Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - The Fixation of a Viper
Addison MacKenzie
MacKenzie sat in the center chair on the bridge of the Artemis, one leg crossed gently over the other at the knee, as one of the newest members of the crew stood in front of her, having chosen this moment in time to fumble through their idea of a formal introduction.
Breys: I’m your new science officer, Ensign D’tin Breys. I’m a botanist with a focus in herbology. I went to school for herbalism on Bajor before joining Starfleet. I hope I can be of help to the crew!
The captain offered a half-smile that she was sure wasn't even remotely reassuring.
MacKenzie: Well, that's certainly the goal, isn't it? ::lifting her arms with her palms up:: So, what got you interested in herbology?
MacKenzie held her smile, despite the Ornaran woman's face turning an interesting shade of red.
Breys: When I was-::she paused and shook that train of thought off:: I won’t give you my whole life story, but I had to start working young. A healer in the camp I was raised in took me in as an apprentice. I mainly foraged for him, but I also studied medicine under him. I learned a great deal under him and was able to get special admission to the Bajoran Institute of Science once I left for Bajor. I like helping people and herbology seemed to be a way to balance my skills while allowing myself to keep working with what I love.
MacKenzie: Interesting. Any particular reason you chose to pursue a scientific path with the subject instead of a medicinal one?
Breys: To be completely honest, Starfleet presented me with an opportunity to help others whether I’m actively treating patients or not. ::she breaks eye contact:: With that want of mine met, I’d rather focus on the plants. I work better with them.
MacKenzie nodded slowly.
MacKenzie: And why a career in Starfleet?
The ensign paused for a moment and carefully considered her answer.
Breys: When you grow up just outside of the Federation, you hear this mixed bag of stories about Starfleet. Some people liked to act like we’re the saviors of the galaxy, while all the others thought that “to boldly go” is just an excuse to get into other people’s business. It all seemed to be a mess of bureaucracy. Most of what I heard seemed tailor made to make me resent the Federation, especially because a lot of people blamed us for the wars on Ornara.
MacKenzie held the silence equally as long, if not longer, than Breys had while considering her answer. Beyond that, she'd also started to erode the commanding officer's confidence in her belief in the institution.
MacKenzie: Doesn't sound like you have much confidence in the work we do, Ensign...
Breys: I’m sorry sir. I don’t mean to speak ill of our institution. I love Starfleet, and I believe in the Federation and our goals. I also grew up on stories of families that Starfleet saved, and each person always remembered the names of the officers that helped them. A single moment changed their lives.
She stared at Breys.
MacKenzie: And so?
Breys: I’m not exactly sure what the Federation wants us to be doing out here officially, but I know that when I've heard stories of the crews of Starfleet ships, including stories of the Artemis, they were stories of compassion. The idea of a place where everyone strived to make the world around them better was something I couldn’t let go of. I had to be a part of it.
There was, of course, only one portion of the answer that the commanding officer could or would fixate on, like a viper focused on its prey: the one subject that she knew better than anyone else.
MacKenzie: Stories of the Artemis? What stories have you heard?
Breys: Response
MacKenzie: And how does it make you feel to know that you've been assigned to be a part of that?
Breys: Response
MacKenzie clasped her hands and let them come to rest in her lap.
MacKenzie: We'll see if you still feel that way when you're faced with the tough calls we encounter here.
Breys: Response
Tag, and TBC!
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A