Memory

Jake stepped into his quarters. He took his tunic off and walked over to the couch in his quarters to sit down. His dawgs were killing him so he wanted to take these few seconds to rest which was a reminder he was not as young as he thought he was.

< Incoming, message Ensign Grafton> The computer on his desk called out. Jake got up and limped over to his desk putting his hand on his hip. He sat down and pressed a few buttons revealing a picture of his wife. She was a very pretty Bajoran of thirty-six years.

"Hey honey, How are you doing ?" Jake called out.

[ I'm fine but a little upset at your lies to me.]

*What the hell did I do now ?*

"What are talking about dear ?"

[I heard from Admiral Ross that you requested the assignment you are on now. You said it was Ross' request. Jake ! Why are you really there and don't lie to me this time.]

He swallowed hard. "I wanted to serve the rest of thirty years on a starship and maybe earn a promotion or two."

[Did you know the Leviathan is going to be sent into a combat zone. You told me you hated fighting.]

"I know you don't understand but this is my business and if you can't deal with it, too damn bad. I won't sit in another transporter room and watch my dearest family members be slaughtered, when me, a much experienced combat officer can prevent the slaughter. That's why and I hope you can understand."

[Fine. Then take your career and enjoy it, I'm taking my family, our kids, back to Bajor. When you're an Admiral that's where I'll be.]

The screen went blank and Jake leaned back in his chair. He looked at his ships and a picture of his family and thought. *Maybe I'm wrong. Wait now this may not be my blood family but close to it. I've been in for almost twenty seven years and only married twelve years. She's understood me before, but not now. Why ?*

Jake went over to the replicator and ordered a cup of tea and sat down on the couch and thought of his past experiences.

...... The Bridge of the Intrepid was trashed conduits where exposed men and women laid dead with bodies mangled and some not. Smoke was everywhere.

"Sir, a Jem'Hadar cruiser is out of control and heading for the left warp nacelle."

"Chief can we destroy it ?" The XO asked the Chief from Tactical.

"No, our phaser banks are unable to get enough charge and we're drained of torpedoes."

"All hands brace for impact."

The ship shook hard and knocked everyone to the ground........

Grafton put his tea cup down and stood up and walked over to the model of the Intrepid and said out loud. "Never again Captain."

Jake then laid down on his bed and asked for some music to be played and he shut his eyes. Images of past experiences kept playing before him and they were at times frightening and at times enjoyable