The memory of a lesson learned

Posted on Fri Mar 6th, 2020 @ 5:34am by Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne & Commander Hades,MD

1,002 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 105 – Evacuation
Location: USS Mercy, Bridge
Timeline: Current

{ON}

Ariana was sitting in her seat on the bridge of the Mercy, with the evacuation well and truly underway she recalled the conversation that she had, had with Hades.

~ SB400 Sickbay, prior to the evacuation order ~

Ariana had received a call from Hades, they needed to finish off their talk they started aboard the Mercy.

Walking to Hades Office Ariana looked inside curiously, she didn’t have her inhibitor on now so the emotions and voices around her were a real jumble in her head. Walking inside she looked at Hades. "Okay so... am I about to get a constructive pep talk or a roasting?"

He sighed, "Both." He motioned "Sit down."

Ariana nodded and took a seat. She actually had butterflies which was a first but she needed to learn from her mistakes.

He looked at her. "There is a lot you have to learn about being XO, but that said you will make a great one some day. The call to send people over is always a last resort. We almost lost them. We could have used transporters. Why did you call for a boarding?"

"I..." She paused to gather her thoughts. "Excuse me for sounding like a Vulcan but, it seemed...logical at the time. Given the circumstances I was thinking about those wounded who might be trapped. Transporters can't always beam people clear of debris, at the time I wanted eyes on the situation."

"There is nothing logical about it! We had transporters, their shields were down, there were pods launching. You scan a ship first if you see launch pods preparing you begin massive transport from the cargo transporters and have our teams standing by." He sat down resigned trying to keep from elevating his voice. This had been a difficult trip.

“I...I’m sorry! I didn’t think.” Ariana stood up and paced the floor. “I’ve never taken the bridge officer’s test, I just did what came into my head.”

He sighed, "That's alright. But it is your job to think about things. That is why you should have called me to the bridge." He shook his head. "So little time...." he waved a hand, "Nevermind that. You and Carolyn have a lot to learn. But no harm done, in this instance. Ariana you have to learn to assess everything. To be a bridge officer you must learn to see all angles and you will, I have confidence. That's why I will help you. I want you to take the bridge officer's test."

Ariana stopped pacing and looked at Hades in surprise. “You want me to...” She took a deep breath. “Wow!” She offered a smile. “If you have confidence I can do this, then who am I to refuse!”

Hades looked up. He'd been researching Adari's formula. He had to help Carolyn, he didn't want her baby to have te same genetic issues as his. He'd stumbled on a cure too. The only way she could carry the baby to term was removing that part of Harris' genetics or making it dormant. He wasn't about to completely play god so surpassing it was the best. There was no way to know if the baby would have the gene reactivated later in life but now he could give Carolyn that which she wanted. A healthy pregnancy.

Ariana reached for a PADD she’d brough with her. "Adari made me promise to give this to you." Ariana placed a report on Hades desk infront of him. "I don't suppose you have something handy for a headache do you? I don't think I have my inhibitor set high enough." She sank into a chair and massaged her temples. "I don't want to end up back in a padded room again! Two weeks was enough!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Padded room?" He stated reading the PADD

Ariana nodded. “If you’re trusting me to go for a bridge test then it’s only fair I’m totally honest with you.” She sat back down in front of his desk. "After my blending with the other... me. Things took an unexpected turn. I spent two weeks in a padded room in what they thought was a state of mental breakdown."

"In reality the bonding caused an upsurge in my abilities. The downside being that I don't have a lot of control anymore." She sat massaging her temples. "I can't turn off the voices, it's a deafening jumble of noise and emotions that I need to learn to master." She sighed. "If it wasn't for Carolyn I'd still be in that cell now.” She smiled. “She taught me a song her mother used to sing to her, I know it so well it’s become my own comfort blanket.” Her smile faded as she thought about her father. “I went to see my dad, he told me...to get out!” Tears started to well up in her eyes. “He said he didn’t know me anymore!”

She stood up and started pacing again. “I can’t do this on my own!” She promptly sat down where she was and started humming the tune Carolyn had taught her.

Hades placed a hand on her shoulder when he stood and walked over. "Listen. We're all here to help. You're going to do great. Carolyn and you will do great. I will teach you both what I can." He hoped he'd have enough time to do so.

Ariana paused her humming and looked up at Hades after what her father had said she was feeling lost, but looking up at Hades after what he'd done for her sending her to the First Federation and Adani she felt like she had a place and someone who cared. "Thank you Hades, for everything."

"Alright." He smiled, "Now back to work. Let's get home."

Now

Staring at the viewscreen Ariana could only hope they’d return to the station and she’d be reunited with her family soon.

{OFF}

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