It had only been a few days since Garek had left the ship for a new assignment, and, now, Lt. Valdago was missing. According to the Captain he must have slipped off into Garek's departure craft.
Richard was making his way to the bridge and felt a strange sensation he hadn't felt in a long time. He had the feeling that Captain Maruu would to call him. He stepped into the turbolift and said, "Bridge," still having the same odd feeling.
After a few minutes, the turbolift came to a halt. Richard stepped off and saw the Captain's chair was empty. The XO was over at Operations running a few tests.
[Lieutenant Wallace I need to speak with you in my ready room.] The com channel beeped.
Wallace quickly tapped his com badge.
"Aye, sir, on my way."
Richard went in after Captain Maruu told him to enter. Maruu offered coffee and Wallace accepted. Never had the Captain known Richard to turn down coffee.
"So, Captain, what's going on that you need to talk with me about? Hey, if it's about that scuffle in the Day's End Lounge... I was trying to avoid it, but that stupid little Ensign spilled his drink all over me."
Shaking his head and trying to not laugh, he continued. "I've received a few things from Starfleet Command. One is a new, more efficient method of installing transwarp technology on shuttles and starships. The other is... well... it has to do with you."
"Me, sir? What? Why?" Maruu handed a PADD to Wallace.
"Please feel free to read it out loud." Maruu added.
"To Lieutenant RIchard Wallace. By order of Starfleet Command you are to leave the USS Virgo, travel back to Earth, and report to Starfleet Command Headquarters in San Francisco, Earth. Your Captain has details on designing a sleek, small transwarp-shuttle which you may use to travel back here. We understand from a list of inventory that you have more than enough supplies to build a small army of these shuttles." Wallace paused and took a few minutes to get the fact that Starfleet Command wanted him.
"Well you won't be leaving for another week. The shuttle will be built as soon as possible."
"Sir, what could they want me for? I'm not that important of an officer, to be dragged from out here back to Earth."
"Well I'm not one to argue with Command." Maruu smiled. "Besides, it seems that the USS Ilion's crew had some heroic stories about you, as did we. The fact that you survived thus far makes you an important officer.
"Sir, permission to get back to my post until the shuttle is completed."
"Granted, Lieutenant," Maruu said, glumly. "You're dismissed."
Richard left the room immediately. I am never going to understand the way Command does things. In all my freaking years! Idiots! Knowing them, they probably want to pin a stinking medal on me...