"The Harsh Sting Of Reality"
[Previous post: "Executive Responsibilities", written by the attorney for the defence, Serena Switt]
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Conference Lounge
Stardate: 60326.1320
Lea walked into the room cursing under her breath. She had gone to the ExO's office and up to the bridge without having found Serenna before asking the computer. The funny part had been that instead of the computer replying it had been Annie. Well it seemed funny then to the CMO.
"I have compiled all of the data that I could on this "ghostly possession", Lea said. After having found the ExO's office empty Lea had been happy to find the woman in question. As the CMO rounded the large table she saw one PADD that seemed out of place. Every other PADD on the table was neatly placed and stacked, but that one stuck out from the rest. Handing over her recent work to Serenna, lea glanced down at the wayward PADD. "You've got to be kidding me?"
"I almost wish it were a joke," Serenna said. Proving that David had been 'possessed' during their last mission was not going to be easy. Extending this defence to include all of the *incidents* in his file was going to be nearly impossible.
"The captain can't be serious about all of these charges," Lea exclaimed. The list the CMO was reading seemed to go on forever and included every little step David had taken out of line. "I never thought of her has being that vindictive. Maybe Susan should have a long and serious talk with her."
"I doubt it would help," Serenna said pulling the PADD away from the eyes of Lea. Maybe it would have been better if the CMO had not seen the details of the charges being brought against David. "Our CO is actually hoping that we will win, but I am sure she will not make it any easier on us."
"She wants us to *win*? You're kidding right?" Lea said, not believing that the woman who had filed the charges and the one who wanted them to win could be the same. "If she wants us or more to the point you, to win, why be so thorough? Sabrina listed everything David has ever done wrong in his career. Winning this case would clear David of *any* and *all* wrong doing he has ever done.'
"I believe that it is her plan," Serenna replied with a sigh. "If David is to have any chance at having a normal career in Starfleet the shadows of his past must be eliminated. There might have been a better way to achieve this, but given the circumstances this court-martial may be exactly what he needs."
"I'm not sure if she's crazy for doing all of this to him or if *you* are crazy for believing that it is for David's best interest," Lea said. How could putting anyone through the hardships of a court-martial be good for them? Somehow Lea doubted that Susan or anyone else in a counselling position would have agreed with that.
"Crazy or not I suggest you return to Sickbay," Serenna said in a commanding yet understanding tone. "We have just over an hour to get our act together and be ready to face the music. The fun part is that we will be facing not one but three command-level officers. Captain Rikar, Admiral Koneki and a third officer who might or might not be from the JAG office itself."
"Why is it that I have a bad feeling about this?" Lea said. Luckily for the CMO there had been a chair nearby allowing her to stay standing. The sudden influx of information concerning David's situation had been almost more that Lea could take.
"Relax Doctor," Serenna said. "In addition to the three presiding officers we will have to deal with for the procecution. Given the extent of the charges being brought against David, I suspect that the JAG will send one of their best. They will want to make an example of Mr. Dawson, while we will be entrusted with doing all that we can to save his soul."
For the first time Lea felt truly sorry for Enaii's death. As scary as the ILO had been the CMO could see the advantages of having someone like her on *their* side. Then again there had been no reason to believe that Enaii would have sided with the defence. For all Lea knew it could have been Enaii who would have taken on the role of JAG against David. That alone would have insured that all of their work would have been for nothing.
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Tiffany Rose {lady_tiffany_rose@mail.com}
Ensign Lea Summers 2005 post #403
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
