Post 319: An All Expenses Paid Trip. . .

Stardate:70723.1945
Title: . . .An All Expenses Paid Trip to Lovely Trill!
Authors: Zanh Liis and TC Blane
Scene: Captain's Ready Room
Time: Following "You May Already be the Winner of. . ."
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"Sorry about that, busy morning." Zanh paused and finished her last gulp of coffee. "Please, take a seat."

TC reluctantly sat in the chair opposite her.

"So. Since it seems that Captain Gilmore was not medically cleared to return to active duty yet, looks like I'm staying where I am for now," Zanh informed him. "Which means, Mr. Blane, so will you. You remain Operations Chief until further notice."

"Oh. Great." TC tried to sound more enthusiastic about the prospect than he felt.

"Have you had a chance to read Lt. Commander Lair's report on the isolation of the computer virus?"

TC nodded. "Yes. Interesting reading to say the least." In all truthfulness he had only glanced at the report and picked out the items that pertained to who the culprit was and how Operations might improve their security to prevent this from happening again.

He squinted, trying to figure out why the captain would want to ask a grunt security officer turned acting operations chief about the virus. Perhaps it was just polite conversation, but he strongly doubted that reasoning. Liis did not strike him as wishy-washy when it came to the business of running a starship. He had decided that to be, so far, her strongest redeeming quality.

He shrugged his shoulders. "But then again, I am no programmer and most of it was technobabble to me anyway." He admitted.

"To me too. That's why we have Lair and Logic Boy." Zanh paused, correcting herself. "That would be Commander Salvek. You see, I've known him even longer than our affectionate friend Commander Reece." Sadness reflected in her eyes for a moment, then vanished. "A very long time. Certain allowances are made by Salvek for me when it comes to calling him by his proper name."

"Commander Salvek is a good man. We had a close shave on the holodeck, and he managed to hold it together even though he wasn't-" TC stopped, afraid he'd let too much information slip about Salvek's delicate condition.

"No worries, Lieutenant. Salvek has been temporarily relieved of duty, given the circumstances." Now Blane understood the look she'd had a moment earlier. It was worry over the Vulcan's condition. "He'll be right as rain in a few days. That brings me to the reason I brought you here."

*Now we're getting somewhere* TC thought.

"Since Salvek has to stay home, I'd like you to accompany Ensign Biggs and take the virus sample to the Starfleet embassy on Trill in his place. Then swing back by the Symbiosis Commission and see to it that Lt. Grace is recovering and returns to us, vision and symbiont intact."

*Want me to bring back eggs and milk on the way while I'm at it?* Blane thought.

He nodded. "An away mission. Besides Simon, will there be anyone else going?"

"Well I want you to hitch a lift with Commander Reece, we need Indy's runabouts right now for new personnel transfers and repair projects." Zanh explained. "He'll pilot. Captain Gilmore is, as you heard, going on vacation. Then there's Grace and Trind, her medical supervision for the trip. You and the Biggs. That makes six of you. But he tells me that the Hiawatha has the alternate runabout middle module with extra seating, so no worries. Up to eight can fit comfortably. Plus the bunks."

He nodded again. "Excellent. I assume that we will not have to rush on returning once we deliver the virus, since the repairs to the Indy will be ongoing?"

He had never been to Trill and he kind of wanted to check out the planet. Of course he understood fully the concept of duty before pleasure. But still, it did not hurt to ask.

"Repairs are estimated to take between five days and a week, and you are still technically on shore leave," Zanh nodded thoughtfully. "You should be able to take a few days after handing the sample over. Just keep your com-badges handy," she requested, "in case anything comes up. The plan is to have one of our own runabouts swing by and pick you up when all is said and done."

TC nodded. "If that's all, Captain?"

"Actually, it's not. There's something more I want to say to you Mr. Blane. Stand up."

"Sir?"

She gestured with her hands outstretched. "Stand up. Please." He stared at her as she reached into the drawer of the desk and pulled out a small box.

TC stood as instructed and wondered if their last encounter in the lounge during the medal reception was about to haunt him. Thinking back on that event he now believed that his words might had been harsh. Yet, he had spoken truthfully as usual, damn the outcome.

He wondered if the box contained a disrupter, or perhaps his new Ensign rank pips.

"You don't seem to me to be the sort who likes a lot of fanfare. So I thought it best to do this here and now." She approached him with the box in her hands.

"Thomas Cassius Blane, you have truly excelled in the performance of your duties aboard this ship. Especially in handling your recent re-assignment as acting Chief of Operations. Therefore, it is my pleasure to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Senior Grade. I give you this pip, signifying your new rank with the thanks of Starfleet, and your crew mates."

She opened the box and then much more gently than he would have expected, removed the black pip from his collar and replaced it with another in gold.

"And you get to serve with me, lucky you. May the Prophets have mercy on your soul."

She handed the small box back to him with the black pip inside, in a sentimental gesture that surprised him. "A souvenir,"

TC was speechless for a moment as he stared at the captain. Finally he realized that he had not replied.

"Thank you, sir." He opened his mouth to say something else but no words could be found to overcome his shock, so he closed it again. He watched the captain as she returned to her desk.

Feeling that his time in the ready room was over he turned to leave. He thought to himself aloud, "I'll have to remember to thank Captain Gilmore when we board the runabout."

"Save him from having to interact with Reece any more and that will be thanks enough." Zanh chuckled. TC nodded.

"Oh, and Mr. Blane," she spun around in her chair slowly, watching him out of the corner of her eye while appearing to analyze the data on her computer screen. "It wasn't Captain Gilmore who recommended you for promotion." She began to tap the keys, stifling a smile at the change in his expression as her words sank in. "It was me."

TC stopped, turned, and stared at the captain for a long moment before a smile cracked his face along with a blast of laughter.

"So we DO understand each other!" With a shake of his head and another small fit of laughter he continued, "Excellent!" he then turned and exited the ready room.

Zanh Liis
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791


~AND~

Lt. (SG) TC Blane
Acting Chief of Operations
USS Independence