Tuesday in the Park with Coleman

Posted on 10 Feb 2013 @ 4:11am by Lieutenant Commander Evelyn Coleman

4,257 words; about a 21 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 4 Arboretum
Timeline: MD 02, 1230

[ON]

Jeremy set his sandwich back on the bench as he contemplated. It was time to begin gathering materials and volunteers for Sidi's detection training but that was going to be the difficult part.

For whatever reason, Sidi refused to do any detection work on the Holodeck anymore. When going to the Holodeck, Sidi now just sits and then lays down and refuses to work. In the beginning he went all out and showed his prowess by quickly finding whatever it was Jeremy hid, however, his search and rescue work suffered as Sidi seemed confused what to do. No matter how much Jeremy tried to get him to track, Sidi just wouldn't do it.

He let Sidi run for a little while longer while he finished his lunch. Soon, he knew, he would have to spend his entire shift on the Bridge and wouldn't be able to take these breaks for him and Sidi. So he needed to enjoy them now, while he could.

His PADD chirped, indicating someone entered the arboretum. Not a big surprise considering the time. But he would have to be more careful in observing Sidi to make sure that an incident didn't happen. He checked the tracker data to find out who had entered and then sighed.

Lieutenant Commander Coleman. Maybe the Intelligence Officer was just trying to enjoy her own lunch in a more natural setting. Maybe she'd stay on the other side and not see him.

Maybe ... none of that would happen as he saw Coleman walking toward him. Sandwich in hand, he stood. "Commander," he said as she came into range. He quickly found Sidi and saw he was still sniffing around the Arboretum.

"Lieutenant." Coleman replied with a smirk as she approached him. "How's the new PADD working for you?" She asked as she sat down next to him.

He frowned as he bowed his head. "Very well, sir," he said, placing his hands behind his back, disregarding the half sandwich he still held. "Seems to be working very well. Much easier to use." Was he babbling? It sounded like babbling to him. He sighed. He should have known he couldn't hide from her forever - the ship was too small.

"How've things been?" She asked, relaxing a little, "How's the canine been behaving? I admit never seen one on the bridge before, it was fun."

Jeremy glanced at her, wondering if she were making a joke considering how the entire incident ended. "Not everyone thought so," he said. "Apparently Lt. Malevin finds a speck of dust too distracting to do her job, much less a security officer." He didn't realize how much bitterness was in his voice over the incident.

"Don't you hate officers like that?" Evelyn sighed and looked around the arboretum, "so where is this canine of yours?"

"I don't have the time for that much hate," Jeremy said. "Sidi is having free time. I should be working on more training but...he's done well and I'm at a standstill until I can find volunteers." He glanced at Coleman. "I wish you would start with the 'yelling' as it were, sir."

Evelyn turned to face him, "Why would I be yelling at you?" she asked confused.

He turned away, bowing his head again. "I'm sure you've heard of the ... incident ... with Captain Saalm after the departure. I can't imagine that you're happy with it and how it reflects on you."

Evelyn smirked and turned her attention to Sidi, "Personally, I think the good Captain was wrong in this instant."

"Sir?" he asked. "My conduct was...I presented my complaint in the wrong manner." Sidi ran up to them, bumping up against Jeremy, his snout going for the pocket he knew his ball was in. Jeremy knelt down and ruffled his cheek fur. "Hey, boy," he said. "This is Lieutenant Commander Coleman. Go make friends."

Sidi went to the woman and began sniffing her before stepping back and barking once, lolling his tongue as his tail wagged. He liked the old smell and she made Alpha smell different than other two legs did. That was a good thing, a happy Alpha let him chase silly ducks and BALL! Ball!! He barked at Old-smell again, dancing while he waited for her. Now was the time for him to get a beef-treat or a rubbing or BALL! But...he was seriously getting anxious to begin biting again. He liked biting but he hasn't done it for far too long. Maybe Old-smell will bite-play?

"Your conduct is appropriate for you." Evelyn replied as she reached out ran her fingers through Sidi's fur, petting him. "People are aware of your past, yet refuse to acknowledge what you've been through. You are not the typical terran and this crew should accept you for who you are instead of imposing themselves on you."

Jeremy frowned, "Sir, you told me you weren't a telepath?"

Evelyn turned to face Jeremy, "I'm not a telepath, I'm just a good listener." She smirked, turning back to Sidi, fingers now scratching behind both his ears. "You know I used to have a pet."

He stated to tell her that Sidi wasn't a pet but held back. "A dog?" He asked. The last pet he had did not go well. Fortunately intervention happened before anything too permanent happened. He watched Sidi moving closer to Coleman, not sure why he felt...not sure what he felt really as he watched Sidi enjoying the attention.

"A Tarcassian Razor beast," Eve smiled as she remembered her furry animal. "He had golden eyes, brown-reddish fur...I named him Rusty. I remember, his wingspan was so wide that when I was a child I could wrap myself up in them. Whenever I was frightened I'd curl up next to Rusty, and listen to his soft purr and feel safe..." her smile faded and she gently pulled away from Sidi, "but that was a long time ago."

Jeremy nodded, "I believe you were correct in your security concerns. People are dismissing threats too quickly and without sufficient cause." He sighed. "That Vulcan's pronouncement of the Borg as a virtual non-threat is off the mark. I fear there is a complacency regarding threats aboard this ship."

"It's more than security concern, this mission is a waste of time." Evelyn frowned, "this part of space is dangerous and... I don't want to return here."

"If the available resources are accurate then..." he frowned as he watched her. He went and sat on the bench next to her, letting Sidi be between them. "Sir, do you know something? Do you have information that I should know, something about what's going to happen? A glimpse of the future? Anything?"

Evelyn sighed, "When we enter the Rajor system, we'd be less than a parsec away from El-Auria." she confessed looking down at her feet.

"You've never returned home?" Jeremy asked, frowning at the idea. "In all these centuries?"

"That implies there is something to go back to. No, I never returned. All that is left is a dead planet anyway."

Jeremy sat, trying to be quiet and respectful of how she was feeling. "But..." he sighed. "It was your home. It's..." he shook his head. Would he want to go back to the planet where he was captured and held hostage? Back to the installation, the caves where Jeremy Stone died and he came into being? No, he didn't think he would. But...that wasn't his home...far from it. He didn't have a single good memory of that place. "I'm sorry, I'm...it's just...home is where a person is supposed to be. Sometimes we get stuck about things and..." he shook his head. "I...sometime you should go back. Even if it's to see the ghosts and lay them to rest."

Evelyn blinked and turned to look at Jeremy, "Lay them to rest? You mean to have closure."

He nodded, his jaw clenched. "I'm told closure is a good thing. That it's healing. I..." he sighed. "I can't understand why somebody wouldn't want it if it's just...so simple. Are you afraid of going there?"

Evelyn thought about his question and shook her head, "No, I'm not afraid of what I may find. I just thought I made peace with the fact, already had closure but... I don't know."

"I don't understand memorials. What's the point of all of it? Making yourself remember all those things? Prodding that hurt over and over until all you are is one big aching wound. You're probably better this way, without going back."

"Memorials are designed to remind us of not only the loss but to honor their sacrifice. The wound for me is not so much the planet reminding me, but...." Evelyn bit her lower lip, already feeling her eyes stinging. "So, Sidi..." she brought up the dog's name, hoping to change the subject. "Captain doesn't want him on the bridge and you objected...why?"

Jeremy ruffled Sidi's fur. "Sidi is a security officer, not a pet. I tried to explain that to Holliday. I thought I had explained that to Holliday before bringing him aboard. Holliday told me that he and Saalm" he did try to say the name without bitterness. He tried at any rate but it wasn't working. "He told me they understood. Then some prima donna tries to hide her incompetence under her speciesism and Saalm turns and tells me he's nothing more than a pet. To make me socialize with others. Without ever asking me if I want to socialize. He's being subjected to discrimination and bigotry and - I know it's because of me. He's being punished because of her disdain for me." He stopped petting the dog, still upset over how others had to continously suffer when they got too close to him.

"So this really wasn't about Sidi, but the crew's treatment of you." Evelyn rationalized, turning towards him more. "They are demanding a Vulcan to laugh." she added with faint amusement.

He sighed, irritation rising. "No," he said. "Why is everyone saying that? Why is it so hard to believe that I'm not a bigot and I think it's unfair how people look at him just because he's a canine? Shouldn't he be given respect and equality as much as any other crewmember on this ship. Granted, he might have had a better time of it with Davis or Cambree, or even...Stark but...I'm used to it. It's what I've lived with since my recovery." He... "Wait...they want a Vulcan to laugh? What the hell is wrong with these people?"

Evelyn shook her head, "You're misunderstanding me. I'm not saying you do not care for Sidi, all I'm saying is this incident has more to do with you than about the canine. You were in a Cardassian Prison for almost half a decade, that isn't something one recovers from easily. Please don't take this the wrong way but you are not a traditional human. You require different...circumstances, but lets face it this crew is uncomfortable with your differences. It sounds to me, Sidi is merely a vassal to vocalize the crew's treatment of you." She leaned forward, resting her arms on her knees. "The analogy is; it is as if you were a Vulcan and this crew doesn't know why you didn't laugh at a joke."

"I don't need to be Vulcan to not laugh at jokes." He stood and walked a few paces away. "Commander, I'm...I've been this way for as long as I can remember. Granted, some days that may be only as far back as breakfast, if I'm lucky. I know that I'm looked at as a monster and..." he sighed. "I understand why. I see that monster in the mirror as well. But..." he grabbed the ball from his pocket because he had the need to throw something. Sidi was after it as soon as it left his hand. "I wrote a report! But she still calls it a 'minor infraction' as if he were just a minor argument. She tells me that Sidi is just a pet that I'm supposed to trot out so people like me. But it's not me they like, it's him and it does nothing for me. I don't socialize! I'm fighting with my father over this, over wanting to make Sidi better. He tells me to quit Starfleet and go home. But there's nothing there for me either."

He took the ball from Sidi, praising him before throwing it again. "I'm done, Commander. I should have kept to my decision and left the ship at Starbase 185. I'm leaving when we get back. I'm quitting Starfleet. I'm going home and...I'm going to stop treatments and wait to die."

Evelyn looked at him and sighed, "You're not leaving, you're not resigning from Starfleet, and most certainly you're not going to wait for death."

"This isn't Starfleet anymore. At least...not the Starfleet I wanted to be a part of," he shook his head. "This ship alone we've got prostitutes and terrorists and people who think bar fights are 'recreation' and that's all accepted. We have Captains who force 'pets' onto others and then tell them to keep them locked in quarters. Chief Petty officers feel free to insult officers in front of the Captain, others make unauthorized demands, doing my job means I'm harassing the crew...Starfleet uses it's people for experimentation and that's all okay. I'm not part of the greatest, professional organization in the galaxy anymore. I'm part of a gang of thugs and criminals, where the desire for order and law is antiquated and monstrous. And punished."

"I've wanted to advance to this for so long and I'm finding out that it's...even more of a nightmare. I thought I could make a difference, make changes and bring professionalism back. But nobody wants that. Saalm and Holliday, they don't want a security chief, they're happy micromanaging everything this department does to make sure this ship functions with disfunction. I'm supposed to 'socialize'? With what? The dregs of the galaxy? I might as well go join a long haul freighter, I don't see any difference anymore.

"But, going home? That's not a solution, it's not even home for me anymore. I've got several decades, at least, left and what am I going to do? I can't return to school to learn anything new because my medical requirements aren't accepted by universities, I can't go to work in the civilian sector because I can't pass the qualifications. I'm thirty eight years old, not even reaching mid-life and already I'm obsolete." He knelt and ruffled Sidi's fur. "All I had was Starfleet and even that's been taken away so I have nothing left. I'm just a used up, broken old man in a twisted, scarred life desperately clinging to a sinking ship. It's better this way. Sidi can go to a handler who'll be able to use his skills and...Saalm can get the lazy, do nothing security chief she wants for this boat. And the crew? They can go back to operating as if this were an Orion pirate ship."

He threw the ball again. "I'm sorry, Commander, but I just don't think I have it in me anymore. Securing rights for Sidi and other working dogs will use up the last of it and then..." he shook his head. "I just don't have it anymore."

"How would you explain me then, Jeremy?" Evelyn asked, "You say this crew can't stand you, that you can't socialize, yet we're talking. I consider you a friend. So am I just an exception to the rule for you?"

He sighed. Of course she was right, he did talk to her. He found it easy to talk to her. "You're a puzzle and I'm sure you understand how much I love puzzles. And you've been in Starfleet so long that I can't even begin to imagine the changes you've experienced, which makes mine pale in comparison. I talk about not having a home to go to and you really don't. I don't understand how you don't tell me to stop my self-indulgent whining and security up.

"You also only expect me to be me...not some typical Terran template. If only you were the Captain instead things might be different. I might be able to believe you when you say you cared about the crew equally. I wouldn't have to fight for rights for one of my department - and face criticism that I'm just deflecting my problems onto him. How sick would that be? Plus it only means that I've not accepted my own treatment and want to do something about it. But that's not the case. Even if it were, nothing would come of it anyway.

"You at least try to help, really help and I repay you by being the monster they see me as. I'm afraid I'm not a very good friend for you, Commander."

Evelyn reached out and squeezed his hand with hers. "You're a fine friend. Frankly I think this crew needs to start expecting you to be yourself and not some Terran template like you just said. Before you run and give up, let me be your advocate."

He stayed quiet for sevetal long moments. "I couldn't let you ruin yourself on my behalf. I've already had Sidi's career ruined, I can't do that to you too."

"Oh please, this is the least I can do." She smirked and then turned to Sidi, "and as for this guy, have you thought about giving him a Starfleet uniform to wear?"

Jeremy frowned. "I had rank pips for him but..." That was not a good conversation but at least he understood the reasons for it. "I have a badge for him but since he's just a 'pet' I haven't put it on. But no, I haven't thought of a uniform."

"Sidi is a Starfleet officer, he deserves a Starfleet uniform. She stroked the dog's fur smiling at that thought, "I'll give you the prefix code to replicate one for him. And if someone protests...send them to me. This was my decision and you may say you were following my orders."

"No," Jeremy said frowning. "It makes sense. He's...I'm fighting to get him recognized as a Starfleet officer, a full member of the crew. He should act like one and that includes being in uniform."

"I want you to know Jeremy, despite what others may think, I'm very proud of you." Evelyn spoke softly, smiling at him. "I want you to know you aren't alone in this, and you have more than a dog to back you up."

He bowed his head again, unsure what to say or how to feel. It was like being with Chief Alexander again. "Thank you, Commander," he whispered. He looked up. "A parsec isn't that far. I...well...everyone knows I can't pilot a shuttlecraft but we could go with you. If there's anything still alive on El Auria, Sidi'll find it. That's what he's best at."

Evelyn looked at him and then wrapped her arms around Jeremy, hugging him, "I appreciate the offer, Jeremy." she whispers, blinking back tears. She hugged him tight for less than a minute before pulling away, "I'll consider it."

Sidi barked twice before pushing between them and raising onto his hind legs, putting his forepaws on Coleman's waist and then barking one more time, staring at her.

Jeremy shook his head. "Somebody's jealous, I think."

Laughing Evelyn turned her attention to Sidi and proceeded to hug him as well. "I think so too." She grinned, pulling away from the hug, scratching both of the dog's ears. "Sidi is a good boy, and once he's in the uniform, we'll make sure people treat him with the respect he deserves. Or else they'll have to respond to me." She gave the dog an affirmed nod.

"That shouldn't be a problem soon," Jeremy said. "I've directed my attorney to file a suit to get Starfleet to recognize their rights as members of the crew." He sighed. "She says it's an uphill battle and a heck of a fight but...it's not unheard of. There has been precedent set. Commander Data, for instance, was declared sentient and worthy of full rights as a citizen. I'm not asking for that, but, just recognition of their Starfleet service and status."

"This case is more...unique than the android's. Give me time I'll do some research for you, see if there is a more appropriate precedent. "

"Thank you," he said, ruffling Sidi. "I'm in mind of Horta and..." he frowned. "A few others but I have to look them up. I know Starfleet has made accommodations for species's limitations before. It shouldn't be so hard for them to say 'oh yeah, we trained them to be Starfleet so they should be treated like Starfleet! They're a damned site better than what seems to come from enlistment of humanoids these days."

"I should warn you. More we ask questions, more eyebrows are raised. Don't make any new push in this lawsuit until I finish my research. Sidi is a Starfleet canine, if the Captain brought him to the ship to serve as some sort of pet for you, they will recall the dog." Evelyn warned.

He scowled. He didn't consider that response from Starfleet but realized he should have. Perhaps he should make sure Ahndyl had an injunction ready to go, to prevent just that sort of thing from happening. Though, Sidi wasn't a 'pet' and wasn't even being treated like a 'pet'. At least not by him. "It'll take some time to draw up the papers and file anything anyway. This things always take time."

Evelyn nodded, "True so we have that on our side." She grinned, "Don't worry, Jeremy. I'll do everything I can to make sure Sidi stays in your department."

"As will I," Jeremy said, "After all, Saalm can't dislike me any more than she already does at this point." he scowled thinking about his work with Sidi. "Well, maybe she will when she has to admit she was wrong about his usefulness on the bridge. But after that, she can't dislike me any more than she already will."

"The Captain doesn't dislike you... hell if the crew took the time to get to know you like I have you'd be more social. The issue is this crew seems to have a comfort zone, and heaven forbid the normalcy be compromised."

He remained quiet on that topic. As much as he liked Coleman, he knew she was wrong on this score. The Captain's actions were those of disdain and contempt. That was not the way people treat those they didn't dislike. Jeremy felt he had become something of an expert regarding the subject of being treated with disdain and contempt. He merely shrugged to keep from contradicting her.

"You want me to talk to her?" Evelyn asked.

"No," he said, staring at the pond. "It won't do any good. I tried and...she didn't hear a word I said. I'm pretty sure that the admin of this ship has just written me off as being the problem and any complaint they hear of against me has to be true. Which is funny, she says there were numerous but I've only been notified of one - the one with Kiwoski where I was wrong, granted." He shrugged again. "It's...things aren't going to change."

"Well Jeremy, I'm always here for you." Evelyn smiled rubbing his back. "I want to see you succeed."

"Thank you," he said, sighing as he checked his chrono. His 'break' was ending rapidly and he had to return to the bridge. His life really had been better as an aSec. If he had the ability to go back in time, he'd fight about leaving that position.

Evelyn stood up using the tree's trunk to assist her. "Well I better let you get back to work. Don't want anyone complain about you."

Jeremy watched her as she used the tree to help her stand. "Are you alright, Commander?" he asked, concerned by that. "Should I summon medical? Escort you?"

"I'm fine Jeremy," Evelyn smiled at the officer and added, "thank you though, not just for being concerned but everything else."

Jeremy frowned, not sure he believed her but short of forcing her there was little he could do.

Evelyn then walked over to Sidi and pet his head again. "Well, Crewman Sidi, you behave and obey your superior officer."

Jeremy looked around, aware he was about to break - well not a direct order but a direct agreement. "He's a lieutenant and technically my superior. Captain and Commander asked me to stop mentioning that because it...confuses people."

"Ah" Eve smirked, "well hard to say he's a pet if he outranks you."

"Maybe," Jeremy said as he frowned. "I've got it wrong and they were saying that I'm the pet? It would make more sense people objecting to my presence rather than his."

"You're no one's pet. And neither is Sidi. You both are officers in Starfleet." Eve said with a nod.

[OFF]

Lt. Commander Evelyn Coleman
Chief Intelligence Officer/ 2XO
USS Galileo

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

Sidious MWD7223
Security Canine unit
USS Galileo

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