Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - The Galaxy Teaches Hard Lessons
Addison MacKenzie
(( Second Promenade, Upper Level, Observation Alcove - Deep Space 224 ))
In front of her was one of the newest Artemis
recruits. They hadn’t had the opportunity for a formal introduction –
the middle of an active military conflict was hardly the place for such things,
after all – and yet, here the young doctor was, having stalked her at what
seemed to be great lengths. Still, the commanding officer couldn’t help but
feel that her time was being encroached upon… It was her own fault for being in
a public space, she assumed. This is why she rarely spent much time outside of
her ready room.
Lesson learned.
MacKenzie: Dr. Bancroft. I see you’ve
discarded your cheezy poof-covered uniform. That’s good – you smelled like crap.
Bancroft: ::evenly:: Yes ma’am, I did. ::beat:: As a doctor
yourself, I’m sure you’re no stranger to the splash zone risk of treating a
pregnant woman experiencing significant adrenal fatigue. ::dryly:: next time,
I’ll bring a poncho.
She lifted her eyebrows slightly to widen her eyes just enough to feign
interest in the doctor’s presence.
MacKenzie: Has your eyesight returned to normal, Doctor?
Bancroft: Kind of you to ask, ma’am. All’s well. ::beat:: I
haven’t mistaken a potted plant for one of our scientists in nearly two weeks.
She nodded.
MacKenzie: Very good. That was quite risky business on Galaris IV. I’m
glad that you gambled and won. This time. (beat) What can I do for you?
Bancroft: It was, ma’am.
Risky, messy, possibly inadvisable… but in the end, worth it. ::a beat,
respectful:: I know you’ve got better things to do than listen to a junior
officer rehash. I just didn’t want to let shore leave go much further without
doing this properly.
He stood at
attention, she with her hands clasped behind her back, sizing him up and
wondering exactly why it was he’d tracked her down in the first place.
MacKenzie: And just what is it that
you’re spending your shore leave doing?
Bancroft: Mostly pulling extra shifts in Sickbay, actually. Worthwhile in its own right – but more so for the distraction. ::beat:: There’s something oddly calming about cleaning up and organizing after triage… especially when the alternative is reflection.
Her eyes narrowed.
MacKenzie: Yes, of course. But I’ve worked enough scut shifts to know that that kind of work isn’t going to be the thing that distracts you from something if the something is big enough. (beat) Galaris on your mind?
He nodded.
Bancroft: Galaris left a mark, no question. But then… so do all the best lessons. ::a beat, wry:: Turns out, the fastest way to grow as a doctor and an officer is through dangerous situations, uncomfortable choices, and the occasional no-win scenario. ::pause:: The method leaves a bit to be desired – but the outcome? That part sticks.
She made a face and then
proceeded to shrug off the comment.
MacKenzie: I’m sorry you’re not a fan
of my methods, but as you’ll soon discover, we rarely get a say in how the
galaxy decides to teach us…whatever it is it decides we need to know. …If
you haven’t made that discovery already, that is.
Bancroft: Response
The redheaded commanding officer of the Artemis cocked
her head dismissively, as though it was releasing a weight from her shoulders,
as she turned to look back out the viewport.
MacKenzie: A shame about Dr. Sadar. That was a lesson that had to be
learned the hard way, unfortunately.
Bancroft: Response
She turned back to face him, her eyes decisively narrower this time, as though
they could slice with just as much precision as her exoscalpel ever could.
MacKenzie: Why have you sought me out, Doctor Bancroft?
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
V239601AM0