From: Ranjani Sabarinathan (rantrek_at_yahoo.com)
Date: Sat Aug 02 2008 - 16:55:00 PDT
“Kate’s Overwhelming Problems”
(contd from Taylor & Kim’s ‘Teenage Bravado’)
Location: GS-2
SD: 2.80730.1240
Scene: CO’s office
Kathryn MacNeil put a hand over her mouth, feeling literally appalled and embarrassed at the Fedcom broadcast of hers and Hunter’s altercation with Daisy. Ensign Vol reported someone hacked into the security files and obtained footage of the incident and that annoyed the half-Vulcan. The hacker had likely leaked the footage to Fedcom, otherwise how else would they had gotten it. As far as Sardra was concerned, this was a serious security matter and was working on finding the culprit behind the breach.
The Scottish woman was worried over the ramifications the latest broadcast would have on the war efforts. What were the viewers thinking, watching two command officers of the largest Federation outpost having a spat in the hallway? Kate thought glumly they wouldn’t be impressed. Then again Fedcom or any other agency had no right to broadcast a footage that was indeed acquired through rather illegal means.
She was receiving all kinds of requests for a quote or even an interview from the members of the press. And to her annoyance, all of them wanted to know the same things. Was she and her CO not getting along and how much detrimental effect that would have on running the station? Or was Davidson still bitter over MacNeil’s slip up of blonde’s ability to transform into a black cat to a Fedcom reporter from a few months ago? And of course why a Starfleet trained medical doctor all of a sudden believed in ‘magic’ and why she deemed it acceptable for the P’narran marine to use it on a patient in sickbay? There were many other questions, all of which gave her a headache.
“Sickbay wouldn’t be this complicated,” Kathryn grumbled to herself, sipping from a mug of hot, Earl grey tea. “All I have to do is deal with patients and cure their ailments, not sit around like this.” She yawned slightly, becoming bored over being cooped up in the office.
Taking a bite off a scone on a plate and then sipping her tea, the half-Nuimon picked up another PADD and groaned as she read through its contents. Two trade ship Captains, a Cardassian and a Tellarite fought over a particular docking space for their vessels. Knowing the Tellarites’ penchant for debates, the argument went for about an hour, which frustrated the docking bay personnel. The matter eventually got resolved with Lt. Ganesh and MCPO Jumbuiak offering the Cardassian another spot, which the trade Captain deemed acceptable.
Glancing at the chronometer, Kate realized it was lunch time and decided to take a break.
--------------------------
Scene: Sickbay
TI: Two hours later
Kate casually entered sickbay, suddenly feeling she was in her comfort zone. In her view, compared to the stuffy CO’s office, this place was heaven. The Scot felt she was home. Ever since the war started, the station sickbay had been busy, dealing with many wounded. Refugees from worlds attacked, injured officers from starships that were engaged in skirmishes with the enemy and so on all ended up there to be taken care of by the GATEWAY medical staff.
After watching Dr. Lavix and another physician performing surgery on a badly injured Deltan officer, Kate felt a pang of envy. The Nuimon hybrid suddenly wished she was treating the patients. Just twenty minutes ago, the USS FLINT brought in Wadi survivors, whose ship got attacked by Dominion forces.
She spotted Grace who was conversing with F. Col Hunter Williams. Both the aCMO and MCO immediately noticed the ExO approaching them. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Kate spoke as she stopped next to Poe.
Grace stated, feeling elated to see the Scottish woman. “We were just finished, actually.”
“Dr. Poe wanted a report on my work in assisting in LJ Lawrence’s treatment for the records,” Hunter explained politely.
“Standard procedure,” Kate said with a shrug. Despite the anger Daisy felt towards her, Kathryn MacNeil wasn’t feeling any remorse over supporting Hunter, when he used his abilities to help in LJ’s healing. She believed once Daisy saw how well her foster son was progressing, the blonde CO would eventually understand what she and Col. Williams was the right thing to do. Well she hoped so.
Williams informed plainly. “By now, Commander Davidson should see the progress made in her son.”
“Well if the evidence doesn’t make her see what we did was helpful to LJ, then I don’t know what will,” Kate bemoaned.
Poe suggested. “I believe the Commander is more upset because you and Col. Williams didn’t consult her before applying the healing technique to her son.”
“If we had asked her, she wouldn’t have agreed,” Hunter pointed out.
The Orion sighed before commenting with a bit of hesitation in her voice. “To be honest, we may have avoided this whole messy situation, if the three of you sat down and talked over it, before going ahead with applying the Colonel’s healing technique.” She then shrugged. “I mean you never know, Daisy may have consented being an experienced medical doctor herself.”
Kate didn’t know how to respond to her partner’s statement and instead only nodded in acknowledgement without necessarily agreeing. “Well what’s done is done. In the meantime I am harangued by the press over the whole incident.”
Hunter sighed, shaking his head in grimace. “Ignorant bunch, a good lot of them.”
“Well,” Grace frowned. “I’ve had some rather unusual messages from civilians and members of the press alike. Some wondered if Lt. Cmdr. MacNeil was planning on setting up a healing center with Col. Williams and even asked if that would go against Starfleet regulations. Others feel the medical department and Commander Davidson should file complaints against the both of you.”
Kate and Hunter shook their heads in annoyance. MacNeil in particular, wondered why people were so ignorant and live on the fear fueled by the press via their broadcasts.
--------------------------
Location: USS COMMENDATION
Scene: Bridge-> Observation Lounge
Lt. Blex inquired, entering the room. “I am guessing the senior staff briefing means we’re all being sent out?” The Denobulan’s dark eyes were fixed on the Betazoid Ops officer, who stood up from the Captain’s chair.
“I’m not sure what the briefing is about,” Commander Daiuon replied, meeting the Counselor’s gaze. “But my guess is the same as yours. We’re most likely going to be sent back out.” Grabbing a PADD, the tall woman strolled towards the observation lounge with the Denobulan Counselor following behind. The doors to the lounge parted when sensing the two officers approaching.
Lena noted, some of the officers had already arrived as she headed to take her seat to the left of the CO’s chair, which was unoccupied. The seat at the right was empty indicating the ship’s ExO had yet to arrive. She heard Blex question the others.
“So what have you all been talking about?”
Lt. Polairis Arisa answered dryly, giving everyone the impression of feeling bored from the conversation. “The latest Fedcom footage that is played again and again on every terminal.”
The Counselor questioned, perking a brow. “Is that the one where the CO, ExO and the Marine Commander got into some sort of quarrel?”
“Yes that’s the one,” the Bajoran engineer confirmed, releasing a frustrated sigh. “Honestly I wish Fedcom would stop sensationalizing the situation just to bolster their ratings.”
Ensign Talbo chimed in. “Well I hear that apparently Commander Davidson and Lt. Cmdr. MacNeil despise each other and that Davidson is still holding a grudge against her ExO for blabbing to the reporter about her shape shifting ability.”
Matthew Haley shook head, disagreeing with the Ocampan FCO. “Somehow I doubt that otherwise why choose MacNeil as her ExO if she hates the woman.”
“Well judging from that footage, I can’t see anything else between the two except intense hatred,” Talbo protested. The Ocampan man, the youngest officer in the room, tended to be very argumentative. Before the flight officer could continue, Daiuon jumped in.
“Except Ensign, we don’t exactly know the entire story aside from Col. Williams using alternative medicinal techniques on Cmdr. Davidson’s son without her permission and Cmdr. MacNeil aiding him.”
Dr. Tran, after remaining quiet so far, decided to add her two cents to the conversation. “Well, Davidson seemed to have been thinking like a mother and not as a commanding officer at the time considering this involved her child. So in a way it is understandable she would be angry at those who used unfamiliar alternative healing technique on her son, without consulting her first.” Qui paused for a moment before adding calmly. “However as a medical doctor, I can also see Lt. Cmdr. MacNeil’s point of view, regarding seeing the merits of the P’narran healing abilities. Their quad helix DNA structure is quite interesting.”
“The press however doesn’t see Col. Williams’ healing technique as anything but unwelcome magic tricks,” Lt. Evelyn Williams remarked. “My cousin Cynthia, who works with Fedcom, told me in private that one of her colleagues even used the word Voodoo in reference to the P’narran’s light magic.” The SOO rolled her eyes at the last word.
“Well I can’t believe there are still ignorant people today,” Major Enrique Mendez commented dryly. “Col. Williams is a highly decorated officer with an exemplary service record and the press should know that.”
Lena assured, gazing warmly at the marine. “Major, I don’t believe anyone’s Starfleet service record is being questioned.” She sighed, quickly glancing away from Mendez. “Honestly any sensible person shouldn’t believe the trash Fedcom spews these days.”
Lieutenant Telara, one of the first to arrive in the observation lounge, had stayed silent throughout the entire exchange between the senior staff. The Romulan/Andorian woman, sitting in between Major Mendez and Lt. Cmdr. Tran, didn’t really feel she had much to add to a conversation centered on a mundane topic. As far as the ILO was concerned, there were other things regarding the war efforts that were of higher priority to her.
The whirring sound of the doors opening suddenly brought down a curtain of silence into the room. Everyone straightened their postures and remained quiet. Some were pretending to read their PADDs. They waited with baited breaths as the doors finally opened and then relaxed.
Lt. JG Stramere entered the room, his eyes fixed on the PADD he was holding and quietly took his seat next to Talbo. Blex leaned towards the Benzite officer and inquired politely. “So Stramere, how are things with you in general?”
“Fine, Lt. Blex,” the CSciO replied, using the same tone and returned to his reading.
“So what is Starfleet Command going to do about this latest problem at the GATEWAY?” Talbo inquired, feeling curious and wanting to gossip.
Evelyn responded, a sardonic smile gracing her lips. “Those two will likely sort their issues out after taking some time to cool down for the next few days and…of course there will be some damage control done to diffuse any commotion caused by the latest footage.”
“Let’s hope you’re right, Evelyn,” Arisa nodded, sighing. “The press is hovering over those two like predators ready to pounce on their next big story.”
Matthew stated, hoping to assuage some of his colleague’s concerns. “Well, both Cmdr. Davidson and Lt. Cmdr. MacNeil are wonderful officers and really very caring women deep down….sometimes they can get a little too passionate in their beliefs but their hearts are always in the right place.”
Lena said calmly to avoid further arguments on the subject, considering they were only a minute away from the briefing starting and that meant the CO and ExO would arrive at any moment. While Spankryz came early at times, she was never late. “Look this is a tough time for the GATEWAY crew, considering they’re the ones who are placed in the spot light. I think the best thing we can do is give them our support.” Right after she finished, the doors slid open, taking most of the senior staff by surprise.
Captain Spankryz and Commander G’blok entered the room, cool expressions on their faces. Noting the rather awkward looks on some of the senior staff, Ana inquired, her voice filled with sarcasm. “Was I interrupting something important?”
Commander Daiuon answered calmly. “No, Captain. Everything is in order. We were only having a friendly chat just to pass the time.”
“Okay,” Ana acknowledged her 2nd officer’s reply without further question. She proceeded to take her seat at the head of the table. “Well, this briefing doesn’t involve friendly chatting,” the Trill began dryly, facing her senior staff.
--------------------------
Location: GS-2
Scene: Corridor outside Sickbay-> Sickbay
Kate left sickbay, deciding to return to Ops, which the half-Nuimon was not looking forward to. She promised Poe that the two would spend some time together later in the evening, once their duty shifts ended.
Sadly the trip from sickbay to Ops wasn’t going to be without hurdles. A group of reporters, about four of them appeared and hounded the half-Nuimon. Kate increased her walking speed and hoped to reach the turbo lift before the swarm of press agents caught up to her. But the appearance of three more reporters hopping out of a turbo lift spoiled her escape plan.
A fedcom reporter, a perky Risean female in the early twenties threw out the first question and attempted to push aside her colleagues to reach the ExO. “Lt. Cmdr. MacNeil, Reil Lorbar of Fedcom, I was wondering if you could confirm rumors of a healing center….” She was cut off by a slender human male, also quite young, who shoved Lorbar to the side and came within a few inches from the Lt. Commander, clearly unnerving her.
“Max Cooper, Fedcom. Commander, is it true that Commander Davidson attempted to attack you because she hates you?”
Kate answered angrily. “No, of course not. Where on earth did you get that idea, lad?”
“It’s in the…footage,” the reporter replied cheekily. But before he could follow up with another query, Lorbar shoved him to the ground and yelled out her question.
“Rumor has it that the evil magician who attacked Commander Davidson and her family is Col. William’s twin brother and that we should be wary of his healing magic trick. Can you confirm?”
“That’s utter nonsense,” Kate scoffed, fuming as she quickly turned around to move towards the turbo lift but the group of reporters kept bombarding her with all kinds of ridiculous questions, comprising of stuff they themselves fabricated. She suddenly felt suffocated as they pressed themselves as close as possible to her.
“Cmdr. MacNeil,” another reporter, a Trill woman in her early thirties with coiffed mousy brown hair, questioned. “Are you aware there are many on the station that is actually disturbed by your advocacy of the P’narran light magic?”
“No,” the Scot replied curtly and was feeling claustrophobic.
The same reporter followed up. “Is it possible that your desperation to practice medicine caused you to encourage Col. Williams to use his magic on the poor boy without his mother’s consent?” Before Kate could answer, a tall, burly human man suddenly lunged at her, screaming all kinds of expletives directed at the half-Nuimon and Col. Williams.
The other reporters immediately began recording the incident, believing an exclusive story was beign conceived. Only the Trill woman, who was Kate’s last questioner, ran to help the ExO and attempted to pull the man off the Scot but instead got knocked to the floor.
“Witches like you who encourage magic should die!” The man yelled as he grabbed Kate’s neck and began strangling her. “That poor kid,” referring to LJ, “is likely dead now due to that P’narran’s magic trick. I bet you and that Colonel is in cahoots with that evil magician and plan on killing all of us.”
Kate was feeling the life draining out of her as she was unable to fight back. She gazed into her crazy attacker’s blood shot eyes, which were filled with burning anger and cringed at the smell of his breathe as it reeked of alcohol. Obviously the man was drunk.
Suddenly, phaser beam flew across the hall way, hitting the man’s back. MacNeil felt his hands around her neck loosen and watched in horror as he crumpled to the floor.
Kate immediately began coughing and relief formed in her eyes, when the slender form of a Vulcan woman, adorned in the grey accented uniform of a security officer, approached her, phaser in hand. MacNeil realized the security chief was responsible for putting the lunatic down.
Ensign Sardra Vol, sporting a stoic demeanor, ordered two security guards as she pointed at the fallen man. “Take him to the brig.” Turning to Kate and the reporters, Sardra informed politely. “He is merely stunned and should wake up with a massive headache.”
The reporters slowly backed away as the security team moved forward and lifted the guy up to a standing position. Immediately the press and the security guards dispersed, leaving Vol and MacNeil alone in hall way. Kate staggered away from the wall, clutching her neck and leaned on the Vulcan’s shoulder.
Sardra offered, holding the ExO steady. “Here I will take you to sickbay.”
“Thank you,” MacNeil murmured as the pair made their way to sickbay.
As they entered sickbay, Grace and a nurse rushed to their side. The Orion had a worried look in her eyes as they helped the ExO onto the biobed.
“What happened?” Grace inquired, quickly examining her patient.
Sardra explained. “I found her getting strangled by a drunken human male.”
“Thank you,” the aCMO nodded.
Kate sighed, having been shaken up by the attack. “I should be fine and don’t really believe he broke any bones.”
“No, but had we been at the scene even a second late, you would have been dead, Commander,” Vol pointed out.
“Yes,” the hybrid admitted. MacNeil recalled the earlier meeting with the Vulcan officer, particularly the discussion on the need for every department to be combat ready. But then the half-Nuimon wondered if there were self-defense lessons not only against Jem’Hadar soldiers, but crazy drunk lunatics eager to kill those whom they fear as witches or overly aggressive reporters.
Sardra informed her tone unemotional. “Commander, in light of this latest assault, I am assigning a security escort to you.”
“I understand,” the Scot acknowledged. After Poe finished her check up on the hybrid, she concluded.
“No long-term injuries, so you should be able to return to duty.”
“Thank you, Dr. Poe,” Kate stated, giving the Orion an affectionate smile as she got down from the biobed and headed towards the doors.
Vol announced, walking with the ExO. “I will take you up to Ops, myself.”
“So I am thinking if I were to avoid a similar situation, I need to go through those self-defense courses your department will be conducting,” the Scot remarked still feeling shaken up.
“Compared to Jem Hadar soldiers, a drunk lunatic is much easier to handle,” Sardra said, perking up her brow in typical Vulcan fashion.
Kate gave a sheepish grin, nodding. “Right.”
************************************************************************
NRPG: Kate’s not having a good time <LOL> And a bit of what’s going on with Anaqueen and the COMMENDATION though most of the stuff surrounding that crew will be in a novella I plan on writing ;).
Everyone: TAG
Jamie, Taylor: Hope my handling of your characters is okay.
Ranjani Sabarinathan
Speaking for...
[/\]o..
Lieutenant Commander Kathryn MacNeil, MD
Executive Officer
GATEWAY STATION- 2
and
[/\]....
Captain Anaqueen Spankryz
Commanding Officer
USS COMMENDATION, NCC-10021 (Non RP ship)
and
FRPG Archivist
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