A Ton of Bricks

Posted on Thu Feb 12th, 2009 @ 3:30pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell

1,008 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Citadel Prime
Location: Lane's Ready Room
Timeline: Current

Commander Lane used the tips of his fingers to apply a firm pressure to his temples. The pain behind his eyes was searing, and the report from Dr. Halsey that had crossed his desk earlier that day had not settled it. He sighed, and fixed his blue eyes to the window. The blackness beyond merely reflected his own image. A mid-30 year old Trill, tired and frayed around the edges, and subsequently, with an ever-shortening fuse.

Harshly tapping at his combadge, he ordered for the Commander to join him.

=A= Lane to Arkham. Commander, report to my Ready Room, please. =A=

Arkham had been in sickbay, looking over the two young crew who were under the Doctor's care. Smirking a little, she looked over to Catherine -- she had finished tending to the young Betazoid, and was now initiating a biobed scan on the large Yajuta warrior. Concern crossing her ruined features, Arkham said quietly. "If I leave now, will you be all right here?"

Halsey gave a weary smile, stepping away from her patient and over to the Executive Officer. Rubbing the old Commander's shoulder blades, she said, "Of course -- you should have left long ago. I don't need you to be my big mean old watchdog. I can handle myself here. Go on."

Arkham pulled away, smirking. "All right. If anything happens with the Yajuta--"

Halsey sighed. "You will be the first one I page. And you better show up with a small army, hero."

Arkham smiled. "Of course, Catherine."

Heading out of the sickbay, Arkham tapped her commbadge. =A= On my way up, sir. =A=

As the doors separated, Lane was sat at his desk, cradling his heavy head in his right hand. The silver reflective cup near to his left contained the remnants of cold and stale onyx coffee. No longer glistening underneath the low lights of the room, but dull and stagnant, with a greasy film coating the surface. He barely looked up to Commander Arkham as he recklessly motioned for her to take a seat in the chair on the opposite side of the desk.

“ ‘Morning, Commander,� he managed in a clipped and emphatically stark tone. Sliding the report before her, he looked up and fixed his eyes upon hers.

Arkham picked up the PADD and read silently, barely reacting -- she always preferred to keep her opinions to herself and be the more ominous one in the room.

Taking in a deep breath and holding it in his chest until the spent oxygen began to burn his lungs, he moved his hand over his mouth and then re-fixed his stare upon Rowena.

“Two senior officers. An Assistant Chief and a Senior Lab Tech. I don’t the know the specifics, but the EMH has treated them both for phaser burns.� Lane then diverted his eyes from the Commander and then concentrated his distant stare upon his fingernail. Picking at one nail-bed with the other, he intently, and yet distractedly, seemed disappointed.

“This behaviour is unacceptable, Commander. And I will not tolerate it on my ship. Am I clear??�

Lane looked at Arkham in an almost conspiring manner. He knew that they both shared the respect of orderly and straight service aboard a Federation vessel. Arkham, with her years of service and severe demeanour had already expressed her fondness of a tight-ship.

“I want them both disciplined and that wrist contraption of Turoc’s confiscated. In fact, his entire armour. Standard issue uniform attire only. He’s a Bridge Officer, for Christ’s sake!! I don’t care if he threatens bloody murder, I want this mess straightened out.�

He looked at his Number One with an air of affection. He knew her capabilities and her standards. That was the reason he had requested her for his XO to begin with.

“The report that you filed with me concerning your last ‘dealing’ with the Yajuta, I didn’t read. I’m not the kind of Commanding Officer that micro-manages anything. I trust you and your instincts. You have free reign to do what you see fit.

“And the Betazoid?? I don’t even know where to begin with her…�

Arkham smirked a conniving smirk, an almost evil look. "Of course sir, I'll see to the Yajuta and the confiscation of his weapons and armor. I agree, we've been tolerant of his culture long enough. I'm tempted to have him liquefied and recast as my desk chair, to be quite honest. But sir, don't you think that we're not taking appropriate measures? Dispose of him. We're trying to get off on the right foot here, and this is not what we need. Pawn him off on someone else."

“No, Ms Arkham. I’m not prepared to do that. Not just yet. He’s got to where he is because he’s capable officer. And because of that, he has to take responsibility for his actions. I’m entrusting you with that this time. He seems to respect you, albeit for all the wrong reasons.� He muttered that last line to himself more than to the XO.

Arkham smirked. "And as for the Betazoid...I'm not sure. I think, from my experience with her, she was probably defending herself from a threat. Perhaps a bit excessively. From my standpoint, we punish her more severely then we do the Yajuta -- because he won't learn. She might."

“As I’ve said, Commander, use your own judgement with that. Just get them both straightened out.� He inhaled sharply. “And, thank you, Ms Arkham. Just let me know how it goes, if you would. Otherwise you’re dismissed.�

With that, Rowena nodded, arose from her chair and left the Trill to his office. The pain behind the blue of his eyes stung him with a harsh ferocity. He replicated a cold glass of water and took a sip.

An early night for himself and Lorelai, he thought. Just this once.



Commander Coltan Lane
Commanding Officer
USS Archimedes

AND

Lieutenant Commander Rowena Arkham
Executive Officer
USS Archimedes

 

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