Something to Think About

Posted on Tue Feb 2nd, 2010 @ 7:39am by Lieutenant JG Margaret Winchester

Mission: Episode 1.1 - "Now Boarding"
Location: Winchester's Quarters, USS Tethys
Timeline: MD01, 1400

The mellow tune of mid 20th century jazz floated through the main room of Margaret's quarters. She had spent the majority of the day since Iluvar announced the transfer packing her belongings for the move. While having to move was one of Margaret's least favorite things about transfers, she wanted to take her time packing so she could enjoy her last few hours on the Tethys.

=^= Incoming Transmission from Outpost 426 =^= the computer announced.

Margaret's forehead furrowed slightly. "426? hmm... 426. Where do I know that outpost from?" she asked herself as she made her way to her desk. Tapping the access panel, she confirmed her identity with "Winchester pi pi four two theta."

A moment later the screen had popped out of its hidden position and an older man in a marine camouflage uniform appeared on the screen. "General Brigs, Jordan, what a surprise hearing from you!" Margaret said, surprised to see the old family friend on the view screen.

"Pleasure to see you again too, Margaret." the general responded. "It's been far too long since we had the chance to talk. It was, what, back when the 4077 was on Betazed?"

Margaret half smiled, her time serving as a surgeon during the dominion war was usually the last thing she wanted to think about. She nodded and responded, "It most certainly was. You were a Lieutenant Colonel at the time, if I remember correctly."

Laughing slightly, "It seems like an eternity ago, doesn't it?" the general said. Giving a happy sigh, the general leaned back in his chair. "Now, Margaret, I heard from Admiral Svenson that the Tethys was being put down for complete refit. They're expecting it to take at least two years, aren't they?"

Margaret's eyes darted from the monitor to her half packed bags laying throughout the room. "Unfortunately, yes. She's a great ship, but she's seen a lot more action than she was meant to."

Nodding, the General looked down at a padd on his desk. "I know that you've been settled into Starfleet for a good ten years now at least, but I have a proposition for you."

Margaret raised an eyebrow. "A proposition, General?" Margaret repeated, intrigued by the General's statement.

"There's been an opening in my command for a Chief Medical Officer." he responded. "It would, of course, take you out of starfleet but I've been given permission to grant you a commission as a Major."

Margaret blinked, unsure of what to say. She had started her career as a marine but she never thought that she'd return to it. "A... a... Major? Sir?"

The general smiled and nodded. "You'd be in command of my entire medical corps. A hospital of your own, and you'd report solely to me and Colonel Hammond, my executive."

Margaret stammered slightly before saying, "Thank you, Sir. It's an honor to be offered such a position. You'll have to give me some time though, you've certainly given me something to think about."

The general nodded. "I can certainly give you some time. I look forward to hearing back from you. Brigs out."

The general's face was replaced by the federation logo. Leaning back, Margaret thought about what she had just been offered. Major was the equivalent of Lieutenant Commander, certainly a large step up, but Margaret didn't know how she felt about leaving the crew that she had come to be a part of.

"A lot to think about..." she said, leaning her head back onto the headrest of the chair and staring at the ceiling, deep in thought.