How do you solve a problem like…

Posted on Wed May 8th, 2024 @ 10:14pm by Lieutenant Kaelyn Carter

694 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Mission 1 - Project Concord
Location: Science labs

“…. to be told by someone barely out of the womb that my request is a low priority! Low! Me!. I came here as a personal favour! I could have had my pick of research laboratories on Earth, Vulcan, Jupiter Station … although until they kick out Zimmerman that particular posting would be quite insufferable… but no. I agreed to be here and promises were made!”

Pausing for a brief moment to vent his frustration with an infantile stomp of the foot, Doctor Thompson felt his temper immediately flaring again as he had to hurry to catch up with Lieutenant Carter. A child entirely unfitting of this post - something he had put in his letter to the Captain - while airing his views on how Operations were incapable of meeting his entirely reasonable expectations, it seemed only right to point out that he was far more qualified a scientist than anyone aboard. He looked forward to the captain’s response, sure he was a reasonable man who would understand his view.

“Are you even listening to me?” He demanded as he realised he was being left behind, quickly hurrying forward so quickly that his a coat swung out behind him while his boots, shined to perfection, moved swiftly and almost silently. He had the advantage of not walking with the aid of crutches and so was soon able to overtake and step in front of the woman who had so far seemed far from willing to help him.

Perhaps a different approach…

“Lieutenant, I am not unreasonable. I know the mission has - thus far - not gone according to plan. And I am grateful,” he went on, the last word seeming to make him feel physically ill, “that you saved me from serious injury when the conduit overloaded in the lab. Your quick thinking was appreciated. I am sorry that you were injured in the process and that I did not take the time to thank you properly.”

With a slightly raised eyebrow, Lieutenant Carter waited for the other shoe to drop. At least she was sure that was the expression. Either way she was not convinced by the sudden reasonable, even friendly tone he had adopted. “I did what anyone would have done,” she pointed out. “No need for thanks and the doctor said no lasting damage.”

“Quite,” he nodded absently. “But you see our current situation… science, Lieutenant! Science will be key to us making this mission a success. I am key. I need to be able to do my work, to have my equipment and lab space back…”

“And you will, in time,” Kaelyn assured him. “But the Captain has priorities.”

“Surely you can-“

She held up a hand to silence him. The look of outrage and disbelief that warred on his face was enough to almost make her laugh but she held it in, knowing this was not a battle she could afford to lose. “I possibly could, but I won’t. And why? Quite simply because our captain and XO see a bigger picture than your personal orbit, or mine, or just this department.

When engineering can spare more people, they will. Until then, pitch in with everyone else and help,” she ordered, awkwardly navigating around him with the crutches and making her way the last few feet to the turbolift. Glancing over her shoulder she added, “Just stay away from any power relays!”

“It was not my fault!” He protested. “Okay, Fine! But be sure this will be in my personal reports to Starfleet R&D, Lieutenant.”

“Looking forward to it, Doctor,” she sighed as she disappeared into the newly arrived lift. “Bridge! Quickly, before he thinks of something else to complain about and I end up in the Brig.”

As the doors closed she realised she was probably a little out of her depth - at least when it came to their civilian specialist. But for now he was way way down on a long list of problems. As her mother often said, right now it was better to take things one day at a time.

Maybe chocolate would help?

OFF

 

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