Given a Second Chance Part I

Posted on Fri Oct 21st, 2011 @ 2:53am by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Commander Michael Evans M.D. & Lieutenant Commander Joseph Thompson & Lieutenant JG Miranda Blackfur & Ensign Matthew Lessly

Mission: Episode 2.3 - "Hippocratic Oath"
Location: Observation Lounge, USS Pandora
Timeline: Mission Day 03, 0800 hours

ON: [[Observation Lounge, USS Pandora, Mission Day 03, 0800 hours]]

It had been nearly a year since Iluvar had found himself standing in the very same spot, watching the slowly rotating form of Deep Space Four which was clearly visible through the large viewports of the observation lounge. He had been summoned to appear before a Board of Inquiry which sought to determine his ability to bear the burdens of command. The verdict rendered by that Board of Inquiry had publicly stripped him of his responsibilities as Task Force Commanding Officer and reduced him in rank, but perhaps the most devastating consequence was the effect their decision had upon the crew of the Pandora.

Now he stood gazing upon the same station only hours after having received word from Vice Admiral Andrew Hawkins (PNPC) that the results of his Inquiry had been reviewed...and overturned. Not only had the Judge Advocate-General's investigation concluded there was insufficient evidence to warrant such a verdict, Admiral Olivia Tavez (PNPC) had issued an accompanying order he be reinstated as Task Force Commanding Officer. It was an indication some element of the Eighth Fleet admiralty still maintained confidence in his ability to command.

Dr. Evans strolled in with his customary cup. He preferred to be early to meetings and events, but it seemed he was one of the first to arrive this morning. After nodding a 'good morning' to Iluvar, he stood silently looking at the bulky space station contrasted against the black of space with its innumerable pinpoint stars, remembering the events of the past year that affected the Pandora so gravely. It seemed like she was just coming out of a sort of mourning. He sighed and moved to one of the seats.

Matt entered the observation lounge from the far door and looked around the relatively empty room. He figured they'd be getting their new assignment soon, but the ship seemed to be unusually abuzz. From what little rumors he had bothered to listen in on, the captain had been spoken to by the head of the Eighth Fleet's JAG corps, as well as its Commanding Officer. What those conversations entailed, however, ranged from the Klingons invading the Tholians, to the ship being sent out on a tribble hunt, to just about anything else the humanoid imagination could cook up. Quietly, Matt took his usual seat towards the far end of the table and awaited the arrival of the rest of the senior staff.

Not long after the young science officer arrived, the doors parted once more to admit a middle-aged gentleman in command red. He paused momentarily upon the threshold of the room to survey those already gathered in the Pandora's observation lounge before making his way toward one of the open chairs around the conference table and taking a seat.

Elias McBride (PNPC) knew the Pandora's crew must surely be wondering what lay ahead for them. He had spent the past few days dealing with talk amongst members of his own senior staff who sought to predict what their next assignment might have entailed. Now it was his task to present that information to another ship and crew, one which would be responsible for escorting his own vessel safely to its destination.

Dr. Evans watched the red-shirted officer enter the room and sit near him. He considered carefully, but didn't recall having seen him before. Mike wasn't usually of the gregarious sort, but he was feeling his coffee this morning, so he gave an internal shrug and greeted the man. "Morning," he said evenly but not unpleasantly. "I'm Doctor Evans," he extended his hand.

There was a moment of silence as Elias considered the hand offered to him. He was, of course, familiar with the younger man's work aboard the Pandora as well as elsewhere in the medical field. Then again, it helped when one made an effort to keep abreast of such things. "Elias McBride," he replied, giving the hand a firm shake, "I've heard quite a bit about you, Doctor Evans."

Dr. Evans blinked once as he realized whom he was addressing, as he hadn't checked the pips on the man's collar before speaking to him. "Dr. McBride," he acknowledged in recognition of the name. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Captain. I read about your crew's work with the outbreak of the Benaran Mycorrhizan infection on Daelus VII. Nasty disease," he commented, dropping the hand. "It's so insidious!"

"Indeed it was," Elias agreed, impressed to see the younger physician had been doing his own homework, "I wish we could have done more, but I'm afraid the infection on Daelus VII isn't going to go away overnight. It is going to take quite some time before they will fully be able to bring it under control."

Michael nodded. The fungal disease affected nearly every organ in the body, was readily transmitted, and didn't react well to most medicines. Fortunately it spread slowly through the body; unfortunately recovery was also rather slow. Mike shrugged philosiphically. "Sometimes all we can do is do all that we can do, and hope it helps. From the report I read though, it seems you were able to lessen the impact. And it can be a comfort to people just knowing that there's someone to be there with them. The Clara Barton was able to do that for an entire colony."

Joe was deep in thought when he arrived at the Observation Lounge and took his seat near the head of the table. He had joined the Pandora's crew after the Board of Inquiry held here at Deep Space Four, but he had still seen how hard the incident struck at the heart of the crew. Despite the Board's decision, Joe had looked to his new assignment with an open mind; in doing so, he had found Iluvar to be a compassionate and more than capable commanding officer. Now, as the Pandora hung in space near the station, Joe couldn't help but feel as though the one of the looping circles of time that made up this past year was drawing to a close; the strains of the past were reflecting through the present.

"Mearrow!" coming through the opening doorway to the Observation lounge, "I'll catch you later, I've a meeting to attend to that the missing CFO should be attending!" Miranda enters, letting the doorway cut the view off who she was speaking to as she made her way over to the replicator to get herself a drink and then settle at her chosen spot at the table, nodding to the others as she settled in her seat.

Activating his PADD, Matt began scrolling through the recent papers that the Federation Science Academy had published. It wasn't often that they published anything on astro-physics but, since he had been promoted to chief science officer, he had taken to catching up on other areas as well. One article in particular that had caught his attention was a xenon-biologists study on the extinct species of ape-like creatures that had once thrived on Izar.

"Good morning," Iluvar began, lowering himself into his place at the head of the table, "I appreciate the fact you have all taken advantage of the opportunities for shoreleave our layover has provided us. We certainly have been busy these past few months and I doubt much will change in that regard."

"The missing CFO..." Miranda mutters audibly, ".. I'd like to report him or her AWOL! I'm sick of no being able to find him or her! I've wasted an entire shore leave looking for said CFO! Not to mention the rest of the Flight Department, who suffered aboard the ship."

"Um..." Matt started, he had heard the catian complaining about the CFCO for quite some time, but he had never really said anything because he didn't feel it was his place. This time, however, he decided to leave his bubble and respond. "You are the CFCO. You have been for some time now."

Commander Evans glared pointedly at his two subordinates. Continuing to speak after the meeting had clearly been started was very rude in his book.

Matt, who had turned back towards the head of the table and Iluvar in specific, caught a glance of the glare the former chief medical officer turned executive officer was giving him and sank down into his seat slightly.

Miranda eyes widen at that bit of information. Ignored the Commander Evens as she digested that bit of information. In a way she was pleased, but it was kinda sudden and now she definitely had to play catch up on reports and getting her department in order.

The rather brief exchange caused Iluvar to raise an eyebrow. He had heard the Pandora's Caitian flight control officer make reference to difficulty locating the Chief Flight Control Officer shortly after her arrival, but it was surprising to hear such a statement still being made this long after her official transfer. Perhaps he should have been more clear in addressing her assignment. "Interesting," Iluvar said, giving the young science officer a reassuring look before turning his attention to Blackfur, "Mister Lessly would be correct, Miss Blackfur...you are the Chief Flight Control Officer of this vessel. If there has been some confusion regarding the responsibilities of that position, I am sure we can discuss them at another, more appropriate time."

Miranda nodded with a smile, "I'd like that." Now that was settled, she relaxed and paid attention to the briefing, taking notes when appropriate.

OFF

A Joint Mission Post by:

Vice Admiral Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora

Captain Elias McBride (PNPC)
Commanding Officer
USS Clara Barton
Played by: VAdm Iluvar

Commander Michael Evans
Executive Officer
USS Pandora

Lieutenant Commander Joseph Thompson
Chief Security/Tactical Officer & Second Officer
USS Pandora

Lieutenant JG Miranda Blackfur
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Pandora

and

Ensign Matthew Lessly
Chief Science Officer
USS Pandora