Remorse [Backpost]

Posted on Thu Apr 12th, 2012 @ 8:50am by Lieutenant Commander Nilani Prax & Lieutenant Commander Sean O'Connell & Lieutenant Commander Melissa Daniels M.D. & Captain Alexander Gunning

Mission: The Mystery Men of Mira
Location: General Conference Room - Deck 24 [Starbase 332]

[ON]

"In that case, I think we're adjourned here." Commodore Wilkes said as she returned her PADD to her case. She looked around at the shell-shocked faces around her. She could empathise with them- she had lost a ship herself. It was never easy. "Off the record? If it's any consolation- I wouldn't have done things any differently."

Sean looked annoyed he knew the 'inquiry' was just a standard procedure, but he didn't want to be reminded of a failure. He knew it wouldn't be a blight on his record. He even made sure the casualty rate was lower then it was supposed to be. He looked around and grimaced. His head still hurt even though the wound had been treated it still hurt a bit. It wasn't a pain more a permanent headache. He looked at Daniels and coughed.

"Doc, do you have something for a migraine on you?" he whispered as he looked at her.

Melissa was not pleased to be in this room. In fact, her very stoic demeanour suggested that she would rather be somewhere else than this ridiculous inquiry over a ship. But of course, she came prepared. When Sean made his request, she reached into her medical overcoat and presented a vial to Sean without another word.

"Thanks, doc." he said as he took out a pill and swallowed it with a glass of water.

Melissa then took the vial back and the handed it to Nilani. Chances were, she was going to need some of it as well.

Nilani held up her hand at the offer and politely shook her head. Her quiet manner all throughout the meeting and in the days following up to it couldn't be solved by some simple pain medication. In truth, she knew that she should see a counsellor - she had wondered why Alex hadn't already insisted on it being mandatory - not a medical doctor, though she was grateful for the offer of help nevertheless.

"I rather would have won. where it not for the Vesta we wouldn't be here handing in our depositions." Sean had a very bitter look on his face. " I am starting to agree with the veterans I had served with while i was an instructor at the Academy. That Starfleet intelligence is a contradictio in terminus, Commodore."

"Oh, I wouldn't blame it all on Starfleet Intelligence, Lieutenant." Wilkes said as she did her best to approach the exit to the room. She didn't really want to be found agreeing with someone who had such an issue with the Intelligence branch of the service. While they did good work, their knowledge of Galactic South had been found wanting on a number of occasions. "I think it may have been in the best interest of the Ritorians to have The Sojourners in control. I suppose we won't know until someone makes a play."

"I should have stayed at the Academy, less hassle with sketchy reports and sub-standard intelligence.I hate being on the sideline this time. Never knew that Starfleet was so much waiting for some other group to make their move till we can act." Sean shook his head.

"That's just the nature of the beast, Lieutenant." The Commodore replied with a grimace. "We don't have to like it but we do have to follow it."

Melissa spoke, "I just heal the wounds. If anyone needs a doctor - Ritorian, Sojourner, whoever - they know where to find me. I don't deal with politics, I deal with lives. " She said with her usual calmness.

"Well, problem is that your wearing a Starfleet uniform. Meaning we are a just another tool in a politician's toolbox. We go where the politician's send us or better yet they screw up we are sent to fix it." Sean looked at Prax. "You probably heard that tune many times before, Commander?"

"I have, Lieutenant," Prax responded calmly. "Though through my past hosts I have learnt that your perspective on a matter such as this is noticeably different depending upon where you're standing." She recalled having to make similar calls as this from afar as Kronat and having a much better understanding for the situation and why it was necessary than the perspective she had held as Omar serving on a frontline ship. "We may not have all of the pieces to understand why what happened happened, but I honestly hope that somebody somewhere does, and that it was a risk worth taking." With that said, she stood and slowly followed the Commodore out of the room, seeking some seclusion.

Melissa spoke, "Now if there are no further questions, I'm expected in surgery in a few hours."

"Before you leave how is Lieutenant Exeter doing,doctor?" Sean looked at the doctor. "Flight officer Metis got severely wounded, but was pinching medical staff on the Vesta so I think he should have made it?"

Melissa spoke, "He's stable, but he's not out of the woods." She noted.

"Thanks, send him my regards. And good luck with your surgery,doc." Sean nodded and then headed for his office. He had been receiving a few disturbing reports.

[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Nilani Prax
Commanding Officer
USS Metis

Lieutenant Sean O'Connell
Chief Tactical Officer
USS Metis

Lieutenant Commander Melissa Daniels M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
USS Metis

Commodore Wilkes [NPC: Captain Alexander Gunning]
Starfleet Office of the Judge Advocate General