The Navigator
Many of us know the type. The kid who starts reading at age three. The child who is doing algebra and geometry at at five. The wunderkind who graduates from high school with honors at the age of twelve, and goes on to graduate from some prestigious university with multiple degrees five years later. This was the scholastic history of Claudius Abraham Dexter. By his eighteenth birthday, he was celebrated, honored, famous, and way too impressed with himself. If you looked up the phrase obnoxious conceit online, you found C. A. Dexter's picture. And he did not care.
Upon entering into Star Fleet Academy in 2238, cadet Dexter was warned by his advisory officer that he needed to practice polite humility rather than pained condescension when dealing with his fellow cadets. He was told to remember that Star Fleet in general, and a Starship in particular, are a team. And, if Dexter was to be a successful member of that team, he would have to play nice with all the other team members. This was a difficult lesson for C. A. Dexter to apply at first. But with practice he was able to adapt to the team situation, and soon became a trusted and respected leader.
Having excelled in Natural Sciences, and possessing a keen interest in all aspects of ancient history, 2nd Lieutenant Dexter was, upon graduation from the Academy, assigned to the science vessel the USS Leaky. And, owing to his high exam scores in propulsion engineering, spacial navigation, and multi-phasic probe operations, Mr. Dexter was bridge qualified. Being an attentive and cooperative student, Lt. Dexter was rapidly promoted up through the ranks. Within an astounding eighteen months he was given the rank of full Commander and Chief Science Officer. It was only a year afterwards that Commander C. A. Dexter was awarded the rank of Captain, and assigned to the research vessel, USS Darwin. Her mission was to explore all present and past life of a newly discovered, uninhabited "M" class planet 682,000 parsects from Earth. Just getting there at warp 5 would take ten months. And then the ship and her crew were to remain on station for five years. Cut off from the rest of the fleet, Captain Dexter would basically be the ruler of his own remote world.
Perhaps it was the freedom of complete control over the lives of others. Maybe it was the lack of learning experiences one obtains from a slow, steady rise to authority. Or it could have been plain, age old lusts of the flesh; the idolatry of coveting and worshiping power. And then, again, maybe C. A. Dexter had just been playing nice while biding his time waiting for the day he was fully in command of his own private world. Whatever it was, one month before reaching their assigned destination, the crew of the USS Darwin had decided to commit the ultimate space faring crime, mutiny. They had been, quite frankly, driven mad by the obnoxiously arrogant, self indulging, thoughtless, rude and all round dung head Captain Dexter. They determined that anything would be better than spending five years with a man they had come to deeply hate.
The plan was a simple one. Upon achieving a standard orbit around the planet, the crew flooded the captain's quarter's with Julietheulene gas. That put him into a deep, death like sleep which lasted for three days. The crew then stripped the ship of every thing they would need to live out the rest of their lives comfortably on their new home world. And, to insure that Captain Dexter would not be able to contact Earth, the crew removed and transported the Darwin's deflector dish. As the last man with the last piece of valuable equipment departed for the planet, the helm station was set to automatic with a heading leading out into the emptiness of deep space at warp 5. The crew began a new life, and Captain Dexter sailed off to a sentence of solitary confinement on board a completely empty starship.
When Claudius Dexter awoke from his abnormally long sleep, he immediately sensed that all was not right. As he dressed, Captain Dexter felt an inexplicable uneasiness. He felt anxious and concerned as he stepped out into the deserted passage way. Stopping at a com station, the Captain hailed the bridge. He got no response. Captain Dexter inquired of the computer what the status of the bridge crew was. He was frozen to his spot when the ship's computer informed him that the entire crew had left prior to the ship leaving orbit, and he was the only occupant of the USS Darwin. Succumbing to anxiety and fear, C. A. Dexter ran to the nearest lift. Once it stopped at the bridge, he burst through its doors as if by the force of his will he could command that his crew be in its place. After starring around the empty room, and examining the major control consoles, Captain Dexter collapsed into the Captain's chair. As the realization of his situation sank into his troubled mind, the brilliant Claudius Dexter knew that he had been a true fool. Being alone in deep space with no means of navigating or communicating without the main deflector dish hammered home the fact that he was not so smart that he needed no one else. Completely alone, left to his own talents and abilities, Captain Dexter was forced to face his own inadequacies. Forced to look in the mirror of starkly honest reality, Claudius did not like what he saw. It was a picture of a pathetically empty soul that had never made room for anyone else. He was not just alone now; the truth was that he had always been alone. He had cared more for his own superior thoughts than the feelings and company of his fellow men. Therefore, he knew in his sorrow filled heart that he was reaping precisely as he had sowed. Bowing his head into his hands, the cracking voice of the young Captain vocalized the remorse that now engulfed his once sharp mind, as well as his heart and soul.
"Dear, God; I have been such a fool. I have squandered all the opportunities I have been given for a good life. I traded them for power and dominance. Now I have nothing. I am alone. I cannot communicate to admit my mistake and call for help. I cannot even figure out where I am or how to get back home. Oh, dear God, please have mercy on me, a fool. If only I had a navigator who knows the stars, and someone else so that I would not be alone."
With all his emotions and strength spent, C. A. Dexter fell asleep sitting there in the Captain's char with his head buried in his hands.
Slowly raising his head up, and trying to focus his tear sore eyes, Claudius Dexter froze with shock and wonder at what he saw before him. For seated in the chair at the navigation console was some one or something. It appeared to be a man with shoulder length hair wearing a long white garment. Captain Dexter blinked a couple of times, and then spoke with his usual authoritative tone of command.
"Hey! Who are you?"
Slowly the man in the chair turned partially to his left. With bright eyes and a gentle smile he replied, "I am the navigator." He then returned to his position facing the console, and continued his to work it systems.
Captain Dexter's mind whirled with confusion and questions. He wanted a clear identification from this being. He wanted a name, a home planet, how he got on board the wayward vessel, and what his intentions were. Straightening himself in the Captain's chair, Claudius Dexter asked again, "Who are you?"
Again the man at the navigator's console turned partially toward the captain, this time with a quizzical expression on his face. He thought for a moment, and then, with the emphasis on "I" repeated his original response; "I am the navigator." Confident that he had properly identified himself this time, the man returned his attention to the console.
Captain Dexter felt frustration and indignation rising in the depths of his being. For a moment he again was controlled by his sense of authority and command. He would demand that this individual provide him a satisfactory answer.
"I am going to ask you one more time, who are you?"
Captain Dexter had practically shouted out the question. It was, therefore, a face etched with sincere concern that turned to face him. The man was clearly thinking very carefully. Then, with calm and polite confidence he spoke the words, "I am the navigator." Having given emphasis to the last half of the sentence, the man seemed quite certain that, this time, he had provided Captain Dexter with the answer he sought.
Claudius Dexter sat for a moment, lost in a realm of deep thought; and the the proverbial light went on in his head. The navigator, the man had said. The Navigator! The one who knows how to navigate through the stars and planets without a deflector dish because he was present when the stars and planets were made and put into their present locations. The one who knows every square inch of the universe because he was around before its foundations were laid. The Navigator!
As the realization of who was sitting at the console before him gripped every fiber of Captain Dexter's heart and soul, the navigator again turned toward him with a smile and asked, "Where would you like to go?"
Like a child in a great toy store being asked what he would most like, the Captain's mind raced with ideas of locations he had dreamed of. But sudden, his mind was called to a halt by his heart. He had to be honest. He had never made a decision about the direction of his life which had actually ended in satisfaction. The truth was simple. Captain Dexter needed someone else to plot a course for him, or he would once again be lost.
"You decide," Claudius told the navigator. "We shall go along whatever course you choose."
"Well," said the navigator indicating with his left hand the chair at the helm station next to him, "this business of operating a starship is a partnership. It requires two working together. Will you join me?"
Claudius Dexter thought for a moment of how long he had lusted after the power and prestige of the Captain's chair, and how much it had meant to him. Then he leaped out of it, and practically ran the short distance to the helm station. Sitting down before the console, he turned to the navigator with a smile. "I'm ready," he said.
"Well, then," said the navigator, "the course is plotted and laid in. All that is required is for you engage main drive."
Claudius Dexter took a deep breath, then touched the helm console calling the main drive system to life; and off they went. Thus began the new life of great adventures for Claudius Abraham Dexter. Accompanied by his new partner, the Navigator, he was never again lost, and never again alone. And with the guidance of his new friend and counselor, Claudius found real life, love, and an eternity of friendships.
The End.
May the Holy Spirit be with you and guide you all of your days. Amen.
Upon entering into Star Fleet Academy in 2238, cadet Dexter was warned by his advisory officer that he needed to practice polite humility rather than pained condescension when dealing with his fellow cadets. He was told to remember that Star Fleet in general, and a Starship in particular, are a team. And, if Dexter was to be a successful member of that team, he would have to play nice with all the other team members. This was a difficult lesson for C. A. Dexter to apply at first. But with practice he was able to adapt to the team situation, and soon became a trusted and respected leader.
Having excelled in Natural Sciences, and possessing a keen interest in all aspects of ancient history, 2nd Lieutenant Dexter was, upon graduation from the Academy, assigned to the science vessel the USS Leaky. And, owing to his high exam scores in propulsion engineering, spacial navigation, and multi-phasic probe operations, Mr. Dexter was bridge qualified. Being an attentive and cooperative student, Lt. Dexter was rapidly promoted up through the ranks. Within an astounding eighteen months he was given the rank of full Commander and Chief Science Officer. It was only a year afterwards that Commander C. A. Dexter was awarded the rank of Captain, and assigned to the research vessel, USS Darwin. Her mission was to explore all present and past life of a newly discovered, uninhabited "M" class planet 682,000 parsects from Earth. Just getting there at warp 5 would take ten months. And then the ship and her crew were to remain on station for five years. Cut off from the rest of the fleet, Captain Dexter would basically be the ruler of his own remote world.
Perhaps it was the freedom of complete control over the lives of others. Maybe it was the lack of learning experiences one obtains from a slow, steady rise to authority. Or it could have been plain, age old lusts of the flesh; the idolatry of coveting and worshiping power. And then, again, maybe C. A. Dexter had just been playing nice while biding his time waiting for the day he was fully in command of his own private world. Whatever it was, one month before reaching their assigned destination, the crew of the USS Darwin had decided to commit the ultimate space faring crime, mutiny. They had been, quite frankly, driven mad by the obnoxiously arrogant, self indulging, thoughtless, rude and all round dung head Captain Dexter. They determined that anything would be better than spending five years with a man they had come to deeply hate.
The plan was a simple one. Upon achieving a standard orbit around the planet, the crew flooded the captain's quarter's with Julietheulene gas. That put him into a deep, death like sleep which lasted for three days. The crew then stripped the ship of every thing they would need to live out the rest of their lives comfortably on their new home world. And, to insure that Captain Dexter would not be able to contact Earth, the crew removed and transported the Darwin's deflector dish. As the last man with the last piece of valuable equipment departed for the planet, the helm station was set to automatic with a heading leading out into the emptiness of deep space at warp 5. The crew began a new life, and Captain Dexter sailed off to a sentence of solitary confinement on board a completely empty starship.
When Claudius Dexter awoke from his abnormally long sleep, he immediately sensed that all was not right. As he dressed, Captain Dexter felt an inexplicable uneasiness. He felt anxious and concerned as he stepped out into the deserted passage way. Stopping at a com station, the Captain hailed the bridge. He got no response. Captain Dexter inquired of the computer what the status of the bridge crew was. He was frozen to his spot when the ship's computer informed him that the entire crew had left prior to the ship leaving orbit, and he was the only occupant of the USS Darwin. Succumbing to anxiety and fear, C. A. Dexter ran to the nearest lift. Once it stopped at the bridge, he burst through its doors as if by the force of his will he could command that his crew be in its place. After starring around the empty room, and examining the major control consoles, Captain Dexter collapsed into the Captain's chair. As the realization of his situation sank into his troubled mind, the brilliant Claudius Dexter knew that he had been a true fool. Being alone in deep space with no means of navigating or communicating without the main deflector dish hammered home the fact that he was not so smart that he needed no one else. Completely alone, left to his own talents and abilities, Captain Dexter was forced to face his own inadequacies. Forced to look in the mirror of starkly honest reality, Claudius did not like what he saw. It was a picture of a pathetically empty soul that had never made room for anyone else. He was not just alone now; the truth was that he had always been alone. He had cared more for his own superior thoughts than the feelings and company of his fellow men. Therefore, he knew in his sorrow filled heart that he was reaping precisely as he had sowed. Bowing his head into his hands, the cracking voice of the young Captain vocalized the remorse that now engulfed his once sharp mind, as well as his heart and soul.
"Dear, God; I have been such a fool. I have squandered all the opportunities I have been given for a good life. I traded them for power and dominance. Now I have nothing. I am alone. I cannot communicate to admit my mistake and call for help. I cannot even figure out where I am or how to get back home. Oh, dear God, please have mercy on me, a fool. If only I had a navigator who knows the stars, and someone else so that I would not be alone."
With all his emotions and strength spent, C. A. Dexter fell asleep sitting there in the Captain's char with his head buried in his hands.
Slowly raising his head up, and trying to focus his tear sore eyes, Claudius Dexter froze with shock and wonder at what he saw before him. For seated in the chair at the navigation console was some one or something. It appeared to be a man with shoulder length hair wearing a long white garment. Captain Dexter blinked a couple of times, and then spoke with his usual authoritative tone of command.
"Hey! Who are you?"
Slowly the man in the chair turned partially to his left. With bright eyes and a gentle smile he replied, "I am the navigator." He then returned to his position facing the console, and continued his to work it systems.
Captain Dexter's mind whirled with confusion and questions. He wanted a clear identification from this being. He wanted a name, a home planet, how he got on board the wayward vessel, and what his intentions were. Straightening himself in the Captain's chair, Claudius Dexter asked again, "Who are you?"
Again the man at the navigator's console turned partially toward the captain, this time with a quizzical expression on his face. He thought for a moment, and then, with the emphasis on "I" repeated his original response; "I am the navigator." Confident that he had properly identified himself this time, the man returned his attention to the console.
Captain Dexter felt frustration and indignation rising in the depths of his being. For a moment he again was controlled by his sense of authority and command. He would demand that this individual provide him a satisfactory answer.
"I am going to ask you one more time, who are you?"
Captain Dexter had practically shouted out the question. It was, therefore, a face etched with sincere concern that turned to face him. The man was clearly thinking very carefully. Then, with calm and polite confidence he spoke the words, "I am the navigator." Having given emphasis to the last half of the sentence, the man seemed quite certain that, this time, he had provided Captain Dexter with the answer he sought.
Claudius Dexter sat for a moment, lost in a realm of deep thought; and the the proverbial light went on in his head. The navigator, the man had said. The Navigator! The one who knows how to navigate through the stars and planets without a deflector dish because he was present when the stars and planets were made and put into their present locations. The one who knows every square inch of the universe because he was around before its foundations were laid. The Navigator!
As the realization of who was sitting at the console before him gripped every fiber of Captain Dexter's heart and soul, the navigator again turned toward him with a smile and asked, "Where would you like to go?"
Like a child in a great toy store being asked what he would most like, the Captain's mind raced with ideas of locations he had dreamed of. But sudden, his mind was called to a halt by his heart. He had to be honest. He had never made a decision about the direction of his life which had actually ended in satisfaction. The truth was simple. Captain Dexter needed someone else to plot a course for him, or he would once again be lost.
"You decide," Claudius told the navigator. "We shall go along whatever course you choose."
"Well," said the navigator indicating with his left hand the chair at the helm station next to him, "this business of operating a starship is a partnership. It requires two working together. Will you join me?"
Claudius Dexter thought for a moment of how long he had lusted after the power and prestige of the Captain's chair, and how much it had meant to him. Then he leaped out of it, and practically ran the short distance to the helm station. Sitting down before the console, he turned to the navigator with a smile. "I'm ready," he said.
"Well, then," said the navigator, "the course is plotted and laid in. All that is required is for you engage main drive."
Claudius Dexter took a deep breath, then touched the helm console calling the main drive system to life; and off they went. Thus began the new life of great adventures for Claudius Abraham Dexter. Accompanied by his new partner, the Navigator, he was never again lost, and never again alone. And with the guidance of his new friend and counselor, Claudius found real life, love, and an eternity of friendships.
The End.
May the Holy Spirit be with you and guide you all of your days. Amen.
Comments
I like it though it has a neat element.