The Gift of Calm

Posted on 14 Jan 2013 @ 10:35am by Lieutenant Commander Evelyn Coleman

3,233 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo - Intelligence Office
Timeline: MD 16 0900

Jeremy grabbed his PADD and placed it in his pocket as he left his office. Replacing the chair he used to keep the door open and made his way to the Intelligence office. The computer told him that Lt. Coleman was there and that was who he needed to see that the moment. Honestly, he wanted to see Chief Alexander, but he wasn't answering subspace, so Jeremy left a message and was waiting for a reply.

In the meantime, he thought it best to give the command staff an update but the prospect of being confronted with Holliday's outright hatred of him or Coleman's unreasonable dislike of his ability to collate minor medical statistics, he had to choose Coleman. As second officer of the ship, it was reasonable to assume she had some command authority over him and the department.

The thought of trying to go to the Captain never crossed his mind, because she was levels above him in the CoC and he had no pertinent or exigent reason to jump those levels. At this rate, Holliday could be unhappy that Jeremy reported to Coleman rather than him, but it was wholly within protocol so all he could do was be unhappy about it.

He waited in front of the door, PADD nicely secured in his pocket (where she would have to fight to grab it if she wanted to try to threaten it again) after chiming once.

Evelyn rubbed her eyes as she tore her gaze away from the PADD, dropping it onto her desk. "I hate reports." She groaned, as she leaned back in her chair. She rose up from her seat and made her way to the replicator, "Coffee, Black." she ordered and a cup of the hot beverage materialized. She reached for the handle and took a sip and relaxed as the warm liquid ran down her throat. When she returned to her chair, her door chimed, "Come in."

Jeremy waited for the door to completely open before he stepped through the portal, feeling slightly more anxious than he thought he would. For a moment he considered the distance between the front of her desk and the door and how the automatic sensors would fail to activate, allowing the door to close. He wasn't sure why, but he'd become even more sensitive to closed doors since yesterday. But he had come here for a reason and he would have to brave the closing of the door.

And her door lockouts could be overridden. "Lieutenant Coleman," he said as the only greeting.

"Ah Lieutenant Stone, what a pleasant surprise, what do I owe this visit for?" She smiled at the security chief as she took another sip of her coffee.

He twitched, wanting to bring out his PADD to make sure he gave a full report, but he worried about her reaction to it. "Sir," he said, "It's time to give a department update status." He watched the edge of her desk as he launched into his report. "Aside from crewman Kilborne, we have no brig acitivity for the last two days, however environmental controls in brig three are acting up and I'm currently working on that. After our last conversation, I was able to supervise a success rate of eighty-three percent using the transporter solution as crew embarked and disembarked through the transporters. The remainder of the affected crew were transported in situ while they slept. Using medical scanners we were able to determine when they were in REM sleep to minimize impact.

"I've been in violation of Starfleet regulations regarding fraternization," he considered quoting it but moved on since no one ever cared to be fully informed, "through my association with several enlisted personnel for personal interactions and would like to request a fraternization waiver to be in compliance. I've contacted my former Chief to inquire if my old position is still open and the possibility of a transfer back there. The ship's phaser banks are fully charged and we're fully loaded as far as torpedoes are concerned. Shield systems are checking out optimal. I've assigned Chief Kiwoski to forming a quick response team, an assignment he has really taken to. He's sent a memo regarding initial formation of the team and I'll be meeting with him later today to go over more details and to begin getting a lock on qualifications and training requirements. Currently the Security and Tactical departments are operating optimally. I managed to send drafts of the requested security reports to Commander Holliday and expect to have full reports ready by the end of the week. Investigation into the intrusion aboard the ship last night continues and I hope to have a report on that completed by the end of the week."

His brows knit together as he went over what he had reported, hoping to make sure he got everything he wanted to discuss. His hand twitched to go to his pocket and pull out the PADD. To keep from doing so, he put his hands behind his back. His face puzzled even more. "Have you decided against having your office painted?" he asked, noting the color of the walls was definitely not sienna.

Evelyn looked up at the Security Chief from her chair, and could only smile at him. "You know, Lieutenant Stone, I am beginning to enjoy our conversations. You cover a variety of important matters and finish it with a critique of my office's color scheme." She chuckled lightly, "you certainly are an unique individual, Lieutenant. I and I mean that with all respect." She reached down and opened the drawer to her desk and pulled out a box, wrapped with silver paper and a matching bow. "I would like to apologize for my small outburst at our last meeting. I was just getting frustrated with the situation, and I allowed my temper to get the best of me. So as a token of my apology, this is for you." She said handing him the box.

He took the box only because it was something handed to him by a superior officer but frowned as he stared at it. He blinked several times before he started to speak, stopped and remained staring at the box. "You were very upset that I saw what color you wanted," Jeremy said, still not understanding why she had been so upset. "If it's just a matter of help, Mister Darwisch works in Ops, I'm sure she can arrange for them to come in and paint for you."

He stared at the box. This was a gift. He held it in his hands. He recognized the custom. A gift - he still received things like this from his mother every year for a 'celebration' he didn't understand. His mind filled in the Starfleet regulation against Security accepting gratuities, gifts and bribes, not to mention regulations regarding gifts between superior and subordinates - though that one was generally interpreted as superiors not accepting gifts from subordinates. He thought about fraternization rules which he already admitted he was in non-compliance. He stared at the box.

"Stop thinking about the regulations and protocols against gift giving. You are free to accept a personal gift from time to time." Evelyn stated simply, with a small smile. "Starfleet Code 99831-G subsection 3 paragraph 10, In an event a gift is presented, the officer in question is free to receive said gift..." She began quoting the extensive code which serves as a loophole to main gift giving regulation.

Jeremy continued to frown - this time that he had forgotten a loophole. "99831-J paragraph 8, sir," he muttered as he continued to stare at the box. He looked up at Coleman then moved to the edge of her desk where he set it on its end and carefully worked free the seals, not bothering to rip into the paper as most would. When he had it completely unwrapped from the paper, he carefully refold the paper and set it aside, topped with the ribbon. He stared at the contents inside, still puzzled. "Sir?" he asked, looking back at her.

"Remember during our little chat in your office, I mention a more advance Data PADD for you to use? Well here you are, the latest in Federation Technology." She exclaimed as she stood up. "These were designed exclusively for Star fleet Intelligence personnel, and I made a few arrangements so this is for you, Lt. Stone."

He took the object out of the box. Noting how small and fragile it looked. Flimsy. In fact, it seemed to waver in his hands. Part of it were attached to a piece of cloth that looked as if it self-sealed to itself. It didn't look like any PADD that he had ever seen before. The screen was transparent, allowing him to see the cloth backing through it. He again looked up, puzzled, "Sir?" he asked, not sure what else to say - actually at a loss for words at this point. He stared at it again, holding it with one hand while he absently reattached to the lid of the box and set it down neatly on the desk. "How is it..." he frowned. "How does it work?"

Eve stood up, "It's not your ordinary PADD." She commented, hesitantly chuckling for stating the obvious. "It's actually designed to be worn, like a watch around your wrist." She turned the PADD over his wrist, so the small rectangular screen would be long over his hand and arm. Automatically, the cloth wrapped around his wrist, and the device remained secured there.

He stared at his wrist. "Oh," he merely said. There was something that needed to be said in these circumstances. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. What was it? "Thank you?" he said, sounding unsure if that were correct. He reviewed the various regulations regarding gifts. It couldn't be considered a bribe...because she was a superior officer and could order rather than entice. It wasn't a romantic overture. She stated it wasn't about friendship. Maybe it was just what she said it was? He scowled, something seemed wrong with that. People always had angles.

Evelyn looked at him and frowned, "Stone, you have my permission to speak freely, and ask whatever is on your mind. You look as if I just shattered your bubble and your world has been turned upside down."

"I want off this ship!" he blurted out as he stared at his wrist. He adjusted the face of the device so that it was on the underside. That felt better. "No, that's not...I need off this ship!"

"Whoa... whoa, what's wrong?" Evelyn asked, taking a step back away from him.

He rubbed his face then stopped and stared at his hand. "The Commander hates me and has never thought I could do this job, the crew hates me and call me a 'Nazi', I attacked the doctor yesterday, I don't have the respect of my department and I'm ruining what respect the department did have." He started pacing, forgetting he was in the presence of a superior officer. "Something...awful...happened yesterday but I don't know what it is because I can't remember but...my entire routine was thrown away and that means that I..." He stopped to stare at the wall. "I'm screwing everything up. I'm not ready for this and the crew...they know it. I'm scaring them, Lieutenant. They think I'm going to murder them in their sleep, or stalk down the hallways killing them. I...I'm not ready for this. I shouldn't have left."

A million thoughts were running through her head, and she wasn't sure what she should do next. Eve gulped and nodded, and took a step closer to the young man. "Jeremy, take a deep breath." she whispered softly.

He turned to look at her then his gaze dropped to the floor. "I'm sorry," he said. "I told you I'd prove I could do this but...it's too far gone now. I've lost years of work on my self-control in these last four days. I deliberately let myself forget yesterday, I know that." He looked at the new PADD. He liked having it there. It meant he didn't have to keep trying to put it away in a pocket.

Evelyn reached out and took his hands in her own. "Jeremy, look at me. It's normal to have a rough few days on a new assignment. Believe me, my first few weeks on this ship was anything but ideal." She looked into his eyes, "Stone, you are not alone in this..." she reassured him.

"A rough few days, sure," he said wanting to pace again. "But...I..." He stilled. "I'm trying to retain my control. But the mistakes are piling up. I'm working on trying to do a good job but what good is that going to do when the XO has already determined that I'm not fit for my position? Okay, Kiwoski was a mistake, I admit that. As soon as I realized it, I asked to have my mistake corrected. But Crewman Athlen wasn't a mistake! Holliday should not have just disregarded all the work I put into that case, nor disregarded the reasoning I had for Kiwoski aside from mishearing what Kiwoski said."

He did pace now. "I can't go back and redo things. I can't start over. I did okay with Chief Alexander. I was a good aSec for him. I should go back there. I'm comfortable there."

"Jeremy, I'm confident in the long run, all of this will work out. Believe it or not, you need this assignment to progress."

"Progress to where?" he asked. "I've already proven I shouldn't be higher than an aSec. I've screwed everything up. I've found my level. I just...I'll learn to be happy there." He went to the chair and flopped into it, covering his face with the hand that still ached a bit...failing to note that he tore them up again...somehow...but they looked like some time taken at the heavy bag.

"Jeremy, you were obviously not happy, or else you wouldn't have taken this assignment." Eve sighed, crossing her arms, "You went through hell at the hands of Cardassians, left with severe handicaps, the fact you're back in that uniform proves you can overcome obstacles... oh what the hell am I doing?" Evelyn asked herself, shaking her head, "what good would a pep talk do if you won't remember...." her voice faded as it an idea formed in her head. "Jeremy, do you think your life would be easier if you were able to remember?"

Jeremy stared at her, completely puzzled. He kept coming back to this with Mulgrew. "Wouldn't it? Isn't life easier being able to remember things like your shoe size, or if you like ice cream - or even what ice cream is? Or how to respond when someone gives you a gift or...why you made your mother cry this time?"

"True, you're right it was a stupid question...how come Starfleet Medical didn't treat your memory loss?"

He frowned. "Mulgrew just figured out what it was a little while ago. Before that they tried treating for various things and then declared I was just...faking. But, he says, I have anamolies in my brain structure now. A result of Cardassian experiments." He looked down at his boots, scowling bcause they needed a better polish. "And he says I don't want to remember things."

"He has a point. You were in the hands of Cardassians for a long time. I would recommend you keep those memories suppressed myself. But that doesn't mean we can't help you out the here and now..." She replied.

He shifted forward. "How?"

Evelyn shrugged, "You basically need to bypass the normal way your brain would send short term memory to long term. Or you can create a neural interface with your Data PADD, and it'll help remind you."

Jeremy stared at her as if she were speaking Trill without a translator present. "My brain works the way it works. But...a neural interface?"

Evelyn pressed her lips together thinking of a way to rephrase what she means. "You can use your PADD to help record your daily experiences, that way if you feel you're having a memory gap, you can bring up the event on your PADD."

Jeremy glanced at the new PADD, frowning "How many tetaquads of data does this thing store?". The idea was...intriguing.

She smirks, "Enough and then some." Eve moved closer, "It's not an ordinary Starfleet PADD. I mean; here," she reached down and ran her fingers on the edges of the padd and slid it off his wrist with ease, the wristband still on him. The padd screen itself also had tripled in size, to that of the PADD Jeremy currently uses. "it has multiple uses for multiple needs. It has the latest state of the art technology, no other power comes close. These will be incorporated to the rest of the fleet in the next five years, so you're ahead of the rest with this." She smiled.

Jeremy looked at the device in her hands with awe. Enough memory to record his day, convertible sized screen...it wasn't so much a gift but possibly prove of a higher power. He swallowed to think of the ways it could help. Having it always available was feature enough but the other functions? Without realizing, he'd forgotten the stress that brought him to Coleman in the first place. "It has an instruction manual?"

She smirked, "Of course." Evelyn lowered the padd onto his wrist and the size decreased and was secured with the wristband once again. She turned about on her desk and tapped a few keys on her desk console, "There, just uploaded them to the Data PADD you walked in with."

He looked at the PADD on his wrist again, knowing from the last time that she wouldn't like him to look at instruction manuals while they were still talking. "This is..." he frowned. He flicked his wrist and saw the time displayed, which nicely replaced the need for even have a chrono as well. "This appears as if it'll be highly functional and efficient." He glanced at her. "Thank you?" he ventured. It seemed right the first time.

Evelyn smiled, "Your welcome. Unless you have anything else you wish to discuss, you're dismissed." She added as she circled her desk to sit in her chair.

He had come in with several things to discuss with her, chief among them a transfer request so that he could leaves the ship, our at the very least a waiver so he could continued socializing with two enlisted crew who seemed actually able to stand being around him. Neither of which he got and that failure was not something he currently realized. The PADD was a nice distraction combined with the dismissal gave him only one option left. "Yes, sir," he said as he stood and left her office, almost exited that he had a news device to learn about. He began to look forward to the downtime between his normal duty shift and thE ship's return to space.

[OFF]


Lieutenant Evelyn Coleman
Chief Intelligence Officer/ 2XO
USS Galileo

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

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