Post Numberr 27 Making Paul An Offer

Posted on Tue Jul 23rd, 2024 @ 5:12pm by Commodore Cyndi Song & Rear Admiral Paul Sanderson & Lieutenant David Montgomery
Edited on on Tue Jul 23rd, 2024 @ 5:13pm

Mission: Shakedown II
Location: BBQ On Daqnvers Planet
Timeline: Back Post Before The New Ship Arrived

OFF: Sammi is posting as Admiral Olvera

ON:

Dakota Olvera walked through the group of crew members of the USS Amandora. She was looking for Admiral Paul Sanderson.

She heard a laugh and looked to the left, smiling as she recognized his daughter Piper. She was standing with Brent and a couple boys about her age by the swimming pool.

“Piper.” Dakota said with a smile. “Do you know where I might find your father.”

“He’s over there.” Piper pointed to where her mother was, along with some of her department heads. “He was going to get him and mom a drink.”

“Thank you.” Dakota headed in that direction. She saw Paul, he was picking up a couple drinks when she walked up to him.

“I’ve been looking for you.” Dakota said with a smile.

“Admiral or should I call you Dakota.” Paul said with a big grin on his face. That was his little way of suggesting it was a social visit or was it a work visit.

“It is official.” Dakota said as she smiled. “But I chose this barbecue so it could be a more relaxed atmosphere. Please, call me Dakota.”

“Okay Dakota, if it's official we should be doing it by rank and in uniform, should we not?” Paul said in a teasing manner.

“We should.” Dakota nodded with a smile of
her own. “But I didn’t feel like wearing the uniform and being all official. I have an offer for you and I would like a more personal setting.”

“I understand that feeling.” Paul said with a big grin on his face. He was curious what Dakota wanted.

“I’ll be frank with you.” Dakota said as she sat down across from him. “How would you feel about taking over Danvers?” She hoped he would say yes or at least think about it.

“Depends on what a Danvers is?” Paul said half teasingly. He knew his wife was going to the station to pick up her new show, but beyond that he wasn't sure if that's what she was referring to her something else.

Dakota smiled back at him. “We both know I’m talking about Starbase Danvers.” Her eyes met his. “It needs a command officer and you are the one I want to run it.”

“Me?” Paul said a little surprise, he expected maybe a small colony or some kind of desk job before they just thrown right back out and command of a base.

“Yes you.” Dakota said, “you have the experience and I believe you are perfect for the position.”

“There's several commanders out there that are capable, well I appreciate the words it doesn't really answer the question, why me?” Paul said wanted to know the real reason.

“There are several reasons.” Dakota said, looking at him. “You’ve proven your abilities as a leader and I am confident that you will be able to move Danvers forward into the station it is meant to be.” She paused. “The Amandora will be serving out of this base and I am certain the appeal of seeing your family regularly is a bonus.” She paused. “And, your children will have the choice of the ship and the station or both.”

“That is good in all, but why me?” Paul said, as he looked to Dakota. Why him, she must have had a reason.

“Your talents are wasted and I believe that this position is right for you.” Dakota replied.
“I looked at your fleet history, I spoke with otheres you served with and I believe you have what it takes to make this station successful.” Her eyes met his. “I know you miss serving and we want you out here, a valuable asset to this fleet.”

“Dakota we've been friends a long time, you're going to have to do better than that.” Paul said with a big grin on his face.

“I want you here.” Dakota gave it to him plain. “Things are changing and I want someone I can trust here. The one name that comes to my mind is you.”

“I have a feeling we're going to have to have a longer conversation, but maybe opening the public is in the best place to do it. Are you available tomorrow morning? Shall we say my new office?” Paul asked Dakota. He wanted real answers but he knows kind of dangerous to do that here.

“Yes.” Dakota nodded. “I will be there.” She took that as a yes and sighed in relief. Paul had given her a little more trouble than she expected.

Cyndi had seen Admiral Olvera walk over and take a seat across from Paul at a picnic table, walking over Cyndi took a seat next to Paul and took his hand. “Dakota nice surprise, did you come to see the launch of my new ship”

Paul was surprised that she took his hand. He wondered why was she jealous. You wasn't sure if she was there to do that or just to place him on a station.

“Now that that is out of the way.” Dakota said with a smile. “I wanted to celebrate your new ship with you.” Her eyes met Cyndi’s. “It is good to see you and your family.”

Always a little surprised that she changed the topic so quickly, no doubt Dakota wanted him to tell her later on.

“Thank you,” Cyndi said sincerely “I adore my family, Paul and the kids mean a lot to me as does this new ship and a Vesta Class at that. It’s going to be good to get back out there and I’m sure Piper and Brent are looking forward to decorating their new quarters. Just like Paul and I will look forward to decorating our new quarters.”

Dakota wasn’t about to say anything. It was up to Paul to talk to her about his future. “Change can be a good thing, that was all she said.


OFF: