"From Bad To Worse"
[Previous post: "A House Divided", written by the insightful Julian Knight]
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, On route to Black Hole Lounge
Stardate: 60326.1555
Lea walked down the corridor her attention fixated on her tricorder instead of her feet. Luckily for the CMO the Cns had been right next to her friend insuring that she did not run into anyone.
"If Richard takes control of David again there will be no way for anyone to prove his innocence," Susan said. "All that Richard wants is to destroy David's life, and lashing out at an Admiral and Commodore is a good way to do this."
"I know," Lea said, tapping her tricroder to call up more information. "The problem is that this is a double-edge sword. If I can find a way to neutralize Richard's influence, we lose our proof of his being responsible for David's irrational actions. If we lose David to Richard, the preliminary investigation will lead to a court-martial. Richard will not hold any punches to see David destroyed in *every* aspect."
"Maybe what Elan suggested to you is the best course of action," Susan said. So far the Cns had been undecided as to which side of the conflict to be on. As the ANUBIS' Cns she needed to be as impartial as possible. Keeping a cool head about this issue would be the only way to make sure that others did not do something they would later regret. The last thing this crew needed was to have more than one officer on trial.
"I know," Lea mumbled letting it known to her friend that she agreed with the idea even though she disliked it. Letting a disease run its course in the hopes to save the patient in the end was not something the CMO was accustomed to doing. Yet in David's case this way of looking at the problem seemed to be the best they had. Lea knew that removing Richard's influence was imperative, but so far everything she had worked on pointed to the same outcome. In order for Richard to leave, he would have to do so on his own accord or David would have to die.
"Lea, I know that you have feelings for David," Susan said taking her friend by the arm. The Cns needed to say what was on her mind before they walked into the Black Hole Lounge. "I also know that seeing David go through a court-martial is not going to be easy, but think of the alternative. Richard seems to be able to take control anytime he wants to despite the inhibitors. I do not want to see David on trial for things he has not done, but acquitting him will only make things worse. If Richard loses this battle he will come back stronger and more determined then ever."
"Susan, I just can't sit by and wait to see if that plan works or not. What if David is found guilty on all charges and Richard still refuses to leave? David will be stuck with his dead twin brother haunting him until life becomes too much for him," Lea said. The CMO did nothing to hide the pain she felt and leaned in closer to her friend seeking comfort. As both a friend and the ship's Cns Susan responded and hugged Lea.
"I think the best we can do at the moment is to keep working on finding a solution. If we cannot find a way to separate Richard from David we can then see how the court-martial will fare. If we do find something, then we can look at proving his innocence. Timing may prove to be our best and only asset in this case," Susan said supporting her friend as best she could.
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Black Hole Lounge
Stardate: 60326.1600
Lea and Susan entered the room and found several members of the senior staff already there. At one table Maya and Pravat seemed deeply involved in a discussion. From where the Cns and CMO stood there had been no way for them to know if this was business or personal. Not wanting to disturb them, just in case, Susan pointed to an empty table away from the others.
On their way to the vacant table, Lea and Susan passed next to the table occupied by Nico and Uxtar. The new Sec/Tac officer quickly invited the two women to join them.
"Ensign Summers, Ensign Mei, please come and join us. We are celebrating," Nico said. If he could have predicted Lea's reaction maybe the Nausicaan might have not extended the invitation.
"Celebrating! WHAT? The CEO has been arrested and is facing a possible court-martial," Lea blasted. The CMO had been so vocal that every other discussion in the room had instantly stopped.
"Smooth Nico," Uxtar chuckled, "real smooth."
Susan quickly took hold of her friend and redirected her towards the empty table. Allowing Lea to exchange blows with Nico would not have been a good idea. "Sorry about that," Susan said to the Nausicaan as she pushed her friend away.
"Being on this ship is going to be *loads* of fun," Uxtar said emptying his glass and ordering another. Despite the CMO's outburst the Hirogen had no intentions of letting his mood be tarnished. He had been given a dream position and he was going to celebrate one way or the other.
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Tiffany Rose {lady_tiffany_rose@mail.com}
Ensign Lea Summers 2005 post #418
Chief Medical Officer
USS ANUBIS
