I returned to DS9 from leave on Bajor and found out that the race around the badlands and back is still on...in 3 hours! The Challenger returned to DS9 and I went to report in. I found Daroos back on board. I then went to find Azala...Doln, to check on her condition and to see if she still wanted to compete with me in the race. I found Jeff Albright in her room and gathered that she wasn't in the mood to race. Seeing D'Kar on the Challenger was definately something I wasn't prepared for. After the initial shock, I asked if he would be interested in co-piloting with me during the race, which he accepted.
Quark me with both Commander Paris and I before the race, defining the race route and the rules. I made a small, friendly side bet with Paris (the loser buys the winner a drink). The race was tough, as we raced neck and neck for most of it. I pulled around the moon closer than Paris (with D'Kar's help). Paris and his co-pilot were dumping everything for more power... D'Kar did the same...Again, we stayed close to one another, but I managed to pull away at the end!!! WOW! I can't believe it! Thanks D'Kar!
We arrived back at DS9 where Quark welcomed us. I won 10 bars of Latinum (and gave 5 to D'Kar). We went inside Quark's Bar for some drinks. I saw Darby coming over with a bottle, but just as he was nearing Ian appeared in front of him with a beautiful bouquet of flowers! OH NO!!! I was pretty much speechless... I saw Darby leave the bar giving the bottle to D'Kar. Ian kept trying to congratulate me, etc... I didn't know really what to say. Here's Ian, who helped me like a big brother, get through the academy and then once again just recently at Bajor helped me get my focus back for Starfleet. As I was semi-listening to Ian, Darby returned. As Darby neared Ian, D'Kar reached towards Ian, grabbing him and knocking him unconscious. Darby insisted we leave... Once arriving in his quarters, I found that he had other things on his mind.
The next day was uneventful...er, until we had a senior officer's meeting... We found that we were being sent to Romulan Space. We would be the lead ship of the task force going to destroy a crystalline ship and a hybrid scout ship.
I have things on board that I need to finish up. There's evaluations and recommendations of helm officers that I would like to give Captain Albright.
I also have to figure out what to do about Ian. I don't want to hurt him, but the truth is I really think of him like a big brother.....
