Riker's Temporary Replacement (Part Two)

While Riker and Deanna are away for a week, Starfleet have sent the overly-ambitious Commander Shelby to replace him.

She has been on the Enterprise before, at the time when we were up against an invading Borg Cube and I was assimilated into Locutus Of Borg. Shelby was after Riker's job then, and it seems Starfleet want her into an authoritive position...possibly even a Captain.

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"What do you think of her, Jean-Luc?" Beverly asks me, as the two of us are in the turbolift heading towards the Bridge.

"Who?" I reply.



"Shelby, of course!" Bev answers, "I've seen her in Ten Forward ordering the crew about and telling them they are not up to the required efficiency rating."

"Well, Bev." I tell her, "A Commander is in charge of the crew and if she thinks..."

"Poppycock!" Beverly sharply tells me, "You are in charge of the ship. You need to tell her who is boss in the ship before things get out of hand. You'll end up running errands for her before long, and Shelby will be calling YOU 'Number One'. Has it ever occured that we don't even know what her first name is!"

"I'll have a word with her, Bev."

The Bridge door opens and I see Commander Shelby comfortably sitting in the Captain's Chair, giving orders to the crew. Everyone looks around, but she takes to notice.

I walk behind Shelby and give a discreet cough. She takes no notice. I give an even louder cough that makes me stagger.

"Good morning, Captain." she says.

"I'm fine, thank you." I reply icily.

"To save me getting up, would you mind getting me a coffee? Cream, with sugar."

I look at Bev, who is smiling.

"You'll have to ask someone else for that, Commander Shelby." I answer, "In the meantime, may I have my seat back?"

"Oh yes." she says, "I hadn't noticed. It felt quite comfortable there."

"I'm sure it did."

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A few hours later, I see Shelby in Ten Forward and walk towards her.



"Commander." I tell her in my most officious tone, "Your conduct on the Bridge was not very respectful to that of a Captain."

"I'm sorry Captain." she answers, "I know I can be a little ...ambitious. Have a Ktarian Brandy."

I accept, despite knowing how powerful it is. A few sips, and already my head is spinning.

"Your first name name is not on any records, Commander." I tell her.

"Isn't it?" she answers in surprise, ""Well, my full name is Elizabeth Paula Shelby. My very close friends call me Eppy. It's from the initials of the two names. You can too. I hope I can call you Jean-Luc. Such a powerful name."

The Ktarian Brandy is already making me so groggy, it's like I'm going round in a circle at warp speed 9.

"Here." she says, "You don't look so well, Jean-Luc." Shelby tells me, "You had better go to your quarters. Let me help you."

I feel Shelby assisting me up towards the door. However, Bev is blocking the way.

"What's going on here?" she asks us both piercingly.

"Jean-Luc isn't very well." Shelby tells her.

"Eppy...I mean Elizabeth is taking me to my quarters." I add groggily, "She's trying to help me."

"Trying to help herself, more like." she comments, "I see we are all on first-name terms now. All right, Elizabeth. I'll take over from now on."

Bev gives Eppy an icy stare as to say 'this is my territory'.

"Whatever you say, Doctor Crusher." Shelby answers with a smile.

I can see I'm going to have to be careful here. After that, I pass out.

To be continued...