Posted by Lieutenant Marcia Knowles (Chief Medical Officer/Chief Science Officer) in Justifying the Means (Introductory Side Sim - 3 years earlier)
“Dr Knowles, put down the scalpel, step away from the operating table,” a klingon security officer commanded.

The brunette paused for a moment, considered, but refused to do so, “I can save him, damnit!”

“Lieutenant Commander Knowles, put down the scalpel, the officer does not want to have the operation,” the klingon security officer repeated, “that is your last warning, my phaser is set to heavy stun.”

“Nurse Caliden, we can save his life,” the Doctor replied, “monitor his lifesigns as I cut between the third and fourth ridge.”

But the Nurse had already moved away from the operating area, and stood alongside the security officers, “no, Marcia,” the Nurse addressed as Caliden replied, “he doesn’t want the operation. Please, stop.”

“Damnit, nurse, I’m a Doctor, and a Scientist, and a Starfleet Officer I will do this,” Marcia snapped, “I will do this.” She went to insert the knife into the body of the officer on her operating table, but the Klingon security guard was quicker, and the phaser beam struck her and she crumpled to the ground. The sound of the scalpel hitting the ground and the sight of her nurse lunging at her, medical tricorder in hand the last thing she registered by sight and sound.

---

She woke, and was unsurprised to find herself in the brig. She was still in her starfleet uniform, but her pips and her combadge and her medical tricorder were gone. A Security Officer, a woman was standing guard.

“Julie,” she said to the woman, “healing nicely?”

Marcia had mended a broken bone in the woman’s leg a few weeks earlier.

“Yes,” was the short reply, before tapping the intercom, “Captain, she’s awake.”

“Thanks, Lieutenant,” came the response, “we’ll be there shortly.”

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the captain, the XO and the CMO were gathered in the brig, and the officer on duty was dismissed.

“We’ve spoken with Fleet Command, and they’ve arranged for us to Dock at DS47 for you to be questioned regarding your actions, Lieutenant Knowles,” the XO told her, “until then, you’ve got the choice, you may return to your quarters and remain there, or you can remain here in the brig.”

Marcia nodded, but said nothing.

“You could have achieved great things, Doctor,” the Captain observed, “you should have followed protocols, but now, your career is set back. Come, Commanders.” The XO and CMO turned to leave after the Captain.

But then, Marcia spoke up, “wait, Doctor Valgo, a few words if I may … alone.”

The CMO paused, motioned for the CO and XO to depart and looked back at Marcia.

“Yes?” The tone of voice was clipped and there was none of the usual warmth that Marcia was used to.

“The Lt Commander?” Marcia asked.

“A team of us managed to save the patient, using tried and tested and approved methods to save the officer in accordance with the wishes of his species, Lieutenant,” Valgo replied, “it’ll be several months, but a fully recovery is expected.”

“My operation would have seen the officer at work next week, the efforts of the Federation would have been advanced, and the mission would have been completed sooner, you know that, and I know that, Dr Valgo,” Marcia retorted, pacing her cell.

“We will complete the task on schedule and we’ll maintain our ethics in the process, Knowles,” Valgo replied, “if there’s nothing else, I have my tasks to complete, you were technically competent, Dr Knowles, but your heart for the patients had a lot to be desired. I trust you have time to reflect on your actions and see them for what they are … misguided and lacking in compassion for the patients. “

“And I trust you have the time to reflect on the knowledge we could have acquired from my surgical practices, Doctor Valgo,” Marcia Knowles called out after Valgo, even as the CMO departed.

The security officer from earlier looked in at Marcia and said, “so, Doctor Knowles, are you staying here, or returning to your quarters?”

“My quarters,” Marcia replied, and waited wordlessly for the shimmering forcefield to be lowered.

• Knowles CMO/CSO

When they arrived at DS47, someone was waiting for them, but not someone who would reveal himself just yet–he had to wait till Marcia was alone or his cover–and that of the whole organization–would be blown.

He hung around them, close enough to hear their conversation–if there was any–but far enough away that he blended in with the crowd. He had to wait for the right moment to move in and speak with her–it was super important.

Unknown Figure