A Novel Report

"Computer begin recording of personal log, for Chief Petty Officer Richard Shale."

The computer gave a beep in compliance and Rick as he was called 99% of the time was trying to figure out what he was going to say in his log.

"I have finally accepted the fact that I need to be more than a Chief Petty officer. My feelings against political officers are no longer valid this far away from the Federation. The Doctor disapproves of my method to help out Lieutenant MacLeod. However the Captain has made it clear that giving Mac ketrecel white is the only possible solution for now."

"I believe I've fallen for a young lady. She is a fellow officer with very little experience in the real world. I guess that's what I like about her. She reminds me of me when I accepted the position on Deep Space 9 almost thirteen years ago. Tomorrow I have to see Captain Devore to discuss some business matters. Until then that's it. Computer end log."

The computer quit recording and at almost the same time the door to Shale's quarters gave a beep. The Chief was dressed in civilian attire and had made dinner for two with some wine he had bought on Bajor five years ago. He ran and answered the door. Lieutenant Gordon looked rather stunning in her blue dress, that she had bought while on DS9, before they left for the Barien War.

"Wow Janet you look amazing. Come on in and take a seat. Dinner is waiting on us."

She gave the usual smile and sat at the table. Rick was the perfectgentleman he pulled out her chair and pushed it in.

"So Rick have decided how you're going to inform the Captain of the fact you want to be an officer now ?" Janet asked taking a sip of wine,

"Yes tomorrow during our Mission briefing." Rick said cutting some steak he had replicated.

"What mission ?"

"Oh, Commander Barker found a planet M-Class about three days East of us. The Captain called me, Dakul, and that Science Ensign."

"Oh ok, so how long will it take ?" Janet asked.

"Three to five days at the most. We're taking the Hellcat."

"Well be safe."

"Hey it's me." Rick said smiling, as he took a drink of his wine.

The two ate and then went from the dinning area to the couch and decided to have some coffee.

Rick wanted to say something, but he couldn't get the words past his lips. It came out all mumbled.

"You say something ?"

*Damn it she heard it, but not the way I meant it. Ah what the hell. I've fought countless Jem'Hadar, Cardies, I can do this.*

"Janet I like you a lot and deeply care for you."

*There I said and didn't sound like an idiot.*

Before he knew Janet and him started kissing and next thing he remembered was the computer announing the time.

[The time is 05:34 hours.]

Rick sat up and rubbed his eyes thinking it all a dream, and a very erotic one at that. He then turned to see Janet laying in bed.

"It wasn't a dream." Rick smiled and fell back in bed, he felt good about himself the first time in many years. Rick cleaned up and let Janet sleep until it was almost time for him to leave. He went back into the bedroom with a cup of coffee and sat at her side.

"Hey it's time to rise and shine." Rick said as she sat up and grabbed the coffee.

"I'll see you before I leave, but I need to run now before I'm late."

"Bye see you later then."

Forty-five minutes later in the conference room, Commander Barker was talking about the planet.

"The Planet is about 3.2 days away at warp six. It's about half the size of Earth, M-class, with no intelligent life to speak of. However it's loaded with dilithium and raw food."

Devore made a few notes on the Padd in his hand. And then said.

"Okay anything else. Alright then you'll leave at 14:30 hours, your dismissed."

As everyone left Shale came up to Devore and made a motion to take to him after the other three officers left.

"So what is it Chief ?"

"Sir, I was wrong about what I said a month ago in the mess hall. I came to the conclusion, what good is experience when you don't have anything to back it up. I once had the chance to be a officer lead men and women and save lives. I was dumb and gave it up because of pride. Give me a chance Captain as an officer and I swear not to let you down." Rick said with a plea in his voice.

"I will have to think on it now. I'll get back to you this. You're dismissed."

Shale left and stood outside the door and took a deep breath and tried to calm down his heart was racing a million miles a minute.