An open wound

Posted on Wednesday 8 May 2019 @ 08:24 by Captain Melody Jones & Commander Save'ena (Sav) Tillatix & Commander Caroline Miller & Lieutenant Michael Ki MD & Lieutenant Marbim Rejal

Mission: The New Collective
Location: Main Bridge
Timeline: After Dream a little Beam of Me
2533 words - 5.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Melody had headed straight to the bridge from the transporter room. Stepping out from the turbolift she made a beeline for the command area. She stepped up to Caroline and locked eyes with here. There was much to say, but this was not the time nor the place. She acknowledged with a nod. "Report."

Caroline's happiness to see her friend again was ruined by the hurt and upset she and the whole bridge were feeling for the loss of Bairstow. She stood up and vacated the command chair for the redhead.

"No further communications from the puppet master, no further life signs from the cube. And the XO has disappeared Commander. He went into the ready room and never returned. Lieutenant O'Hara believes he was transported away by a third party somehow. We do not suspect the puppet master," she told her.

Melody was still processing the loss of Barstow so it took her a moment to react. “Cale’s gone too?” She shook her head and said quietly “It never rains....”

Seeing the Commander but not the Captain, the smile on Marbim's face vanishes. Not wanting to talk out of turn, he waits for his chance to ask what the hell had happened...

Sav remained immersed into the Merlin, ready at a moments notice to get them away from the cube at any hint of further treachery, while ready to move in if the Captain's life signs were somehow found, somehow.

Melody walked to the front of the bridge and turned to address them all. As she spoke she looked each of the bridge crew in the eye.

“If I can have your attention!” She paused briefly wondering how best to deliver the news, finally she decided it was best to just get it over with. Like ripping off a plaster. “I’m afraid we’ve lost The Captain. Hey he didn’t make it back from the Borg cube before it exploded. A great man has been lost. Our Captain. My friend. I think you would all agree that Captain Barstow would not want us dwelling on the past but, moving forward to make sure his death was in vain. I’m sure if he were here he’d have something inspirational and witty to say. I wish he were her ‘cos I’d love to hear it too. I’m counting on each and every one of you to carry out your duties with the same drive and dedication that you always have, in his memory.”

She took a breath before continuing. “Right then. With the disappearance of Commander Llewellyn I’m assuming command of The Merlin. Duty officer so note in the ships log. Science and operations I was a full, detailed scan of the debris. If there is anything worth salvaging, bring it into cargo bay 2. Co-ordinate your efforts with our chief engineer. I’ve got a feeling she won’t rest until every possible detail has been examined. Helm, we’re going to need your finesse to get this ship as close as possible then when the scan have been completed and any debris secured set course for the colony the Borg attacked, maximum warp. We might be able to get some more information there. Tactical, I want a secure comm link to Starfleet patched through to the ready room then, I need a complete review of tactics facing the Borg. This Puppet Master is something new and we need to be ready. The Marines might have some useful input in the area of combat so please confer with them. We’ll have a staff briefing when we reach the colony. Carry on.”

The speaker at the helm sounded out in Sav's voice, "Helm maneuvering as needed... science and engineering just need to point where they want, Sir."

Melody moved back to Caroline. She managed a smile, but her eyes were sad. She said to Caroline softly “You have the bridge.” Before heading off the bridge into to the Ready room.

Caroline nodded miserably heading back to sit down, predictably O'Hara made another appearance.

Stephanie stepped out of the turbolift on to the bridge and looked back and forth between Caroline and Melody. "Councilor, Commanda, may I have a word in private, please?"

Melody led Caroline and Stephanie into the ready room and sat down behind the desk. “So. Operations and science are going to make a high resolution scan of the debris. Anything useful or that could tell us anything will be brought into cargo bay 2 for further analysis. I’ve asked them to include you in these scans. The were going proceed to the colony that the Borg attacked to see if we can get anymore information. Did your scan with targeting sensors turn up anything?”

Stephanie was not wearing her uniform jacket. She was covered in sweat and had scrape on her arm. took in a deep breath through her nose to calm herself and when she exhaled she began. "First, Commanda, I would seriously advise against bringin' Borg Tech on board. They can survive in open space without EVA suits an' if we get close enough, they'll latch on t' th' hull an' find their way inside. Salvagin' Borg tech always seems like a good idea at th' time, but usually ends wit' screamin' and dyin'." The Engineer shook her head. and dropped her head and looked down at the carpet. "Th' scanners couldn't even identify ana human remains. Every body floatin' out there is Borg. He's either been assimilated, or there's na enough o' him left t' find." A beat fell before she said aloud what she assumed everyone was thinking. "I killed him." She didn't look up.

Caroline resisted the urge to physically slap some sense into the pathetic engineer. She really had, had enough of her now. Demanding the Current command teams ear in private and immediately making it all about her as usual. Didn't it factor in her head that everyone was upset and questioning themselves.

"If Bairstow could hear you now he would be ashamed. Look at you, acting so pathetic. How did you kill him?" She hissed. "Did you influence the puppet masters decisions? Did you convince Bairstow to go off and fly that shuttle? Did you rig the god dam battlefield? No ..... you spent time deliberately finding ways to not have to say the words yes sir and tried to get out of wearing your uniform like a petulant toddler.

You didn't kill him, circumstances and an alien or AI intelligence killed him. And right now is not the time for your wallowing Lieutenant." She turned to Melody, ".Commander I fear I made a serious error in judgement allowing the lieutenant back on bridge duty. Its clearly too soon for her to function effectively."

Stephanie looked up at Caroline, a snarl forming on her lips and spoke in a barely controlled tone. "Forgive me f'r thinkin' ya'd na wan' that kinda information broadcast t' rest o' th' crew, Councilor." She said. "But allow me t' give ya a bit o' advice. Threatenin' t' put me back in th' box is na gonna be an effective tactic t' get me behave th' way ya think I should. I'm na a dog, and ye'r na Pavlov. Do it, or don', but I'll na be playin' th' carrot an' th' stick with ya anymore." She stared daggers at Caroline but stood her ground. "I'll do nothin' t' stop ya."

Melody held up her hands and raised her voice slightly "Right! Stop Right there the both of you! Clearly something has happened while I've been away but we need to resolve this and resolve it now! Caroline, Everyone is in shock at the moment. Yourself included so is that maybe the shock talking there? And Stephanie. The chain of command has to be respected at all times despite personal feelings. There is no room for attitude on the bridge. Now clearly something going on between you and I want it sorted out once and for all, clear?

Caroline ignored O’Hara for a moment, took a deep breath and turned to Melody.

“Commander, there are thousands of souls on this ship and at present only one counsellor. I need to be back in counselling for the people who will let me help them. As such I respectfully request to stand down as acting XO. Yes there is some shock but unfortunately the bulk of it is frustration at the Lieutenants bad attitude and behaviour. Something at a better time, we do need to discuss further.

In terms of Lieutenant O’Hara,” she turned to look at the redhead, “unless you actually cease declaring war on me for reasons I really cannot fathom and actually let me help you, I can do no further for you. I suggest you think on that and come find me when you are ready to hash out what your issues with me actually are.

And consider this; the only box you’re stuck in is your mind. You put yourself there, not me. If you keep this up pushing, ignoring and lashing out at everyone who is trying to help you, you will be stuck in it forever with only yourself for company.”

With your permission Commander,” she finished looking at Melody.

Melody looked at Caroline. "Very well. I respect your decision counsellor. Stephanie, I want you to go see Counsellor Miller in a few days when you've both had a chance to calm down and I expect things to get sorted. Dismissed."

Marbim, having been checking some of the debris has an idea and approaches the Ready Room, hesitantly he reaches out and pushes the chime requesting entrance...

Melody looked up "My, aren't we popular today? Come!"

Stephanie said nothing as she exited the Ready Room pushed past Miles and headed straight for the Turbolift door and slapped the button way harder than she needed to. The black cloud of anger and despair following her was almost a visible, tangible thing. She said nothing until the doors opened and she was aboard. "Deck nine," she grunted as the door closed on her.

Hearing someone say "Come!" Marbim looks over and catches Sav's eye long enough to wink at her, and with a slightly cocky smile, he enters the Ready Room. Looking at the three ladies he says, "Captain, Commander, Chief, the door isn't very thick and your voices were starting to break out." Looking back at his new Captain he continues, "Mam, we are scanning every piece of debris as we can, but I have a possibly more pertinent question, Was Captain Barstow in the process of being assimilated? We may be able to lock onto his, um, him, if he wasn't, also, and you may yell at me all you want, but if you were on that cube too, then I must ask that you go straight to medical to make sure they didn't tamper with you somehow, mam."

Melody raised a finger at Rejal "You know it's rude to eavesdrop Lieutenant. Apparently you must have too much time on your hands. We'll have to do something about that. As of now, you're acting first officer. No, the Captain was not assimilated when I was beamed over and The Doctor did scan me on my arrival but if you insist I will go to sickbay for a more thorough scan."

"Yes mam, and thank you, I think on my promotion. I will get the crew working on the debris field, like I said, if he's still human we might be able to find him." Taping his comm badge Marbim says, "Doctor, I am currently assuming the role of First Officer and have requested our Captain return to sickbay to ensure the Borg didn't do anything to her while she was there. Also, on the off chance that we can locate the Captain Barstow among the wreckage and debris, please have a crash team ready to attempt reviving him, thank you."

"Commander Miller is it ok if Chief O'Hara retires to her room? I want to make sure the three of you are ok before I tell the crew my idea to find Barstow."

"I'll authorise light duty, no further bridge time," Caroline said simply. She stopped at the door and placed a hand on the Cardassians shoulder briefly and smiled at him, "Congratulations Lieutenant. And good luck. Did not forget personal reviews are due soon so we get to spend some time together reviewing lots of files," she smiled at him once more and exited for the turbolift.

Melody Rose from the desk. "Very well. I'll be on my way to sickbay. Lieutenant Rajel you have the bridge. After the Doc has cleared me i think you need to have a meeting."

Meanwhile, at the helm, Sav sent a message to ops to keep the navigational deflectors good and tight about the ship, continuing to rotate frequencies. She knew from Soliquoy that Borg left behind 'presents' to try and assimilate ships, but that only worked if the presents could get in direct contact with a technical port, and Sav was going to be damned if that would happen on her watch.

Stepping out of the ready room, Marbim clears his throat, "Computer please note that as of this moment I am in Command of the Merlin. Ok people, we've hit a rocky patch, but we will come through alive. Sensors start looking for 'Human DNA' amongst the wreckage. Any pieces that are too large to be ferried into the Shuttlebay, tractor together so we can get some workpods out there inspecting them. My first priority is finding Captain Barstow, and 'tech' goodies we may find we need to make sure aren't going to end up biting us in the backside. Communications officer, see if you can ping Captain Barstows' combadge. Commander Jones came back to us with hers on, so maybe we can locate Captain Barstow that way as well. If you locate any active Borg, I, um," Marbim stumbles backwards and ends up in the Captains' Chair, his head comes up with a look of pure hatred on his face, "Any active Borg are considered extremely dangerous, and are to be destroyed. Any questions people, if not, let's get this done."

Sav's voice answered from the helm speaker, "Aye Aye sir, best guess maneuvering through debris field at Z plus 10Kclicks for optimal sensor resolution." The Merlin began moving in a majestic arc up and over the area where the borg cube had been which kept the best positioning for scanning with the sensors on the ship.


OFF:




●● Lieutenant Marbim Rejal
Second Officer / Chief of Operations
USS Merlin

●●● Commander Caroline Miller
Chief Counselor
USS Merlin

●● Lieutenant Michael Ki
Chief Medical Officer
USS Merlin

●○ Lieutenant JG Stephanie O'Hara
Chief Engineer
USS Merlin

●●● Commander Save'ena Tillatix
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Merlin

●●● Commander Melody Jones
Executive Officer
USS Merlin