Star Trek: The Next Generation - 110 - Losing the Peace by William Leisner

Author:William Leisner [Leisner, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Action & Adventure, Fiction, General, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, High Tech, Fantasy, Star Trek Fiction, Picard; Jean Luc (Fictitious Character), Internaly Displaced Persons
ISBN: 9781439107867
Publisher: Star Trek
Published: 2009-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

Jack’s final request was that his ashes be scattered over the Hermosa coral reef, just south of San Francisco. Beverly didn’t know why that place was so special to him, and she couldn’t ask him anymore. But she and Wesley dutifully made the trip back to Earth and solemnly carried out this final request. It actually turned out to be therapeutic, letting mother and son get away and spend time alone together, and the Hermosa Reef—a thing of incredible beauty created as the result of a terrible disaster centuries earlier—was indeed a most tranquil spot, ideal for creating the closure that both of them needed.

When they returned to Starbase 32 nine days later, they discovered the Schusters were gone. Elle had been sent to live with cousins in Salzburg while Christof grabbed at a sudden career opportunity: a posting as the new senior science officer aboard the U.S.S. Stargazer. Beverly was stunned by this betrayal. That’s what it felt like: a betrayal of their friendship, of his daughter and her friendship with Wesley, and even of Jack, whom Schuster had never even met.

The following day, Jerusalmi stopped by the infirmary and asked to speak with Beverly privately in Meather’s office. The admiral welcomed her back, and reiterated the same standard sympathies she’d offered two weeks earlier, so long ago. Then, apropos of nothing, she mentioned that the position of chief medical officer aboard the U.S.S. Hammarskjöld had recently opened. Beverly was still waiting to find out why the admiral had wanted to talk to her when, to her surprise, Jerusalmi offered to recommend her for the position.

Beverly was dumbstruck. The admiral said something more about understanding this was a difficult decision, and acknowledging that it was “poor timing.” She also stressed that it was a great opportunity that Beverly had more than earned, and that she should give it serious thought.

Beverly did think about it as she continued her uneventful shift. Chief medical officer on an Ambassador-class ship—all else aside, it would indeed be an incredible opportunity, the kind she had dreamt of at the Academy. Back then, everything was about building her career and climbing the ranks. Instead of a ring, Jack had given her a book, How to Advance Your Career Through Marriage, as his way of proposing.

But now, of course, she couldn’t accept. The idea that she could leave Wes now of all times, just ship him off to his great-grandmother, was unthinkable. Not that she expected Starfleet to concern itself with such things; they just moved their people about wherever they needed to put them, treating them like generic, easily replaceable cogs, never mind the effect on spouses, children, friends…

She returned to her quarters after the end of her shift, and the moment she walked in the door, she was welcomed with a full-speed tackle that nearly knocked her to the deck. Looking down, she found her five-year-old with his arms wrapped fiercely around her waist, his face buried in her side.

“Wes?” She gently pried him away, and squatted down to look into his red-rimmed eyes.

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