Looking the Other Way: Officially (part 3)

Posted on Fri Jul 26th, 2013 @ 8:43am by Commodore Samantha York & Commander Alexandra Vance & Captain Cameron Bourne & Gaia & Admiral Maximilian 'Max' Hunter & Ensign Tallas Shirol

1,403 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: What Dreams May Come?
Location: CO's Ready Room

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

"I would like to put this down to external conditions exacerbating sleep deprivation and excessive tension," Sam said.

[NEW]

"You mean a negligent discharge caused by the onset of extreme sleep deprivation?" Vance asked.

Max looked over to Vance with a smirk. "I seem to recall you using that same argument, in a case not so different from this. Remind me again who was that sleep deprived officer that I was trying to help out of a court martial?"

"That was a long time ago Admiral and I was a different officer. This discussion is about the Lieutenant's actions not reminiscing over my past." Vance retorted.

Max looked over to Vance with a sigh and shook his head. "Just thought it would remind you of how exactly we dealt with that situation."

"That also did not happen aboard the Fleet flagship." Vance reminded him.

"Commander Vance, enough," Sam said firmly. "Do you really want to have this go up the chain to Starfleet Command? I don't."

"Then it won't, I merely stating my opinion as per my duties as your executive officer, the decision is yours." Vance stated very unenthusiastically.

"Your opinion is duly noted," Sam said. "Okay, I think we've beaten this particular dead horse. Are there any OTHER comments on the subject?" she asked, looking around at everyone in the room.

Gaia spoke up softly "Yes Ma'am, Commodore, might I remind you that the current question of how do we stop this from happening again was never answered. I walked into that scene. I must say that Lt. Bourne reacted admirably to help prevent others from being further hurt by his actions. But I also beg to differ on why this is not being written up and handled the way it should be. Why is this investigation should be halted here. Star Fleet, the Federation, has a protocol that no other organization has. But that decision is for your governing body alone. But I would like the question answered how do stop this from happening again. After all there is no reason it won't or can't occur again. I believe it could at any time. Sleep deprivation or not." Gaia raised any eyebrow at the ships Captain as she crossed her arms and waited expectantly.

"Because the fight started as a result of weeks of sleep deprivation and nightmares. Not a lack of discipline. That's why I don't want to take this up the chain of command beyond me. And it does fall to me as to whether to press charges or not," Sam said. "As for the fight, it's too bad we can't use an old-fashioned fire hose," Sam said. "But that isn't practical, either. I've been Captain of this ship for over three years now, this is the first time there's been a fight that encompassed more than two or three people. And then it was quickly dealt with. This is highly irregular, Gaia. Both Marines and Starfleet personnel are highly trained professionals. It takes a lot for them to break down into a brawl. However, since you asked, the ship is equipped with anesthizine gas. It'll put the entire room to sleep."

Vance simply looked away from York and waited to be dismissed.

Max leaned forward in his seat and looked around. "If you excuse me, Captain. Flooding the room with Anesthizine gas wont only take care of the problem of the fights and brawls, but willl also knock out the ones who were not doing anything at all. The ones who, when problems arose, decided not to interfere. My suggestion on this matter is to rotate security so there is a shift that involves being in Miss Gaia's lounge or for her to hire anyone with security experience to take on that shift. I believe they call them Bouncers." He paused slightly and leaned back in the chair again. "This prevents those who aren't causing trouble from getting put to sleep for just being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"I think that's a good solution." Sam turned to Gaia. " You can bring on your own employees for this task or we can assign security."

"How about a mixture of both, that way in the future it will not be a he said she said." The lounge manager replied as she leaned back in her chair again.

"As far as security's concerned, we're good either way," a young Lieutenant replied. "We haven't filed any paperwork on this matter, either. A night in the brig is sufficient this time, but if any of them start a fight again, we'll press charges."

Vance brought herself off the wall again and shook her head. She had thought herself disconnected from the crew but it seemed Samantha was no better. "Commodore you DO realize there have been several reports of crew being attacked in their dreams, possibly by this entity. Some have sustained some serious injuries, had you put them all to sleep, you could have killed them as it seems being awake is the only escape...."

"I'm hoping that when we drive the entity away this, too, will end," Sam said. "What makes you think this particular creature will kill someone in their dreams? I've seen nothing to show it means to do more than just scare people."

Cam had an idea, "it all may be connected Ma'am" he said, sitting forward in his chair, "if we look at the symptoms we've seen, nightmares, hearing voices, hallucinations, it's quite possible that some form of entity could be causing all of this. Remember, you originally thought it had something to do with telepathy, thus why we have neural suppression fields set up on every deck"

Sam nodded. "I do believe we have something on board. If all goes well, we'll have this taken care of shortly. What I'd like to know is why Commander Vance thinks people could die if they go to sleep."

Gaia spoke up her voice deadly serious "Because I've been cut in my sleep. The cut has been deep enough to draw blood."

"Case in point Commodore. Most of the victims of these nightmares are individuals with no formal training in conduct after capture nor require a great effort to strike fear in let alone require a serious injury to do so. I shall use our lounge manager here, I could 'scare' her easily without having to lay one finger on her, the mind is great asset but also one of our greatest enemies if not trained properly yet this entity has gone as far as to serious harm members of the crew simply to scare them? I think not....

There is a scientist in sickbay whom has suffered severe injuries, yet the mere sight of my eye struck fear in his eyes. This entity is after far much more than a simple scare and I suggest you start taking notice of this before it is you having to notify family's of a loss." Vance replied in an equally ominous and cautious tone.

"I'm taking notice. And I'm taking steps to remove the entity from the ship. The Chief of Operations is working on a device that uses sound to block the entity's effects. The Chief Engineer is working on a way to buffer the crew and block the entity's connection with our dreams. The Chief Science Officer is preparing a way to identify and track the entity. I have a volunteer to help draw the entity out into the open so we can track it and then drive it from the ship. These are almost ready to go. In fact, we'll be testing them shortly," Sam said. "This meeting is about the fight in the enlisted lounge. I invited the doctor to this meeting, but she's been busy in sickbay. With the medical reports on the effects of the nightmares and sleep deprivation I think we can look the other way, this time." She looked around the room. "Once the entity is gone, we will return to normal and that includes normal discipline. Commander Vance, I would like you to tell me if you have more specific concerns regarding the steps we've put in place. The rest of you, dismissed."

OFF

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Commander Alexandra Vance
Executive Officer

Admiral Max Hunter
Fleet Spec Ops

2nd Lieutenant Cameron Bourne
Marine CO

Gaia
Owner, Bazinga's

Security Officer

 

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