1 CRUSADE
When the Past Comes Back to Haunt You.
"Matheson to Captain, over."
Mathew Gideon glanced over to the table next to his bunk where he had laid his wrist communicator before seeking some small amount of rest, "Gideon here, what is it Lieutenant?"
The voice came through the small silver band once more, "We've reached the Babylon station sir, should we go ahead and proceed with loading supplies before me meet our guest?"
Mathew sat up and sighed heavily, he wasn't happy about the new 'guest' they would be picking up, because he had no idea of who or what the guest was. When the chief commander of the Alliance as well a the Rangers had suggested seeking the help of someone who was up to date with medical and disease research, he had considered the idea to be one of there best. However, it seemed that interesting someone in that position had proven to be quite a challenge. Not that he didn't have confidence in Doctor Sarah Chambers' abilities, but having someone abreast of the newest research just might be what kept the ball in their court to finding a cure for the Drakh plague.
"Captain, did you hear me?"
Mathew was dragged from his thoughts once more by Matheson, "Sorry Lieutenant. Yes go ahead and I'll be up in a minute to transport to the station to greet our newest doctor." Before Mathew could stand, Matheson came back over.
"Captain, our new doctor is on her way to board. So I guess you wont have to go on to the station, unless you'd just like to check in."
Mathew knew that Matheson was referring to Capt. Elizabeth Lockley, but she had specified that she didn't have any time or desire to carry on any type of relationship, not to mention her preoccupation with Captain John Sheridan. "No, Lieutenant, I'll make myself presentable and meet our doctor in her quarters after you get her settled. Gideon out."
An hour later, after reviewing various reports sent by the space station and having finished with taking on supplies, The Excalibur was once more under way.
Mathew had put off the inevitable for as long as possible but knew that he would have to meet his newest crew member sooner or later, with that in mind he ventured to the quarters she had been assigned. Pressing the buzzer he waited before receiving a terse, "Enter." When he stepped inside his world was completely rocked by the woman he saw.
"Arissa, is that you?"
Arissa Dandridge turned, her eyes wide, at the sound of the familiar voice. Then, once she was certain it was actually him, her gaze narrowed as she addressed him. "Captain."
Mathew sighed as he pleaded, "Come on, Arissa, lets not act like this. We're both on this ship now and we have to work together, there are billions of people counting on all of us." Despite his attempt to sound commanding, Mathew couldn't help but feel the same feeling he had felt along time ago. It would have been easier if he could see where she had aged or gotten older as he had, but she didn't even allow that him that small courtesy. He could still see the same emeralds in the green of her eyes, as well as the coppery light shining in the deep dark red in her long hair. Even the small lines that appear over time around the corners of a person's eyes had yet to find their way to the cat-like slant of hers. He was still struck by her petite size, his own six foot, three height towered over her tiny five foot, two inches, but she still had a way about her that made him feel like a small child again.
Arissa was considering her own vulnerabilities where this man was concerned. She could see the evidence of gray thatched here and there in his dark hair, as well as the small grim lines around his mouth where she was certain a smile hardly ever found it's way these days. But the fact remained that she couldn't allow herself to be susceptible to his charms anymore, although truth be told all she wanted to do was to allow him to hold her in his strong arms if for no other reason than to feel safe and secure once more.
Shaking her head she tilted her head up to look him in the eyes as she addressed him with a humorless chuckle, "That's something I can always credit you with, Mathew. You may not be that reliable to the few significant people in your life, but you're certainly a knight in shining armor to billions who've never even seen your face." The look on her face changed to one of weariness as she pleaded, "Look, I know I need to meet the rest of the crew and get set up in the medical bay, but for right now, I've been up for forty-eight hours packing and researching to be fully prepared for this trip, so right now all I want is to be able to finish unpacking my personal belongings and to lie down for a while and sleep before tackling anything else." Glancing at the clock on her wall, she offered, "Besides, although you may not, the remainder of your crew is, I'm certain, in need of the same requirements. So if we could continue this conversation tomorrow, I would be infinitely grateful to you." With that she turned and continued emptying her bags.
Mathew nodded, "All right, Doctor. We'll get the introductions out of the way tomorrow when we have our meeting, until then goodnight." With that he left to venture to the bridge to check in. Settling himself in the shuttle car, he began drifting in his memories, remembering exactly when he had first met the small tornado he had just departed from.
"Lieutenant Gideon, I'd like you to meet medical officer, Arissa Dandridge." Mathew had thought to find a boring, run of the mill bookworm when he turned at the introduction, but instead found someone who reminded him of the old saying 'angels among us.' He wasn't even aware that he had extended his hand until he heard the light airy voice.
"Lieutenant, my hand? I may need it back later on." Mathew shook his head as he felt the embarrassment creeping on him.
"I'm sorry, I was just somewhat shocked, and you weren't what I was expecting."
Arissa giggled, "Funny, that's the same thing my parents have told me for years."
Mathew smiled at the sound of her laughter, reminding him of wind chimes on a breezy day. Looking around the room at the dignitaries present, he suggested, "Lets get out of here and go find some place to sit and talk, maybe have a drink, I'm sure our presence won't be significantly missed." He could see the doubt in her eyes, but noticed it being replaced by a bright sparkle filled with anticipation at the prospect of escape.
"All right, you're on. Lets find some nice club room or tavern, I wouldn't mind getting away from all the stuffed shirts in this room." With that he watched as she led the way to the door.
The shuttle doors opened, bringing him back to reality.
When the Past Comes Back to Haunt You.
"Matheson to Captain, over."
Mathew Gideon glanced over to the table next to his bunk where he had laid his wrist communicator before seeking some small amount of rest, "Gideon here, what is it Lieutenant?"
The voice came through the small silver band once more, "We've reached the Babylon station sir, should we go ahead and proceed with loading supplies before me meet our guest?"
Mathew sat up and sighed heavily, he wasn't happy about the new 'guest' they would be picking up, because he had no idea of who or what the guest was. When the chief commander of the Alliance as well a the Rangers had suggested seeking the help of someone who was up to date with medical and disease research, he had considered the idea to be one of there best. However, it seemed that interesting someone in that position had proven to be quite a challenge. Not that he didn't have confidence in Doctor Sarah Chambers' abilities, but having someone abreast of the newest research just might be what kept the ball in their court to finding a cure for the Drakh plague.
"Captain, did you hear me?"
Mathew was dragged from his thoughts once more by Matheson, "Sorry Lieutenant. Yes go ahead and I'll be up in a minute to transport to the station to greet our newest doctor." Before Mathew could stand, Matheson came back over.
"Captain, our new doctor is on her way to board. So I guess you wont have to go on to the station, unless you'd just like to check in."
Mathew knew that Matheson was referring to Capt. Elizabeth Lockley, but she had specified that she didn't have any time or desire to carry on any type of relationship, not to mention her preoccupation with Captain John Sheridan. "No, Lieutenant, I'll make myself presentable and meet our doctor in her quarters after you get her settled. Gideon out."
An hour later, after reviewing various reports sent by the space station and having finished with taking on supplies, The Excalibur was once more under way.
Mathew had put off the inevitable for as long as possible but knew that he would have to meet his newest crew member sooner or later, with that in mind he ventured to the quarters she had been assigned. Pressing the buzzer he waited before receiving a terse, "Enter." When he stepped inside his world was completely rocked by the woman he saw.
"Arissa, is that you?"
Arissa Dandridge turned, her eyes wide, at the sound of the familiar voice. Then, once she was certain it was actually him, her gaze narrowed as she addressed him. "Captain."
Mathew sighed as he pleaded, "Come on, Arissa, lets not act like this. We're both on this ship now and we have to work together, there are billions of people counting on all of us." Despite his attempt to sound commanding, Mathew couldn't help but feel the same feeling he had felt along time ago. It would have been easier if he could see where she had aged or gotten older as he had, but she didn't even allow that him that small courtesy. He could still see the same emeralds in the green of her eyes, as well as the coppery light shining in the deep dark red in her long hair. Even the small lines that appear over time around the corners of a person's eyes had yet to find their way to the cat-like slant of hers. He was still struck by her petite size, his own six foot, three height towered over her tiny five foot, two inches, but she still had a way about her that made him feel like a small child again.
Arissa was considering her own vulnerabilities where this man was concerned. She could see the evidence of gray thatched here and there in his dark hair, as well as the small grim lines around his mouth where she was certain a smile hardly ever found it's way these days. But the fact remained that she couldn't allow herself to be susceptible to his charms anymore, although truth be told all she wanted to do was to allow him to hold her in his strong arms if for no other reason than to feel safe and secure once more.
Shaking her head she tilted her head up to look him in the eyes as she addressed him with a humorless chuckle, "That's something I can always credit you with, Mathew. You may not be that reliable to the few significant people in your life, but you're certainly a knight in shining armor to billions who've never even seen your face." The look on her face changed to one of weariness as she pleaded, "Look, I know I need to meet the rest of the crew and get set up in the medical bay, but for right now, I've been up for forty-eight hours packing and researching to be fully prepared for this trip, so right now all I want is to be able to finish unpacking my personal belongings and to lie down for a while and sleep before tackling anything else." Glancing at the clock on her wall, she offered, "Besides, although you may not, the remainder of your crew is, I'm certain, in need of the same requirements. So if we could continue this conversation tomorrow, I would be infinitely grateful to you." With that she turned and continued emptying her bags.
Mathew nodded, "All right, Doctor. We'll get the introductions out of the way tomorrow when we have our meeting, until then goodnight." With that he left to venture to the bridge to check in. Settling himself in the shuttle car, he began drifting in his memories, remembering exactly when he had first met the small tornado he had just departed from.
"Lieutenant Gideon, I'd like you to meet medical officer, Arissa Dandridge." Mathew had thought to find a boring, run of the mill bookworm when he turned at the introduction, but instead found someone who reminded him of the old saying 'angels among us.' He wasn't even aware that he had extended his hand until he heard the light airy voice.
"Lieutenant, my hand? I may need it back later on." Mathew shook his head as he felt the embarrassment creeping on him.
"I'm sorry, I was just somewhat shocked, and you weren't what I was expecting."
Arissa giggled, "Funny, that's the same thing my parents have told me for years."
Mathew smiled at the sound of her laughter, reminding him of wind chimes on a breezy day. Looking around the room at the dignitaries present, he suggested, "Lets get out of here and go find some place to sit and talk, maybe have a drink, I'm sure our presence won't be significantly missed." He could see the doubt in her eyes, but noticed it being replaced by a bright sparkle filled with anticipation at the prospect of escape.
"All right, you're on. Lets find some nice club room or tavern, I wouldn't mind getting away from all the stuffed shirts in this room." With that he watched as she led the way to the door.
The shuttle doors opened, bringing him back to reality.