Chapter 29

The Bridge crew watched as Space Dock slowly crept up and grew larger on the view screen with Earth glowing a brilliant blue and white in the back drop. Several smaller ships were casually drifting around the large station orbiting distantly above Earth as they were dwarfed by the presence of the Sovereign class vessel. Ramirez's display quietly signaled out in a passive alert.

"Captain, we have reached the Perimeter Threshold."

"Very good." Bridger subtly acknowledged from his seat, "Mr. Jacobs open a channel to Space Dock."

"Aye, sir. Channel open."

"Approach control, this is the Roosevelt." Bridger announced openly, "Ready for Docking Maneuvers."

"Roosevelt is cleared to dock." The young female voice replied.

"Mr. Ramirez.."

"Aye, sir. Systems locked."

"All stations reporting in. We are condition Blue." Jacobs chimed in as the Bridge lights dimmed and shifted to a blue ambience.

"Space Dock, you have control." Bridger added.

"Affirmative, Roosevelt. Sit back, enjoy the ride, and welcome home."

The Roosevelt was guided by a tractor beam and gracefully danced with the rotating station. The ship slipped leisurely in past the outer doors as smaller shuttles and other various service ships darted about inside the structure as the Roosevelt glided effortlessly into a dock slip. Several arms and clamps extended out from the main structure and clamped onto various points along the saucer section as the ship came to rest and was held in place securely.

"Gravitational mooring locked; all systems standing by, Captain." Ramirez relayed as the Bridge lights shifted back to their standard soft white candescence.

"Very good; Mr. Jacobs, notify all decks that once all stations have reported for final check out, have all crew may disembark from the lower decks on up."

"Aye, sir." Jacobs responded.

"Engineering to Bridge. We are ready to begin the main power shutdown sequence, on your command." Shingure's voice came over the comm.

"We will need a few moments to tie down a few loose ends then proceed, Chief."

"Affirmative."

Bridger rose to his feet as Jacobs noted that all stations had reported in and the ship's crew had begun disembarking. He surveyed the scene to see many of the Bridge crew was relatively quiet as the various stations were signing off and heading for the turbo lift. Ramirez and Jacobs were the last to head out and gave a simple nod to Bridger as they exited. Bridger quietly skirted around the area as the Bridge suddenly became quiet. The moment was rather quaint as the lights defaulted to a courtesy setting and various stations began to dim and fade out. Bridger grumbled to himself as reality had began to settle back in, not looking forward to going over all the desk work that was awaiting him made his way to the ready room.

As the doors parted, he witnessed McDaniel feeling the texture of the arm rest of the Captain's office chair, slowly swaying from side to side. "Sorry to bother you, Captain." Bridger sarcastically remarked with a humored smirk.

McDaniel's eyes darted up startled as she clamored her way to her feet and stepped away hurriedly from behind the desk. "I'm... I'm sorry, Captain. It's not what it looks like... I mean... I didn't-"

"It's alright, McDaniel." Bridger chuckled as he made his way inward, shifted a pair of PADDs on the edge of the desk, and took back his seat, "It's alright. I could not resist. It's good to see you back on active duty. "

"Thank you, sir. I placed your brace under your desk. Dr. Shalin reinstalled the... whatever they are, back inside it and told me to make sure you knew to return to using it. Thank you for letting me.... borrow them."

"Think nothing of it." Bridger replied empathically. "So what do you have for me?"

"I took the liberty of sorting the updates and requests. I prioritized the needed approvals before your leave and the others can be posted upon your return."

Bridger scanned the display before him for a couple of minutes and was mildly impressed by the efficiency put forth. He perused each item on the list and marked his thumbprint accordingly till he stopped briefly and groaned questioningly as he leaned back in his chair stroking his goatee.

"Is something wrong, sir?" McDaniel questioned meekly.

"Hmm, I was just looking at the requests for transfers. A few more added on since the last time I checked it. I might have expected as much." He replied grimly.

"With all due respect, sir; I don't think that it's your fault."

Bridger perked a probing look at McDaniel, "Oh? And what makes think that?"

McDaniel bit her lip slightly at the unexpected question as she looked about, "Well, what I mean, sir, is that you shouldn't take it personally. It's not as if everyone wanted off. Maybe some of them realized they couldn't hack it or it wasn't going to be as easy as they thought."

Bridger shrugged, "Possibly... It is principle of the shakedown cruise, to knock out the problems and weak links. I cannot blame anyone for choosing to find a less hectic post. This has been one memorable shakedown cruise for all of us." Bridger leaned back slightly and stroked his goatee. "So, I have to ask. Are you on this list as well?" he questioned flatly.

McDaniel shook her head, "No, sir. I'm not."

"Why is that?"

McDaniel perked up slightly, unprepared for the question. "Well, sir. I... I can only say that having come aboard the ship... I finally feel as if I have a sense of direction. I mean, this is my first REAL assignment I've had and it's been the one place I feel as if I belong here. "

Bridger nodded, "Good enough. I can understand and respect that. In any case we have lost and gained it seems." Bridger motioned to the attaché case. "On those PADDS, there is information with a non-comm application and civilian ward deferment for Mr. Corzine and the Orion female, Aria. Have them added to the crew compliment and registry." McDaniel complied, retrieved the items, and moved to the information console as Bridger skimmed, reviewed, and acknowledged the remaining issues.

After a few minutes, McDaniel returned and waited attentively patient. Bridger leaned back looked to her with an amused grin. "Don't you have somewhere you need to be, McDaniel?"

"No, sir. Not that I am aware of." She replied with hesitation.

Bridger chuckled softly and waved off his jest. "Well, I think you are should be taking advantage of this impromptu shore leave. The last place you need to be is here doing red tape issues... Go on... I got this covered."

"Ok... I... I mean, yes, sir. Thank you, sir." McDaniel grinned slightly embarrassed.

"Besides, what I don't sort out will be here when you get back; dismissed."

Captain's Personal Log, Stardate 54693.5

We have returned to Space Dock in the Sol system. There have been nearly a hundred request for voluntary transfers submitted. I was bit taken back by the amount of requests but this has been one helluva shakedown. I honestly cannot blame them for wanting to pursue other options. Fortunately, none of the senior officers took the option, so I must have done something right. Sabra was a given they she would stay with me but it appears the others and I seem to work well with each other. We still got to hack out a few details and polish a few rough edges but that will work out in time.

As we wait for the reassignment of personnel and the temporary family adjustments for Rammstein Outpost, the crew has been given personal leave to make the necessary arrangements. As for me, I don't know quite what to do. I appears 'Ol' Mustang Annie' will have to be put off a little longer it seems. As for what I'm going to tell my girls... that's a different story. After all, they're all grown up on me now and have their own lives to think about.

Looking back now, I realized that Victor played me; then again I can't hold it against him. He set up the board and played the pawns accordingly. He played me like a fiddle, I couldn't have asked for a better friend.

Now having gotten back on the horse, I m not about to go back into that hole I got pulled out of. I guess Sabra was right. I wasn't doing anyone any good shutting everything out. I know in my heart that Anna wouldn't have wanted that for me and no matter where I go, she'll always be with me in spirit. So, here's to what lies ahead and I intend to aim for that distant star.