Captain Addison MacKenzie - Unrecognized Potential
Addison MacKenzie
Addison MacKenzie’s intolerance for messes (and messy
people) was as widely known throughout the galaxy as much as her skill as a
surgeon. The members of her crew knew this and, while they didn’t always live
up to her expectations, she knew that they viewed every failure as a learning
opportunity. Occasionally, however, she needed to bring them back to reality and reassert her expectations.
Having just raked the Galadoran over the coals for thinking there was anything
it could have done to prevent its suit’s assimilation, there remained the
opportunity for a growth dialogue to take place.
MacKenzie: You had no control over what the Borg made your
suit do – any more than anyone else did who was assimilated. You, and the
others, would do well to remember that.
Gnai: That’s fair but…
This time, she put forward a full-fledged eye roll in a way that only Addison
MacKenzie could. One of her hands slapped the desktop.
MacKenzie: Alright, I’m ordering you to knock it off. ::pointing:: Your
first order of business, if you want to demonstrate you deserve the pip I put
on your suit, is to stop acting like you don’t. Do I make myself clear?
Gnai: Aye sir. ::slight pause:: Aye sir.
She nodded. It seemed, for now, that her point stuck.
MacKenzie: That’s the thing about Starfleet – we explore the unknown.
And sometimes it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. We can only do our best in
any given moment.
Gnai: Understood, Captain. ::pause:: This is just still struggling a bit
with everything after Frontier Day. But you’re right… This is letting that
stress get to it and distract it.
Her face fell slightly flat. That was true of the best of them – they all had
their Frontier Day demons to confront, and it was easy to let the events of
that day and the resulting PTSD become a controlling force. The Galadoran was
certainly not the only one having this experience, but it was the only one in
front of her at the given moment.
MacKenzie: We all went through a lot. It’s important not to let your thoughts
and feelings from that day overwhelm or incapacitate you. After all, there’s a
wonderful galaxy out there to explore…
Gnai: This won’t even try to hope that the next mission is calm anymore.
As you said, Starfleet is there to explore the unknown… even if that
unknown is dangerous.
Her face softened slightly, and a partial smile emerged on her face.
MacKenzie: As with all things in life, you take the good with the bad.
Just remember, part of my job is to help my officers to realize their potential
– especially when they can’t see what I see.
Gnai stood up from where it was sitting.
Gnai: Thank you, captain. For believing in this.
MacKenzie: Job well done, Lieutenant. Dismissed.
Gnai bobbed a nod in its tank before it turned and made its way out the door. The
crew of the Artemis would soon be onto its next, great adventure.
End Scene for MacKenzie!
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Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A
Captains Council Member at Large
V239601AM0