PL | Diplomat | Lt Matt Goodison | "Out of retirement, into the Fire"

Posted on 241501.08 @ 6:09pm by Lieutenant Matt Goodison

Mission: Holy Cow

=/\= USS Lister, Medical Transport, Crew Lounge =/\=

The steam on the coffee beside the PADD that Matt had on the table slowly dissipated into the atmosphere as he continued to pick it up and put it down without really even reading it. Matt had felt like he was making a mistake returning to active duty, but Starfleet had a hold on him, one that couldn't be shaken off with a few years sabbatical. The lure of being back on duty, out there among the stars, in itself was attractive enough but then the role, that was something else.

He thought back to the day the Admiral called and asked if he would consider returning and how the Admiral had told him that he should find a path in Diplomacy, rewarding and challenging, and that given his experience and training how a certain role would be great for him. without a word Matt had listened to the enthusiastic Admiral who had been a long standing friend, and again without a word allowed the call to be ended on the Admiral's words, "I'll put in a word and see what I can do for you."

James, Admiral James Thompson, and Matt had been friends since the Academy, and James always felt the need to go out of his way and look out for Matt. James would set him up with girls (usually none of the types Matt would like), and throughout the Academy and their respective and different careers he would always be there to lend a helping hand, whether Matt wanted it or needed it. Matt had done fine without James' help, he had become a successful Chief Medical Officer and when he had to, he stepped in and Commanded his ship, but after spending so much time in deep space on exhaustive missions a time for a sabbatical was overdue. He had longed to see the sea, breathe clean air, climb mountains, walk in forests and above all get back to real water and snow sports.

The sabbatical had run its course and all those things he had longed for had become dull and boring. His desk job was routine and mundane, he had snowboarded and sailed everywhere and things had returned to a degree of monotony, so by the time James called, Matt was in no fit state to offer a counter argument. The adventure of the stars again, to be back on a starship, he couldn't deny it to himself it was what he wanted.

The next time he called he was even more excited than he was before.

"There is a great post coming up for you Matt, its on the Enterprise and its well suited for you,"
"I don't know James, its been a long time, I have been a desk jockey far too long."
"Don't be stupid, I'll send you the details, trust me its yours if you want it the Fleet Admiral is a friend, they sent your file over to the CO and given your experience, they would love to have you."
"James, honestly mate, I don't know."
"Your transport leaves in a few days, be on the Lister at 08:00hrs,"

The line went dead, and Matt was wondering what had happened. It wasn't unusual for James to act on his behalf. He would have spoken to his colleagues and told them how excited Matt would be for the opportunity, how he can't wait to get back to space. The truth be told, he was right about it, but Matt had become complacent and stuck, James knew this and as a close friend probably knew Matt more than he knew himself.

He checked the time on the PADD, he only had a few more hours before the rendezvous with the Enterprise. Maybe a little shut eye before hand might help him feel better.

Lt. Matt Goodison
Diplomatic Officer
USS Enterprise