Ruffled Feathers
Posted on Wed May 31st, 2023 @ 8:55am by Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox & Lieutenant Percy McWire
1,097 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Episode 116 - "A Bounty of Trust"
Location: Starbase 400
Timeline: MD1 16:00
ON:
The one thing that Dee did not want and need to happen just did. She had actually snapped at someone. This not something she normally does. She is normally a calm and polite person but with various issues she was dealing with regarding her family, it got the better of her. She headed to her office to calm down and then she would have to go an apologise to Ensign Lucas.
Percy sat in his offices looking through some Maintenance and planned maintenance reports for the station as the door to his office swished open and in came a shaken Ensign. In the corner of his eyes, he noticed that Ensign Lucas had entered his office "Ah Ensign Lucas. I wanted to see you..." Percy pause he then looked up and saw that Ens. Lucas was somehow shaken. "Come in and have a seat. What happened?" he asked the Ensign offering a seat.
Ensign Lucas sat down. She was new to the Station and fresh from the academy with this being his/her first posting. Percy was impressed with the work she did and assigned her to Lieutenant Vox to be her instructor. Percy knew they would be a great team together and that Vox would be a great mentor.
After Ensign Lucas had calmed down she explained what had happened.
Percy listens to what is being told. When she had finished Percy responded " I will have a word Lt. Vox." he put his hand on her shoulder " You should go to your quarters and come back tomorrow."
Joanne then thanked Lieutenant McWire for lending her an ear and got up and went to her quarters for the rest of the day.
Once the Ensign had left he tapped his comm badge =^=Lt. Vox please report to my Office" Percy out.
Vox soon arrived outside Percy's office. She didn't need to be a Betazoid to know what this was about. The door was open so she walked in.
"You wanted to see me Sir?" She asked as she stood in front of his desk.
"Yes. Please take a seat." he offered Vox a seat.
"It came to my attention of an incident between you and Ensign Lucas. I would like to hear your side of the incident to understand what happened" he inquired of Vox
"In a nutshell, sir, I lost it. What's worse is what triggered it was minor. Ensign Lucas left one of her tools in a power transfer conduit and once the conduit was activated, the said tool was vapourised. They are replaceable tools so no big deal but the timing could not have been worse. I've not spoken about this with anyone but there are troubles happening back home and despite being out here, I am still getting dragged into it. It's all putting me on edge and I just snapped. Ensign Lucas didn't deserve it at all. I couldn't control my frustrations I was holding back inside. I need to apologise to her ASAP. The problems at home are on two fronts. The first is my mother's meddling in town affairs as usual and then there's the negativity she is receiving from other relatives because of me, specifically, my sexuality. You would think in the 25th century we would have move on from things like this. And if this wasn't bad enough, my partner K'Lara has been transferred for another assignment and doesn't know when she might be back or if at all. So now I am alone again. "
She let Percy comment as she did her best to hold back her tears.
Percy listened to her closely. He gathered his thoughts to form his words gently and thoughtfully. " I can now visualize the whole picture. First of all, I want to say you are not alone. I am always here for anyone including you. I get an understanding of how much weight you have on your shoulder. Anyone might have snapped" Percy said with a calm and reassuring voice, he was trying to comfort her and didn't know if he succeeded with it.
He then continued " We should seek professional help before we snap. I would like to refer you to a counselor at the station of your own choice. I am concerned rather than disappointed Lieutenant. My door is always open." He said.
She smiled as a single tear rolled down her left cheek. "I really do appreciate this Sir and yes I agree, I should have seen someone instead of letting it get to this point and snapping. I might have a lot on my shoulders, but I love my work. It keeps me going. I will apologise to Ensign Lucas. I hope she can forgive me. She's an amazing engineer with huge potential and I'm sure she will go far. " Dee replied. "Counselor Munroe has helped me before so perhaps I can see her." She added.
“This would be a good idea, give her a day to calm down before you go apologising. I have given her a day off. The same I would ask of you to take a day off. I will handle the work load and spread it out among the team. I will see you and Ens. Lucas back tomorrow.“ Percy said.
„Is there anything else that I can be of help to you? Percy asked.
"Is that really necessary Sir? I mean I will comply and take the day off if you insist that it's necessary. " Dee commented.
"See it as a recommendation to gather yourself and come back refreshed. If you think you won’t need it, then so be it." Percy noted Dee‘s comment
"I think I will take the day and get some personal things sorted out. Thank you Sir."
"You welcome Lieutenant and thank you for trusting me, you are free to go and take your rest" Percy said.
"Thank you Sir. You know, I've not had these issues until I was joined so I wonder if it has something to do with my previous hosts. " She commented.
Percy smiled as response of her thank you.
"It might be so. I know that the Trill go through a training program prior of being a host and I hope you will be able to get some post training. Your are dismissed Lieutenant. Have a good rest see you in the morning" Percy said.
"Yes sir." Dee replied. She left his office and headed for her quarters. A good relaxing shower was in order.
OFF:
Lt. Percy McWire
Chief of Engineering
Lt. JG. Deezell Vox
Assistant Chief of Engineering