Like A Phoenix I Rise

Posted on Thu Jan 11th, 2024 @ 10:42am by Lieutenant Commander Cynfor Rees

1,542 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Prelude to Rebirth
Location: Various USS Firebird
Timeline: 0200 hrs

[ON]

All that occurred since he boarded the Firebird weighed heavily on the mind of Cynfor Rees. The idea that Starfleet and by extension this crew would allow him to remain after what he had done, and that the Captain would accept him as the Executive Officer was at the forefront of his mind. He knew that he owed much to the Captain. Not being able to return the favor as it were really bothered Cyn. It bothered him so much that he could not sleep, this was an insomnia that even his beloved scotch could not cure. So, he decided to do what he did when he was on Earth and he could not sleep. Which was to take a long walk and clear his mind.

Despite being a ship that was on assignment and could be thrust into a crises at any moment, the corridors seemed to be deserted. The few people he did see greeted him with a smile, or a hearty handshake as was Cynfor's way. As he walked his thoughts drifted through the crew that he had met since boarding the Firebird, what they had accomplished, everything that he and the Captain had been through. He began to think about the reason he even went into Starfleet. Of late he felt that all he did was wander aimlessly through the corridors. This was something he did not sign up for. He joined Starfleet to do what everyone joins Starfleet to do, explore. Save that he wanted to learn all he could about technology and create new systems for starships. Such things had not happened for him as of late in his career, and he felt himself going through a downward spiral.

Eventually as Cynfor wandered aimlessly his mind wondered to his father as it often had since he died all those years ago. Rees spoke to him at least once a day, but especially at times like this. "Tad I have made it." He said to no one in particular. The corridors of the Firebird were dimmed as they were set to the day/night schedule of the ship. "I did it Tad, I made it... I am the Executive Officer of a starship and yet I still feel empty. Why? What more is there?" Almost as if he answered him Cynfor realized the answer. He had become jaded, disinterested. He had to find the spark that would make him care again.

Rees' thoughts drifted, as he did through the ship. He remembered something his father once told him. "If you are to succeed in life you must approach everything you do fairly and as a team if possible. Having a team means having more eyes on the problems, which means a higher chance of success. Never simply expect people to do things that you wouldn't do." He often gave Cyn advice like that, he said that he got it from years of listening to Captains and Admirals complain. Cynfor chuckled for the first time in a while at the thought of what his father said.

Despite the position and everything that he had going for him there was one thing that eluded Cynfor, a family life. He wanted to be a family man to sit at home with his wife, children and grandchildren. His career and the great unknown that was space just seemed to always get in the way. That is until now, he was offered a chance to return to Earth. But then Rees was offered the XO position on the Firebird. Taking the job was the only way that he thought he could repay the Captain and crew. The question now was how, how exactly could he make it right. Of course there was no way to repay them, in fact Rees did not have to repay them, he just had not learned that yet. He sighed heavily as he took a few more steps down the corridor. Prior to his posting to the Firebird Cynfor had been adrift of sorts with an angry heart after the incident with Admiral Sydow. Perhaps coming here was meant to be, perhaps not only would the Firebird jump start his career but it would jump start his life as well.

Cynfor found himself on Deck 2 in front of his office. The plaque on the door said "LTCMDR Cynfor Rees Executive Officer" His fingers traced the words as if he was in a trance like state. He walked into his office and without even turning on the lights grabbed his PADD. He had been planning for this posting since he heard that he had to report to the Firebird to serve as Executive Officer.

The final piece in this puzzle was his friends. Cynfor had his friends, they were few and they were mostly not on the Firebird but they did exist. He wondered why he had not called them, the answer there was that he tried to become immersed in the life that the Firebird had to offer. No, that wasn't it because if it were he would have friends aboard the Firebird. The only person who regarded as a close friend on the ship was of course the Chief Diplomat Lieutenant Commander Jörgen Leed. They had been through the ringer together. Cyn resigned himself to make more friends aboard the ship. In fact he would become the friend to the entire crew.

Cynfor strolled down the corridor of Deck 2 and in a short time found himself boarding a turbolift, and moments after that the doors opened onto the Bridge. He had walked through this door too many times to count since he boarded the Firebird. Yet at this moment things seemed different. There seemed to be an excitement in the air, a thrum, as if a corner was about to be turned. Somehow Cynfor knew that the next moments would dictate how the rest of his life would pan out. There was a small voice in the back of his head that told him to stop and turn around. To return to his quarters, then there was the voice of his father urging him on.

The doors swished open and the Bridge was dim. There was a moment of anger as Cyn wondered where most of the Bridge crew was. However, a moment later he realized that they were most likely in their quarters as they awaited emergencies since there were no patients and it was the middle of the night. The officer of the watch turned from the command chair. "Good night Commander." the woman said with a smile. Rees returned her smile and signaled that she should be seated and remain in command.

Cynfor walked to every station on the bridge and touched the consoles. He knew he was home, yet he was still trying to gauge if this was real or if he was still sleeping in his quarters. As he approached each console, the officer manning the station allowed him a look at what they worked on. Rees looked at the CONN and saw the menu where the helmsman would select course and speed. He saw that the ship's heading held true at the moment. Rees smiled and claspeed the helmsman on the shoulder. "As you were he whispered." He checked the Engineering console and saw, what would be a damage report screen if the ship was damaged. He hoped that he would rarely have to call on an Engineer for that report. Then to Tactical where he saw a complete listing of all of the ship's weapons and armaments. The Operations console where he saw the actual heartbeat of this ship. He saw the warp core humming and a menu requesting where power should be directed. The Science station rounded out the circular bridge. There Tyler saw the listing of the compliment of probes at their disposal, as well as that all of the ship's sensors were standing by.

Finally he turned to the center chair and smiled broadly. It was a smile that he could tell he had not shone in some time. One that Rees felt not only on his face, but in his heart, and in his soul. "Lieutenant you stand relieved. Take the rest of the night off and get some sleep." He addressed the woman who sat as officer of the watch. When she began to protest he insisted and finally she relented with a smile. As the turbolift doors closed behind that Lieutenant Rees sat down. He took a look around the Bridge at the rest of the night crew. A huge smile made its way across his face and he knew, Cynfor Rees knew that he was not dreaming. That this was his life now and life was good.

"Computer dim lights by fifty percent...." Rees called out. "Science keep a scan out for anything of interest. I think its time we explore and see what's out there." The science officer acknowledged the order with a twinge of excitement in his voice.

"I have the Bridge, and I am home..." Cynfor said with a smile, more to himself than anyone else.

[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Cynfor Rees
Executive Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

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