Infinite Possibilities

Posted on Fri Jan 25th, 2019 @ 1:07pm by Lieutenant Dived Dumet

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: McKinley Station
Timeline: Two Days Before Shore Leave

Chief Petty Officer Dived Dumet stared at the blank canvas before him, he loved the possibilities that it represented. Art was a metaphor for life that was best explained by the Vulcans, Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. A series of strokes and it could become a portrait of a long lost friend or splash of color could transform it into a wild and hopeful nebula. This is why he maintained this connection to his past. Despite what his family had done, they could never steal the joy that this brought him. He pulled a paint brush out of his belt and let his heart guide his and as he began adding paint to canvas.

Thirty minutes later, Dived was nearly finished with his painting when a chime from his door drew his attention. “Enter, please” requested the Cardassian as he grabbed a rag to clean his hands.

In strode a Bolian female in a red Starfleet uniform with Captain pips. She smiled as she saw the painting on the easel, a smile that brightened when she saw the man before him. “Good evening, Dived. Working on another masterpiece?”

Dived couldn’t help but blush. “It is far from a masterpiece, it's just some paint. How can I help you captain?”

The Bolian examined a figure that Dived had sculpted during his time at the Academy. “You have been with Starfleet for what, nearly twenty years now?”

The Cardassian become extremely nervous. ”Ye-yes ma’am. I have been honored to serve the Federation and I have done my best to be worthy of your trust.”

She put down the figure and tried her best to calm his fears. “You have more than made us proud. Your work has been exceptional and you have led your team in completing every assignment ahead of schedule. You are a true leader and I think it's time you were recognized as such.” With that she laid to gold pips on the table.

Dived was in utter shock. He felt he was unworthy to have reached CPO, this was beyond his wildest dreams. He couldn’t possibly be an officer. This must be a joke. “Ma’am?”

“I know you hadn’t taken the officer’s test, but you have more than proved you are worthy of the responsibility. I put in the request personally. It is time that your considerable skills are put to good use.”

Considerable skills? To Dived, he only had a knack at fixing things. There were many engineers on his team that he considered far better than him. “Are you positive ma’am? Petty Officer Meyers is far more deserving of a commission.”

The Captain placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “While Meyers is talented, he has nowhere near the experience that you have. You have earned this Dived. The Mercutio will be here in a couple of days and you are hereby ordered to report as their new Engineering Chief.” She turned to leave and paused at the door. “You earned this.”

Dived just stared at the pips on the table. Infinite possibilities indeed.