"Theories"
Previous was "Inner Thoughts"
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Crew Lounge AKA "The Black Hole"
Stardate: 60327.0835
from Serena's "Executive Issues"
"Last night was rough, especially for Susan who went head to head with Nico and Uxtar in a drinking contest."
After striking the CMO for what she had said, Ens. Mei turned to face the XO only to see the Romulan/Terran hybrid livid and ready to leap out of her seat. The simple mentioning of the Nausicaan's name had been sufficient to trigger something within the hybrid and the Cns thought it best to act quickly before another court-martial would have to be considered.
end insert
"Lea exaggerates." Trying to pull together what was left of her dignity, Susan declared. "I did no such thing."
Serenna seemed to get control of herself and narrowed her eyes. Susan avoided them and looked down at her cup of black coffee, "Well, I didn't exactly challenge them... "
Lea laughed and a smile tugged at the corners of Serenna's mouth. Susan sensed that whatever issues Serenna had had with Nico and Uxtar had passed. She was curious, however. What about how Lea's words could have made the XO react the way she had. She decided to investigate - albeit slyly.
"Actually, I was helping them celebrate their appointment to our crew. Apparently they came highly recommended?"
Serenna looked down at the table, "Yes." she admitted, "Captain Arlington requested their appointment."
"They seem like nice enough fellows -"
"More like they seemed like nice enough fellows while Susan was intoxicated..." Lea cut in, then held up her hands to ward off another wack. "What brings you into this quaint establishment, Serenna? Surely you didn't come here to hear about Susan's exciting night life."
"Very funny." Susan commented, taking another sip of the horrible black coffee and wishing for the world that hot chocolate had the same effect on a hangover.
"Actually, I was looking for you two." Serenna stated.
"Us?" Lea glanced at Susan. She knew - or at least suspected - why the Romulan/Terran hybrid had sought them out, but was feigning ignorance.
Serenna folded her hands on the table. "We have 72 hours." She stated. The statement needed no explanation. Lea's face paled and Susan put down her coffee cup.
"72?" Lea's voice had become small. Judging by this Serenna asked "I take it you've made no progress?"
Lea shook her head, "Not for want of trying. Maya and I stayed up all night... to no avail."
Susan looked thoughtful and began tapping her cup, "Maybe you're approaching this in the wrong way."
Both of the other woman turned to Susan. If she'd been feeling better she would have been nervous under their gazes. Both of them had looked at the situation from every possible angle and the last thing they needed was her walking in at this late stage pretending to know everything. However, something about what Lindsey had said and triggered something in Susan's mind. Lindsey had assumed that Susan would be called as a witness to David's mental state. This hadn't made sense because Susan had never spoken with David about this 'Richard' - except, she now remembered, in one of their first sessions.
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Stardate: 60313.1900
flashback
"Well... we're not here to discuss the mission. David... I was reading some information from your previous sessions with the former counselor..."
David nodded and thought about Mowree.
"I want to ask you a question. Who is 'Richard'?"
"Never heard of him. Is he a new crew member I haven't met?"
Susan shook her head. "No... you mentioned him in your last session with..what was his name..."
"Mowree" the engineer replied.
"Yes... Mowree. Now... there were several references made to a 'Richard'... and since you said that you have a pretty good memory I wanted to see if you remembered."
David shrugged, "I said I had a good memory, I didn't say that it was flawless. Maybe if you gave me some sort of hint..."
Susan looked into his eyes, as if trying to work out if he was being truthful or not. Apparently deciding that he was, she put down the PADD she was holding and smiled, "Oh, I wouldn't worry about it. How have your past two days been?"
end flashback
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 16, Crew Lounge AKA "The Black Hole"
Stardate: 60327.0845
"Susan?" Lea called her back to the present. Susan blinked away the memory, then looked at the other two women.
"David was the person who killed Richard, right?"
"Yes..." Serrena started. Susan held up a hand to stop her from continuing.
"Wait, let me finish. If David was responsible for his brother's death, no matter how cruel or deserving the brother was... that kind of thing has a lasting effect on someone." She paused for a minute, "Someone could suppress that effect, even force themselves to forget... but when something drastic happens in their life... something like losing a loved one whether permanently or to someone else, the signs begin to show."
"I don't see what this has to do with Richard." Serrena stated, curious more than frustrated.
"Well..." Susan tapped her mug, "Maybe Richard is that effect."
Lea looked confused, "Yes, but SDS..."
Susan leaned forward slightly, "What if SDS is not a medical condition at all? You know, some philosophies claim that the soul is something in the brain: a part of the brain that retains a memory of who you are and your morals, beliefs, values and conscience."
"Are you suggesting we cut out a part of David's brain?" Lea sounded shocked, her visions of torture from the night before suddenly not seeming all that bad in comparison.
"No." Susan assured her, "No, not at all. All I'm suggesting is that Richard... what if Richard is not a medical or scientific problem?"
As the two other women stared at her across the table, Susan announced, "What if SDS is not a medical or scientific problem... but a mental one."
--------------- 2005 post #439
Tallulah Habib {thabib@eject.co.za}
Ensign Susan Mei
Head Counselor
USS ANUBIS
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"Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another's trouble,
Courage in your own." - Adam Lindsay Gordon
