5
Chapter 28
A group of Starfleet officers were gathering in front of monitor; the room was a buzz with chatter.
Each officer was adorned in neatly pressed dress uniforms; the officer's eyes were filled with excitement.
Two stood off to the corner…cups of coffee in their hands.
"I hear they're awarding the Captain Archer medal of commendation,"
"I hear they're awarding a re-assignment; a much more exciting position,"
A small group congregated near the monitor…hands locked in front of them in a studious gesture.
The chattering died down when David entered the room; all eyes turned in his direction.
He shot them a humble smile and a hand gesture.
A fellow officer stepped forward with a beaming smile on his face…and shook David's hand.
David accepted the gesture…then walked to the corner uncomfortably.
"Attention!" called the Commander.
David could feel his heart beating a little faster; he felt guilty for all the attention he was receiving.
"We'll be receiving the Admiral's transmission shortly!"
The officer's huddled together in front of the monitor in unison.
David hid at the rear…but a group shoved him forward to the front.
"This is your moment, Dave. Enjoy it,"
The chatter ended as the monitor came to life; the screen buzzed and fizzled.
Then the face of the Admiral was staring back at the group.
He was Human; an older man with gray hair…but a sleek, youthful face.
As some of the guards put it…he was the definition of an officer.
He'd never seen combat…nor cared much for the condition of his men.
He'd climbed the ladder simply for the purpose of climbing the ladder.
"Good evening, gentleman,"
He took a sweeping glance of the group of officers.
"Lieutenant Moore,"
David straightened his back slightly.
"We've gathered here today to congratulate you on your act of valor," the Admiral spoke with major disinterest.
"You've earned Starfleet's respect as an officer. We salute you,"
The screen went blank.
Everyone was quiet for a moment. David felt massive confusion.
"That was it?" someone said.
David felt his heart sink; he wanted to feel spurned. He wanted to feel disappointed.
But it was something else. He just didn't want to admit it.
He could feel the shame he did when he was child…when his father would cast him disapproving glares and hurl insults.
Or at least he wanted to.
But somehow…he couldn't.
This was different.
But he didn't believe it.
One of the officers put his hand on his shoulder.
"We're all proud of you, David. You deserved more."
"Yeah," David mumbled…lost in thought.
He glanced over at the officer; for a second…he swore it was Carl.
David shook himself out of his trance quickly.
"Thanks," he said quietly…then headed for the door.
"I…David Moore…hereby formally declare my res…"
David tossed the padd into his locker the second he spotted the Commander out of the corner of his eyes.
He pretended to be lacing up his workout shoes; the Commander stood there for a split-second, arms crossed.
"I just heard,"
David glanced up; his face remained neutral…but deep down he could feel panic growing.
"Sir?" he feigned confusion.
The Commander stepped a few paces closer; his eyes narrowing slightly.
"When were you going to tell me?"
David kept quiet; the panic started slowly seeping into his face.
The Commander smiled and relaxed. He held out his hand.
"I'm gonna miss you, David."
David's face was now filled with fear; he could a droplet of sweat run down his face.
"You're not mad?"
The Commander shook his head; David relaxed a bit and accepted the hand-shake.
"No no no," he said chuckling a bit. "You're a decent guard. But you deserve this."
"Sir?" David's face twisted into confusion.
The Commander handed him a padd.
"Lieutenant David Moore; you are hereby re-called to earth for re-assignment. Signed…"
"Carl," David whispered. He didn't know what to think; he felt a rush of confusing emotions.
"Congratulations, David," the Commander said smiling, as he slowly turned and left.
David pulled the padd out from before out of his locker; he held one in each hand.
He read the new one over and over again several times; and then he returned to the first.
"I hereby offer my resignation," he whispered.
In that moment…he decided.
He thought he knew what he had to do.
There was no place in Starfleet for him.