Joint Backlog|CO & XO |aCapt Rhodes & Lt Cmdr Dhej|"Apology"

Posted on 241410.23 @ 12:53am by Acting Captain Mark Rhodes

=*=Captain's Ready Room=*=

Mark had taken a few days leave as he was feeling under the weather. Lt Cmdr Dhej acted in his place while he was shut up in his quarters resting up for the time off. He was finally feeling up to heading back to duty so he found himself in his office with a stack of PaDDs. He figured best way to sift through them would be to talk to the person who had been running the show in his absence. "Lieutenant Commander Dhej to my office please," he called tapping his chest.

There was a second of silence then the computer called back. "Lieutenant Commander Dhej is not on the ship."

"Computer, locate Dhej."

"Lieutnant Commander Dhej departed the ship on a shuttlecraft 0:45 ago."

Mark instantly stood up and headed onto the bridge. "Contact Commander Dhej," he said taking his seat on the bridge. A few seconds later he appeared on the main view screen. "Commander? What is the nature of this? You are not trying to run away from home are you?"

Sighing, Dhej thumbed a control and said "I'm sorry sir. As I briefly said earlier a ... friend of ours contacted us in need of help and I am responding to that request before things get out of hand. I hope you can understand what I am trying to say."

"I do," said Mark. "Or at least I think I do... Did you leave the away team alone?"

Nodding, Karim replied "I thought I had sent a message with my reasons sir. We detected a, I guess you would say, community of water based species, and the sensors in our tricorders weren't strong enough to find out more detailed information. I assumed that the grouping could possibly be sentient, and wanted to find out more information. Forgive me sir, if I made a lapse in judgement. I tend to go with my gut instead of my head. I did leave Lt. Lucas in command."

"I will head down to the planet and take the lead... However you will have to promise not to throw me in the brig when you get back for breach of protocol. And we will have a discussion of what has taken place here," he said standing looking towards the view screen.

Sighing, Karim replied "Of course sir. May I ask why I would throw you in the brig? If anything it should be my proverbial butt in a sling sir. I'm sorry if I have shattered your trust."

"CO's are never to lead an away team," he said with a smile trying to ease the Commanders nerves. "We can talk when you get back, and you even allow me the opportunity to enjoy some of the fun on a mission."

Smiling very slightly, Karim replied "I understand sir." Pausing he added "Should I deliver any sort of message to our friend when I see them?"

"Send them my best. Stay safe out there, happy hunting Commander," said Mark.

Nodding, Karim replied "Thank you sir. Please be sure to keep a candle burning in the window for me ok?"

"Understood," said Mark. "Enterprise out," said Mark. Mark turned and headed toward the TL. "Transporter Room, prepare one to beam to the planet to the away team. Prepare a tricorder and phaser," he called out as the doors closed.

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Acting Captain Mark Rhodes
Commanding Officer
USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-F

Lieutenant Commander Karim Dhej
Executive Officer
USS Enterprise, NCC 1701-F