Interesting Listen

Posted on 18 Dec 2012 @ 8:13am by Lieutenant Commander Evelyn Coleman
Edited on on 21 Dec 2012 @ 11:40am

4,318 words; about a 22 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3, Security Complex
Timeline: MD 14 0900

[On]

Evelyn walked down the corridor casually. She was fortunate it was still shoreleave for her workload was light. However with her new responsibilities she knew she had to take extra steps to make sure the ship runs efficient.

That is why she was now approaching the security office. She walked in and smiled as her eyes caught Chief Stone.

She walked up to him and noticed him reading off a Data PADD, "Interesting read?" She asked.

Jeremy frowned as he looked up at the intrusion. "Yes," he answered, "Of course it's interesting otherwise why would I be reading it?" He took in the features of the newcomer and shook his head slightly. They resonated because...the pips. Lieutenant...something. "Do you have a security need?" he asked.

"Not yet." She smiled, looking down at him, "I do find it prudent to know the Chief of Security, so when I do require security I'd know who I'll be working with."

"You're Lieutenant Evelyn Coleman, Starfleet ident ida lincoln one zero four zero two two one, Chief Intelligence Officer and Second Officer of the Galileo born," here Jeremy frowned, "twenty-one sixty on El Auria?" Jeremy stood then, nearly knocking over the chair he'd been sitting in, looking at her with a good deal of fear. "A listener?"

"Wow, I never got that reaction before." Evelyn smiled, "I prefer El-Aurian, but yes, we're genuinely known as the race of listeners. Is that a problem?" She asked arching her brow at the man.

"No, Lieutenant," he stammered, "I'm not...I...stay out of my mind! Please," he added the last as a whisper, backing away and staring at her.

"Stay out of your... get a hold of yourself man, I'm not a telepath!" She shouted chuckling. "I listen to what people say with these..." she tugged on her ears, "just like you do with yours." She smiled.

He shook his head. "El-Aurians know things they shouldn't know. That they have no right to know. I...what I know...that's mine and I shouldn't have to share." Jeremy looked at the PADD he left on the desk. He could go for it, try to snatch it back but she was standing just at the other side. She didn't look evil or menacing but...his thoughts were his!

He rubbed his face with both hands, reminded that the hypospray in his pocket was empty and had been for several days now. He still hadn't refilled it. He thought he was past the need for that medication, but these last few days, it seemed he wasn't. "I'm sorry, Lieutenant I'm not...I'm not a speciesist, despite what the Commander and crew must think. I just..." he closed his eyes and tried to get his beating heart under control. "I'm sorry, it's just been a trying few days."

Evelyn took a step closer to him, "I can see that, but I would like to know something, did an El-Aurian abuse you or anything?"

"What? Sir?" he asked plaintively shocked by the question. "Never, sir!" His face curled into a puzzled frown. "I know what they're saying on the ship, sir, that I'm a speciesist. That I hate everyone that's not Terran. But that has nothing to do with it!" He spread his hands out wondering how to explain it. He shook his head as he looked down. "I'm sorry I gave that impression, that I reacted so...poorly." He rubbed his face again. "I'm...unsettled."

Eve reached out and rubbed his shoulder. "It's alright, I don't think that." She whispers, "would you like to talk about it?" she asked.

He flinched at her touch but forced himself to settle. She was his superior. She was Starfleet and safe. "I've been trying to get an appointment with a counselor but...I'm sure I've been trying. I have...notes, saying that I've been trying. But they're pretty busy right now. I guess the last mission was harrowing for the crew. I just...I promised Dr. Mulgrew I'd keep up with therapy and now he's mad because I haven't yet...or was that McFarlan?" he shook his head, "One of them yelled at me for interrupting a client's session, the other was mad because I didn't make an appointment yet."

Eve removed her hand, and nodded. "Would you like your PADD?" she asked, taking a step back so he can walk to get it. "I have a feeling it helps you focus?"

Jeremy kept himself from snatching it, as if she were a thief and it was the most precious thing to him. Though, in a way, it was. At least the most precious thing he would carry around with him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, remember what Mulgrew said about it. "I...have a...condition," he muttered, still hating to admit it. He fought Starfleet saying he was too broken to still serve but now there was definite proof that he was broken, but he was managing. It's not what you are, Mulgrew told him, but a part of who you are right now.. Yet, here he was with another senior officer proving that he wasn't fit for this post. What would he do next, batter the captain? "It makes things...frustrating...at times. Thank you for understanding." The last bit sounded like something read off a card...or the screen of a PADD.

"You were a Cardassian POW correct? I read your file when you transferred here... they held you hostage for how long? Five years? The fact you made it this far is a testament of your strength." Eve spoke softly, "If you'd want I don't mind taking time and listen to what you have to say."

Jeremy covered his face with his hand while shaking his head. He trembled as he spoke. "No, sir, I am told that I was never a POW. I was..." he turned his side to her as well as looking away, the shame of it still affecting him so many years later, "charged with treason and...and convicted of perjury. I am told..." he shook his head again. "No, I lied on the stand during the treason trial. I couldn't let Ahndyl be caged again. She didn't have the strength to..."

He stopped, going blank as he repeated breath in, breathe out.

"Alright, that's enough for today...tell me, what were you reading? You seemed so interested with what's on the PADD, is it interesting?"

Jeremy tapped a fist against his thigh. "It's an old Earth opera about dancing vampires." He gave her a weak smile. "Saying that out loud makes it sound silly."

Eve smiled, "Nothing sounds silly to me anymore, but besides, one of my favorite old Earth pop was called "Danze delle Streghe" Italian for "Dances of the Witches."

Jeremy smiled for a second. "Apparently superstitious monsters danced a lot in old Earth? Maybe that's why they were considered so scary? Because Terrans hate to dance?"

"Fear of the unknown. Every species had moments like that."

Jeremy frowned for a moment as he stared at her. "Oh," he said, quietly. "I forgot you're not Terran." he shook his head. He looked down at the floor while he considered what to say. He had work problems, but she had lost her entire planet and most of her species. In a lot of respects, she was genuinely part of an endangered species while Terrans would go on for a very long time without him. "How do you handle it, sir? Having gone through all that you must have? Losing...I am told that losing one's family is the hardest thing to endure."

Eve's smile faded and she sighed, "I'm trying to let those wounds heal everyday... yet it seems I always tend to be picking at the scars." she remarked sadly, "How did I make it through it all? I don't know. I just have to live for me."

"I didn't mean to bring up old wounds. I am told that losing one's family is one of the most devastating things that could happen to a person. I'm sorry you had to go through it. I couldn't imagine what I would do if..." He let it trail off as he picked up his PADD. "I didn't mean to cause you suffering."

"I'm fine, and yes losing one's family is devastating, and losing one homeworld... is unfathomable. No one will ever understand that pain unless you live through it."

Jeremy twisted the PADD in his hands, running his fingers along the edge while he stared at the blank screen. He felt chastised and well should have been. It was a thoughtless thing to bring up. How did he expect she would feel about the devastation and loss. But he didn't have much else to say after...their initial meeting. "Sir?" he said, still staring at the PADD. "I can do this job. I'll prove to you, the Commander and Captain that I can do it. Despite the..." he shrugged, unsure of how to continue. "In spite of these first few days. I don't want to make anybody regret that I'm here."

"Stone, you're fine. I'm not here to question your ability to perform your duty. I believe you handled the incident in the mess hall appropriately considering the circumstances. I just wish there was more I can do for you and your condition." Evelyn replied softly, "my offer still stands, if you ever want to talk to someone, my office is open."

He set the PADD on the counter, face down and forced himself to make eye contact. He knew that often times his need to remember the proper formats of certain things, such as 'thank yous' and 'pleases' tended to make him appear insincere. He wanted to make sure that was not the case here. Biting his lip and frowning, he forced his hands behind his back to keep them stilled. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. I will probably take you up on the offer. I want to do a good job here. I thought I learned a lot about how to be a command officer but..." he spread his hands out while frowning. "I'm finding out that there's a lot I don't know. A lot that I don't understand though I should. And that my superiors here can help me with both." He thought briefly of Commander Holliday and the concept of 'forgiveness' for transgressions. Which only served to remind him of a message he'd received and thus far had not answered. "I am at your disposal for whatever you may need, Lieutenant." He said simply.

"Believe me, you'll never know what it will be like to be a command officer until you are one. Sure you may read books on the subject and listen to personal stories, but you never really grasp the idea, until you are in that chair." Eve mused with a small smile. "It's almost like parenting. And I appreciate your offer Chief." She looked around the security department, "So how are the new tactical systems looking?" She asked, wanting to change the subject to something Stone maybe more comfortable discussing. "I heard the ships receive. a few upgrades." in fact, Eve was planning to check out the new bridge module after she's done with Stone.

"They're going to be good. Maybe a little overpowered for a Nova class, but as a science vessel often out on it's own, I rather be overgunned then undergunned." he frowned, "I'm just not sure I like replacing the tactical station right up front, under the very watchful eye of the captain. Sort of feels like being babysat in a way." He forced a smile, wondering if the 'joke' would come across. "If you like, I could give you a quick run down on the systems and catch you up to speed. I should be on the bridge during my duty shift anyway, but with shoreleave, I'm letting junior personnel get more experience with the systems. Very little chance of needing to engage phasers or photons while in port. I hope."

Eve chuckled at his joke, "Don't worry, the old Constitution-class had the tactical station right next to helm too. Not to mention the Daedalus-class. I'm telling you every time that ship went into warp, I felt the ship was going to fall apart. I never been so scared to serve on a starship since then."

Jeremy snatched his PADD off the console and absently flicked to a page while speaking. "Inertial dampener technology has been vastly improved since the days of the Constitution class, much like replicators, medical technology, transporters, warp engines. I understand that a Constitution class pushed warp thresholds at 4.5," he made a mark in a previously empty column that looked tiny and feeble in light of the 139 marks in the other column. The excitement, however, of having that one mark overrode the fact that he was telling someone who lived through all the changes in technology about the changes in technology, "Phasers and torpedoes are greatly enhanced, thankfully. With our increase in exploration we've also increased the number of hostile powers arrayed against us. We can't count on the Klingons or Romulans always being our friends." Much like a kid on the day before Christmas, Jeremy thought the hours between now and breakfast tomorrow would never pass. He had something to show Kell. He had successfully told a joke!.

"Yeah the Kobayashi Maru test that was given when I was in the academy would be winnable with today's technology." She chuckled, "gotta love advance weaponry."

"Sir," Jeremy frowned, "the Kobayashi Maru is designed to be failed at any time. The level of technology is irrelevant. Wasn't that always the case?"

"It's designed for it, however, with new advancements made, more options and resources are given to the Captain to succeed. It's designed for you to fail, however, that is to assume there is a no win scenario, and frankly I don't by into that." Eve shrugged.

"Sir, isn't that a little..." he stopped so he could choose his words carefully. he didn't want another incident like the one he had with the Commander. "Sir, isn't that a little...wishful...to think? There have been many things that species throughout the galaxy have disbelieved - chiefly among them life on other planets, the extent of the universe, gravity, orbits. History, at least what I know of Terran history, has been replete with 'no win' situations that were fought bravely because the loss there may benefit an overall gain. How is it that you don't believe in something that is so easily quantifiable? It doesn't take a 'leap of faith' to verify that no win situations do exist."

"It's easy. I'm a very stubborn person. If there is a problem in front of me, I will solve it." Eve grinned.

"But, sir," Jeremy said as he began operating the console, doing a check on the bridge station to continue at least monitoring shipboard functions as he should be doing, since he was on duty. "Isn't that just tipping at windmills?" Though, Jeremy liked the idea. Was it really so different from a lot have what he's done? And he was able to progress forward and rise from ashes to wind up where he was at. "I ask merely so I'll know what to expect on away missions and when I'm called upon to guard your safety."

"Jeremy, part of the fun of being in a science vessel is all of the new discoveries the will be made. So why would I spoil that fun for you and just tell you what to expect from me?" Eve chuckled, "Besides, I'd rather save your life than my own. I've been around for over two hundred years, it gets to a point where life gets boring."

Jeremy frowned as he looked up. "Because, sir, as a good commanding officer, and a good listener, you understand that my type don't like surprises. I have had to find a new way to be because I don't remember how to be who I was before. That means I need to look at things with rational objectivity. When I try to 'guess' things go wrong." he glanced at the console, satisfied that things were running as they should. "Also, sir, you are not allowed to try to put yourself in danger for me. Part of my duties as a security officer is the protection of others. It is an oath I have sworn and a charge I take very seriously. To try to give your life for mine would vex me greatly, sir."

Eve sighed, "You're are a good officer Jeremy." she looked at him, "In terms of what to expect, nothing out of the ordinary. I'm pretty by the book too."

"Whose book, Lieutenant?" Stone asked, without facetious, inflection or tone. "I have noticed that there appears to be several different 'books' to which people abide. If I'm to understand how best to function as a subordinate, I need to understand which 'book' you swear by."

Eve looked at him and smirked, "If you were someone else, I'd say you're being cute, however, when someone says to you, "by the book" they are referring to protocol. Standard Starfleet regulations found in the handbook."

"Thank you sir, for not bringing appearance into the conversation, that would only make this into an awkward an vague harassment issue." Jeremy said while glancing intently at the console. "I must have an outdated set of handbooks, all my understanding of regulations, protocols and procedures appear to be wrong." He stared intently at the display, but not seeing the data on the screens.

Eve blinked and shook her head, taking a moment to process what she was going to say next, "Uh, no. You have it up to date. The problem is there are so many variables...may I see your PADD for a moment. I may have something that might help you."

"Sir?" he said, swallowing a sudden lump in his throat while covering the PADD with one hand. she said may she see it. that is not an order. But she's a superior officer and they often incorrectly phrase orders as questions to seem 'polite'. Slowly, reluctantly, determining that he'd rather not be in trouble - again - with a superior officer, he handed it to her. His eyes stayed fixed on her while his body tensed to chase her down if she decided to try to take off with it.

"Don't worry I'm not going to take it." Evelyn reassured him as she looked down at the PADD. It took her less than a minute to access one of her personal files, bringing up a collection of papers she wrote in her career. She handed the PADD back to Stone. "When I was teaching at the Academy, I decided to make a companion guide to Starfleet's handbook, basically what goes on inside a ships, the very variables the damn thing never covers. So there is a section of expressions to look out for and what they mean, and so forth."

Jeremy tried very hard not to snatch the PADD from her hands when she offered, but he visibly relaxed when he had it back in his safekeeping once again. He did listen to what she had to say and looked at the file. "Are these official, sir?" He asked. "I mean, should I study these to know them as well as the regulations and implement them as official policy?"

She looked at him, "They are not official, however, I would recommend reading them when official policy doesn't address a situation your in. Say when an officer assigns you a report to do without any deadline specifics, the unofficial guide would tell you appropriate deadline guides for what report being requested."

He stood straight now, his hands behind his back while he stared at her directly. "Negative, sir. Negative! A superior officer takes on the responsibility to assign a report then there is an inherent responsibility to make sure that all facets of that assignment are clearly detailed and understood by the subordinates! To be vague and unresponsive to the need for clearly defined parameters invites confusion and chaos and misunderstanding which is always treated as the fault of the subordinate. What if...for example only sir...a report is assigned and given a deadline of 'before we leave Vega Nine' because the superior thinks, because that's the way it is, he thinks that the ship will be there for another four or five days but then a new emergency pops up and the ship has to leave within two hours? Now the subordinate is clearly at fault for not following the dictates of the assignment given and...the superior now has cause to discipline the subordinate even though the fault clearly lies with the superior for making the deadline completely vague and without definition!" He stepped back, realizing that some sort of nerve had been touched. "As a hypothetical, sir, it causes too many problems for the subordinate that he has no authority or means of addressing, especially with a superior that has shown a lack of faith and trust in the subordinate."

"That is why, in Chapter 5, section III, paragraph 4 states and I quote ,"In the event the superior officer fails to set an establish deadline for a report request, the subordinate should then establish an arbitrary 48 hour deadline for said report to be due." It's all there in my companion book. Just take a look through it, what's the worst thing that can happen?"

Closing his eyes and breathing, Jeremy found someone quoting a regulation - or rather in this case a guideline - on this ship so refreshing and so normal to him. "Thank you, sir," he whispered as he opened the file to begin reading. If anything, he was more than willing to continue proving several doctors and JAG officers wrong, that he didn't just deserve to be in Starfleet, but would excel at it. He itched to move past the introductions and preambles to get to the meat of the matter, but that was not the way things were done. Step A led to Step B...not to Step M then Step G then to Step Z finally back to Step C. His eyes flickered while he read, hurrying past words to get to the relevant parts, while a part of him said he was forgetting something. Something sort of, kind of, really important.

She watched him as he read through the padd, "Lt. Stone, don't forget to finish that report though." she replied, "you can always read that guidebook after your shift is completed."

"What?" he asked looking up and seeing Lt. Coleman standing in front of him. "Sir? Did I..." he looked at the door. "Did you need something else?" he asked, ashamed that he had zoned her out while going through the book. Ashamed that he had forgotten her while she stood right in front of him! "I've," he shook his head, "I'm sorry. You said you wanted me to do a report?"

Evelyn arched her brow and then recalled an important fact in Stone's file. "You still having short-term memory issues?"

Jeremy put his hands behind his back and looked defeated as he stared at the console. "Sir?" he asked, slightly shaking his head. But he'd been asked a direct question. By a superior. He had to answer or there would be consequences. There would beproblems. Already he hesitated too long, made her wait too long. "I am told that I have disassociative memory syndrome." He said it low, slow - ashamed - and closed his eyes and braced himself. If he were lucky it would just be the yelling...the threats. But he made it so he wasn't lucky. He braced himself for pain.

Eve nodded, "Well that explains the PADD obsession." She smirked, and noticed the look on his face, "hey, keep you chin up, never be ashamed, just see your achievements." she smiled as her eyes shifted to the Data PADD. "You may want to consider upgrading that to one capable of transcribing conversations, and filter out commands ordered by you from that conversation and store it into your task for the day."

"Yes, sir," he said, "I'll look into it. You wanted a report, sir?"

"No. Earlier you used an example of a superior stating a vague deadline, I wasn't sure whether the example was purely hypothetical or derived from a recent experience. I assumed the latter and was merely reminding you." Eve explained.

"Oh," he said, looking back at the panel. "It was an example only, sir. It would be...improper for a subordinate to be seen gossiping a complaint regarding a superior officer, no matter how justified it might be." He flicked to a different panel on the console, once again checking on the tactical station. "But, if you needed a report done, Lieutenant, I would make the time." He said it as he stared at the screens of the console.

"I'm aware." Evelyn smiled. "I won't take up anymore of your time, it was nice meeting you, Lieutenant Stone."

"Yes, sir," he said, straightening to a modified 'at ease' and 'attention' stance as she left the office. His fingers itched as he picked up the PADD. Information...information to help him succeed was something he treasured. But, sighing, he still had other duties to perform.

OFF:

Lieutenant Evelyn Coleman
Chief Intelligence Officer/ 2XO
USS Galileo

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

RSS Feed

Comments (1)