Task Force: Gamma

ArjimCalodan · Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject:

"It's alright, I had an appointment with Dr. Kiv after this anyway. I'll just get an antihistamine when I get there."

"I can walk with you if you'd like Commander and make sure you arrive safely. Sickbay is on my way, after this I'm headed to the lab to do more simulations with the data I got from the alien databanks."

Calodan was concerned. He recognized that look of confusion, he once had it himself while adjusting to his symbiont. Periods of joining were tumultuous, often lasting for months before host and symbiont became fully integrated. It was even harder in cases like his and the Commander's, where the hosts were unprepared and a joining was an emergency measure. But the Commander had been joined for some time...this confusion should have passed. Something was wrong, something she wasn't addressing and he wanted to know what it was. His recent hallucination planet side had seemed to quell some of the self-doubt in him and brought a sort of peace.

The yeomen arrived and cleared the table, just leaving the beverages. Calodan fidgeted with his waterglass. He had a request to make..but he wasn't sure if he should.

"Captain, on the topic of the arrival of the Commander's bundle of joy, I'd like to volunteer myself to take up any duties she may need relief on. I'd also like to volunteer myself as an acting First Officer while the Commander takes any needed maternity leave, if that is alright with her that is."

He noted the quizzical look on both of their faces. "Sirs, I know I've made some mistakes in the past...even recently, but I want to prove myself capable of making good decisions and even possible of commanding one day. I can see no better way then to volunteer for extra duty and take up slack where possible." Silently to himself he thought "and to prove to both of you I can do it."
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"I can walk with you if you'd like Commander and make sure you arrive safely. Sickbay is on my way, after this I'm headed to the lab to do more simulations with the data I got from the alien databanks."

Qech nodded, still absentmindedly scratching at her hand. "I'll accept the company, even if it is just a rash. I don't expect to drop dead in the hallway." She wore a half-hearted smile as she considered her words. Dead is exactly what I'd be if I'd eaten that stupid shrimp.

She shook her head, forcing the thought away. When she snapped out of her reverie, she couldn't help but notice the obvious expression of concern on the Second Officer's face. She had a feeling he knew better than to assume the rash was her greatest concern. And she knew better than to assume he was at all fooled by her mockingly calm performance.

She caught his eye for a brief moment, looking away before he eventually turned his attention to the Captain.

"Captain, on the topic of the arrival of the Commander's bundle of joy, I'd like to volunteer myself to take up any duties she may need relief on. I'd also like to volunteer myself as an acting First Officer while the Commander takes any needed maternity leave, if that is alright with her that is."

Qech smiled, nodding as she looked over the the Captain to gauge his reaction. She knew he'd be torn between his respect for the Lieutenant's abilities and his recent reprimand. Qech, on the other hand, was pleased to hear that Calodan hadn't given up on himself and was perfectly willing to show her support. Maybe her blessing of the idea would make it easier for the Captain to make the decision she knew he wanted to make...

"Well, that would be the way it is done, wouldn't it? You are the second officer after all, and if I'm not on duty it all stands to reason." She smiled at her friend and then looked to the Captain. "Though it's not as if we're running out of time to make those preparations."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 9:31 pm Post subject:

"Captain, on the topic of the arrival of the Commander's bundle of joy, I'd like to volunteer myself to take up any duties she may need relief on. I'd also like to volunteer myself as an acting First Officer while the Commander takes any needed maternity leave, if that is alright with her that is."

"Well, that would be the way it is done, wouldn't it? You are the second officer after all, and if I'm not on duty it all stands to reason. Though it's not as if we're running out of time to make those preparations."

If the Captain had a moment's hesitation at Lieutenant Calodan's suggestion he didn't show it. In fact, as Commander Qech jumped in to reply -- likely as a way to help both men save face -- the Captain nodded his support.

"I completely agree with Commander Qech -- on both counts. I haven't made and staffing changes in the roster, at least none that I can think of, and so the duties of First Officer during her convalescence will naturally fall to you." he shrugged and sat back, looking between the two officers as he completed his statement. "But Davynn is right, she isn't going to be going into labor tomorrow. We have time to get the whole situation figured out."
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 9:52 pm Post subject:

"I haven't made and staffing changes in the roster, at least none that I can think of, and so the duties of First Officer during her convalescence will naturally fall to you."

"Yes sir." Calodan smiled, it was good to hear that his two commanding officers still had faith in him. "And Commander Qech better not go into labor tomorrow, my dates aren't for a while yet."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:03 pm Post subject:

"And Commander Qech better not go into labor tomorrow, my dates aren't for a while yet."

At that the Captain laughed, a real laugh with a bit of force behind it.

"I'll hope not too, but just to be on the safe side we may want to alert Doctor Kiv..."

The Captain's joke was itself interrupted by the comm and the voice of Doctor Newell calling from Sickbay.

"Commander Qech, Dr. Newell here, it's time for your first scan! Please report to sickbay as soon as convenient, thank you ma'am."

The Captain's mouth was slightly agape as the young Doctor called for his First Officer. Shaking his head, he looked back to his friends.

"And here I was just kidding around... I guess you should get going, Commander. Thank you both for dining with me this evening."
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:09 pm Post subject:

"Thank you both for dining with me this evening."

"Thank you for having us Captain. The meal was delicious." He stood from his chair and tucked it back into the table.

"Commander, if you don't mind, I'll walk with you. Sickbay is on the way to the lab."
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"And here I was just kidding around... I guess you should get going, Commander. Thank you both for dining with me this evening."

Qech had to laugh at the timing. "Thank you for the meal, Sir. I enjoyed the company. And don't worry Jim, I won't mess up your precious dates... Not this early anyway."

She stood up, folding her napkin across her now empty plate as she nodded respectfully to the Captain.

"Commander, if you don't mind, I'll walk with you. Sickbay is on the way to the lab."

"Thank you" she replied as she made her way out the door, still frantically itching at her hand as if the sudden silence had reminded her that it was there. The concern that had been present on her face during the meal had returned as she looked down at the spreading rash.

How could I have even let this happen?... What is wrong with me?
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:31 pm Post subject:

Calodan followed Qech out the door and as soon as they were around the corner.

"Commander, permission to speak freely?" At her brief nod, his smile faded. "What happened in there? You looked like I remember looking in my first months after joining. Are you having problems with your symbiont?"
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"Commander, What happened in there? You looked like I remember looking in my first months after joining. Are you having problems with your symbiont?"

Qech stopped in the middle of the hallway, but didn't look up at him. "...I don't know." She sighed. "I've been having problems ever since the incident with the Tal'Harton. That's the first time anything... Well, dangerous, has happened." At that she looked up at her friend. Her face was slightly paler than usual as she reluctantly thought back to the scene of her abuse. "They tortured the symbiont... Well, both of us. I've never heard of anything like that happening before. So I really don't know what to expect."
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject:

Calodan hesitated a bit...then reached out and touched her on the shoulder. "Comma...Davyn...if there is anything I can do, just ask me. It's dangerous to lose track of yourself like this. Have you spoken to anybody about your...experiences with the Tal'Harton?"
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"Comma...Davyn...if there is anything I can do, just ask me. It's dangerous to lose track of yourself like this. Have you spoken to anybody about your...experiences with the Tal'Harton?"

Qech shook her head. "I've tried. I know I should try to see a counselor again, and I'm sure Dr. Kiv is going to say the same thing, but I just haven't brought myself to do it yet. Now that things have settled down around here a bit maybe I can." She sighed, and looked down the hallway, hoping no one was within earshot. The matter, as far as she was concerned, was personal.

"I don't know that there's anything you could do, but I appreciate the offer. It is good to know there's someone who's been in the same shoes. I just hope it doesn't get any worse." She looked at him with a definite note of concern in her eyes. "Could you not mention this to the Captain? It's something I need to deal with, and having him know what's really going on... I don't know, it just seems like it would make it worse somehow. I'll tell him myself if it comes down to it, but for now, I just want to figure it all out."
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:27 am Post subject:

"I trust your judgment Davynn, I know you'll inform the Captain if this impairs your ability to do your duty."

He paused for a second, and they walked along in silence. "I know it's a very personal question, so feel free not to answer me, but have you undergone a zhian'tara? We were both joined under similar circumstances..in an emergency...and I know before my zhian'tara I had a very hard time with memories I didn't understand. It's hard to be joined without all the preparation normal hosts go through..well went though."
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"I know it's a very personal question, so feel free not to answer me, but have you undergone a zhian'tara? We were both joined under similar circumstances..in an emergency...and I know before my zhian'tara I had a very hard time with memories I didn't understand. It's hard to be joined without all the preparation normal hosts go through..well went though."

His sudden change to past tense caught her off guard briefly before she really considered why he'd done it. There were times when the riot on Trill just seemed like a passing dream, one that she could wake up from if enough time passed. She shook her head slowly, all the while trying not to think about what she'd lost.

"No, I never underwent a zhian'tara. I would have liked to. I thought it might clear up a few things. But then I got the offer for the Hartington, and I took it. Of course, when I met the Captain I was really sorry I hadn't undergone the ritual."
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject:

"There are still plenty of people on Trill that understand the issues joined hosts can have and would be willing to perform a zhian'tara. If you have enough people on the ship you trust you could do one here or I am sure that the Captain would give you time off to go back to Trill to do so."

He stopped in the hall to let a few crewmen then pass, and looked at her again. "Commander, I have something to admit: when I first joined the crew I used my clearances to read up on you and the Captain. I deduced a bit of history there and was curious. I read about Ailis. I apologize, it was a violation of your privacy...but I was curious and worried about the two of you."
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"Commander, I have something to admit: when I first joined the crew I used my clearances to read up on you and the Captain. I deduced a bit of history there and was curious. I read about Ailis. I apologize, it was a violation of your privacy...but I was curious and worried about the two of you."

"I had a feeling you knew" she said, checking to make sure the crewman had passed beyond earshot. "And while it may have been a violation of my privacy, the information was hardly confidential. I don't blame anyone who stumbles across such a thing for reading it. And while a zhian'tara may be a good idea, I couldn't possibly have it performed on this ship for that reason exactly. Can you imagine how the Captain would feel, knowing Ailis was, more-or-less walking around here in the flesh? It's hard enough dealing with the ghosts through me, though I have to say we've come a long way since this voyage started."

"That said" she continued, "I'm afraid a voyage back to Trill is out of the question. I would never be so brash as to ask the Captain to turn the ship around, and I'm not eager to fly a shuttle back through Tal'Harton space any time soon."

At the mention of the Tal'Harton, Qech unconsciously placed her hand over her belly, remembering how ruthless they were in their examination of her, despite knowing she was pregnant. She swallowed, and stood up a bit straighter, looking Calodan in the eye with the certainty of an Officer. "I'm needed here."
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