Interlude – On the Death of the Dream and the Life of Romance
by Commander Karen Villiers & Commander Richard Dunham
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Karen rested her elbows on the rail and looked down onto the lower levels of the promenade. It was nice to take a few moments out to watch the world go by, and to gather her thoughts. She was beginning to wonder how this place managed to function; half of the senior staff seemed to be crazy and the embassies seemed intent on starting a small war between themselves for no discernable purpose. There were too many different agendas.
She smiled; watching normal people having normal lives was refreshing, and, she surmised that the must be doing something right on DS5 if so many normal people were content to make the place their home.
"You can almost forget yourself here," said Dunham; joining his superior officer, in her observations of the world going by. He gripped the railings with both hands and took in the view for himself. "Penny for your thoughts commander?" said the pilot conversationally, and invoking the old earth saying.
"I'm not sure I'd pay that much for them if I was you," she replied with a smile. "I was just thinking that sometimes it seems as if everything is chaos and then something reminds you that what we do is worth something. That we're not here to bring order out of chaos, but to help everyone else find their way through it," she shrugged, not entirely sure if that made sense.
Dunham smiled and nodded in agreement, he mused thoughtfully. "Were not here to tell people what to do were here to protect people so they have the right to chose and make their own mistakes, even if chaos be one of them. I like to think that I strive for a Federation, that one day doesn’t need me anymore.”
"Yeah, its a tempting dream," Karen said, "but I don't think we'll ever get everyone to play by the same rules, not even within the Federation. I guess its one of those mistakes that people need to be allowed to make."
"Difficult isn't it...." said Dunham rhetorically "How can we get the other galactic powers to play nice, when we can't even keep our own, from throwing their toys out of the pram now and again." He shrugged and sighed a little, "Saying that politics....not really my forte." He rapped the banister he was leaning on with his knuckles, "saying that being a starfleet officer, very well might not be my forte either." He said the last with a wink.
Karen turned slightly, "How so?" she asked. They had just lost one CAG to the Romulans, if they lost another so soon people would start speculating that the position was cursed.
Dunham turned and leaned his back on the rail. He took a bit of gum out of his pocket, un-wrapped it, then put the stick of chewing gum into his mouth. He smiled with a twinkle in his eye. "I think I love the job to much."
"How does that make you a bad Starfleet Officer?" Karen asked. It seemed the real key, when people were just doing a job it tended to show, when they were doing a job they enjoyed, well, it transformed them.
"It doesn't, I'm an absolutely amazing starfleet officer." he said with a wink. Pulling the commanders leg, and trying to make a slightly philosophical conversation more of a jovial twist. "So....." he said changing the subject a little. "How are you finding life on Deep Space Five, Commander?"
"And modest with it," Karen smiled. "Deep Space Five was always going to be an interesting assignment - never a dull moment," she replied, "hub of commerce, scientific research and hotbed of political intrigue. Something for everyone," she suggested with a dry sense of humour.
Dunham chuckled at her last comment "Oh yes...something for everyone." His tone changed; with a bit more seriousness in it. "And everyone seems to want a piece of it, no matter how they do it."
Karen pursed her lips, "I'll return your penny if you give me your thoughts," she said, her tone light but with an undertone of serious. SHe wondered what he meant; Rick seemed the sociable type, the type to get around anbd pick up the mood on the station.
He started marking off his fingers as he listed the names. "Romulans, Cardassians, Klingons, I'm surprised the Breen or the Ferengi haven't set up an embassy here on the station. Then you have the political machinations that are starfleet. Half our bloody officer's don't seem to get on." Dunham rubbed the stubble on his chin in thought. "Don't people understand that we are all on the same side."
"A lot changed after the Dominion War, Rick," Karen said, "the ideal we aspired to seemed somewhat tarnished. It changed a lot of people, and a lot of them are still in Starfleet. As long as they're here for peace we'll welcome anyone who wants to establish an embassy, the optimist in me thinks that being closer to us and our ways might rub off on them a bit," she added with a smile.
"Well I didn't fight no war. But you're right. I see that grim state of mind in my superior officers and veterans of the Dominion war. Yes it taught us valuable lessons, and the lines were blurred in a time of war...." He shook his head a little in thought "....but some of our ideals now seemed to be lost to them, it will take the next generation of officers to bring it back again." Dunham frowned a little; the conversation had suddenly got a little dark.
"Neither did I, Rick, but I saw the effects. I spent three years in Cardassian space on the USS Ourania overseeing the implementation of the Treaty of Bajor. It was a mess - the things that people do to people and we couldn't blame it on the Jem Hadar - a lot of that damage was because of us, the allies. And you're right, the experience and theat knowledge has affected a lot of senior officers. Anyone who could remain untouched by that ... well." Karen paused. "Yes, we need to work at rekindling those ideals," she agreed.
Dunham nodded in agreement. "The war has a lot to answer for. It has created a lot of fallout, and in that fall out, are individuals. Take Gabriel and Darson for instance....Products of war." Dunham then clamped his mouth shut, realising he may of spoken out of line in front of a superior officer, He turned back from leaning on the rail, to facing the railing and looking down on the crowds below.
"I didn't hear that, Lieutenant Dunham," Karen said. She happened to hold a similar opinion of the officers he had mentioned, "must be the ambient noise level on this part of the promenade."
Dunham gave an appreciative nod, he decided to change the subject a bit more. "Have you met that new Federation News Reporter about?" Dunham had, and all though he seemed like nice chap, he did have a nack to poke his nose around.
Karen had and she could not help but think that he had been hitting on her. "Thomas Whitlock," she said, "I met him a few days ago. Looks like the FNS are strengthening their presence here. I suppose its good that people back on Earth are showing an interest in what's going on out here," she said thoughtfully.
Dunham nodded in agreement again to the commanders words. Dunham thoughts turned to the sentimental, he looked about him, taking in the sense and feel of the station. This place was home and allot had happened to him here. He fiddled unconsciously with the new engagement ring on is finger. He was still not use to it being there. He wouldn't know what he would do if he lost the station. He chuckled to himself, "You know sometimes I miss the simple life of a starship. But I don't think I would trade this place for the world."
"Somewhere to put down roots?" Karen asked she had not noticed the ring last time she had spoken with Dunham, he could tell her if it was significant, if he wanted to, otherwise he could let the glance pass.
Dunham smiled, raising his hand and flashing off the ring in the ambient lighting of the station. He hadn't noticed that she had spotted it. "Maybe commander, maybe. Though when it comes to raising an actual family, I think given recent events, that I'm safe in saying i would rather do that somewhere.....'safer"
"Congratulations, Rick," Karen said with a smile, "to you both." She and the doctor had not exactly hit it off with friends but Karen was still happy for them, "though if we'd lose both you and doctor Adams in one go I'd have to encourage you to take your time about that," she added with a wink to show that it was a joke.
"Oh I wouldn't worry about that just yet," said Dunham with a smile. "Will be around for a while yet, what about you Commander, anyone in your life?"
Karen shook her head. "Not at the moment," she said, "a free agent, not that I really have time to take advantage of that. I think the uniform puts people off, and if that doesn't do the trick being a lawyer usually seals the deal. I think I set off alarm bells - between Starfleet and the law any potential lover is going to think he's not going to be the centre of my world, which is true come to think of it." Karen chuckled, "if I want something to take care of I'll get a puppy," she continued, "but is someone comes along who is actually interested in an equal partnership, well, I might consider," she shrugged, aware that she might sound a little indifferent to the idea of romance.
Dunham wasn't sure what to say or do, his first instinct was to give the commander a great big hug, and tell her it would be all right. Offer sympathy and condolences, and talk to her about, the problem. Because it seemed to him to be a rather sad outlook on relationships. But two things held him back. One; he was no counsellor, and two; it would be grossly inappropriate to give your superior officer a sympathetic hug. "Yeah. I know what you mean."
"Don't let me be the Eeyore," Karen said, "You enjoy yourself if it gives you what you need in life," she added, "I'll keep an open mind."
"Yes Ma'am" said Dunham with a smile.
Off?
Lt Richard Dunham
Acting CAG
&
Commander Karen Villiers
Executive Officer
by Commander Karen Villiers & Commander Richard Dunham
Post Details
| Title | On the Death of the Dream and the Life of Romance | |
| Mission | Interlude | |
| Author(s) | Commander Karen Villiers & Commander Richard Dunham | |
| Posted | Fri Aug 06, 2010 @ 8:02pm | |
| Location | Promenade | |
| Timeline | Unspecified. But late in 'Interlude' |
Karen rested her elbows on the rail and looked down onto the lower levels of the promenade. It was nice to take a few moments out to watch the world go by, and to gather her thoughts. She was beginning to wonder how this place managed to function; half of the senior staff seemed to be crazy and the embassies seemed intent on starting a small war between themselves for no discernable purpose. There were too many different agendas.
She smiled; watching normal people having normal lives was refreshing, and, she surmised that the must be doing something right on DS5 if so many normal people were content to make the place their home.
"You can almost forget yourself here," said Dunham; joining his superior officer, in her observations of the world going by. He gripped the railings with both hands and took in the view for himself. "Penny for your thoughts commander?" said the pilot conversationally, and invoking the old earth saying.
"I'm not sure I'd pay that much for them if I was you," she replied with a smile. "I was just thinking that sometimes it seems as if everything is chaos and then something reminds you that what we do is worth something. That we're not here to bring order out of chaos, but to help everyone else find their way through it," she shrugged, not entirely sure if that made sense.
Dunham smiled and nodded in agreement, he mused thoughtfully. "Were not here to tell people what to do were here to protect people so they have the right to chose and make their own mistakes, even if chaos be one of them. I like to think that I strive for a Federation, that one day doesn’t need me anymore.”
"Yeah, its a tempting dream," Karen said, "but I don't think we'll ever get everyone to play by the same rules, not even within the Federation. I guess its one of those mistakes that people need to be allowed to make."
"Difficult isn't it...." said Dunham rhetorically "How can we get the other galactic powers to play nice, when we can't even keep our own, from throwing their toys out of the pram now and again." He shrugged and sighed a little, "Saying that politics....not really my forte." He rapped the banister he was leaning on with his knuckles, "saying that being a starfleet officer, very well might not be my forte either." He said the last with a wink.
Karen turned slightly, "How so?" she asked. They had just lost one CAG to the Romulans, if they lost another so soon people would start speculating that the position was cursed.
Dunham turned and leaned his back on the rail. He took a bit of gum out of his pocket, un-wrapped it, then put the stick of chewing gum into his mouth. He smiled with a twinkle in his eye. "I think I love the job to much."
"How does that make you a bad Starfleet Officer?" Karen asked. It seemed the real key, when people were just doing a job it tended to show, when they were doing a job they enjoyed, well, it transformed them.
"It doesn't, I'm an absolutely amazing starfleet officer." he said with a wink. Pulling the commanders leg, and trying to make a slightly philosophical conversation more of a jovial twist. "So....." he said changing the subject a little. "How are you finding life on Deep Space Five, Commander?"
"And modest with it," Karen smiled. "Deep Space Five was always going to be an interesting assignment - never a dull moment," she replied, "hub of commerce, scientific research and hotbed of political intrigue. Something for everyone," she suggested with a dry sense of humour.
Dunham chuckled at her last comment "Oh yes...something for everyone." His tone changed; with a bit more seriousness in it. "And everyone seems to want a piece of it, no matter how they do it."
Karen pursed her lips, "I'll return your penny if you give me your thoughts," she said, her tone light but with an undertone of serious. SHe wondered what he meant; Rick seemed the sociable type, the type to get around anbd pick up the mood on the station.
He started marking off his fingers as he listed the names. "Romulans, Cardassians, Klingons, I'm surprised the Breen or the Ferengi haven't set up an embassy here on the station. Then you have the political machinations that are starfleet. Half our bloody officer's don't seem to get on." Dunham rubbed the stubble on his chin in thought. "Don't people understand that we are all on the same side."
"A lot changed after the Dominion War, Rick," Karen said, "the ideal we aspired to seemed somewhat tarnished. It changed a lot of people, and a lot of them are still in Starfleet. As long as they're here for peace we'll welcome anyone who wants to establish an embassy, the optimist in me thinks that being closer to us and our ways might rub off on them a bit," she added with a smile.
"Well I didn't fight no war. But you're right. I see that grim state of mind in my superior officers and veterans of the Dominion war. Yes it taught us valuable lessons, and the lines were blurred in a time of war...." He shook his head a little in thought "....but some of our ideals now seemed to be lost to them, it will take the next generation of officers to bring it back again." Dunham frowned a little; the conversation had suddenly got a little dark.
"Neither did I, Rick, but I saw the effects. I spent three years in Cardassian space on the USS Ourania overseeing the implementation of the Treaty of Bajor. It was a mess - the things that people do to people and we couldn't blame it on the Jem Hadar - a lot of that damage was because of us, the allies. And you're right, the experience and theat knowledge has affected a lot of senior officers. Anyone who could remain untouched by that ... well." Karen paused. "Yes, we need to work at rekindling those ideals," she agreed.
Dunham nodded in agreement. "The war has a lot to answer for. It has created a lot of fallout, and in that fall out, are individuals. Take Gabriel and Darson for instance....Products of war." Dunham then clamped his mouth shut, realising he may of spoken out of line in front of a superior officer, He turned back from leaning on the rail, to facing the railing and looking down on the crowds below.
"I didn't hear that, Lieutenant Dunham," Karen said. She happened to hold a similar opinion of the officers he had mentioned, "must be the ambient noise level on this part of the promenade."
Dunham gave an appreciative nod, he decided to change the subject a bit more. "Have you met that new Federation News Reporter about?" Dunham had, and all though he seemed like nice chap, he did have a nack to poke his nose around.
Karen had and she could not help but think that he had been hitting on her. "Thomas Whitlock," she said, "I met him a few days ago. Looks like the FNS are strengthening their presence here. I suppose its good that people back on Earth are showing an interest in what's going on out here," she said thoughtfully.
Dunham nodded in agreement again to the commanders words. Dunham thoughts turned to the sentimental, he looked about him, taking in the sense and feel of the station. This place was home and allot had happened to him here. He fiddled unconsciously with the new engagement ring on is finger. He was still not use to it being there. He wouldn't know what he would do if he lost the station. He chuckled to himself, "You know sometimes I miss the simple life of a starship. But I don't think I would trade this place for the world."
"Somewhere to put down roots?" Karen asked she had not noticed the ring last time she had spoken with Dunham, he could tell her if it was significant, if he wanted to, otherwise he could let the glance pass.
Dunham smiled, raising his hand and flashing off the ring in the ambient lighting of the station. He hadn't noticed that she had spotted it. "Maybe commander, maybe. Though when it comes to raising an actual family, I think given recent events, that I'm safe in saying i would rather do that somewhere.....'safer"
"Congratulations, Rick," Karen said with a smile, "to you both." She and the doctor had not exactly hit it off with friends but Karen was still happy for them, "though if we'd lose both you and doctor Adams in one go I'd have to encourage you to take your time about that," she added with a wink to show that it was a joke.
"Oh I wouldn't worry about that just yet," said Dunham with a smile. "Will be around for a while yet, what about you Commander, anyone in your life?"
Karen shook her head. "Not at the moment," she said, "a free agent, not that I really have time to take advantage of that. I think the uniform puts people off, and if that doesn't do the trick being a lawyer usually seals the deal. I think I set off alarm bells - between Starfleet and the law any potential lover is going to think he's not going to be the centre of my world, which is true come to think of it." Karen chuckled, "if I want something to take care of I'll get a puppy," she continued, "but is someone comes along who is actually interested in an equal partnership, well, I might consider," she shrugged, aware that she might sound a little indifferent to the idea of romance.
Dunham wasn't sure what to say or do, his first instinct was to give the commander a great big hug, and tell her it would be all right. Offer sympathy and condolences, and talk to her about, the problem. Because it seemed to him to be a rather sad outlook on relationships. But two things held him back. One; he was no counsellor, and two; it would be grossly inappropriate to give your superior officer a sympathetic hug. "Yeah. I know what you mean."
"Don't let me be the Eeyore," Karen said, "You enjoy yourself if it gives you what you need in life," she added, "I'll keep an open mind."
"Yes Ma'am" said Dunham with a smile.
Off?
Lt Richard Dunham
Acting CAG
&
Commander Karen Villiers
Executive Officer