12309.09 05:19 AM- Star Fleet Headquarters- Office of Vice-Admiral Richard Skyler
Richard had been sleeping fitfully the past few nights. He tried to hide it from Lynn, but it was tricky when his tossing and turning woke her up every couple of hours. Finally, at about 4:30 that morning, Richard gave up trying to sleep and decided to go into the office to get a few things done. With Christine coming home, his time in the office would be limited, and he wanted to get some stuff off his desk.
He tried to focus on his work, but a voice in his head kept nagging him. His gut nagged him that something was off about Jacob.
Deciding that his mind wouldn't let him work on something else until his gut was satisfied, Richard logged into the central server and pulled Jacob's military record. Of course, what he was doing was technically a conflict of interest. Still, as Jacob had been assigned as Christine and Brielle's security detail, he could make sure Jacob's credentials were in order. Anything more would be considered snooping.
"Computer, bring up the military record of Lt. Commander Jacob Kendric Holtz. He is currently stationed on Star Base 71."
"Accessing… One file found." The computer displayed an image of Jacob in duty uniform for Skyler. "Please input command security access code."
That raised Skyler's eyebrows. It was rare that more than his general access code was needed to gain him access to an officer's data. Skyler input his access code, and the file opened.
Name Jacob Kendric Holts,
Rank: Lt. Commander with honors,
Status: Limited duty assignment due to injury in the field.
Assignments:
Richard's eyes got more prominent as he read.
Hostage retrieval team, The Neodymium Refinery on Regulus IV.
Assessment team for remains of the Shattered Moon of Foama VI.
Recovery team for the wreckage of the Norme'Forma on Lambda Circini Prime.
Richard sat up straight in his chair and opened the incident report. He had vaguely heard about the loss of the Norme'Foma. A group of rebels shot down the ship as it took off, causing the wreck to scatter across the local mountainous region. The vessel's cargo was never wholly located. Local rebels were after portions of the load to assist them with their onslaught on the rightful government. Star Fleet sent ground troops to help the locals find the remains before the rebels did. Unfortunately, it appeared that Jacob's group was betrayed and ambushed. It took them three days to find them, and in that time, two of the six men had died of their injuries. Jacob had been injured badly, and when he was found, he was in septic shock from his leg wound.
"Tough guy," Richard commented, then pulled up Jacob's psyche profile.
11310.07 "Cadet Holtz has struggled with procrastination, laziness, and lack of clarity. However, he has confidence. Unless he can overcome these issues, his career in Star Fleet will be in jeopardy.
11404.19 "Ensign Holtz has considerably improved in the past six months. His goal to be a member of an elite tactical team has given him clarity. He is now taking more initiative in his studies and focusing more on his goals.
11507.02 "Lt. junior grade Holtz shows his strength and discipline in his work. While this benefits his career, he shows arrogance and rashness in his decisions. This arrogance has led to many courageous but foolish actions. His commander has shown concern for his attitude. Should his attitude not improve, his future with his unit will be in question."
"Oh, great, a hothead," Richard grumbled and continued to scroll on the report.
11702.04 "Lt. Holtz's attitude has improved dramatically. He has shown that he can provide his fellow troops with purpose, direction, and motivation. He has strived to have a positive environment within his unit and encourages others to accomplish their missions. Should this change continue, I would recommend him for command training."
12110.30 "Lieutenant Commander Holtz's mental state has been unstable. His severe injury following his last deployment has caused a deep depression. Along with other personal issues, the advisement of his inability to return to his former unit has further pushed him into a depressed state. However, he has inspired many of his fellow patients to go for their recovery through his recovery. Though physically hindered by his injuries, he shows the qualities of a good leader. We recommend that Lt. Commander Holtz be placed in a position to better his leadership skills and heal from both his physical and mental wounds.
"A stubborn, determined soldier who wants what is best for others over himself." Richard sat back in his chair. "Oh, Christine, you truly are your mother's daughter."
12309.09 07:13 PM- Ravenswood-
Lynn appeared in the hallway smiling. She was greeted by Remy and Ollie, who were happily barking and tail-wagging. After giving both dogs scratches, Lynn called, "Flyboy, are you home?"
"Kitchen." She heard him call back.
Lynn dropped her bag off in a chair in the living room and walked into the kitchen. She found him looking through one of the drawers. "Looking for something?"
"I thought I put the spare axial battery to the feed computer in one of these drawers." He opened another and fell around.
"It is in the desk drawer in the barn's office." Lynn patted her husband on the shoulder. "I know you wouldn't lose it because you moved it last week."
"Oh, for peat's sake," Richard huffed in frustration. "I should know that."
Lynn turned his head with her hand to examine his face, "You look like Alan ran you over in the Stinger. What time did you leave this morning?"
"Too damn early." He gave her a tired smile, took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it.
"Something bothering you? You usually don't run off without a goodbye kiss unless you have a good reason." Richard looked at her, chagrined. Lynn studied Richard's face. "You look like Jack after he broke into Christine and Katie's "special" drawer in the bathroom."
Richard chuckled, "I did warn him there are times when you should not go looking for trouble."
"So, what did you wish you hadn't found?" Lynn leaned back on the kitchen counter.
"I went into the office early and tried to work, but my mind wouldn't let me, so…" Richard let out the following statement quickly. "I pulled up Jacob's fit rep."
"Richard!"
Richard held his hands up, surrendering, "I don't need the lecture. Because I heard it in my head, I'd yell at any of my recruits that did what I did."
Lynn's glare burned holes in him.
"I didn't go anywhere near personal information, just his general fit rep. I'm a father, and I want to ensure my baby girl is safe. And I told you he seemed off, and I didn't like him." Richard tried to explain.
"What did Daddy Dearest discover about his princess's beau?" Lynn crossed her arms and continued to glare at Richard.
"That I hate him." Richard grumped.
Lynn raised an accusatory eyebrow, "Oh, come on. Be serious. Is there something on that fit rep that tells Admiral Skyler that he isn't a good Star Fleet Officer, or do you not like him because he is interested in your princess?"
"Both, a matter of fact," Richard said in frustration.
"Oh?" Lynn's teasing tone disappeared. "Honestly, is Jacob safe around Christine and Brielle?"
"Admiral Skyler thinks Jacob to be an excellent officer who, with a little coaching, could become an excellent command officer," Richard said begrudgingly.
"And Daddy?" Lynn's eyebrow returned.
"He thinks he is a stubborn, determined soldier who had to learn the hard way to curb his arrogance and put the needs of others before himself." Richard sighed and met her eyes.
"In other words, he sounds like you at that age." Lynn stifled a laugh.
"It's not funny, Lynn. I don't want Christine to get mixed up with someone who has demons in his past and is a hothead."
"She is our daughter. Would you expect her to find any other kind?"
"Yes!" Richard said, exasperated.
"You know I've heard this conversation before, I wonder where…." Lynn smirked as she tapped her cheek.
"Don't you even start Lilly Lynn!" Richard started to storm off with Ollie on his heels.
"Of all the curses she threw at you, the 'may you have a child just like you,' that one had to stick!" Lynn called after him.
"I'm going to the shop and see if Alan is working on the new engine schematics." Richard grabbed his ball cap off the mudroom hook.
"Good. Ask him what it is like to have a daughter interested in the troublemaker of a star fleet officer. And how successful he was at chasing him off?"
"I love you," he shouted back as he slammed the back door in frustration. Lynn's laughter could still be heard as he walked across the road to the hangar.
Richard entered the flight garage, slamming the door. He saw Alan's boots poking out from under a console. The man didn't flinch at the noise of the door slamming.
"That bad, huh?" Alan's voice sounded muffled under the console.
"Why must women be so infuriating?" Richard asked, leaning on the wall next to the console. Ollie went over to his dog bed by the workbench.
"Because how else would they put up with us?" Hearing no comment from Richard, he sighed, "What is the problem, mate?"
"We got the final details on Christine's maternal leave. She is arriving in two days to return the bodies of the O'Connor for burial. After the funeral, she and Brielle will spend the rest of her time at Ravenswood with us." Richard said down to his friend.
Richard could hear Alan's smile in his voice. "It will be great to see her, and I can't wait to meet little Brielle. Robin is looking forward to not being the only redhead in the family."
"They aren't coming alone," Richard said, annoyed.
"Oh?" Alan continued to work.
Richard took a tool and turned it in his hands, "I arranged for Christine to have a security escort for the length of her trip."
"Hand me the 10 mm cylinder clamp." Richard handed the item down to Alan's outreached hand. Alan continued the conversation, "Given recent events, that isn't a bad idea. So, what's the problem?"
"Chrissy became friends with a security officer at the station, and I arranged for him to be her escort."
Alan chuckled at Richard's emphasis on him, "And let me guess, you think this 'friendly' security officer may be more than a friend.
"Yes," Richard said in a huff.
"Ah... did you want Robin to run a full background check on him?" Alan asked, trying not to grin at his friend's discomfort.
"No... I already did." Richard wiped his face with his hand.
Alan sat up quickly, banging his head. "You what? Richard, that is seriously unethical."
"Relax, I only pulled his basic knowledge report," Richard assured him.
"Please tell me you did everything above board," Alan returned to work.
"I pulled his general dossier, but I had to use my admiralty security code to view his mission log."
Alan cursed, "Richard! What were you thinking? That is a serious conflict of interest."
"As the daughter of an admiral, Ensign Skyler needs a competent bodyguard. I wanted to make sure he was qualified." Richard defended his statement.
"I will give you a minor point for that. So, what did you find?" Alan pushed himself out from underneath the console.
Richard offered his friend a hand up. "If he weren't on the injured reserve list, I'd have him on my ship in a heartbeat," Richard answered honestly. Alan's eyebrow raised over his dark glasses. "Lieutenant Commander Jacob Holtz is very good at his job and has a keen mind. He had a problem with overconfidence when he was younger, but he overcame it. Just as he was stepping into a command role, he was severely injured on a mission. He puts the needs of others before his own."
"Sounds like a complete Jackass." Alan chuckled.
"Oh, not you, too." Richard looked over to his friend. "I was getting enough flak from Lynn."
"Let me guess, Lynn compared him to you?" Alan leaned against the console, facing his friend.
"She said I sounded like my mother-in-law, Lilly, complaining about me."
Alan burst out laughing.
"Not funny, mate,"
Alan held his sides as he continued to laugh.
Richard rolled his eyes, "Get it out of your system."
"You always said Christine took after her mother." Alan laughed, wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes.
"I didn't expect her to find a guy like me."
"Tis the fate of every father," Alan said smugly.
Richard shook his head at Alan's antics, "How did you handle Grace and Jack?"
Alan stood straighter. "Which part? They fell for each other as kids. They were dating, or they found out that they eloped and were pregnant on the same day?" Alan glared at Richard.
His friend had a point. He had gone through a lot with Grace and Jack, "Let's start with Grace having a boyfriend."
"Honestly," Alan thought, looking away at the garage wall. "It was hard to see her with anyone. She is my baby, my princess. It is my job to protect her. But I had to learn to trust her judgment on what she wanted."
Richard nodded in understanding.
Alan smirked, "Grace would go on dates with other boys but come home and complain about how they didn't understand her as Jack did." Alan looked back at his friend, "When the two of them finally realized what we had seen for years, it wasn't difficult to trust Jack with Grace's heart. I mean, she and he were friends before they got together. It's not like I didn't know his family." Alan nudged Richard's arm, making him smile, "Jack was like a second son or nephew to me. I trusted him up to the point that Grace told me she was pregnant."
"Then you wanted to kill him." Richard elbowed him back.
"Slowly and painfully." Alan chuckled, "But I knew the man who stood before Robin and me, begging us to understand, was the same little boy whose diapers I changed, whom I chased out of my lab more times than I want to admit, for being a little too bright for his own good. It wasn't done maliciously. He was planning to propose anyway. Fate just moved things forward quicker than they had planned. I couldn't fault him since this…." Alan tapped his special glasses. "Happened to me. But when it happened to them, I was older and wiser. Was it fun to watch him squirm? I'll never tell. But now we have Christopher, so it worked out." Alan pushed himself from the console to face Richard directly, "Furthermore, Christine now has Brielle. And I would think that being the resident expert in unexpected instant parenting," Alan gave him a knowing look, "You could appreciate the importance of a set of kind helping hands." Alan pointed toward the main house. "Or does SHE need to remind you?"
"Well, you've got me there." Replied Richard, chagrined.
"Look, the best advice I can give you is to get to know the guy. His file says he is a good officer. Your daughter thinks he is such a good man that she has befriended him despite her past. I would trust her judgment until you know otherwise. There is one thing I know for sure about him."
"Which is?"
Alan smiled, "He loves Christine just like you do." Alan tapped Richard in the chest.
"You are a bastard; do you know that?"
"So, you keep telling me." Richard sighed as he looked across the open field to the house.
