Post 529: A New Beginning

Stardate:71026.2300
Title. A New Beginning
Author: Simon Biggs
Scene: Various- Independence
Time: During Bright Shiny Objects
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Simon had been in Sickbay for a while now, but after the coma he wasn't actually surprised when he heard he had been comatose for almost a day.

He was feeling much better now but the EMH told him to stay a bit longer for observation.

Simon saw the EMH approaching and decided that he'd had quite enough of waiting. "Doc can I go now?"

"Just a minute, I need to give you another check up and then you can go." The doctor treated another patient, and then walked over to Simon as Captain Zanh walked through the Sickbay doors and she noticed that he was back in uniform.

Finally, the EMH said, "OK you're free to go now."

Zanh waited for the EMH to walk away. "Glad to see you up and about, Biggles," Zanh patted him on the arm gently. "Don't scare me like that."

"Sorry, Captain. I tried to reason with the walls of the cave- asked them nicely not to fall in on my head. Sadly, they weren't interested in negotiating."

"Neither were the Yensuli males." Zanh shrugged. "Hey, that reminds me. I have a message for you," Zanh widened her eyes. "The leader of Yensul V, Andara Maffe, asked me over sub-space how you were doing. Asked about you by name. She seemed very happy when I told her that you were on your way to a full recovery."

Biggs blushed.

"She said she looked forward to seeing you when she arrived aboard ship and asked me to wish you 'get well soon'. Sounds like you've been doing your part for inter-galactic understanding and peace."

Biggs turned even redder. "If you speak to the Andara and my name comes up again, please tell her I said thank you."

"That all?"

Biggs blinked, his expression priceless.

"Okay, okay." Zanh laughed, knowing she'd hassled him enough. She'd learned her lesson already that the universe did not smile upon her if she teased poor young ensigns too badly or too often.

"Let me look at you a moment." He stood at attention before her, and she clucked her tongue. "This will never do."

"What is it, Sir?" Simon became concerned. He prided himself on always being prepared for every situation, and the thought that something might be amiss with his uniform bothered him- a lot.

"This." She indicated his collar. "This isn't right."

He craned his neck to look down at his gold pip. Nothing seemed out of place. "Sir?"

"Something is missing." Zanh produced a single black pip, and secured it to his collar. "Congratulations, Lieutenant junior grade Simon Biggs."

Simon didn't know what to say, so he just said, "Thank you, Sir."

"No, thank you. I heard you did a hell of a job down there on the ice planet. Good work. Simon," She stepped back, "but on another subject, it seems you've been holding out on me."

"Sir?"

"When I was going over your records preparing to note this promotion, I learned that you're really quite a pilot. I thought flying was just a hobby for you, but it seems the truth of the matter is that you almost specialized in navigation when you were at the Academy, but in the end went for security instead. Knowing how you love flying, can I ask why?"

"The desire to serve and protect, Sir." Biggs responded. "But if I'm being honest, at times, I have regretted the decision not to pursue navigation."

"Well, how about this," Zanh proposed an idea. "I notice that you're certified to fly pretty much everything in the fleet, except this thing." She gestured around her. "What if, perhaps, Grace could set up some simulations for you- tutor you, so to speak. Then if you apply yourself, the next time we're back on Earth, you might be able to take that certification test, if you still want to."

Simon's mouth fell open. He always wanted to fly something as big as the Indy- he just never imagined at this point in his career he might get the chance. "Thank you, Sir. I would like that very much."

"I'll talk to Grace about setting up the sims." She concluded, turning to go. "Start thinking about how you'd like to celebrate your promotion. Can't have another surprise party, it's been done."

Simon instantly had an idea. "Wait. I know how I'd like to celebrate, if I can get your blessing. What about a costume party?" He paused, "If we were on Earth, it would almost be time for Halloween."

"Good grief, Biggles. Masquerade?"

"Something like that. But you'll have to wait to see what costume I'm going to wear." He shot her a sideways glance, "Don't suppose you'd show up in costume, would you Sir?"

Zanh pondered the thought a moment. "I could go as a Starfleet Captain."

"But you're already,"

"No, I'm only Acting Captain." She grinned at him. "I'll think about it. Start your preliminary planning and have a proposal on my desk by morning. This will give London something else to do now that the coffee bar is supposed to be up and running and hey," she just realized something, "I haven't been by there yet. I'm going to have to check it out. See you later, Simon."

With that she left Biggs to ponder his promotion, his party plans, and his potential future as a Starfleet pilot.

Simon couldn't believe his luck; a promotion and a possibility to fly the Independence eventually. He leaned against the wall trying to grasp what had just happened as he watched the Captain walk down the corridor and suddenly remembered he had a party to put together. So he headed for Seven to speak to Trick London.

----------------a few minutes later---------------------

Simon entered Seven and looked around. *Good god, it's good to be back to normal again.*

He looked around the room and the first thing he saw was his good friend Ensign Burns. He also saw Patrick William London so decided to talk to him first.

"Hey, Trick,"

"SIMON!!" he shouted, pleasantly surprised to see him for the first time in a long time. "What's that pip doing on your uniform- or did you mistakenly put on someone elses?"

Simon gave a look and then said smugly "No, I just got promoted today."

"And what you came to rub it in my face?"

"No, not at all. I came because I have to organize a Halloween promotion party and Captain Zanh put me up for the task and I was thinking if you wouldn't mind lending a hand. . ." Simon asked nicely.

"Sure anything particular in mind?"

"Yeah, I was thinking about taking the band and having a few tunes and a karaoke so those who don't come in a costume have to sing something while wearing a novelty hat. I'll replicate something special just for the Captain, because she said to me she's going as a Captain, so I decided to replicate this Jolly Roger hat."

"Sounds terrific. I'll get the tables and all sorted and ready when you need, but I've got just one question." London paused, thinking for a moment. "What costume are you going to wear?"

Simon looked at him with a menacing smile. "I'm going to go as. . ." and he turned and headed for the exit.

London shouted "OH!! What are you going as?!"

Simon called back, "Wait till the party!" and then he left Seven and headed for his quarters for some sleep.

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Lieutenant Junior Grade Simon Biggs
Security Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791