Initial Findings

Posted on Tuesday, 23 June 2020 - 9:48am by Commander Soral & Lieutenant JG Adrianna Eberhardt

Mission: Operation: Iktomi
Location: USS Standing Bear | XO's Office
Timeline: 2393 - MD 05

{ON:}

"You lied to me," Petty Officer Baciami looked a little angry. As she stepped in the XOs office. She placed a PaDD containing her initial thoughts on Eyelaya on his desk before rubbing her fingers across her forehead as if trying to self remedy a migraine.

Soral, freshly released from Sickbay sat at his office, stubbornly refusing to rest. "Vulcans do not lie."

"You did," Adrianna chuckled, "you said I'd need coffee to speak to the chief. I didn't, I needed something stronger and then migraine relief after.

"Indeed. I thought it best not to frighten you. Not a lie...a tiny omission."

"Technicalities and pedantic natures are on the same parr as lying," Adrianna replied taking a seat.

"Tomato Tomahto." He steepled his fingers. "So. How was your first meeting with the Chief?"

"Felt like I needed xanex after," she replied, "but yes, she's pleasant. From an initial meet I think she is aware of her background, maybe not completely, but she doesn't seem to be in contact, or at least that is my impression."

He sighed. "Alright. So I'm going to proceed with that from now on." He studied her. "I take it you will keep monitoring her?"

"She's chatty, but I'll find a way to get past it. She's really nice," Adrianna nodded, "speaking of, are you aware she's hasn't stopped working since last nights incident? She's a truly dedicated person. Martyr to the cause as it were, like you. From what she said, I'm surprised to see you still upright."

"I am taking things as easy as I can. There is no excuse for full rest when things need doing but I will ensue she rests. She is eager to please and I have noted that she is a bit of what do Human's say? Workaholic?"

Adrianna nodded confirming the term, "She says it was just a power surge. Do you agree? I have to ask. Old habits made from paranoia from pre Starfleet are difficult to break."

"I had wondered too but yes it was only a power surge. I saw the faulty connection myself and before I could call it out one of the officers disconnected it and it caused a back up surge." He sighed. "But it's good to have a second look. Can you work with the chief?"

"I'll see what I can do," she replied, "just seems a little convenient with a lot of injuries that held potential for fatalities. If it looks like an accident, yes it could be, but it's a little too convenient to not consider otherwise."

"Perhaps. Please feel free to use Lieutenant Maximus and T'Paris from Tactical."

"I am sure the Lieutenant will enjoy working with me," she grumbled, "that's fine. It will be good to have their opinions. My experience in tactical is more first hand, not this."

He studied her. "I am sorry to keep you busy. I know that settling in is important. I wish I could give you more time to do so."

Adrianna looked at him confused, "a lot of people keep asking if I have settled in, but I do not know why. I was cooped up doing nothing for two weeks. This is work, not a home. I don't need the grace period a lot of people seem to feel the need for. I just want to keep my mind and hands occupied before I go insane."

"I see I will have to keep an eye out for your workaholic tendencies." He then punned with a joke. "We should create a group. Workaholics anonymous."

"I'd be far from anonymous about it," Adrianna chuckled, "I'm quite open about it. You'd prefer a busy Baciami than a bored one, trust me."

"Oh? What is a bored Baciami?"

Adrianna snorted in amusement and said something quickly in Italian before translating, "a 'bored Baciami desires murder in the coliseum' according to locals. For me though, I send myself insane. My mind plays this stupid 'what if' game, which always gets out of hand. As an example, one might ask, 'what if I went into medical instead of Intel?' for me, probably a poor bedside manner and would be fired in a day. "

"I see. A short bedside manner is preferred sometimes. Vulcans do not make good doctors."

"See, now you're playing the game," Adrianna chuckled, "though the more you play the longer the spiral into chaos."

"Seems like fascinating game." He studied her. "May I make an observation suggestion of sorts?"

"Depends on what you hope to gain from making said suggestion and observation," Adrianna simply replied with a shrug. It took a lot to offend her, so she'd take whatever.

"I recognize past pain and family disappointments." He paused. "I too have been let down by family and friends alike but you cannot allow it to hold your entire future hostage."

That was one hell of an observation. The Italian sat in silence a moment, "my future was always dictated for me. Habits are hard to break, though I see in myself, that those habits are dying. Your observation lacks context and therefore holds elements of being wrong. Whilst there is a lot that I struggle to forgive in myself, it doesn't mean that I can't. Consider my hostage more like someone that has a bad memory for the keys when they leave their apartment."

"Yes but whatever it is keeps your walls up. Keeps you from truly finding a home."

"I lower my walls for those I trust and those I love," she replied quickly, "my home is wherever I sleep and have security, it is nowhere fixed." Adrianna shifted a little in her seat, "if you're going to offer counselling, I suggest you wear some armour or at the least, boxing gloves. If you are trying to tell you that you have chosen to agree to our wager but on the terms I rectify your observation to your satisfaction then you will need to learn that I am stubborn."

"Counselling would be a good idea but I suggest Lieutenant Vali." He paused "I wish you to feel that this ship an the crew are your family. They cannot replace the one that I am sensing you lost but you must build a new one. Allow yourself to."

Adrianna once again remained silent. Her mind contemplated being unprofessional but she refrained," a crew is family-I can't chose them but I'd protect them. I didn't lose my family. They lost me. Check your facts. " Adrianna stood up," are we done? "

"Indeed. Please see Counselor Vali. She will help, but only if you let her."

Adrianna muttered something impolite in Italian about where he could stick his orders before returning to composure and replying, "life is my own counsellor." At that Adrianna left, angry and feeling like she had had her very mind invaded.

{OFF:}