Cold Hard Truth Part Two
Posted on Sun Jan 30th, 2022 @ 9:30pm by Ensign James Phoenix
Mission:
Respite
Location: Phoenix's Quarters, Officers Lounge
Timeline: After Cold Hard Truth Part One
{Phoenix's Quarters}
After a few hours of waiting, his contact had responded to him. Apparently, the message wouldn't have caused James to be charged with anything like that. Yet. His contact, who was also an XO of an Akira class ship, advised him to not look at anymore in case he would be charged. But even so, this meant that there was a higher chance of Ash being alive. Even if he needed to be reminded of that fact. He moved himself and sat at the edge of his bed and just let go of his emotions.
Tears fell from his cloudy eyes to the floor. There wasn't a say on how long he sat there, nor did he care. Besides he was on leave, but that was besides the point. The past few months had reopened old wounds. But he was one step closer to closure. He was one step closer to sealing those wounds. Hopefully for good.
As his eyes cleared and he took a few breaths to control himself, he noted that there was still about a week until the Washington departed Starbase 451. He realized he hadn't been back to Earth since he transferred to the Washington. As a matter of fact, he realized that he hadn't been back to where he called home before he was frozen in time. The primary reason for this was because he had spent two years trying to recover and incorporate himself back into 24th Century Society before joining Starfleet Academy. The other reason was he was too anxious to go back. He always felt that his hometown would have changed too much and that it would open old wounds. But now, his wounds were open again. And they needed healing.
He thought for a few minutes, which turned into hours. He decided to go home. He needed to ignore his anxieties about his home. He picked up his PADD and put in a request for a shuttle or runabout to Earth. He wasn't sure if he was making the right choice, but he needed this even if he was anxious about going.
Soon after he felt his stomach grumble. He hadn't had much to eat that day. He decided to get some food from the Officer's Lounge. Besides, it would take a while for his request to be approved anyway. Now was just another waiting game.
{Officer's Lounge}
Phoenix walked into the lounge and went directly to the replicator and spoke into the device.
"Ensign Phoenix Variant 3 please."
The food replicator did it's work and shortly after, a Philly Cheesesteak with fries and fresh coffee appeared on a tray. It was one of his favorite comfort foods and right now he needed it. He took his food and sat down at a table next to a window and began to chow down on his food.
After he ate his food he sat there for a few hours lost in his own thoughts again. As he stared out the window that viewed open space, he wondered if Ash was really alive and if his answers were really back home. He didn't know, but he had to try to find them.
His thoughts came back to reality after they were interrupted by his PADD that was sitting on the table went off. He picked up the device and saw that his request for a shuttle had been approved. The waiting game to go home was finally over.
{Phoenix's Quarters}
A few hours had past and James had packed his bags. During this time of year the Pacific Northwest Region of North America was rather cold, so he made sure to pack warm clothing. Before he left his quarters he took one last patrol around his quarters to make sure he packed everything he needed to. He did.
{Main Shuttlebay}
Shortly after, he left his quarters and made his way to the main shuttlebay of the Washington. He could have requested a shuttle from the Starbase, but he realized it would be more logical to request one from the ship, in case his leave went overtime or the Washington got called away early.
Once he entered the shuttlebay after his trek across two decks and down four, he began checking over the shuttle to complete the pre-flight checks. The shuttle was all good and he boarded. After that, James prepared himself for the long journey back home
