Coming Back Around

Posted on Thursday 7 June 2018 @ 06:45 by Captain John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D. & Petty Officer 2nd Class Pete Burg

Mission: Academy Days
Location: =/\= Starfleet Academy Shooting Range =/\=
Timeline: 238206.06
818 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

The former Master Chief Petty Officer of Starfleet walked shakily off the transporter pad in the security complex of Starfleet Academy. The man looked around and smiled, as he took a breath. The Academy always had that new uniform and new carpet smell, different from most starships and bases where the recycled air was sterilized. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he moved forward out the doors, giving the Cadet on transporter duty a quick nod. The Master Chief didn't mean to be curt, but, he'd waited 35 years for this day, this moment in time. He'd tried to wait longer, until the man he was about to contact would understand, but, recent developments had force his hand.

Barstow stood at the farthest range for hand phasers he could and stretched his fingers at his side before quickly drawing his weapon with his right hand. The Marine fired off a few shots in rapid succession, the audio tones that followed telling him he'd gotten five of seven shots in the target. As John holstered his phaser he heard a clap behind him, "well done, Lieutenant," the newcomer said and walked over.

The Marine turned to look at the source of the voice and snapped to attention as he took in the Starfleet uniform and spotted the gold Master Chief insignia, which was the enlisted equivalent of an Admiral, "thank you, sir," he replied evenly.

The Master Chief shook his head, "enough of that shit, el-te, I'm not a sir, I worked for a living," the man said in a tone like h had known Barstow for a long time, "I'm Peter Burgess," he added and extended his hand.

"Good to meet you, Master Chief," Apollo said and shook the aging mans hand, "I'm John-"

"Barstow, you go by Apollo and prefer to be called by your callsign," Burgess finished and grinned at the confused look on the Marines face, "el-te, I know more about you than you do....lets go get a coffee."

Barstow blinked and just nodded, "Master Chief, do I need to call for an adult?" he asked with a smirk.

Burgess just shook his head and motioned for the door, "get moving smartass," he said, "some things never change," he added quietly as the two walked out.

***

John and Peter both sat down at the Academy cafe with their coffee and meals, Burgess reminiscing about his glory days in Starfleet. Barstow couldn't help but notice some of the stories seemed off. Burgess talked about the Hobos star going nova and taking out the Romulan and Reman worlds, but, both were still there. Then there was missions into the Romulan Empire, but, no Starfleet ship was allowed to cross the neutral zone. He just chalked it up to a failing memory and couldn't help but feel sorry for the man, "Master Chief, I would love to stay and chat but I really need to get to class...."

Burgess nodded and sighed, "you must think this all the ramblings of just an old man," he said and looked to his coffee cup, "Apollo, I need to tell you something and you're going...to....think me mad," he said and stretched as he felt his chest tighten.

"Okay..." the Marine said and leaned forward, already taking note of the pained expression starting to form on the Master Chiefs face.

"I...I'm from...argh," Peter started and grabbed his chest before trying to stand and falling over, pulling the table on top of him as he hit the ground.

Barstow jumped to his feet and tossed the table aside as the cafe started to fill with murmers and gasps, "get me a medical team, NOW!" he ordered then unzipped the uniform jacked, "come on, Master Chief, you're my first patient, lets not make me look bad," he said as he pressed his fingers to the mans neck.

Burgess groaned and grabbed John by the collar, pulling him down, "John, remember...capra....and your daughter....Sav...has her...safe..." he said and softly and groaned, "Romulan space....capra....Sav has your....daugh...ter," he said again then went limp and exhaled one last time.

"What?! No, you come back, that's an order Master Chief," Barstow said sternly and ripped the mans shirt and undershirt open. He used two fingers to find the mans xiphoid process, the bone at the end of the sternum, and then pressed the heal of his palm in a spot just above the bone and started compressions on his chest, "Cadet, get in here and start breaths," he ordered as he counted off each compression.

"But I'm not a doctor yet-"

"Get your ass down here or I'll make sure you never are, am I clear," the Marine replied harshly as he got to five, "now breath!"



1st Lieutenant John "Apollo" Barstow
Medical Student
Starfleet Academy


Master Chief Petty Officer Peter Burgess (RET.) [APB Barstow]