...of wounded pride

Stelv sat at his station working out the bugs on a new generation of life-support matrix. One that would one day make it unnecessary to wear environmental suits or the like when dealing with non-oxygen breathing beings. But he was bored and antsy. Something was in the wind. His antennae twitched and moved slightly. Nothing, of course. Never anything, because of that one moment of shame. The words of his then commanding officer, Captain Richard Nelson, burned Andorian pride still.

"You can stop shaking, Ensign, they're gone. Come out from under the console. It's a good thing you're an engineer and not a tactical officer. Furthermore I am glad to know that you're going to Utopia Planetia where you and everyone else will be safe. Now get off my Bridge."

Suddenly Stelv realised his comm-badge was beeping. Tapping it, he said tiredly, "Lieutenant n'Tama-ri."

[n'Tama-ri, this is Commander Forsythe, come to my office now. I have some news for you. Forsythe out.]

Stelv had no choice but to comply, the man was a bore and social climber, always trying to drop names that would impress the middle-aged Lieutenant. Somewhere, vaguely, in the back of his mind, the Andorian warrior of old roared for the man's blood.

Once at the office he was admitted with alacrity. Forsythe stood at attention, with an Admiral sat on the edge of the desk. The most surprising thing was the fact that the Admiral was Andorian. Stelv winced inwardly.

The Admiral spoke without looking at Commander Forsythe, "You don't mind if we speak alone do you Commander ?"

Stelv already knew that Forsythe desperately wanted to listen in, but was under too much pressure to comply.

"Oh, of course not sir." Came the quick and inevitable answer. The man left.

"Have a seat Lieutenant." The Admiral suggested.

Stelv would have none of it until he had some answers. "Thank you, but no sir, I prefer to stand."

The Admiral's eyes were stone. "Then let me waste no time, I don't know if this is worth it. The Leviathan-B desperately needs a quantum slipstream expert. You, they tell me are the best there is that we can spare, but you have no field experience." His voice became defensive. "I know what happened to you could affect your ability to respond in an effective manner but the counsellors you have seen over the years say that for you to move on this is what you need. What do you think ?"

"May I speak frankly sir ?" After a nod of the head he continued, "I like it here. I always have. People have left me to things and myself relatively peaceful. But I have felt the yearning to go...out there. For many reasons I accept this assignment."

July 30, 2385 - Approaching Deep Space Nine

"Hey, Lieutenant ! stop that awful noise. I can't here the port clearance codes." This from the merchant Captain at the helm of the small ship. "What do you call that thing again ?"

"A mouth harp, why ?" Stelv queried he back.

"Doesn't sound anything like a harp. Not my problem anymore anyway. Here we are Lieutenant, Deep Space Nine." He sounded rather like a tour guide, he proceeded to tell the history of the station. Stelv tuned him out and waited.

Once aboard the station he reported in and was told the USS Leviathan-B would dock soon, but not what soon meant. So he went to Quarks for a quiet drink and was rewarded with just that. He settled in to wait but not get drunk.

An hour later, a Trill Captain came into Quarks and looked around. Stelv 'sensed' her approach and was ready for some banter. Instead the Captain introduced herself as Captain Aki Taybar. Aki ordered another round of drinks and the two Starfleet officers began to talk.