Still at odds

Posted on Sat Jul 27th, 2013 @ 1:24pm by Commodore Samantha York & Commander Alexandra Vance

863 words; about a 4 minute read

ON

Samantha stopped Vance after the meeting. "A word, Commander," she said quietly.

Vance had not moved from her spot knowing very well Samantha was going to make her remain behind. She had called her out and shown Max and Lieutenant Bourne how disconnected York had become from the situation on her ship, and that she nearly sent a platoon of marines to their deaths.

"Yes Commodore?" Vance replied crossing her arms across her chest.

"You seem to be more than a little unaware of what is going on around here. Explain."

"Unaware?!" Vance exclaimed. "If I am correct ma'am it was I whom pointed out to you the true severity of this entity's intrusion."

"Unaware of the measures we are taking to find and remove the entity," Sam corrected. "I can't keep a ship full of people awake, but I can track down the entity and remove it."

"I did not make myself privy to the specifics of the procedures you were planning to remove the entity but that was not my concern. My concern was the fact you were prepared to put a room full of civilians and marines to sleep not knowing the danger you were placing them in. Until the entity is removed we must take all measures possible to keep those affected awake. So far there have been 5 cases of minor injuries and 2 cases of severe. Sickbay has not reported any fatalities yet but I have told the doctor to keep me apprised." Vance replied.

"We CAN'T keep them awake for weeks. They'll die from sleep deprivation just as surely as they might die from whatever haunts their dreams, Commander. Vulcans and a scant few other races are able to go days without sleep, but not the majority of the crew," Sam said. "And as for being privy to what we're doing, you were invited to every meeting. You were welcome to give us your input then. Instead, you wait until we're hours away from implementing a solution to accuse me -- in front of my crew -- of negligence and not caring if they live or die. Where were you when we were discussing what to do, and how best to protect the crew? Where were you when we set up a series of buffers to block psychic attacks? Did you know the buffers have been in place for two days? That, although not perfect, they've reduced the nightmares significantly? That we now have safe zones throughout the ship for those who need them?"

"Then please Commodore explain to me how the scientist in sickbay sustained such severe injuries with these safeguards in effect only mere hours ago. I do agree we must find a solution quickly but now it seems your entity has adapted to these safeguards or we have multiple entities.

As for my presence, I have been tasked under Admiral Hunter to deal with the investigation of Lieutenant Wolfe. My presence here was merely coincidence and of perfect timing it would seem."

"I don't know how the scientist was injured; if it was because of a dream or the effects of sleep deprivation. Doctor Bowen is looking into it. And your work for Admiral Hunter does not relieve you from your obligations to the Calypso."

"Well I do. He told me a man in a striped shirt with a scarred face and knives on his fingertips attacked him in a dream. He asked if I would be able to kill the man. As for my tasks Commodore, you should speak with Admiral Hunter regarding my obligations as Admiral outranks Commodore everytime in every fleet." Vance replied sharply.

"He asked YOU to kill someone in his dream?" Sam asked. She would have to look into that. "As for your work for Admiral Hunter, perhaps if you're too busy to do your job as my first officer you should take an extended leave of absence until you have time to fulfill your duties?" She didn't add that the Admiral was acting as Chief Intelligence Officer until Wolfe came back. He seemed to have enough time to do both jobs.

"He asked me to kill the man haunting him, he was delirious."

"If you wish to look into this matter, go ahead. I need to go over the final preparations to drive the entity off the ship." Sam looked at Vance for a moment. "I'm not ignoring the matter, Commander. But I can't deal with each crew member individually. I have to remove the entity for the sake of everyone on this ship."

"Then I recommend you get to work Commodore."

"What you fail to realize, Commander, is that I've been at work for weeks. You, on the other hand, have managed to remain oblivious. I suggest YOU pay more attention to what's going on."

"Just because you can't see me, doesn't mean I am not watching. If there is nothing else ma'am?" Vance stated ready to leave the room.

Sam sighed. She wondered if she and her XO would ever develop a working relationship. "There is nothing else. You may go."

OFF

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Commander Alexandra Vance
Executive Officer

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