= USS Chimera - Conference Room =
Bren was sitting in the conference room on the Chimera writing his report for Commodore Guzman while the Chimera was en route back to Unity. The trip would take them longer going around the Grand Banks, but ultimate it was safer than going through it. The Magellan was towing the Rapier back to Unity and couldn't pass through the Banks with the damaged ship. She was proceeding at a slower speed back to Unity accompanied by the Eagle while the Chimera traveled to ensure there were no undue surprises along their route.
The Chimera was almost halfway on its journey back to Unity, yet still there was no communication with the starbase. Science predicted that it wouldn't be too long before the Chimera was in range to establish a link with the 1st Task Force Headquarters.
Bren was looking forward to getting back to the base. Although the mission hadn't been particularly a physically tiring one, it was stressful and he wasn't accustomed to overseeing such an important task group. But luckily thanks to the competence of the ships, their captains and the crews and the help of the Erassian Alliance the mission was a success.
He looked up from reading a report on a padd as the beeping of the terminal signaled that they had come into communications range with Unity at last. Accessing his personal inbox he watched as a stream of messages were downloaded from the nearest comms relay. He was about to open the first one when the chime to the conference room sounded.
"Enter," he said and looked towards the door as Commander Trzetrzelewska entered.
Natalia had just finished the report she had been working on about the away team she took to the Rapier as well as the events that took place on the Sabre class ship.
"I've brought you my report, sir," she said as she walked towards the table and held out the padd towards him.
"Ah, thank you Commander," Bren said as he took the report and quickly looked over it. "Please, have a seat. I understand you knew Commander Telson?"
Natalia sat down in the empty chair Bren indicated. "Yes, sir. Not very well. We attended some Academy classes together and spent some time over R&R together."
Bren nodded and sighed. "It's a shame to lose such a capable Starfleet officer... and a good human being. What's your assessment of the Rapier's current status?"
"I think she will be good as new after a few weeks in the Aeran shipyard," Natalia replied. "I'm not sure about the command situation, a replacement for Commander Telson will have to be found of course. Lieutenant Dacour is very capable, but I don't think she has enough command experience yet."
Bren nodded again, taking note of what she was saying. He attention was drawn away by a beeping on his terminal announcing an urgent message from Task Force Command. At first he wanted to ignore it to continue his discussion with Natalia, but then saw it was Priority 1.
"Excuse me, just a second," he said as he opened the message.
Natalia nodded, and picked up the padd with her report while Commander Ohmsford read his message. She glanced over what she had written, going over key points she wanted to mention to him. When she looked back at him, she saw his face had gone deathly pale.
"Sir?" she asked. "Are you all right?"
Bren paused a moment before replying. Clearly the shock he felt at the news was showing on his face. It was every person's fear that something should happen to the one they love, and for someone in his situation it was an everyday possibility. Yet that possibility never prepared anyone for the time when it did happen. What made it worse was that the message was sent weeks ago and that he only received it now. Perhaps in a way it was a blessing in disguise; he probably wouldn't have been able to focus on the mission otherwise.
It seemed surreal as he thought about it, and slowly the realisation of what the news meant began to sink in. Liev was MIA and it had been discovered that a Chameloid had impersonated him. A Chameloid... for how long? A Chameloid that had seamlessly integrated itself into Liev's life, taken up his position without anyone notice, his personal life. Bren had shared a home with it, shared a bed with it...
The realisation of it all suddenly made him sick to his stomach. "I'm sorry," he said to the Chimera's XO as he pushed his chair backward and stood up, closing the terminal in front of him. "Please excuse me," was all he said as he hurried left the room.
Natalia was surprised and felt slightly discomforted. She didn't know Ohmsford all that well, but the calm and orderly demeanour he'd displayed during the mission suddenly seemed to have disappeared. Either he was feeling ill or something he'd just read had made him feel ill. Given the way things were currently, she suspected it was the latter.
= End Log =
Commander Bren Ohmsford
Science & Engineer Advisor
1st Task Force, SSF
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Commander Natalia Trzetrzelewska
Executive Officer
USS Chimera NCC 96899-C
