Leaping Into The Fray

Posted on Thu Aug 1st, 2019 @ 12:03am by

1,333 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: What Stalks The Night
Location: CO's Ready Room

Amélie made her way through the ship to the Captain's Ready Room, pausing outside the door long enough to hit the chime and wait. She had come directly from her office and she had made sure she had all her information readily available, wanting to make sure that this entire conversation would be as productive as possible. She had also taken the chance to speak with Matthew again, giving him the newest information she had available and to again gauge his current state of mind, which served to reinforce that she was making the right decision to speak to the Captain to see what else could be done to resolve this situation.

Will had just finished reviewing operational notes on the mission when the door chime sounded. "Come." His eyes roamed over the lines of text that revealed to him once again the particulars of the mission and the stipulates that had to be strictly followed. Already the text had updated as checkpoints had been passed, codes submitted and approvals received. So far it seemed that everything was going to plan and for once Will found himself at some measure of ease at the 'so far' no incident progress. Looking up he saw that it was the Counselor. "Lt, please, take a seat."

Walking into the ready room and taking the offered seat, Amélie smiled graciously. "Thank you for seeing me Captain," she said gently. "I apologise for not making an appointment, so I'm very grateful that you are willing to see me at short notice." With another smile she watched as he walked across the room, returning to his own chair before she spoke again. "I wanted to speak to you about a member of the crew, Ensign Matthew Leeson?"

"Of course." Will turned his computer off and leaned back in his chair. "So whats this about, Ensign Leeson you said?" Will spoke, thinking at that moment that karma had bitten him for thinking so far everything had gone without a hitch.

Leaning forward, Amélie slid a PaDD across the desk between them. "Ensign Matthew Leeson has been newly assigned to Engineering on the Dreadnought. He just joined the crew before we departed Earth. Unfortunately there was some kind of mixup and his very pregnant wife was not transported to the ship as she should have been." Amélie sighed softly, leaning back in her chair. "Long story short Captain, Ensign Leeson is, in my opinion, mentally unable to perform his duties because of the circumstances with his wife. I'm not sure what the best way to handle this is, because honestly, I've never relieved anyone from duty before and I'd rather not start now. He's on 'rest' at the moment, but it is my professional opinion that, given circumstances, for his own sanity, and likely her best interests as well, a way be found to reunite them. Whether it be having her join the Dreadnought via medical transport as was originally intended or by him leaving, but I don't believe he's able to perform his duties until this situation with his wife is resolved."

Karma did indeed bite him and he sighed as he considered his options. "Her joining the ship is out of the question, our mission can not be delayed to allow a transport to catch up and there are sensitive security aspects of the mission that are time critical." There was no way Will was able to get around that. "The only option available to him would be to send him off ship via shuttle to the nearest outpost where he can obtain transport from there to Earth." The Dreadnought was already long into its planned secure route, any deviation now would raise alarms.

"This is their fourth pregnancy. They lost three babies and this one has been high risk since the getgo. She had threatened premature labour at twenty four weeks but they managed to chemically stop labour from progressing, but regardless, there are still concerns which is why she's been a patient at Starfleet Medical since the threatened labour. Sir, with all due respect, I appreciate that your mission may be time critical, but so is this. He's already ready to jump the first shuttle he can get back to Earth, but I would prefer he do so in a way that doesn't jeapordize the rest of his career."

"I will speak to Lt Luthar to arrange a shuttle, bear in mind he will be subject to search prior to departure by security because of the mission parameters." Will tried to be understanding, these things happened but he had his orders and they needed to be followed.

"I don't think he cares how he gets back to her, just so long as he does," Amélie said softly. "I'm pretty sure if you asked, he'd strip naked, turn himself inside out and dance the can can. Sir, he's not trying to do anything to the ship or jeapordize your mission, he just wants to get back to his wife and his baby."

While not as much of an issue as he expected, it still was a bite from Karma. "I will contact Lt Luthar after you leave and make the arrangements. I will have the Lieutenant forward departure details to Ensign Leeson." Will spoke, he wondered how he'd explain the drop from warp even if it was for a moment but with Starfleet Medical able to confirm some information, his Chief Counsellor able to fill in the rest and with security able to confirm all was well, the delay would be minor and no time would be lost at all.

"I have spoken to Commander Patrovski before I came here. He was the one that provided me with the last updates of Ensign Leeson's wife." Amélie spoke softly. "Anything that can be done he will do without hestitation and it will be gratefully appreciated, that much I know."

Knowing that Commander Patrovski was involved added more supportive weight to his report as to why the ship made a stop to disembark a shuttlecraft. "Well should you see the Ensign, inform him of the arrangements and that he should expect Lt Luthar to contact him shortly." Will turned his computer on and checked the location of his CAG, deciding if it was easier to signal, or to request his attendance.

"I will be going to see him as soon as I leave here, I promised him an update, one way or another, and I'm not one to break my word," Amélie said softly. "Thank you Captain, I do appreciate your time, and your effort. I can only imagine that it isn't easy for one in your position to have to balance responsibility, but thank you, for your commitment not only to your job but to your crew."

"It's alright Counselor, seems you are leaping into things straight away which is good to see." Will knew that this was only the start, with a crew as large as this ship had days like this would be common for her. Will knew that with this ship would come new challenges, that was always to be expected when a new command was given but he was eager, hopeful that it would turn out of the best.

Leaving the PaDD on his desk, Amélie smiled politely as she stood up and smoothed the front of her uniform. "Thank you Captain," she said quietly. "I appreciate your time, and I'm sure Ensign Leeson will as well." She cast a quick glance toward the door. "If you don't need anything else from me Sir, I'm sure you have more than enough to keep you busy without me taking up more of your precious time."

"Of course, dismissed." He expected some rough edges to his new command but not so soon after leaving Earth. He understood that mistakes happened, botch ups in paperwork, delays and the like but this was hardly the mission in which he needed them.

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