Don't make me go

Posted on 14 Jul 2014 @ 1:23pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Keval zh'Erinov & Commander Scarlet Blake
Edited on on 14 Jul 2014 @ 2:43pm

854 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 2 - XO' s office
Timeline: MD 6: 16:00

[ON]

Keval straightened up his uniform jacket, he didn't bother checking anything else he didn't have to.

He had just received his orders for the day. He really had no choice. He was risking his career in refusing a lawful order. He had to explain to her why. He had no alternative.

He rang the chime and waited for her to answer.

"Come in," Scarlet called out with a frown, shaking her head to herself as she read the PADD. If she had thought things were difficult before, it was positively a mess now. For some unknown reason, her office was just about the only place that Scarlet wasn't been watched by fluff balls. She wasn't going to question it though, just enjoy it while she could.

Keval took another breath and walked inside the office. "Good afternoon, sir. I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time. I... have something important to uh, discuss with you."

"Then you'd better take a seat," she nodded with a frown, setting the PADD down. Although, if it was to tell her about another crisis, there was a possibility she would break something.

He took a seat in front of her desk. "It is a rather personal issue, I've gotten orders to go down to the mine and, and I can't go."

Scarlet arched an eyebrow with surprise, just watching him for a long moment, sitting back. "Can't?"

"Yes, can't. I.. I thought I could, but I a claustrophobic. I thought I had a handle on it. But when I was down there before, it was too much. I um, I had a panic attack."

Scarlet watched him for a long moment, holding her breath and calm, silent. She pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment, shaking her head. "Mr Graysan, we all had a panic attack down there. It was a maze of bad dreams."

"I know it was bad for everyone, but not like this. I took off the EV suit just to get some relief and it felt like everything was collapsing down on top of me. I'm a damned Andorian, we're supposed to be, I don't know fearless. And I am mostly. Put me up against a platoon of angry Klingons and I'll jump to the head of the line. And believe me if I thought I could do this, I would. I'm asking you though, just don't make me go down there. Please."

Scarlet sighed as she searched his features to see how much he meant it. She shook her head slowly, resting her hands on the arms of her chair. If it really was true, sending him down would only put him and others at risk. "In that case, I'll take you off the list. But the proviso is that you have to go and see a counsellor about it."

A look of relief was immediately evident on his face and he let out a long breath. "Thank you, ma'am. I was already planning to go see one. I just thought I should visit you first."

"Good," Scarlet nodded firmly as she leant to make a note of it on her computer. "Because I want this addressed so it doesn't happen again. We need all the expertise we can get in situations like this."

"I know we do and trust me, I'm not doing this lightly. I really don't want to be thought of as a coward."

Scarlet shook her head with a soft sigh. "No. I know, Graysan. I'm just....trying to fix a lot at the moment. It was right of you to tell me."

"Thank you ma'am, uh one last thing, I'd rather the reason your letting me off, not be on anything official."

"That might be harder," Scarlet shook her head with a slight frown. "Your record is there for a reason. It's not just to chart your progress, but it's a tool for us too, for when we're planning missions."

Keval sighed, "I suppose i can understand that. I just don't want this getting out, or it effecting my chances for promotion."

"It won't. Because you're going to go to counselling and make sure you tackle it so it doesn't effect you in the future," Scarlet replied, but with a small smile, holding his eyes.

"Good, I didn't realize how much of an issue it was until I went down there. So I guess it was a blessing in disguise as Terrans would say. Thanks for your understanding and your help, Commander."

Scarlet just shook her head and waved a hand gently. "It's in all our interests to get you as fit as you can be. And I have faith that you feel the same," she gave a firm nod of her head, meeting his eyes. "Unless there's anything else, you're free to go."

"No ma'am, that's all I have." He turned and headed to the exit, "I'm just going to go see a counselor now."

***


OFF

A joint post by:

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo

&

CPO Keval Grayson
Operations
PNPC Jared Nicholas
USS Galileo

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