Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in Starbase 237 Promenade deck - Leviathan medics summoned to meet Captain Cobb

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Theodore Knox (Chief Medical Officer) in Starbase 237 Promenade deck - Leviathan medics summoned to meet Captain Cobb

Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in Starbase 237 Promenade deck - Leviathan medics summoned to meet Captain Cobb
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Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

Ashir replied immediately: “The anomalies and their studies were my first reason. As for the crew, I had little information, except that the Captain’s chair was empty. But you must know better than me about that…”
He didn’t like to talk in an indirect way, but it was the best way to gather information. He made a quick look to see if Zach understood where he was going before saying : “I must say that I’m curious about your past. Perhaps you could… enlighten us about it ?”
Gosh, I sound like a Vulcan, thought Ashir with irritation.

Lieutenant Ashir th’Qiaqir

Theo had stood as a measure of respect and welcome when Laural had arrived. He nodded his head to her and resumed his seat when she had been acknowledged. He sipped his tea silently watching the group.

Interesting meeting so far. Theodore thought as he rolled the tea around his mouth. Indeed Theo agreed as he swallowed and surveyed they cup.

Dr Knox

“You want to know about my past, eh?” Cobb’s stumble at the unexpected request was smothered by hearty chuckle. “Well now, there’s a tale to be told and no mistake. But such misery requires an imposing supply of alcohol to burn those bitter words to ash.”
He trailed off, gaze caught once more by the Crow’s Nest. Such things he had learned in the inky blackness of night. Campfire stories. To unburden? To inform? Or merely nonsense to aid staying awake?

“Captain Cobb and I served together in the Dominion War,” the Admiral provided cover as the old man’s focus was lost. “It was the Second Battle of Chin’toka. I was a rookie back then. Ensign. Engineer. Captain Cobb was…” Strong hand passed across his stubbled chin, as if each follicle held a memory that could be extracted by touch. “…I believe you had just made Lieutenant Commander. Am I right, Zachariah?”

A nodding grunt as Cobb poured whiskey with unsteady hands. The war. A near quarter-century had passed since that godsforsaken day. Their suffering had earned its right to be forgotten. But not today, it seemed, as Roebuck went on…

“We were hit dead on by the Breen. And without warning lost every atom of power. Sitting ducks in a pond full of sharks. But Captain Cobb here, on that day he showed as much bravery as any man I’ve ever seen. I would not be here to tell of it without him.”

“And it’s been downhill ever since, eh?” Zachariah’s laughter devoid of all humour, eyes locked with the Admiral’s in silent challenge. “Another word about the war and I’ll tell them all that I know.”
Acquiescent nod as Roebuck retreated to strawberry consolation.

“After…that day,” Cobb took up the story for his own, “I returned to my first love of engineering and spent the next decade getting lost in various jefferies tubes. Then the Admiral here called and brought me into the ARU and…well, I’ve been paying in blood for our friendship ever since.”
This time the laughter was genuine, from both men. Brief glimmer of companionship past. Before everything had changed.

“Does that in any way answer your question, Lieutenant th’Qiaqir?”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb
  OOC : Sorry for the delay, I was unable to post for a week (holidays) but I’m back !

Ashir felt the men didn’t say everything about their past, but for now, it was enough. He believed asking for more information would be rude, and rudeness isn’t appreciated among human, from what he heard.

“Plenty, Captain. Thank you.”

Lieutenant Ashir th’Qiaqir

It was not the first time Theodore had heard this story. He simply sat back and observed both men as they told it. He caught a flickering of the light out of the corner of his eye and looked towards it but nothing came of it. Yet a slightly curl touched the corners of his mouth briefly before he returned to the conversation.

“So Captain. If I may be so bold, what are your orders.”

Dr Knox

Zachariah shifted, anxious glance towards the Admiral before returning to Theodore Knox.
“I believe the ARU have assigned a new mission for us, although the details remain unshared with me at this time.” Frustration evident as fingers raked through silver-streaked hair. “But I expect us to be setting out as early as three days from now. So make all final preparations, complete inventory of all equipment and supplies and run mission-ready physicals on every member of the crew. I don’t want any avoidable surprises. From any quarter. Understood?”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

Theodore took in this information and in particular the reactions of Cobb. “Of course sir, consider it done.” He said and gave a would be reassuring smile.

Dr Knox

“Good,” Zachariah nodded, draining his glass to the very last drop. “Good. Well then, I shall keep you from your duties no longer. Thank you, both, for the chat. I have every confidence that our medical department will continue to deliver to the highest standard.” Lingering glances landed on each of them in turn. “For both anomalies and crew.”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

Theo stood and offered the captain his hand. “Of course sir, and I look forward to seeing you for your medical check in soon.”

Dr Knox