Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Mentorship

[Addison MacKenzie]

(( Second Promenade, Upper Level, Observation Alcove - Deep Space 224 ))

 

MacKenzie: Why have you sought me out, Doctor Bancroft?

He cleared his throat and tilted his chin up.

Bancroft: Primarily to pay you the respect due by formally reporting in, ma’am. ::a pause, glancing sidelong at the stars:: Though I appreciate the timing and venue are less than ideal.

MacKenzie: Astute. But, here we are.

 

She hoped that the implication behind her words would have been recognized, but alas, the young doctor seemed persistent.

Bancroft: Additionally, ma’am – your specialty is microsurgery. That happens to be mine as well. ::carefully, with a thread of dry humor:: And while I understand your role comes with very limited bandwidth for recreational mentorship of Starfleet’s freshest produce… I’d be grateful for the opportunity to learn under your guidance, even occasionally.  

 

She paused for a moment, allowing his voice to linger in the air as she looked at his face. It wasn’t the first offer of the kind she’d received in her career – Morgan was one of her own mentees, after all, but the nature of that relationship evolved organically – but she was at a far different place in her career now… The time she got to spend in the operating theater was her own recreational time, and the idea of sacrificing any of that time spent mentoring anyone who might – or might not – be worthy of her attention didn’t seem to strike her fancy.

MacKenzie: What exactly makes you think I have anything to teach you?

Bancroft: I wouldn’t presume to know the full answer to that yet, ma’am. ::beat:: But I know enough to recognize the value of proximity to excellence. If there’s even a fraction of your skill or judgement that can be learned, I’d be remiss not to try. ::a pause:: I realize I haven’t exactly built a reputation yet, ma’am – but I hold myself to a high standard. This crew deserves the best, and I intend to exceed that.

 

MacKenzie: Is that why they call you crashcart?

 

Bancroft: Response

 

Her gaze lingered again.

 

MacKenzie: I’m a busy person, Ensign… Even if I did have the time, what makes you think I would take any interest in this?

 

Bancroft: Response

 

MacKenzie once again allowed the sound of his voice to dissipate long before answering, holding his gaze with narrowed eyes. Though she’d never admit it, there was a degree of intrigue in his proposal. The idea of more time in an operating theater, or getting to discuss latest surgical techniques held a high degree of interest for her, but, as with all things, the matter of when she’d have time for any of that lingered heavily. After all, she couldn’t even manage a stroll on the promenade in peace…

 

MacKenzie: And exactly how do you see this working…?

Bancroft: 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

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