Meeting

Posted on Mon Oct 22nd, 2012 @ 11:42am by Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer & Lieutenant Saith i-Ki Baratan

1,068 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission 79 - Triangle
Location: Admiral Bremer's Office
Timeline: Following 'New Arrivals'

ON:

Mike was in his office. He had several PADDs laying on the desk in front of him. He was holding two, one in each hand. One from Captain Pike, the other from Captain K'Temoc. Both were in regards to Ensign Baratan.

Mike had summoned the Ensign to his office minutes before and was awaiting her arrival. Both K'Temoc and Pike were supportive of the young woman, but they also concerned.

She knew her stuff, and was a smart tough Security Officer with a bright future, but she had a potentially violent side. The incident aboard the Steadfast in the corridors was proof of that.

When the door beeped, Mike stood up and straightened his uniform. "Enter."

Saith entered the Admiral’s office with some trepidation. In other ways, she was relieved; whatever was going to happen was about to happen. That was somewhat comforting, knowing she would not have to worry about it anymore. Without thinking about it her eyes darted around, taking in the room.

Mike smiled warmly, trying to put the Ensign at ease. He motioned toward a seat across from him. "Please have a seat."

She nodded her head at the Admiral and took a seat. She said nothing but took a deep breath waiting for him to continue with whatever it was he was going to say. She looked in his eyes, wary but looking for an indication of his leanings on the matter.

"Ensign," Mike started, "I want to again apologize for having to keep you in the dark regarding Captain K'Temoc." He paused a moment, then continued. "I also wanted to say that I am pleased with your performance aboard the Steadfast. Captain Harrison's Mission Log as well as reports from Captains Pike and K'Temoc all say you handled yourself very well during the raid to capture Clark. Captain Harrison also spoke highly of you and your work trying to crack Clark's encryption codes."

Mike paused again and took a breath, now came the 'but'...

Again Saith nodded, but said nothing watching his face. She could feel the next word as if it were a Bat’leth hanging over her head. She knew what all was in her file; she knew more than anyone what she had seen, been through, felt. Her mind wandered unbidden to the pirates in the brig.

"But, all three reported some concerns about a possible personal dilemma. Captain Pike reported an incident aboard the Steadfast where several crewmembers were assaulted."

Saith nodded; there was no reason to deny that she had essentially assaulted crewmembers that had gotten in her way. She wondered what the Admiral knew about the succession of Starbase 349, what Rear Admiral Riskin had said. Saith wondered if she should even try to explain what that news had meant to her.

Her eyes watered but she refused to cry, that would not be acceptable. She blinked until her eyes were clear. Saith opened her mouth to speak, interrupting the Admiral would not be smart but she wanted to address this now.

Mike paused as the door beeped again. After Mike called for the person to enter, a short Human woman with red hair and blue eyes wearing a teal trimmed Starfleet Uniform entered.

Mike stood up and smiled, "Counselor Dallas, please come in."

Saith turned and watched the woman in the hoverchair move in. Momentary gratefulness at being given the opportunity to clear her eyes and think about what she wanted to say was gone in an instant.

‘A counselor?!’ she thought. Her face turned to stone, she turned back to face the Admiral's desk as she felt that old familiar anger starting to rise. She pushed it down, hard. Saith folded her arms across her chest, resolving not to say anything.

The human counselor knew it didn't take an empath to sense the tension coming from the other woman. It was up to her to try to diffuse it. "I'm not here to indict you, Ensign, merely to understand what happened."

Saith glanced at the woman, but said nothing. Looking back at the Admiral's desk Saith fought to control her temper.

"Ensign," Mike said, "I'd like you to schedule an appointment to talk with Counselor Dallas. We're not here to accuse, we're here to help...and if something is bothering you we want to help."

It was all Saith could do not to laugh aloud at the Admiral's words. She was pretty sure she had rolled her eyes however, and hoped that it had gone unnoticed. 'Not indict' the counselor had said, ' not accuse' the Admiral had said, Saith thought, 'want to help,' isn't that what the federation always said, but how often did they really practice it? Saith's mind raced furiously. She could feel the color rising into her cheeks, she struggled to push it away. 'Calm down,' she told herself.

Despite her own resolve not to say anything, she glanced at the Counselor again, "there is nothing to understand, I don't belong anywhere, everyone lies, . . . I . . . I," she paused knowing she was probably hanging herself with her next words, "I think I understand how the pirates feel," she said quietly.

Mike looked over at Counselor Dallas as she analyzed Saith's words, then he turned to look at the young Ensign himself.

"Ensign...in a way I also understand how the Pirates might feel about certain things. There's things that Starfleet Command has said and done before that I too have not agreed with...and I've said so verify publicly. I've even taken action against those people and decisions before." Mike paused a moment, then continued, "You're new here, so you may not be aware, but not everyone lies Ensign. Now, I believe you have a very bright future in Starfleet and here at Starbase 400. I'd hate to see you ruin that because you want to be hard-headed." Mike stood up and deepened his tone of voice, "Now I want you to make an appointment to meet with the Counselor and try to work though whatever it is that's bothering you...that's an order."

Mike looked at the time and realized he had another meeting scheduled.

"Thank you both for coming, dismissed."

He nodded to both the Counselor and Ensigns as they stood and left. Mike couldn't help but want to do all he could for Saith...in some ways she reminded him of himself many years before...


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