Posted by Commander David Morris (Commanding Officer) in Side sim: New Talents, Old Problems

Posted by Civilian Sisnil Zoi (Intelligence Consultant) in Side sim: New Talents, Old Problems

Posted by Ensign Dradvia (Medical Officer) in Side sim: New Talents, Old Problems
Posted by… suppressed (64) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
For not the first time, David Morris was having a very long day owing to a certain Lt. Stevens from Engineering. David did maintain an open-door policy on his ready room most of the time - one of the ways he differed from his predecessors in command - but it was nonetheless jarring when the man had barged in the door waving a PADD and demanding an immediate audience, claiming once again that Sisnil was a danger to everyone on board and was sabotaging the ship. If David’s count was right, this was no less than the 7th such complaint. This one was new though - this time he brought what he claimed as evidence, and added Ensign Dradvia to his list of saboteurs. That was ridiculous. Regardless of the nature of her relationship with Sisnil - which David had no reason to worry about - he’d met the doctor and read her file. She was less likely to sabotage the Wolverine than he was. Stevens claimed that her lifesaving actions to save Sisnil was obviously clear evidence of “aiding a felon in conspiracy to commit further felonies.” Those transport logs were classified. Not only was the premise ridiculous, but this was evidence Stevens had been digging where he had no need to be simply because he disliked Sisnil. It had taken David 10 minutes to talk the engineer down and out the door with promises to review it - although, what he’d actually be reviewing was mostly Lt. Stevens himself and only a very cursory check to make sure nothing bounced as clearly a problem with Sisnil’s conduct. Which he expected it wouldn’t.

As he sat back with the fourth cup of coffee he’d replicated in as many 5-minute spans, the chime to the ready room door went off again.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Did they have to walk through the ship, to the bridge, and to Morris’ ready room? Dee just wanted to go back to her room and stay there. Sisnil insisted. And if she didn’t go with him, she would still have to go anyway.

She didn’t have to be telepathic to see the looks or hear the whispers. When they reached the ready room door she pressed the chime, trying to stave off more whispers and looks. She tried not look like she was as stressed as she was.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil walked with her, arm around her. He ignored the whispers and looks outright. He led her to the ready room and then stood with her as she pressed the chime.

~ Zoi

“Enter,” David called, doing his best to mask the exhaustion in his voice. He was almost the usual upbeat CO as he glanced up. “Sisnil, Ensign Dradvia! I was going to come down to talk with you later, but I suppose now works. How can I help?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Dradvia stepped just inside the door and stopped. Why was he coming to see her? Panic swirled. She didn’t want to do this.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil took her hand and squeezed it for reassurance. “I take it Stevens has already been here.”

~ Zoi

“Yes, I just convinced him to leave. Is that why you two are up here?” David asked, indicating the empty chairs on the other side of his desk for them. “Any refreshments?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

She knew Sisnil was going to insist she tell Morris, but now that she was here, she was even more convinced she shouldn’t be. She tugged her sleeves down the cuff brushed her palms. She eyed the chairs like they might be torture devices. She shook her head, “No thank you, Sir.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“No,” Sisnil said. He took Dee’s arm gently and pulled her sleeve up, showing the bruise. “Stevens threatened her. Grabbed her. I- I should let her tell you.”

~ Zoi

Dradvia tried to tug her sleeve from his fingers, but then sighed giving up on hiding them. They were dark black and blue, clearly in the shape of fingers wrapped around her wrist. There was some swelling as well.

Dradvia took a single step away from Sisnil. Not because she wanted to, but because she didn’t want Morris to think Sisnil was coercing her. She stared past Morris’ elbow. “I was going to engineering for an emergency call. Stev… Lt. Stevens stopped me in the corridor. He asked if,” she didn’t want to do this, “if I was going to save ‘the pirate’ again. I told him to get out if my way and he grabbed me.” She rubbed her hand over the bruises gently. Then she hugged herself, wincing slightly as her hands bumped the hidden bruises on her arms.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

David was immediately on his feet, grabbing one of his numerous PADDs to take notes for his report. It was nearly instantly hidden, but Sisnil caught a flash of rage across his emotions for just a second. “Before I get into dealing with the incident itself, how are you doing? That was absolutely unacceptable behavior - do you need to talk to anyone, be that me, Dr. Tessan, or someone else - or need any leave?” He turned back to his desk for a moment, grabbing a tricorder to document the bruising.

“No!” The word burst out of her quietly but vehemently. No, no favors, no special treatment. Dradvia took a breath. “No Sir. I don’t need any of that.”

“Once I have these recorded, let’s get them healed. You shouldn’t have to suffer any further from this incident.” His tone was all counselor now - almost more of an older sibling or friend than the typical picture of a Starfleet captain and her boss.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Dradvia took two quick wary steps back, bumping into Sisnil, as Morris came towards her. His chamge in tone made her wary. Heal them so no one would ever know they happened except her? Or actually heal them? “That’s alright. I didn’t even notice it.” That was more a testament to Dradvia’s past than a comment on the severity of the injuries.

Morris’ tricorder would show bruising and tendon strain in the wrist caused by a struggle, and more bruising on both her upper arms. Her heart rate, BP, and Adrenaline were spiked as well.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil put an arm around her gently. “It’s okay, Dee. Let him treat you. Please.”

~ Zoi

She could do it herself. She should have before they came to see Morris. She leaned against Sisnil’s arm. She was fine, everything was fine. “Of course.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

David recorded detailed scans with a backup and pushed them to an encrypted folder on the main computer. “There. That’s recorded now as evidence for any further action that we take. You both should have access, as well as myself, but nobody else.” He set down the tricorder, walking back around his desk to grab the first aid kit that lived there and pull out the vascular regenerator. “Let’s deal with the bruising first.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil squeezed her gently then stepped out of the way.

~ Zoi

Morris wasn’t especially tall, but he was taller than her. Dradvia was a doctor, but she had a hard time trusting anyone who wanted to use a medical device on her. Especially men. She stood absolutely still, wrist held out, as Morris approached her.

Sisnil had promised he’d stay with her, and when he stepped away she felt abandoned. She hid it, staying still and apparently calm. Inside, however, she was extremely uncomfortable and afraid letting Morris be that close to her. Letting him though, meant she didn’t have to go to Tessan.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

David caught a couple signs of her discomfort and noted it in case it became relevant later as he ran the device over her bruises - wrist and one arm. As it vanished from her left shoulder, he had a sudden though and handed it to Sisnil. “Have you ever learned how to use one of these?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil shook his head. “No, we don’t even have these. My ship has what Starfleet used probably fifty years ago. Or longer.” He said.

~ Zoi

“These ones aren’t too difficult - we cover it in a 3rd-class cadet course.” David briefly outlined how to use it for Sisnil. “See how you do. Since you two are together more than I see either of you, this way you can take care of any bruising that we didn’t notice.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil was an astute listener and quick learner. “Thanks.” He said, looking at Dee. She’d be a lot more comfortable this way.

~ Zoi

Dradvia nodded encouragingly. One was in the kit she’d given to Sisnil for his crew. It was a simple device compared to most things. It simply had to be turned on and held steady until it was done. The bruising on her upper arms wasn’t bad at all. Her wrist though, was bad. Not only did the device tell Sisnil that, but his eyes could tell as well. Morris could see that the tendon damage would need more attention than the rest.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

It really was easy, Sisnil found, as he focused it on one of her remaining bruises. His touch was so gentle, it was a wonder he hadn’t been a doctor himself.

~ Zoi

Dradvia assumed that was because of his empathy. He and Noril had only had each other for a long time. When he was done she flexed her wrist slowly. It was fine now, but it would be sore for a bit. “Thank you.” She took a breath, “He should train as a medic, Commander if Dr. Tessan would approve it,” she hurried to add. “He picked that up quickly.” They could always use more medics in an emergency. It was also a skill that would serve Sisnil well with his crew. It would also give him something to do than sit and twiddle his thumbs until Morris had use for him.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“I don’t have any problems with that,” David agreed. “Cross training is always useful and Sisnil doesn’t have enough to do between missions - assuming you don’t mind, Mr. Zoi?” He raised one eyebrow slightly.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil shook his head. “Of course not. There’s no skill that isn’t useful.” He said and smiled.

~ Zoi

“Now,” David said. “As for Mr. Stevens. He injured you while attempting to impede your duties because you were on your way to treat Mr. Zoi. Did I miss anything?”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

A lot actually, but that was the incident in summary. “Yes Sir, that’s what happened.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil elbowed her gently. “Tell him all of it, Dee.” He said softly. “Tell him what Stevens said, exactly.”

~ Zoi

That was… no, it was shameful and uncomfortable and she was not telling Morris that. But now he was waiting for Dradvia to say something else because Sisnil had to say something. She wasn’t looking at Sisnil, but if she was she’d be glaring. “He told me I should have let Mr. Zoi die, and I was traitor. He said he had proof, and that you, Sir, would have to listen.” She fidgeted uncomfortably from foot to foot.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“He said,” Sisnil added, eyeing her, “to prove her loyalty now.”

~ Zoi

“That’s not exactly what he said,” that made it sound like Stevens had wanted Dradvia to make some kind of official report, and that wasn’t what he’d wanted at all. She was saved from qualifying by Morris speaking and she quickly closed her mouth.

David took a long breath. “He visited a few minutes before you two and presented his evidence - it was the transport log of your return from the station, which I’ll be looking into how he even got into. I may ask for your assistance on that, Sisnil.” He shifted to meet Dradvia’s eyes. “Nothing about that is any evidence of ‘treason’, if anything it’s reminded me I need to get on paperwork for a commendation. I am, however, very concerned that Mr. Stevens clearly had intent to allow deadly harm to a member of this crew and seems to think it’s a matter of loyalty. His evidence acts against him more than it does you, Ensign.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“He doesn’t see Mr. Zoi as crew.” If Stevens knew about her he wouldn’t consider her crew either… oh… maybe that’s why he said he had evidence. Somehow he knew she’d belonged to the Syndicate. She glanced at Sisnil, could that be it?

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil subtly shook his head. I haven’t sensed anything like that, and if I had, I’d have done something about it, he told her telepathically, privately. “Your systems are secure to your standard no-gooder, but anyone with a fair amount of skill, especially with inside access, would be able to access those logs. Does Stevens have a background in any sort of software?”

~ Zoi

“I do remember reading something about that,” David said. “Both on the civilian and Fleet side.” He pressed a couple buttons on his console to send a partially redacted copy of Stevens’ file to Sisnil. “That’s restricted info, you’re cleared for it by being one of my Intel people. Be responsible with it.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

The focus had moved away from her so all she had to do was stand there and be quiet. Let Morris and Sisnil deal with it all. She relaxed slightly content to be forgotten. She had to wonder how Stevens knew about Sisnil’s past. Shouldn’t that be restricted? If he had software training he could find it, but why?

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil’s PaDD made a ding sound when he received it. “I will. Promise.” He said. He elbowed Dee gently. “See? We’ll figure this out.”

~ Zoi

Dradvia nodded, “Of course.” That was the Star Fleet version of ‘yes, master.’ Dradvia had figured that out early on. It meant the same thing. Agreement with whatever was said, and affirmation that you would do whatever they wanted. The punishments for disobeying orders just weren’t as bad in Star Fleet.

She was worried what kind of favor she would be expected to repay for this though. It would be steep, given Cmdr. Morris had healed her himself. Sisnil swore Morris wasn’t like that, but Dradvia couldn’t risk trusting that.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“Sisnil, I’m putting you in charge of looking into this in an official capacity direct reporting to me, specifically to find out what level of threat Stevens and any accomplices could be to any member of this crew. Ensign, would you like to work with him on that or stay with your regular duties?” David asked. He smiled calmly, regarding both of them with his typical friendly expression and no malice anywhere in mind.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

What was asked was dis she want to help.

What Dradvia heard was, ‘I want you to spy on your other crew mates, report back to me so I have dirt on them. You will be my informant. Time to repay the favor.’

So she couldn’t say no. She really didn’t think she had any skills at all to help Sisnil with this. It wasn’t like they were looking for mood altering drugs or a disease. “I’ll do whatever you need me to do, Sir.” She told Sisnil there would be a price for reporting Stevens.... and here it was.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil shrugged, “I appreciate the trust, but Stevens is only a threat to me,” he said. “And Dee thinks this is some kind of favor thing, I don’t think she really wants to help,” he said, shooting her a glance.

~ Zoi

Dradvia didn’t move. Actually, she kind of turned into a lifelike statue. For Sisnil’s senses she kind of shrank into a tiny soec of dust.

“Currently, he’s only a threat to you and anyone he thinks is ‘in league with you.’ I don’t have a reliable way of predicting who that could be - it could just mean you two, it could mean Commander P’vik, it could mean me, it could even mean Command. Plus, it’ll give you something to do and me something I can put as a demonstration to Command that pardoning you was the right choice.” He turned to Dradvia. “It’s entirely your choice, Ensign. I thought you may want to help since you’re personally involved and have been privy to this conversation, but neither choice will impact my opinion of you or anything like that.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“And remember, Dee, I’m your human lie detector. He’s being honest when he says he doesn’t care what you pick,” Sisnil said to her.

~ Zoi

“I do not believe I would be of any help to Mr. Zoi, Sir,” she said with absolutely no inflection whatsoever.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Bump

“In that case, you’re more than welcome to continue your regular sickbay shifts, although if you change your mind you’re still welcome to help him if you so choose.” He turned his head slightly - back to Sisnil. “Keep me updated on anything important you find - I’m willing to trust your judgement on what’s important.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“You’ll have my updates,” Sisnil said, “but I don’t think there will be anything to be concerned about.” He thought the man was an angry idiot, not a threat.

~ Zoi

“Yes, Sir.” She didn’t want to help investigate her crew mates. If Sisnil needed her help, she would help him. Dradvia just didn’t know what she could possibly do other than sit in the room and keep him company. She wouldn’t have reported Stevens except Sisnil insisted because he left marks on her.

She told herself to relax. Morris and Sisnil were past asking her anything, so she didn’t have to tell the really horrible parts.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“I hope there’s not,” David agreed, “But it’s become a repeated issue, and I don’t want any of you hurt again.” That prompted another look Dradvia’s way. “And please tell me if he does try to hurt you or impede you again. It’s not alright for that to happen.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Dradvia stared over Morris’ shoulder. He kept looking at her as if he knew something or suspected something. She nodded feeling antsy and nervous.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“If anyone messes with her,” Sisnil pointed at Dradvia, “I’ll be dealing with it. And they won’t. Like it.” He said. “And, relax. There won’t be any violence. I’m not that stupid.”

~ Zoi

“If you don’t break any rules, I don’t have any issues with you stopping it. But tell me after the fact - I need to know when that sort of thing happens,” David replied. “And don’t do anything that I have to tell a flag officer about.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil scowled. “You take the fun out of everything.”

~ Zoi

Dradvia was thoroughly uncomfortable with the conversation now. Violence bothered her, even if she had been exposed to plenty of it. Well, one way to prevent it was to just keep it all to herself - thoughts, feelings, and all.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil turned to Dee and hugged her. “I just want you safe, Dee. And you can’t keep it to yourself. I’m gonna head it all whether you want me to or not. Hell, whether I want me to or not.”

~ Zoi

Something flickered but then it was gone. She was just quiet, hiding and it hurt. There were flashes of memories and feelings that she pushed away, but she wasn’t exactly adept at hiding her thoughts in her head, just from her face. It seemed everyone was waiting for her to say something. “I know.” She did, but she could try. She didn’t want him in trouble over her. It wasn’t worth it.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“I won’t get in trouble. I promise. He’s a fun killer, but he’s right. If I do anything to an officer they could take me back off the ship, enforce my sentence.” But then he looked at her, meeting her eyes. “You’re worth it, Dee. You’re worth anything.”

~ Zoi

Sisnil could sense it, and Morris was far too observant to miss the way her eyes flinched. She was uncomfortable and feeling exposed. Sisnil was trying to catch her eye, but she couldn’t do it. Stevens made it quiet clear what he and his… friends? cronies? thought she was worth.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

David quirked an eyebrow - he’d noted the reaction, if not the cause yet - but waited a moment to see if their resident telepath responded first.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Completely uncaring of the fact Morris was there, Sisnil pulled her into a tight hug. “Don’t you ever let anyone convince you you’re not worth it.” He said gently.

~ Zoi

Dradvia wasn’t comfortable with this display infront of her CO at all. She was stiff, but inside she felt better even though she wanted him to not do that un front of Morris.

She pulled back, “It matters to me. It is not worth a criminal sentence over something inconsequential.” Didn’t he know she would put up with anything so he didn’t get sent away?

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“I would hardly say anything that provokes such a response would be inconsequential,” David gently put in. “Nonetheless, let’s try to keep Sisnil out of prison. I have the authority to deal with that kind of issue after the fact, and I have no issue with Sisnil - with either of you, for that matter - using enough force to protect yourself or others in the crew, as long as it’s only what’s necessary and isn’t life-threatening.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

By the look Sisnil gave him, he was genuinely surprised. “You trust me that much?” He asked.

~ Zoi

“You haven’t given me reason not to. You’ve worked to learn more skills, bonded with a member of the crew, and escalated issues when you needed to.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Even so, there are plenty who would call you foolish,” Sisnil said. “Still, we have mutual interest in my not returning to prison, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

~ Zoi

Dradvia wouldn’t know how to use force even if she wanted to. It wasn’t a part of her, she was too hardened to the violence that was done to her. She could watch it, deal with the consequences, but she couldn’t enact it. That wasn’t her. She couldn’t even do it to get Stevens off of her when he suggested… she stopped the thought. It was over, another officer saw and gave her an out. She didn’t know what his reason was, but that didn’t really matter much right now.

“May I return to duty, Commander?” The request was a load of crock. Her shift was over, and today was one of those rare occasions when she’d actually changed into off duty clothes rather than keeping her uniform on. She was looking for an out. She’d go back on duty though just so it wasn’t a lie.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Bump

“You’re welcome to go if you like, and whether you go to sickbay or off-duty is up to you,” David’s glance flicked over her civilian clothes. “I won’t hold either choice against you, although my advice is to let yourself rest. I can ask Dr. Tessan to give you some time off if you’d like it to recuperate, but I also understand if you’d prefer to keep your routine.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Dradvia’s eyes widened, “No Sir. I don’t need time off.” She’d have to be extremely injured or incapacitated to not report for duty.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil set a hand on her shoulder. “He is right though. You aren’t on duty, you don’t need to ‘go back’ right now.”

~ Zoi

She was feeling very cornered, but what else could she do but agree? She nodded slightly, “Alright.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

“It’s entirely your choice. If you’d like leave, just submit a request. If not, I’m sure the patients will appreciate your presence and skill whenever you’re on duty. Either way, please don’t feel as if you have to spend time you’re supposed to be off-duty working anytime short of an emergency.”

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

“Yes, Sir.” Dradvia pulled herself a bit, “I don’t need leave Sir.” She wanted to work. Dealing with Stevens, as troublesome and scary as she found him to be, wasn’t enough to make her abandon her patients.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Sisnil sighed softly, wishing Stevens would just go away. He could handle being harassed himself, but even doing something about being harassed was bothering Dee, and he couldn’t do anything about that.

~ Zoi

“You’re both dismissed if there isn’t anything else you need or want to discuss - go get some rest. Sisnil, I’ll message you later today regarding report timelines, but don’t concern yourself overly until then.” David tabbed a key sequence into his console as he spoke, pulling Stevens’ full record, including a listing of previous COs/XOs.

Commander David Morris
Commanding Officer

Sisnil shook his head. “Nothing else from me.” He said, gently touching Dee. “Come on.”

~ Zoi