Odd mood

Posted on Tue May 5th, 2009 @ 5:44pm by Lieutenant JG Lucy Carter

712 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Current

ON:

Ship's Counsellor Ensign Lucy Carter had never, nor would she ever betray a confidence. She considered loyalty and integrity to be in her top five desirable attributes for a person but drew the line when she believed there might be a threat to the ship.

She had been a first hand witness to the recent attempt on Commander Arkham's life and the Commander's absolute refusal to accept proper first aid treatment was puzzling. Coupled with the now many instances that Lucy had seen the Commander openly drinking alcoholic substances at various times during the day and Arkham's unpredictable behaviour began to add up to traits of all people on any sort of drug. You could not trust them.

This bothered the Counsellor. On the one hand, there had been no direct evidence to suspect the Commander of anything. On the other, who was to say how drunk she was as she gave her orders?

Something had to be done and as she advanced to sickbay, Lucy prepared her speech for the doctor.

The sickbay doors opened and she announced her presence. "Hello, doctor. Could I speak with you for a moment?"

After the originally contaminated gelpack was recovered, Mabren left the science lab for a time, while the computer was running the tests on it. Returning to sickbay, Mabren was working on the console in the center of sickbay. Hearing the doors swish open, he looked up to see the Counselor walking in. Smiling, he said, "Of course, counselor. Before we begin, should this be private?"

"Yes, sir. I think it should be". Carter followed the doctor to his office. She stood by his desk as he took a seat and then sat in the other chair when offered. She crossed her legs and hugged her raised knee with both hands in an effort to make the situation less tense. As soon as the room was made private, she began.

"Sir, I have noticed on more than one occasion now that Commander Arkham has been drinking on duty. By the smell of it, it seems to be a type of spirit and I have also noticed it on her breath. I am concerned and wanted to get your opinion."

Carter was well aware that the doctor could tell her to stop prying into matters that did not concern her, but at least now she had escalated her fears through the proper channel.

Mabren nodded at the Counselor's observation, he had been noticing that she was drinking at what appeared to be all hours. Finally he said, "Yes, the scotch or whiskey, not sure which. And I do have the some concerns, especially considering that she is still recovering from some serious wounds. But I'm not sure if I'll be able to do any good. Considering she..." he paused for a second, thinking about what word to use, "Released me as her primary physician."

"Doctor, I don't want to speak out of turn but, primary physician or not, you are still doctor for this ship and I believe you need to put that first, not the personal preferences of Commander Arkham. If we have noticed her drinking habits it is very likely that other crew have done also and it's not something that..." she struggled for words here..."it's not something that is a "good look" " she said finally.

"Agreed," Mabren said, "And there is the fact that she is still recovering from major surgery. In your opinion, how bad does this go?"

"Who knows?" answered Carter. "What I do know is that it just isn't right."

"Agreed," Mabren said, with a simple nod, "When would you want to have a discussion with her?"

"I want to wait until she has recovered from her injuries and then I shall ask her in for a chat. In the meantime, I suggest we monitor her intake - carefully."

"Alright, I think that is for the best," Mabren said with a nod, "Anything else Counselor?"

"Not at this moment, doctor." Lucy got up from her seat and with a smile, left the doctor's office.

"Very well, Counselor," Mabren said to the young woman before she left his office. Now it was time to get to the matter at hand. Figuring out the gel packs.

OFF

 

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