~Grace~
I am very messy and so full of duties that I have to read the data of my last case by running through the corridors. This medical record in particular seems to be written by a first-year medical student. I'm too focused on the data to realize that I stopped in the middle of the corridor, too focused to realize that I have to move to make room for a running official. And so I drop my dipad and a young lieutenant face down.
-Aarghh!-, he shouts
-My God! Excuse me, Lieutenant, I was distracted.
-Doesn't matter!
- Can you get up?
-I think so.
I take him by the arm and help him get back on his feet, but...
- Arghh! - he screams and sits on the ground.
- I don't think so... - I say - where does it hurt?
-The ankle...
I look at the ankle and it is quite swollen. -I think it could be twisted, come to the sickbay with me to put it back in place.
I hold him as he stands on his other leg and I take him to the sickbay.Reached our destination, I made him lay on a bio bed and then I look the ankle better. -Augh, I believe it hurts! I'm going to get the tools and put it back in an instant.
I leave to take the trolley with the trauma tools and start my work. I feel his blue eyes on me, I know he is looking at me and I feel embarrassed, but I can't explain why...
- We didn't presented... - I hear. I look up, and he smiles -I'm Christopher Pike!
I get back to work. -Well, you are the famous Lieutenant Pike. I've heard of you.
-Really?
-Serious? There is not a single person on this ship who doesn't know anything about your intrepid adventures! You are the intelligent, incredibly faithful Starfleet officer, the first who offer himself for the most desperate missions. You have... a certain reputation...
- I knew I’m popular but I thought I am because I am a bridge official-. He still smiles at me, and I continue my work with my head down... his eyes intimidate me.
-However you haven't told me your name yet!
I look up for a moment. -Grace. Grace Howell.
- I've never seen you around, I guess you're new.
- I've been here for three months, but I'm very busy with my job. And recently there haven't been many parties on board the Yorktown.
He laughs. -Yes true. And those two that have been there...
-With all due respect, Lieutenant, they sucked a lot.
- Don't worry, I think like you. And there’s no need to call me “Lieutenant”.
- Okay... Christopher..?
- Only... Chris. You're young to be already a doctor.
- I am still a specialist in neurology and neurosurgery.
-Challenging.
- I would say a lot. So how come a senior officer runs up and down the bridges in a sports outfit? On the ship there is a gym ... at least, it was there until two days ago, they took it off?
He laughs - No, the gym hasn't disappeared. I like to run changing course, to be closed in the same room for a long time makes me nervous.
- Explained the mystery ... - I place my tools - here we are finished, stand up and try to walk.
Chris stands up and moves his ankle, which looks fine. -No pain.-, says.
- Perfect, you're free to go, I apologize for the crash.
-Don’t worry, it can happen.
I smile and nod at him and he turns and walks towards the exit.
-Ah... Grace ...- calls me, before going out. I turn to him, he smiles at me again. -I was wondering if ... if I can invite you for a drink one night.
-I'm sorry, but ... no, I'm very busy.
-Are you already...
-No, but the answer remains the same, sorry. I don’tt have much time.
- I will continue to ask you until you say yes. I can be very ... stubborn.
Sigh. - Good day Lieutenant.
He laughs and goes out the door.---------------------------------
-Excuse me, I don't understand ... all the relevant information should be...- every person in the room looks up at the big bridge screen. -Oh my God that's your file, I'm sorry sir, I ...-. Tilly looks pretty nervous. To see the people around who hold back the laughter, she must have spoken again without filters. I arrived too late and didn't follow the talk, I’m a little sorry.
-It’s all right Ensign. Everybody grab a sit! Go ahead! Now I want you all to read. I'm Captain Christopher Pike. There are my commendations, the diagnosis of childhood asthma ... ah, the red F of when I failed in Astrophysics at the Academy. "
I smile, I remember everything. It seems like an eternity.
-I know you were on your way to Volcano, where you should have taken on a new captain. I have been informed of the secreted details about the last one, so I know he has betrayed this crew... and if I were you ... I would have doubts about me. But I'm not him. I'm not Lorca.
No, you are not.
- Federation’s ackles are up. No need to remember that the last time we investigated an energy distortion it resaulted in a Klingon war. These signals are unlikely anything we’ve encountered. The energy needed to create them goes beyond all understanding. Is it a greeting? A declaration of hostility? That's why they sent me here when the Enterprise went down. No one wanted to wait to find out. And at the moment, this little dot is the only one that can help us understand where it is. Helm, plug in the coordinates. Let's pay a visit.
- Aye sir! - Detmer answers.
- With your permission, Commander Saru-, he says.
-Uhm the ship is yours, captain" replies the Kelpian, perhaps a little embarrassed.
Pike takes a seat in the armchair. Seems born for that.
- Hit it!-, he says.---------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
This is the second chapter! During the story there will be a lot of flashbacks like this.
I hope you like it!
LLAP
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