Cantankerous Old Sod

Posted on Wed Jul 20th, 2022 @ 8:45pm by Commodore Dazad Targaryen & Vice Admiral Gregory MacCray
Edited on on Wed Jul 20th, 2022 @ 8:52pm

562 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: USS Zheng He
Timeline: 2399-09-19, 09:47

From across subspace Vice Admiral Gregory MacCray sat stern faced in his chair in his private office aboard Deep Space 12 just staring at Commodore Dazad. The older Human had one of the most piercing gazes that the newly minted Commodore had ever encountered in his career and that was saying something. After all he had known many of the greats and, more than once, reported directly to Worf, Son of Mogh.

"You'll have to excuse me, Admiral, but I was not expecting you to be reaching out this soon. I had thought our meeting was not until I arrived on DS12?"

"You would be right," the other man answered somewhat sternly. "I, however, wanted to speak with you earlier. I didn't think that you would have a problem with that."

The new Commanding Officer shook his head, trying to save face, "Not at all, Sir. It is only that the Zheng He will be arriving at the Station later today."

"Indeed it will. I may be old, but I'm not senile, Commodore," the current Commanding Officer answered defensively.

"I never meant to imply that you were," Dazad defended himself.

MacCray chortled, "Tell that to Starfleet. They're the ones that decided I was and needed to give up this post."

Dazad was speechless. He had heard rumors that Admiral MacCray had some medical concerns recently, but never did he anticipate that he was replacing someone who was being forced out of their position. "I don't know what to say, Sir."

"Nothing you can, Mister Dazad," Gregory answered. "I suppose that it is poetic justice. When I replaced Liu when she moved on to other projects she wasn't long for continued service either. Plus, they took away the Station's Starbase designator with her too. That's why we're DS12 and not Starbase 12 anymore."

"I am aware, Sir," Dazad had read up on the history of the region before accepting this role. He leaned forward, "So, is there something that I can do for you?"

MacCray nodded, "Indeed there is. I need you to keep a close eye out while you're on your way here. Our teams are reporting a lot of Kzinti activity in the region and there are some fears that they're near your current course. Wouldn't want you to get eaten."

"I wouldn't want me to get eaten either," Dazad said with a smirk. "Thank you, Sir, for the heads up."

"Don't mention it," MacCray answered. "They were last reported near the Cardie Border, not that I care much about them, but you're not far away either."

Dazad typed on the nearby keypad, "I've already alerted the Watch Officer while we were talking."

"Well aren't you efficient! Guess that's why you're taking my job?" The brogue of the retiring Admiral was thick as it echoed through Dazad's chambers.

The new Commodore shrugged, "I suppose that was up to Starfleet. They never explained to me why they picked me for this."

"Me neither," MacCray commented. "Although, Admiral Liu did warn me that the Maelstrom was the place that people's careers went to die so good luck! MacCray out."

As the screen darkened Dazad collapsed back into his chair and stared at the report that he had received. MacCray was known for being a cantankerous old sod, but was there some truth to what he said? Was this where his career was going to die?

 

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