Cast Down
Posted on Fri Nov 19th, 2010 @ 5:40pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Lieutenant JG Jason Fisher
495 words; about a 2 minute read
Mission:
Structured Shoreleave - Marchwiel
Location: Sickbay, Deck 5
Timeline: Current
ON:
As Lieutenant Fisher lay in a bio-bed, conscious and now completely healed from the stabbing awaiting the discharge order from Doctor Marstin, Captain Halliwell steeled herself and made the long, drawn-out and difficult journey to sickbay. The doors smoothly parted to allow her entry as she arrived sullenly outside, and, as Jason faced away, she stepped in and silently hovered about the main arena. As Fisher glanced up and noticed her, she swallowed dryly and ambled over, a warm, sorrowful smile lining the corners of her mouth.
“Lieutenant,� she opened with, placing a hand on the edge of his bio-bed, “how are you feeling?�
Fisher gave a half-hearted smile at the captain as she arrived, "I've felt better," he replied honestly, "But, thanks to Doctor Marstin's administrations, I think all is well."
Halliwell smiled ruefully at his reply, and softened her features out of culpability and remorse. This was, perhaps, the most difficult conversation she was to have of her command career… admitting that she was at fault for the harm that had come to an officer who served beneath her. She took in a little wasp breath and said, “Lieutenant,� but then changed her mind and interjected with, “Jason,� to induce a more familiar, humble air. “Jason, I feel as though I should… apologise for how the events played out on the away mission.� She locked eyes with him, and tilted her head with a subtle expression of disgrace. “I – I should have heeded your professional advice concerning the security of the mission. It was… wrong of me.�
Fisher was taken aback for a second. In his experience, it was rare that a senior officer would come close to admitting that they had made a mistake, much less apologise for it. Perhaps it was one of the advantages of no longer working for Starfleet Intelligence: more transparency. He smiled wider and gave a little shrug. "Thank you, Captain," he said, "It means a lot to hear you say that." He looked at her with a mischievous glint in his eye, "You're forgiven," he said, still smiling, "If that helps."
She matched his mischievous expression and raised her eyebrows in a wistful, almost playful air. “I wouldn’t assume you had a choice in that matter, Lieutenant.� She smiled widely and then her face returned to its serious, apologetic expression. “I will follow your advice in future.�
"Thank you, sir." Fisher responded sincerely, taking note of the captain's playful but legitimate rebuke. As he watched his captain turn and leave sickbay he closed his eyes for a few seconds, but almost immediately his mind was filled with images of phaser fire, of confusion and of death...
OFF:
Elise Halliwell
Commanding Officer
USS Ranger
AND
Jason Fisher
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Ranger
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