“Guard Changing,” 3.2

A Station Keeping story, by tycho garen
on 13th August 2008. (commentary)

This is the second installment of the third Station Keeping episode. Read part one first.

Location: Docking Bay 3

“At least you’re not late this time,” David Conrad said to Josh as he jogged up to the hatch where Eli Banner was about to disembark.

“Once they step onto this deck, and people stop thinking that I’m in charge, I resolve to never run anywhere.” Joshua said taking a deep breath. Josh was surprised to see David here, but almost more surprised that he spoke so freely.

“Don’t say that, we might hold you to that.” David chuckled, and looked toward the unmoving hatch.

“So what brings you around these parts?”

“I hear there’s a ship docking.”

“Yep.”

“But I didn’t–”

“It’s alright, I have my ways, and without the pub open to distract me, I get bored. Besides, Eli’s an old friend,”

“Eli?”

“The commander.”

“Oh. Right.”

Before the silence settled again, the hatch hissed, and opened.

“Well, hello!” Commander Eli Banner said to David sounding surprised, as he stepped on to the station. The men hugged for a moment, and Talia Garn stepped out behind the commander and looked awkwardly at Joshua Sian.

“Talia Garn.”

“Joshua Sian.” Their introductions were soft and understated, as they were both more interested and surprised by the interaction between the commander and David Conrad.

“Talia, this is David Conrad; the David Conrad,” the commander interrupted, sending Sain back into silence.

“A pleasure, sir,” Talia said, extending her hand.

“What are you doing here?” Eli asked.

“I’m just the bar keep, watching and listening like always. Marc’s doctoring… as usual.”

“That’s great,” Eli smiled. “I hadn’t gotten word, but we’ll have to get a drink sometime.”

“Bar isn’t finished yet, but indeed we will.”

“I suppose we have a job to do here?” Eli said, turning his attention to the young lieutenant. He motioned toward the corridor, to make room for the rest of the crew and passengers to disembark.

“Indeed, I have crew on the docking procedure of the convoy, and there’s nothing else to report that I haven’t already filed with you, sir.”

“That’s probably true,” Banners response was as quick as it was dry.

Sian squirmed, he was unprepared to be the butt of all the new commander’s jokes. “I actually have some paperwork for you, to transfer command and what not.” Sain produced a tablet

“Sure, I’m sorry. We’ve been cooped up on the ships for so long, it’s just good to get out.” The commander took the tablet and began to confirm the transfer of authority. “I actually have heard that you’ve been doing a great job here.” He looked toward Talia and David and offered a curt smile.

“Thank you, sir. It’s good to have you aboard,” Joshua said and indicated that they should talk the elevator at the end of the corridor.

As the others turned to enter the elevator car David recused himself; “I actually have an appointment, that I have to tend to, but I trust I’ll see all of you soon.”

“Thanks for stopping by,” Eli said: the others just smiled kindly.

Joshua Sian inputed the code for the command center on the elevator’s keypad once the doors closed and everyone was aboard. “That was so incredibly strange,” he thought as the lift moved in silence.

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