A Cold Front

Posted on 07 Jan 2017 @ 10:33pm by Master Chief Petty Officer Mila Rasputin & Commodore Harvey Geisler

1,214 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Click Three Times
Location: Auxiliary Bridge
Timeline: MD 11 || 1000 Hours

With Doctor Kij's report on the PADD in her left hand, Senior Chief Petty Officer Mila Rasputin wasted no time in getting down to the auxiliary bridge where Captain Geisler was located. The Russian Yeoman had ice in her eyes and she was still fighting to gain control of herself after her encounter with the Trill when she approached the Captain.

"I am having last report from Medical," she said without preamble as she handed him the PADD. "I am also having some words that are not for others to hear."

Harvey raised an eyebrow as he accepted the PADD. He did not look at it, but he did take a moment to consider his next action. They were still an hour away from the Cochrane's supposed location, so he did have the time.

What he didn't have time for was problems on board the ship. His priority was to rescue the crew of the Cochrane and get both ships home, not potential pettiness aboard the Black Hawk. "This way," he told Mila, leaving the bridge, bound for the nearby briefing room.

Mila followed him. "I am certain that it is just result of recent activity, but I am being very worried, Captain," she told him, not saying more until they were in the briefing room and the door closed.

"Worried?" Harvey remarked, leaning against the table and starting to review what had been handed to him.

"Da, worried," Mila said. "Commander Kij is acting very erratic. She is lifeless one moment, then snapping next. Then she is being calm for minute before snapping again. She is also saying that she has no one to be talking to because only people who can help are being in Alpha Quadrant. I am thinking that with such behavior that she should be given a leave of duty."

Harvey sighed and lowered the PADD. The report did little to dispute Mila's claims. "She's in the same boat as the rest of us," he told Mila. "In fact, I'm surprised the crew hasn't cracked yet."

"Am I being wrong in thinking that department heads have higher obligations than to be giving in to such things?" Mila asked him. "I am entering eleventh year of service and I have not seen anything like current state people are being in."

"I didn't say you were wrong," he replied. "Not many in Starfleet are subjected to what we've been through. Cut off from Starfleet for more than two months. No relief at all. Little resources. And now we're in some sort of alternate dimension with no guarantee we'll make it home."

"Still, I am not seeing other people...what is word you are saying?...crack...like that," Mila said. "She is life support for crew and if she is cracking before others...who are we to be turning to if that support goes down in time of need?"

"Are you here demanding that I relieve her?" Harvey asked bluntly. "On the eve of our greatest conflict yet?"

"You are knowing that I am being in no position to be making demands, Captain," she stated. "I am your Yeoman and am telling you what I am observing. One person is not making a department."

"No, but one person provides leadership, especially in a crisis." Harvey sighed. He couldn't deny that her recommendation had a point, but he hadn't received any other complaints. If it were Camila or Doctor Abrams coming in to tell him this information, this matter might have been addressed completely differently.

"Do you have any idea what may have caused her predicament? Have you heard anything from anyone?"

"Nyet," Mila said. "She did not wish to talk and said there was no one around for her to talk to. I attempted to be making conversation with her and pointing out alternatives and she is acting like no one is having it worse than her. She did say that it would be simpler if she were going crazy. When I am trying to lighten conversation and mentioned Aidan, she is snapping at me and saying that he can go...somewhere and was telling me to shut up."

Harvey knew from experience that Jayla could be a bit dramatic, but even then if she was closing herself off, there could be something seriously wrong here. "We're not long out from the Cochrane's positions. I can't make a change now. Our colleagues need all of us working together. You can bet that as soon as this is over, I'll be checking in on our good doctor."

"There is being one other thing if you are going to do that," she said. "I let slip that you are with Joey, but secrets are not lasting long on ships. She is saying that she would not have cared if you had told her that you wanted to be with Joey when you are ending things with her."

"Oh?" Harvey asked. Truth be told, he didn't end things with Jayla because he desired to pursue Joey. He was absolutely honest with the doctor when he meant that he wanted to rediscover himself. The relationship with Joey just happened to grow out of that. "So, instead of killing rumors, you're starting them?"

"Ah," Mila nodded. "So that is how it is, da? Nyet, Captain," she said as her accent got thicker. "Is only a rumor that you are with Joey. I will be going to make sure that she is knowing this since that is how you are viewing it."

"No, that's not how this is. I love Joey, and you know that," he shot back. "And you know that I didn't end things with Jayla to pursue her." Harvey sighed, closing his eyes and shaking his head. It was no secret he hadn't slept much in the last few days. Perhaps he was about to crack too.

"Then do not be accusing me of starting rumors, Captain," she said. "If you are loving someone, you should not be giving shit about who is knowing or how they are finding out."

He sighed again, opening his eyes and looking down at the rushed report. "We need to get the hell out of this universe and find a quiet corner of the galaxy. I miss exploring."

Mila took note of the fact that he neither apologized nor acknowledged what she said and decided she would no longer bring up things that weren't official business. "Da," she said. "Is there being anything else before I am going back to my duties, Captain?"

"I guess not," Harvey said. Part of him regretted some of the things he'd said today, and he knew that it would cause ramifications for them both down the line. Sadly, for now, he had to be Captain Geisler, not Harvey. Once the Cochrane was back at their side, he'd focus on cleaning up the ship. Until then, his tunnel vision would reign supreme.

Mila turned around so quickly that her long hair almost cracked like a whip and headed out of briefing room with a bearing that would make Generals look twice and not once did she look back. As the door closed behind her, she muttered "Mudak," under her breath and headed back to Administration to see what other disaster the day would bring.

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