Please!

Posted on Tue Jan 10th, 2012 @ 2:08pm by Lieutenant Commander Dylan Blake & Captain Elsie Halliwell & Commander Cailean Fox, M.D.

1,082 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Fishing
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: After Titans

Having concluded talks with Doctor Fox, Lieutenant Blake felt a little more like himself, though still on edge and within touching distance of dissolving into a emotional mess. Right now, however, it was contained, at least enough for him to speak frankly to Captain Halliwell about her decision to take the ship under the waves and in the knowledge that Fox was accompanying him.

Fortunately the Captain had concluded her meeting with Kenarick and Shepard and was, as the Computer confirmed, in her ready room. Unfortunately it couldn't conclude what state of mind she was in, and if Blake knew of the battle of minds between Kendrick and herself plus the knowledge that the intelligence officer was up to no good he would have stayed clear.

Unaware of these he drummed the chime breaking the Captain's solitude.

"Come in!" Elsie barked, shooting her gaze up to the opening door as Dylan stepped through, completely ignoring Doctor Fox sidle in the Lieutenant's shadow and slip to the side quietly. "Lieutenant," she then said curtly, "are you disturbing me for any particular reason?"

It could not be denied that Elsie was a formidable woman. Someone who would grow old into a cantankerous, harsh-edged elderly. But, she was still relatively in her youth, and her snappish reactions were still smothered in genuinely regard for peoples' welfare, most of all for her crew. But, as Dylan had no chance of knowing, her frame of mind had been firmly pushed to its limits with the incessant gnawing of Kendrick, and today was not the best time for such a man to approach such a woman with such a delicate and personal line of inquiry. "Come on, Lieutenant. Spit it out."

Blake felt his stomach tighten at her abrupt attitude, clearly whatever Captain Kendrick had discussed hadn't improved her mood since the briefing. He felt as she could explode at any moment. His mouth moved wordlessly for a fraction before he could locate his voice: "I wish to posted aboard the shuttle, Captain," he said finally. "During the Ranger's voyage to the surface, I have complete faith in my team to perform every task in my absence... I don't think I'd be in a good state of mind should I remain aboard."

Elsie's face tightened as her distracted listening now focused on her Chief Operations Officer. "State of mind?" she asked, cocking her head to one side to emphatically listen to his reply. "What state of mind?"

Blake grimaced, "My mind Captain. I...I have an acute phobia of large volumes of water... it's documented upon my file... I don't believe remaining upon the Ranger when we are... submerged would be wise."

The captain narrowed her eyes and bored them into Blake. "Doctor?" she questioned.

"Hydrophobia." Fox replied plainly, "He ain't faking it, and if he is, he should consider a career on the stage." the Doctor continued, smirking at his own quip. "Not strictly my ball o' wax, since this is a Psychological disorder, but with cases as potent as Blake's the phobia quickly turns up physical affects. If you want him one-hundred percent on this mission, I'd advise you keep him far away from any bodies of water larger than a drinking glass."

Blake felt himself start to tremble under Halliwell's gaze and droplets of perspiration begin to form on his brow as these two giants placed him squarely under the microscope.

Elsie fell silent for a moment, looking between the two officers that stood before her. She inhaled and as her eyes fell onto the lieutenant, quivering before her. "I need people I can trust on the bridge, Mr. Blake... and ordinarily, I have no question of your abilities. But, equally, I need someone to take command of the fleet left above the surface. And someone I can trust. 'Two birds with one stone' aptly comes to mind." She rested her hands on the desk and folded them neatly before her. "Before we dive report to the Baden-Powell. You can lead the squadron from there."

A torrent of mixed emotions raced through Blake at the Captain's decision: He wasn't going go under - what a relief so much he felt the sudden release of air from his lungs he'd been holding without realising it. Then, of course the true nature of what task now lay ahead of him he felt himself tremble all over again but with a different level of fear that arose from responsibility. "Thank you Captain," he gushed. "I'll not let you down." Or at least he'd hope not, though the task of leading this supposed fleet she spoke of was incredibly daunting.

She shook her head, more to herself than to the two men before her and grimaced. "Doctor, is there anyone else that you or Counselor Carter know of who should remain up top?"

Fox shrugged and shook his head, "I don't know of anyone else having issues. For Blake, I think staying up here will be the best thing for him. Things like this are better conquered slowly, not cold turkey." he said, folding his arms over his chest passively, "And there ain't no need for me to babysit him either, so long as he's staying far away from the water." he added, just in case the Captain had in mind to have him keep an eye on Blake.

"I didn't consider any such thing," Elsie replied casually, looking up to Fox as Blake's demeanor seemed to relax somewhat noticeably. "But I do agree that it is for the best." She scoffed to herself as the thought crossed her mind. "And conquering his fear isn't a priority," she attempted to comfort Blake. "I don't plan on taking the Ranger anywhere near such a body of water any time soon again."

"Good." Fox announced loudly, "Then you can leave the solving of this medical issue to the counseling staff." he smiled, looking over at Blake, "They'll be a damn sight more useful with it than I am." he added fatherly.

"Thank you Doctor, and Captain for understanding. I'm sorry to have imposed this upon you," Blake said humbly I thought you'd rather know now before we...went under."

Halliwell smiled, knowing in her self that this was the right decision. For Blake and for the mission. She nodded, relieving them both of of her presence as they then disappeared through her ready room door out onto the bridge.

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