Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Deafening Screaming
Addison MacKenzie
Addison MacKenzie had a way of welcoming new crew members that often
involved the opportunity to see how they reacted when the pressure was on. Some
did well, some took it in stride, and some felt the heat of the moment. The wonderful
thing about new crew members was that she never knew how they would react in
advance. This new officer, however, was different. Here on temporary assignment
from the Ronin, she seemed in search of something… and unable to take a vacation.
Syrex: I did lose my eye; that’s something that happened. My mentor
back home lost his arm, when he was under your command if I remember correctly.
I hope that the Artemis offers, if anything the environment in which I can
remain intact if I’m honest with you. I doubt Karrod would be happy if you sent
me back as a pile of dust.
The devious smile returned to her face.
MacKenzie: I’m sure Captain Niac would know that
if I did send you back to him in a tiny box, I’d have had a
very good reason for it.
Syrex: Well… I certainly hope that’s not
something you plan on doing.
MacKenzie leaned back in her chair, tiring of this line of inquiry. Instead,
she’d decided to tie in several of the doctor’s previous answers.
MacKenzie: So, I’ll ask you again, Doctor: why are you here? Do you not
like vacations? Do you not think you’ve earned one? Why come all this way to
one of the most beautiful places in the galaxy only to work more?
Syrex: I’ll answer briefly and respectively. ::clears throat::
Working holiday, Yes, ::Scrunches face softly:: no.., It’s a good excuse… I
guess?
Briefly, yes. Substantively? No. Her brow once again furrowed, this time so
much that her eyebrows nearly met in the center of her forehead.
MacKenzie: And would you say that you’ve completed an appropriate amount
of counseling after the loss of your eye?
Syrex: No, not at all.
MacKenzie’s eyes narrowed.
MacKenzie: I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to elaborate.
Syrex: I have talked to a Ronin
counsellor about it. But this is something I’m going to have to get used to
having for the rest of my life. Would any amount of counselling ever really
take the pain I experienced away? I’m not so certain. …and for a matter of fact
a working holiday could be a very nice way of distracting myself, because if I
slow down and stop what I’m doing I actually have to think about losing my eye,
and… It’s a heavy process. It is! So if I choose to work during my personal
time, as far as I’m concerned, that’s my business.
MacKenzie sat back in her chair. She pondered the possibility that the poor
girl was running on adrenaline, but from one physician to another, MacKenzie had to believe Syrex was aware that the answer she gave wouldn’t be
satisfying for the surgeon-turned-flag officer.
MacKenzie: You’re right, no amount of counseling
will fix it, but it will help you to work through it so you don’t find yourself
on the verge of yelling at a flag officer. (beat) As for whether or not you
choose to work during your personal time, you’re right – it’s not my business, except
for the fact that you’re on my ship and that makes it my business.
Syrex: I understand that your duty is to
your ship. I respect that. But I promise you, whilst I’m here, I’ll seek
whatever help you want me too. I will check your boxes, but I need to keep
working too.
MacKenzie nodded slowly and deliberately.
MacKenzie: Yes. You will.
Syrex: Can I tell you something? There
was… another reason I chose the Artemis..
Addison opened her hands, nonverbally communicating to the junior
officer that she should continue.
Syrex: It’s because of you. You run a
nice ship, a tight ship. I’m not saying that Captain Niac doesn’t. I love the
Ronin with all my heart, but I thought that maybe if I spent some time under
your command, I’d go back home stronger. I’d be better. I wouldn’t be at risk
of losing more body parts. I respect you, and I want to learn.
The mischievous grin once again returned to Addison’s face.
MacKenzie: I’m so glad to hear you say that,
Lieutenant. Follow me.
Addison pushed her chair away from the desk and walked authoritatively toward
and through the door.
(( Holodeck 2 – Deck 2, USS Artemis-A ))
After a short turbolift ride and a
brief walk, the pair of officers found themselves at the entrance to Holodeck
2. MacKenzie made her way to the panel next to the entrance to make sure it was
unoccupied, then proceeded to key in several commands. The computer beeped in
response, prompting the doors to open automatically. Addison gestured for Syrex
to enter.
MacKenzie: Well, Lieutenant, you said you wanted to learn – here we go.
Computer, load program MacKenzie-7-5-Gamma.
The computer beeped in acknowledgment, and in a flash, the familiar black and
gold grid of the holodeck was replaced by what looked to be an absolute
warzone. The setting was actually one from MacKenzie’s past – the Da’al
homeworld (Meranuge IV), immediately after the planet had been struck by a meteoroid.
It was the first mission the crew of the Artemis had been sent on together.
Around them, wounded men, women, and children as far as the eye could see, all
frozen in time. Beyond that, a massive crater from the meteor’s impact painted
a bleak picture of what just happened. A small triage camp with a few cots and
basic medical supplies had been established, but they hadn’t even managed to set
up any tents to keep out the sun or the wind.
MacKenzie: This is Meranuge IV. Their planet has just suffered a catastrophic
impact by a meteor, resulting in the death and displacement of tens of thousands
of people. The crew of the Artemis had been sent here on our first
mission together to render aid and help these people with humanitarian assistance.
This program, however, occurs in the immediate aftermath of the impact before
the Artemis arrived. There will be mass chaos. Those who survived had
injuries ranging from bumps and scrapes to the loss of entire limbs, massive
internal injuries, and cerebral trauma. Your job is to save as many of them as
you can. ::smiling:: And I will be your assistant.
Syrex: Response
MacKenzie: Yes – assistant! Computer, begin program.
And then, the deafening screaming started.
Syrex: Response
Tag, and TBC!
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Fleet Captain Addison
MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A
Captains Council Member at Large
V239601AM0