "
"Oh shit. Listen I've seen these guys in action, but I can't say the same for you. So until then I suggest you shut the hell up and do as ordered. Is that clear commander?"
"Yes sir, May I speak freely?"
"Well you've been able to do it fine before now."
"Why are you this way with me?" Mallory asked.
"What way?" Wallace was unaware that he had made or done something wrong to her.
"You seem to think I'm unable to handle any task that's combat related."
Truth was he hated her for her easy going career. And now he realized that he had made it bluntly clear of that.
"Commander take a seat." She took a seat and set down the PADD she was carrying.
"Listen the toughest time of my life was from 2372 till 2375. I was a soldier in the Dominion War. Mostly every branch medical, science, Engineering, security were involved. The Diplomatic Corps had it easy as hell. Not once did I ever read a report where a Diplomatic officer had to fight for his life.
So you see you're a constant reminder to me on how much I despise the top brass.
So I'll do my best to hold a grudge against you. Ok"
Commander Mallory shook her head in agreement." Thank you Captain. I'll do my best."
"That's all I ask."
Wallace showed the Commander the way out and went over to the couch and fell asleep. It would be the last time he fell asleep for awhile.
On the Arizona Bridge, every senior officer was waiting for the Captain to arrive. He walked out of the turbo lift and started to bark orders.
"Ensign Bannson get ready to depart. Ensign Razek get all stations to report status. Let's go people we have a busy patrol. "Wallace took his seat and next to him sat Commander Loran. To his left was Commander Mallory.
"All stations report good to go." Razek said from OPS.
"Very well, Ensign Bannson take us out at one-third impulse power.
Chief Murphy I take you found Engineering."
[Aye sir. Right where I left it]
"When we clear New Canada warp 12 and coordinates 034 mark 5. "
"Aye sir." The young ensign said as the ship pulled out of it's birthing station.