Lt. Rebecca Iko -- Be careful what you wish for.
Ani
((Outside, near Paak Military Training Bunkhouse, Continent of South Paak, Paak, Paak System, Barossa Nebula))
Wong: Making mistakes is a part of life. It happens. It’s what you do and what you learn from them is what makes the difference. Mistakes are just spontaneous learning experiences.
Iko: But how many times can you make the same mistake before it becomes more than that?
Wong: Oh plenty! It's extremely rare to get it on your first try!
Iko: I want to stop making these mistakes. I don't have to fight back anymore. I’m not stuck like I was. ::looking around:: I mean, I am stuck here for the next twenty-something days or so, but that's not a secret, and it’s something I do deserve.
Wong: Bec. ::Gesturing to the bunkhouse:: Nobody deserves this.
Iko: I mean, it's not the most fun thing, but this is my punishment, it's meant to be kinda crap. But the instructor can go shut her mouth for at least a few minutes I swear—
Wong: A punishment is meant to be a learning experience. I cannot state enough how disappointed I am in how you and Ukinix have been treated. Because this environment isn't conducive to learning.
Bec was silent, thinking thoughts she wouldn’t share. Not even with Wong, one of the people she was closest with.
He picked up a corner of her blanket.
Wong: I mean look at this. I don't know how you're keeping warm out here. But you'll catch your death in this! As being even half-Klingon, you should be kept warmer than what you are because of the natural cold intolerance. I'm very concerned.
The blanket fell through his fingers.
Iko: The Paak are used to the cold.
Not that that changed anything for her though. Or Wong, who decided to get up and begin to strip off jackets and layers, exsponsing himself to the cold, so he could give her his jumper.
Wong: I want you to wear this and stay warm. Call it a prescription sweater. If anyone objects, I will literally write out that prescription so you can show them. And also, keep this. ::Hands over his thermos:: Both you and Ukinix will need it. The tea is caffeine free.
With Wong's gifts in hand she immediately tried pushing them back as the man put the rest of his layers back on again.
Iko: No, really, it's fine.
Wong pulled his tricorder out.
Wong: The next thing we're going to do is gather evidence. If I'm going to campaign for better and safer conditions, I'm going to need to bring something to the powers that be, okay? I'm going to try to fix this.
The only thing that stopped Bec from jumping out of her seat was the fact that she had done plenty of jumping already.
However, that didn’t mean her reaction wasn’t as intense.
Iko: NO!
Wong: Response
She paused, and repeated herself at a more normal volume.
Iko: Wong, No. ::shaking head:: Don’t do that, it’ll achieve nothing except make everything worse.
She looked up at him, desperate, almost pleading.
Wong: Response
Iko: Trust me. I know.
((Flashback — 2389 — Campbelltown, Sydney, Australia, Earth))
Elanore: REBECCA!!
Little 14-year-old Bec, or Beccy as she was more commonly known as at that age, immediately ran to the kitchen, where her mother had called from, knowing the anger would grow with every second she delayed.
Iko: Yes mum?
Elanore: Do you feel unsafe in this house?
Beccy immediately shook her head.
Iko: No.
But she did, a bit. and ironically, she had lied because she did.
Elanore: I just received a very strongly worded letter from Miss Hartshorn—do you know who that is?
Iko: Yes. She’s one of the school wellbeing teachers.
Why had Miss Hartshorn said anything? Bec had specifically requested their chat to be confidential. She knew the school had policies about informing parents about issues with their children when it concerned the kids safety, but surely an issue with the parent—
Also it was very unlike Hartshorn to have anything strongly worded, least of all a message to a student's mother…
Elanore: Apparently you told her today that you don’t feel safe. Why? What's the problem?
The problem was… her. Bec's mum. But Beccy couldn’t just say that. That would lead to all sorts of crap that would be much worse to what was already there. In fact, she'd gotten an example of what the punishment looked like the night before, and that had been distracting her from her school work. Hence the visit to Hartshorn's office.
Iko: You hurt Brandy, you know that?
Her mum ignored the question and swiftly reflected the conversation back with a very condescending, and arguably threatening tone.
Elanore: That's not what I asked, Rebecca. I asked, “What's the problem?”
It was hard to make up good excuses when one was riddled with fear.
Iko: I… I dunno…
She tried to turn away, to flee from the situation.
Elanore: YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE, MISS. You're staying here, where I can keep you safe, until you answer the question. We don't want a repeat of last night, do we?
((End flashback))
Wong: Response
Iko: Look, I'll accept the jumper and the tea and anything else you wanna give me. But for the love of all good things… don't make yourself an enemy.
Wong: Response
Tag/TBC
Lt. Rebecca Iko
Security Officer
Amity Outpost
A239810RI3