Almost Late (From Star Trek: Dawn of Destiny)

ON:

The USS Thomas Paine had just arrived in the sector, with Cameron standing on the bridge with her mother.

"I'm proud of you, Cammy," her mother said, looking over to her.

"Thanks mom," Cameron said. "I know it's going to be a tough job, being chief, but I hope I can handle it."

"You've had one of the best teachers in Starfleet," the captain grinned. "Speaking of which . . . he's probably waiting for you in transporter room three." Margaret Walters looked at her daughter, then stood to give her a hug. "You're dismissed Lieutenant."

"Aye, Captain. Good sailing, ma'am."

"And to you, Lieutenant. I love you, Cammy."

"Love you, too, mom. I mean, Captain."

Cameron entered the turbolift and ordered it to Deck 9. Exiting the lift, she stepped across the hallway and into Transporter Room 3. Her father, the Chief Engineer, was standing there with her bags.

"We've already contacted Starbase 192," her father said as he handed Cameron her bags. "They're ready for you." James Walters stepped behind the console and prepared the transporter. "Be careful. It's a big ship. Don't hurt yourself . . ."

Cameron wanted everything to not listen to her father at that moment. She knew that he was referring to her accident several years ago that took the life of the previous Chief Engineer of the Thomas Paine. Cameron smiled back tears and waved slightly to her father.

"And one more thing," he said. "I'm proud of you."

The tears could not be held after the statement and started rolling down her cheek. "Energize," she said, knowing she could no longer face her father and not break down crying.

As she appeared in the transporter room on Starbase 192, she quickly wiped her eyes to avoid attention being drawn to her.

"Lieutenant Walters," a voice said from below her. "Welcome to Starbase 192. Temporary quarters have been set up for you on Deck 19, Room 1974."

"Thank you," Cameron said as she stepped down from the platform. She walked out of the room and found the nearest turbolift. Ordering it to Deck 19, she wiped her eyes again, making sure that it did not look like she had been crying.
The lift came to a stop and Cameron exited and turned left. She started walking around looking for her room. Cameron had been on the station for five minutes when a communication came across on her communicator.

=/\= Senior crew of the USS Edmonton, you are requested to assemble at conference room 15, deck 25 on Spacedock 192 for debriefing, by order of Starfleet Command, at 1500 hours .=/\=

At first, Cameron was taken by surprise. ~Why did I hear this?~ she thought. And then the realization. ~Oh my God! I'm on the Senior Staff! I'm Chief Engineer!~ Cameron stopped at a computer console and looked at a map of the deck so she could hurry and find her quarters. She saw that she wasn't that far from her quarters and hurried down the empty hallway.

As she entered the small room, she checked the chronometer. 14:20. She quickly went to the sonic shower and rinsed off. Coming from the bathroom, she changed as quick as she could while looking at the chronometer again. 14:45. Cameron looked at herself in the mirror. Uniform on, straight, communicator positioned properly. Right set of pips on. She pulled her top down to remove the wrinkles and exited the room.

Cameron got to the turbolift quickly and requested Deck 25 as she entered. The lift moved quickly, making its way towards its destination. The doors opened on Deck 25 and Cameron recalled the map she looked before leaving her room. Making the quick turn down the hallway, she arrived at Conference Room 15, with a few minutes to spare.

Cameron slowly stepped into the room and saw a young man sitting down already. "Hi there," she said. "My name is Cammy Walters, Chief Engineer."

OFF

LT JG Cameron (Cammy) Walters
Chief Engineer
USS Edmonton