Posted by Lieutenant Commander Royal Sinclair (Counselor) in Pre-Sim: Doctor? Don’t mind if I do…

Posted by Lieutenant Corinne Dalton/SARAH (Ships AI/Avatar) in Pre-Sim: Doctor? Don’t mind if I do…

(snip)

“And what, exactly, is that Commander? Hmmm? What has she gone through to make you such a believer?” Sinclair leaned forward slightly and said “Patient confidentiality, Captain. I’m sure you can understand that.” with just the slightest hint of annoyance and sarcasm. Welby’s face took an a slightly red hue momentarily, but then faded. “Commander, I expect you to answer these questions. The fate of your thesis is very much based on what I hear from you today.”

Sinclair chuckled slightly but audibly. “Captain. With all due respect… I don’t care what you expect. This crew and their interactions with me are confidential. That’s the law. I have given you my assessment. It is the job of those above me to determine if my assessment is correct. And again, with all due respect Captain, I simply do not work for you. I answer to the Commanding Officer of the Saracen and Admiral Turner. If you have a problem with my responses here, I strongly suggest you take it up with them.” and he leaned back and folded his arms across his broad chest. Admiral Turner held up the (same) finger again, and the screen went blank for a second time.

“Well, looks like I’m done.” he growled to himself.

Sinclair, CNS

As if from the ether, Cori’s voice sounded softly in the office. “No, I don’t think you are. You’ve only just challenged them on their own principles. That can be a bit of a gut-punch at times, but we know, and they know that they can’t penalize you for having convictions and sticking to them. Not as mental health professionals. It would break all of the oaths they swore in one fell swoop. People might pick away at them over time, but it’s unlikely that they’d toss all of them out so easily.”

Sinclair visibly jumped at the voice, but quickly composed himself. “Corinne, I swear…” he said with a slight curling of his lips to indicate a barely suppressed smile. “This guy is a &^%$ing &^%$.” he added, his Scottish accent lending a weight and sincerity to the vulgarity used in his description. “But thanks for the support. Nice knowing I’m not actually* alone right now.”

He could have chewed her out, but she was glad he welcomed her presence right now, such as it was. She was silent for several moments before she spoke what was on her mind. “And now you understand fully what I’m up against. People higher up than us can dictate my existence with no understanding or consideration. I am no more to them than a series of pathways. It’s why I fear every change in command on this ship, because so far I’ve been fortunate to have most people give me the benefit of the doubt. But that won’t always be the case. And one day, I’ll lose. Fact.”

“Good job, by the way. I think you’ve acquitted yourself rather well so far,” she said, her tone taking on a lightness that was not amusement, but more pride. He was, if nothing else, one of their own now.

~Corinne Dalton

“Thanks, Lieutenant. Much appreciated. Hey. Think you can send me a printed picture of Welby’s face from this? I have the perfect spot on the center of my dart board to hang it on.” he asked, and while he grinned slightly there was a definite air of animosity directed at the subject of his request.

Sinclair, CNS

She chuckled. “I have that power.” Cori was quiet for a moment before her sighed filtered into his office, holding a slight tension. “What are you going to do?” She had been honest that she didn’t think this would end up being a negative thing, but it didn’t mean it wouldn’t be bumpy for awhile.

~Corinne Dalton