Summoned

Posted on Sunday 31 March 2019 @ 16:33 by Captain John "Apollo" Barstow, M.D. & Commander Caroline Miller

Mission: The New Collective
Location: CO's ready room
Timeline: After "It's a shame the computer can't have chicken soup" post
1044 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Caroline walked through the bridge not surprised that the Captain was in his ready room. Ringing the chime she attempted to straighten a stray piece of hair then gave up pretty quickly when it was obvious it wasn't going to cooperate.

John has just gotten back from engineering and come to his ready room to make a final report before launch. Things had been hectic with O'Hara and Bayushi disobeying orders and O'Hara ending up under alien control. That now cleared up they had four hours to make it to the next colony to be attacked if they were going to cut off the Borg. However, while en route there was one thing needing to be taken care of, "enter," he called as the chime rang and turned to face the entering officer/

"Captain, reporting as ordered," she nodded at the man.

The Captain nodded, "Counselor," he greeted and motioned to the nearby sofa, "I assume you already know why I called you," he stated more than asked as he sat in one of the guest chairs and turned to face the sofa.

Caroline took the offered seat, sat down and crossed her legs. She sighed slightly and nodded at Bairstow. "I know I have only been back what's felt like five minutes sir but its not escaped my notice that you have a couple of female officers with "strong" personalities shall we say," that was an understatement she mused inwardly, "and who are not at present respecting the chain of command as they should be as Starfleet officers and making some highly questionable decisions."

John leaned his head forward and rubbed his forehead for a long minute before answering, "one I expect it from, and I get the feeling this situation woke her up, the other....." he started and sighed before letting his hand drop and looking up, "has been a work in progress, breaking the lone wolf mentality...."

"This situation has shocked her to the very core, not just woken her up. Shes suddenly realised shes not untouchable," Caroline commented. "So you have a major knock to what was previously "wild Irish confidence" shall we say. The other one I haven't seen or had as much interaction with yet but she stepped in to help even if that level of telepathic contact was dangerous and unknown, but perhaps as you say not - so lone wolf any more"

"Still to much lone wolf, though," the Captain finished, not knowing if he could just hear it in her tone or if he was projecting his own thoughts, or both, "I suppose they both gave you the I have the power to do anything I want to this ship thing?" he asked asked and sat back, letting his arms dangle on his hips.

"Only one of them directly. Apparently being a "big engineering star" affords in her head, her being allowed to behave in this manner," Caroline answered honestly. "I made it clear I won't be putting up with it," she added firmly. Whatever had gone down before her arrival in terms of O'Hara's behaviour it needed managing. "She seems to be in denial to the fact that there are many bright and brilliant engineers out there," she also added although she knew Bairstow would likely have considered this fact also.

"The Colonel she is far more guarded. I know somethings gone down recently, but not the particular's. But your the CO and I trust in you to handle your staff how you need too. I can and I will bring my concerns on their behaviour to you though. You know that I would never be shy in that respect ….. but equally we also have a serious matter of mental health here," she said gently at Bairstow.

"I don't think I need to tell you that both these woman, they have some serious deep dark issues they are dealing with or in O'Hara's case have ignored for far to long and let control her. That cycle needs breaking. Not just for their wellbeing but for a functioning crew too.

They are not going to like it Captain," Caroline stated. "They will resist. They will relapse and they will be causing you and I headaches for a quite a long while yet."

John smirked, "ooh no, that's why you're counselor, I'm going to have them coming to you when they act up," he replied, "tin seriousness, I've written out the orders for them both to attend counseling, separately," the Captain said, stressing the last word as he reached over his desk and held two PADDs out to Miller, "with everything that's been going on I just haven't been able to send them.....hell, I haven't even been able to see my daughter or get more than a bird bath in here," he added with a tired sigh.

Caroline nodded and took the PADDs. "They were always going to be counselled separately. They each have their own demons to slay, I wasn't aware of any joint ones. Are they joint ones? Just how often do they act up?" she asked wondering if this was going to be an ongoing stress on her own life.

"They...." he started and paused, "have become a tad inseparable and I'm still not quite sure if it's becoming toxic and causing their personalities to feed off of each other or if they have each just found their missing part," Apollo explained, "and I have to wonder if that led to what's been going on," he said then looked over as his terminal beeped, "well, that makes things easier...the Colonels been recalled to Marine Command, leaving immediately," he explained.

Caroline's eyebrows rose. "Wow we really are being kept on our toes.

I guess if it was your first guess thats very helpful. If the second, perhaps not so much," she mused.

"Aye," John replied simply, "I'm going to order O'Hara to se you and I'm going to keep her confined until you sign off."

"Go spend some time with your little girl sir," she said softly. "You know I will get on top of this."

OFF


Captain John "Apollo" Barstow
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin
Task Group Commanding Officer
Task Group 47-A

Commander Caroline Miller
Chief Counselor, USS Merlin