=Trent Rodgers' Apartment/Quarters=
=Starbase UNITY=
Trent stepped out of his bathroom with a towel draped behind his neck, wearing
a pair of standard starfleet physical training shorts, which he found comfortable,
and one of the few civilian clothes that he brought with him from Earth, his
favorite, if not a little worn Rolling Stones T-shirt.
He usually perferred a sonic shower since it was quick and provided a better
cleansing, but since he found himself with some free time on his hands, he
took a hot water shower, which felt great on his tired muscles. As he dried
his still damp hair in his bedroom, he heard a noise and barely had time to
react as someone leaped at him from his left. Trent moved in time to avoid
taking the full blow, but he and his assailant still went tumbling to the deck.
It took Trent a couple of seconds to regain his composure, as his head dodged
a couple of fist that slammed into the deck. Trent wrapped his legs around the
body of what he now realized was a masked figure. With his left hand, he landed
a shot against the assailant's right jaw. The two grappled on the ground for a
few seconds before Trent, after using his towel around the assailant's neck
managed to get to his feet. As he moved to attack the masked person, Trent
instead was tossed into the air, falling hard against a chair. When the assailant
approached, hisk used his left leg to trip him/her.
They fought for a few minutes more, with the two ending up in the main living
area. As Trent sat on the couch, his lip and nose bloodied, he watched his
assailant approach again.
"Not bad," the masked figure said. "For a starfleet officer."
"Not bad yourself," Trent chuckled as the assailant removed his mask to reveal
Lieutenant Bannister. "For a marine."
"Thank you, sir," Trent's aide replied.
"You know, when I told you I wanted to beef up on some of my hand-to-hand
combat training, I didn't mean something like this," Trent said, noticing that the
marine looked as bad as he did.
"It seemed like a good idea," Bannister replied.
"Well, at least you could have let me dry my hair first," Trent said. "Anyhow, I
know now that I haven't completely lost it by sitting behind a desk."
"You did well," Bannister said, taking a seat next to Trent. "But you still have
some room for improvement."
"Yeah, well, don't we all," Trent said. "Has Commander Ohmsford been released
from the brig?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. It won't do to have the science and engineering advisor to the task force
locked away. Besides, with what happened to Major Liev ... well, I can imagine it's
not going to be easy for him."
Bannister nodded.
Trent stood and walked over to the replicator where he replicated an ice pack,
which he placed over his right eye.
"Tell me, lieutenant, why are you here?" Trent asked, as he returned to the couch.
"Because Admiral Jefferson assigned me to be your aide."
"No ... I mean why are you not with a combat outfit in the middle of a war? Your
hand-to-hand and weapons records are outstanding and your even an impressive
pilot. I'm sure you'd rather be on the front lines fighting."
"Aye, sir," Bannister said.
"According to your record, you were transferred to a desk job a little less than two
years ago. Those records did not explain why the transfer was made. You didn't
request it, did you?"
"No, sir."
Trent leaned forward with an inquisitive look in his face.
"What happened, lieutenant?"
Bannister took a deep breath before looking at Trent.
"To make a long story short, I slept with my commanding officer's wife."
Trent couldn't hold back a laugh.
"Really?" Trent said.
Bannister nodded, "At the time, though, I didn't know who she was. When I found
out, it was too late. Captain Bright had me transferred to some lame assignment
back on Earth. He was pissed, to say the least."
Trent leaned back on his couch, putting the ice pack on the end table to his left.
"Would you rather be with the task force's new Marine Expeditionary Force?" Trent
asked.
"Yes, sir," Bannister's mood seemed to brighten. "It would be an honor."
"Well, Lieutenant, I think you've been punished enough. I'll send the transfer
papers to General Sharpe's office first thing in the morning. That, of course, is
subject to the general's approval."
"But sir, what about Admiral Jefferson?"
"The admiral said that I could use you in anyway I see fit. If I believe that you're
better served under Sharpe's command, then so be it. Besides, contrary to the
admiral's belief, I do not need a babysitter."
"Thank you, sir. But this will leave you without an aide," Bannister said.
"No offense, lieutenant, but while your administrative skills are sound, I'm sure
I can easily find a sutible replacement somewhere on this starbase," Trent said.
"No offense taken, sir," Bannister said.
Trent smiled as he grabbed the ice pack and again placed it over his right eye.
"Maybe you should go to sickbay, sir," Bannister said.
"Perhaps you should go as well," Trent replied.
"I'm fine, sir."
"Then so am I," Trent said. "You're excused, lieutenant. I'm sure you have better
things to do during your night off."
"Thank you, sir," Bannister said as he stood, rendered a sharp salute before
turning and exiting Trent's quarters.
Captain Trent Rodgers (npc by Rick)
XO, 1st TF, SSF Command
XO, SB 234: UNITY
and
Marine Lieutenant Ben Bannister (npc by Rick)
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