"Stories of Samuel Bishop"

Stardate 94154 (26 February 2417)

"Morning Tash,"

"Morning Captain. Something the matter?"

Sam sat down on one of the chairs in Commander Natasha Larson's room. The chair was deceivingly soft, and Sam sunk right into it. Tasha held back a smirk.

"What is wrong with this chair?"

"Nothing. I like to have my chairs comfy,"

Sam shook his head as he made himself cosy. "Redecorated, huh?"

Tasha stood up and walked to the replicator, ordering herself some tea. "Of course I have, it's my office now. Tea?"

"No thanks Tash,"

Tasha nodded and took her tea towards the chair opposite Sam, sitting in it with relative ease. She took a small sip before continuing "What's wrong?"

"Straight to the point I see,"

"I have a feeling you want this over quickly. I have your evaluation form sitting on the table, ready to be stamped. As soon as you're good to go, I'll stamp it and you can get back to doing what you love,"

Sam smirked. "Sure, stamp away, I'm good to go,"

"Evidently," she looked at him over the rim of her cup.

"What am I worth Tasha? The lives of 200 crew?"

"No. Not remotely,"

"That seemed to be the cost of getting me out,"

"I was there. It was brutal to be sure, but we expected it. The Sacred Band were all over us, but we held our own and pulled through. Got you back and so the mission was a success,"

"I've...I've not read the reports,"

"Why not?"

"Because I'm scared to see the price of getting me out,"

"The cost was high. There. Now you know. Read the reports,"

"Lieutenant Commander Eunbi said the exact same...you counsellors are all alike,"

"No, we are all right. Read the reports. You'll need to know what's happened so you understand the fallout,"

"The fallout?"

"Reports, Sam. Read the reports, you will understand everything,"

"I don't have time to,"

"Sam, don't lie to me. I want those reports read before you see me next. Understood?"

"Yes Commander,"

"Good. You owe it to the crew who laid down their lives for you, to understand what happened. The cost for you was higher than a mere 200 crew however...read the reports, you'll see... But Sam. That was not down to you. You did not order them to die. The Senn, or whatever their name was... Goo people I've read in reports...whatever, it doesn't matter. But they were the ones who killed these people. Understand that."

"It's hard to. It's hard to look into the faces of Captains Skye, Timoreev and Commander Wilson. I know what they are going through right now. Ships damaged. Letters having to be sent to the next of kin. Counselling. No doubt Command will want an investigation...they're only human, and they are having to come to terms with the fact that they lost crew...good crew, just to save me. It's as bad on them as it is on me.

"They signed up for this. You signed up for this. Yes, people died for you Sam, so don't you dare throw that away by moping and feeling sorry for yourself. If you do that, then yes, you were not worth the lives lost. And as much as I dislike you, I don't think you are that person. Get better. Get sorted. And then use the time that they bought for you, doing the things that they never will be able to. That is how you become worth the lives of the people who died."

There was silence for a long while, only broken by the sound of Tasha sipping her tea.

"I hate it when you're right Tash,"

"I enjoy it, it's the only time where I can berate you and not get yelled at,"

Sam sniggered. "Well, you've always enjoyed only attacking people when they can't hit back,"

"Very funny Bishop. It's only because we're professionals that I haven't made any below the belt jabs like that. Believe me, I have a few stored,"

"Well, with someone who has had as much practice going below the belt as you, I'm sure something would have stuck,"

"Screw you Bishop. Screw you,"

"Enjoy it while it lasts Tasha," Sam stood up and made for the door. "Thank you..."

"I'm here for you when you need me, Sam. Don't let our past put you off. We want you back on the bridge...well I don't, but the rest of them do,"

"If only to spite you Tash, I would,"

"You're going to hear a lot about the cost of bringing you back over the next few weeks. Stay strong. Prove to everyone that their sacrifice was not in vain. And remember. It's not your fault. You didn't kill them, the Sacred Band did."

Sam nodded. "I went through this once at Kobali...and I never did have time to reflect,"

"Talk it through with your fiancée. If there is one person who does think you were worth those lives, it is her."

"See you soon Tash,"

"See you soon, Sam."

Stardate 94161.7 (1 March 2417)

Stardate 94169 (3 March 2417)

Personal Log - Stardate 94182.4

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Stardate 94276.9 (12 April 2417)

Stardate 94328.5 (30 April 2417)

Stardate 94336.2 (3 May 2417)

Stardate 94340.9 (5 May 2417)

Stardate 94352.2 (9 May 2418)

Stardate 94362.3 (13 May 2417)

Stardate 94365.0 (14 May 2417)

Fish in a Barrel - Part 1

Fish in a Barrel - Part 2

Fish in a Barrel - Part 3

Fish in a Barrel - Part 4

Fish in a Barrel - Part 5

Futility

Stardate 95119.5 (13 February 2418)

Stardate 95125.0 (15 February 2418)

Stardate 95142.8 (22 February 2418)

Stardate 96643.1 (23rd August 2419)