Tonight, and the rest of my life

Posted on Sun May 15th, 2022 @ 11:42am by Captain Samuel Woolheater

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Camp Margrave and Ringali Island, Pacifica
Timeline: The Recent Past and the Distant Past
Tags: Emily, Promotion
1804 words - 3.6 OF Standard Post Measure

[ON:]

=== TITAN- SOL VI – CAMP MARGRAVE – SFMC SYSTEMS COMMAND – LATER AFTERNOON - ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES – PERSONNEL ===

On the monitor were many different sensor readings, cameras, and readouts. But on a monitor on the wall was also one dedicated just to the Federation News Network. And even though the volume was low, Sam could hear it cut through him.

The FNN journalist stood outside the gates of Camp Margrave and was talking, “…in an amazing and frankly stunning move, earlier today the Marine and Starfleet Joint Fighter Wing stationed here to defend Titan were evasive and elusive in their answers. Look at the press conference early this morning.

The monitor changed to a press briefing and then a clip with the Air Group Commander saying, “…at this time, the destruction of the commercial transport ship SS Jubilee is a tragedy and an ongoing investigation. The attackers have not yet been identified however we are throwing everything we have to try and track them down. This unprovoked and despicable attack will not go unpunished. The brazen attack, made on the Federation’s doorstep is a wakeup call to all of us that the freedoms we enjoy require wakeful vigilance…” and on it went. Sam, tried to tune it out.


1st Lieutenant Samuel Woolheater sat in the lobby waiting to be called into the personnel office. He was here to receive his commission and information about his next tour of duty. His uniform was all in order and he was wearing his new 1st Lieutenant pips on his collar. In his hand, he still clung to his resignation PaDD.

~~~ Emily Hope sat down beside him on the office couch. ~~~

“They look good on you babe” she said as she lightly touched his collar and the new pips. Her fingers went from his collar to his jawline. Samuel’s beard was fast growing, and he had a noticeable stubble. Emily had always been attracted to that about him. Her fingers traced his jaw and she toucher her hand to his cheek. Caressed his ear. “You’ve decided to stay in the marines?”

In his mind’s eye, he took her hand and kissed it, his eyes closed. “I haven’t decided yet.” He said to her. Longing for the goodbye that he never got.

Emily said, “Yes. You have.”

Sam looked at her and their eyes met.


=== TWO YEARS AGO – BUNGALOW #17 - RINGALI ISLAND, PACIFICA ===


It was a late summer evening. Sometime after 2030 hours. But the sun had not yet gone to bed. A warm ocean breeze came through the bungalow. There were two dozen bungalows here at Ringali island resort. All of them were on stilts and out into the protected bay here. The water was crystal clear. And occasionally, a school of fish would swim under the bungalows.

Emily wore a sarong like dress, her hair loose and light about her shoulders. She had a glow about her. Sam was in knee high shorts and flip flops.

On the outdoor deck, the remains of a dinner still sat on the table. The ocean waves were low, and they sounded distant from this location. High above, the brightest evening stars were just coming out. An organe, red and purple colored sunset lay before them. Down the steps, there were candle lit lanterns, two dozen that were arranged on the deck and hung on a post that gave a warm and inviting light. Sam had just finished lighting the last of the candles and then sat down next to Emily. He gave her a kiss and then sat back into the comfy wicker recliner next to hers. This was probably the happiest moment of his life.

There were two glasses of half-drunk champagne. He refilled his glass, and hers, and they clinked glasses. After taking a sip, Emily felt him looking at her, “What?” she asked.

He smiled and laughed, “Nothing.”

“Go on. You’re smiling like a Cheshire cat!” she said amused.

Sam shook his head at the memory. “Just…remembering the first time ever I laid eyes on you!”

“Oh?” she asked bemused. “What do you remember?”

“Just…how beautiful you are” he said. Emily grinned and swung her legs off the recliner and sat there looking at him.

“Is that so? Well, you sure had a…unique…way of showing it You could have fooled me” she teased.

“I didn’t say anything” he said back.

“You didn’t have too! You were undressing me from across the room” she said and got up from her recliner.

Sam’s eyebrows lifted and he laughed, “Yeah…but later on I was a perfect gentleman” he defended.

Emily straddled the recliner and then eased onto his lap, “That wasn’t what annoyed me. You see, I don’t know if you recall but…I did a little eye undressing myself. I’m still not sure if it was you or the uniform.”

She put her hands on his bare chest and looked him right in the eye, “Maybe it was a little of both. But I knew that I was going to bag me a hottie that night” she said and kissed him, and he wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer gently. His stubble against her cheek was exciting. The smoothness of her skin, the fragrance of her and the way she could read him was thrilling. They kissed each other with a passion. His hand found the loosely tied string on her biking top, which he undid and it fell off her shoulders.


=== BACK TO THE PRESENT ===

“Lieutenant? The Major will see you now” the voice of the attendant said.

Sam was ripped from the memory of Pacifica and from the illusion that Emily was still here with him. He inhaled and stood to his feet, “Thank you.”

“Go right in” and the person indicated to the now open office door.

Sam walked the distance to the office and announced himself at the doorway.

Major Nima Patel waved him in, “Come in Lieutenant Woolheater. Please, have a seat.” She right away noticed that he was carrying a PaDD.

“Thank you, sir,” Sam responded.

“Ma’am will be just fine. I’ve never liked such formality” she answered as she eyed the man.

“Yes ma’am” he answered.

“First, allow me to express my condolences on the loss of your friend. Your spotter, Lieutenant Hall shared with me that you two were close friends?”

Sam nodded, “Yes ma’am. Quite close.”

“That makes it especially difficult” she said.

“Yes ma’am. That it does” Sam answered back with an even tone.

“I’m sure that receiving such bad news on the same day that you were promoted to First Lieutenant and earning the highest tier for your team. Mister Hall is certainly proud of the accomplishment.”

Nima Patel didn’t want to do this next part. It was, unsettling. But, from their earlier meeting with Agent Garmin, it had to be done. She tried to transition to it.

“As am I Major. We both worked hard, and we are a good team” Sam said.

She leveled her eyes at him, “Yes. You are. Lieutenant, you need a new assignment. Something more aligned with your skill set. Based on your skills and abilities, SFMC feels that another forward position on a starship is where you are most useful.”

Sam hel the PaDD in his hand. Patel noticed but didn’t say anything. “Lieutenant?”

“Yes Major, a forward position on a starship” Woolheater answered.

“Not just any starship. We think you would do well on the Elysium. The sixty-second company detachment. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea. SFMC will recommend you be the second platoon CO” she said.

Sam’s eyebrows lifted and he cocked his head but didn’t lift his eyes from the PaDD. He let out an exhale that he wasn’t even aware he was holding. It was a big promotion.

“I…thank you Major” Sam said as he returned her gaze, “I haven’t heard of Elysium before.”

“No, I would be surprised if you had. She’s based out of Obsidian Fleet. Under the command of Commander Lovejoy. He’s an able and competent commander. You won’t have any issues with the Fleet. He’s the poster boy for recruitment advertisements” Patel said matter-of-factly.

“My spotter? Lieutenant Hall? We make a good team.” Sam said. Hoping that Hall would be transferred too.

Nima Patel shook her head, “I’m sorry. Lieutenant Hall has reconnaissance skills that are needed elsewhere.” She paused a moment as Sam nodded his head clearly disappointed. “Do you accept this commission then Lieutenant?”


~~~ Emily stood behind Sam. She wrapped her arms around him. ~~~

Emily whispered in his ear, “I have always loved you Sam. This is who you are. I understand that now.” She came around and put her hand on his and then on the PaDD. “This is what you do my love.”


Major Patel waited as Sam held the PaDD in his hand and then closed his hand around it. He said, “Yeah…I accept Major. OK. I’d like that very much. I accept this commission.”

Patel handed him a signature PaDD, “Please sign here with your thumbprint.

Sam extended his hand and then pressed his thumb to the PaDD.

Major Patel took the PaDD back and made a not in the log. “Computer? Make an entry in 1st Lieutenant Samuel Woolheater’s record. He is transferred to NCC-89000 Elysium and the 62nd “Spartans” Company. Second Platoon CO. Effective this Stardate.”

The machine acknowledged, =A=Acknowledged. First Lieutenant Samuel Woolheater transferred to NCC-89000 USS Elysium =A=

“Congratulations Lieutenant”, the way she said it sounded a little bit like a question. “This is a happy occasion is it not?”

“Of course,” Sam said after a moment and rising to his feet. “Just…a lot to take in as I process through…life?”

She nodded. “You are dismissed.”

Sam saluted and then turned to leave. She called after him, “Lieutenant?”

He turned back and looked at her, “Yes Major?”

“Be careful out there Lieutenant. Elysium is not an easy tour of duty. She has been through a lot.”

Sam nodded, “Thank you Major. I’ll watch my back.” He turned and left the room.

Sam stopped in the lobby again. Emily, his imagined Emily, wasn’t there this time. He briefly looked for her. Heard the talking heads on the FNN arguing about who was at fault. Starfleet or Marine? Disgusted, Sam left to say his goodbye to Lt. Mason Hall.



[OFF:]


1st Lieutenant Samuel Woolheater
“Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas”
62nd Company "Spartans", 2nd Platoon CO
=/\= USS ELYSIUM - NCC-89000 =/\=

 

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