It's Not All About the Cake

[Annabelle O'Halloran 0]

Jon's meditating on a biobed in Sickbay.

 

After leaving the staff meeting, Anna asked the computer where Jon was and wasn't surprised to hear he was in Sickbay. She'd assumed it was something like that, or he would have been at the meeting since Commander Swan hadn't yet been returned to active duty status. Fully expecting to hear that he was in to get the heart monitor checked, Anna entered Sickbay and approached his biobed with a smile on her face. "You keep this up and Debbie's going to start charging you rent, Mr. Shamor."

 

“I take it you’re wondering why I’m here?” Jon opens his eyes to face Anna. With a smirk on his face, “How bad did Murray mess up at the meeting? Knowing him he probably stuffed his face with cake.”

 

"Hmmm...you've already heard about the cakes...yes, I said cakes as in multiple--three to be exact," Anna replied with a grin. "Wim did enjoy the cake...very enthusiastically, although, actually we all did. Captain McQueen keeps this up and the Reaent crew is going to get a lot bigger." Anna looked from Jon's face to the bioreadouts, which didn't seem to be doing anything and then back to meet his eyes once again. "I assumed you were in here because of the heart monitor."

 

He shakes his head “My bad heart took a turn for the worse so I was admitted.” Keeping his breathing at a slow stable pace, “Merina scanned me and found something troubling. Apparently, my body is loaded with nano-probes that seem to be altering my physical structure. The doctors believe that they can be safely removed, so that’s why I’m waiting for Deb to get back.”

 

"Nano probes?" Anna asked cautiously. "What do they do...how did they get there?"

 

“To answer your first question, from what myself and Doctor Merina have gathered the probes increase body mass and weight. As for the second question, I have no clue: I don’t remember getting them much less how I came to have them in the first place.” The expression on his face shows that he is confused and worried at the same time.

 

Seeing the expression on his face, Anna finally realized that this wasn't a minor adjustment to his heart monitor. "I'm so sorry, Jon. It must be terrifying to have these...things inside you. You said they can be removed? Safely removed?"

 

Nodding in response to her question, “Which is why I’m waiting for Deb to get back; she’s pretty much the only doctor that has experience with Zemun physiology. Let’s change the subject; how did the meeting go?”

 

Anna didn't want to change the subject, but in the face of Jon's request, had very little choice. She tightened her jaw, unable to control the frown darkening her expression, but instead of voicing her concern, told him about the meeting. "It was not very long--just covered the points that we are very near the Gorn, they aren't friendly and we'll be keeping a wary eye as we drop some sensor arrays in the area."

 

“The Gorn-that would explain the destination. I thought we had a ‘live and let live’ policy with them. From what I know, the Gorn are territorial and could be a potential threat if agitated, even if the cause is peaceful. How close are the sensors going to be to their borders?”

 

"I'm sure they're going to be pretty close since we are monitoring for potential threats to proposed expanded trade routes. The Gorn have made it clear that they aren't interested in being a part of any new trade possibilities." Anna shrugged, still not understanding why the Gorn would be like that. Having been raised within a society entirely based on economics, it boggled her mind that an entire species would prefer to opt out.

 

“They are obviously a self-sufficient species, probably stubborn too. At least they’re not the kind who shoot first and ask questions later if they voiced their opinion in the first place. Perhaps a dialog could be opened with them if they are willing. I do have some reservations about the placement of the sensors; it’s risking a potential conflict. I hope the Captain knows this.”

 

"Captain McQueen seemed extremely knowledgeable regarding the Gorn Hegemony. He doesn't seem reckless, although all I really know about him so far is that he has a penchant for serving pastry at meetings." Anna smiled at Jon, adding, "And that's not a bad thing."

 

Raising a brow at her comment, “It seems odd, call me paranoid, but I think he’s trying to win over the crew by appealing to the department chiefs. I judge an officer by their actions not by what they serve their subordinates. Captain McQueen will have to prove to me that he’s capable through his actions. I will follow his orders but if he endangers this ship or crew he will hear from me.”

 

"I believe I have called you paranoid before, Jon," Anna replied affectionately, "but I don't believe that a recently posted CO that serves cake is trying to do any more than make his staff feel comfortable and break the ice. He may be a man who subscribes to the philosophy that you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar or he may just realize that people who are eating are more relaxed and have their guard down. I think he's just trying to get to know us."

 

“Honestly, I would prefer relaxed Q&A sessions but that’s just me. Once I’m back in action, I’ll make sure we get through this without a problem. I was told that the procedure shouldn’t take long which would also mean a fast recovery.” He seems a little more relaxed after mentioning that.

 

Anna laid her fingers over the arm lying by his side. "Take it easy, Jon. It doesn't all rest on your shoulders. Please just concentrate on getting past this." She smiled, feeling rather relieved herself. "I have complete faith in Debbie--you'll be ok."

 

“But it is my job to ensure the safety of ship and crew. I will survive as I always do, though I’m aware you are concerned for my well-being. Although I would never doubt Deb’s skills for she has saved my life plenty of times.”

 

"Of course, I'm concerned," Anna replied quietly. "I will be concerned until I hear that you're fine."

 

Jon holds Anna’s hand gently. “I’ll let you know that I’m ok in person after the procedure. I promise.”

 

"You'd better." Anna smiled, but she knew and she knew he knew, that she wasn't kidding.

Edited July 19, 2009 by Annabelle O'Halloran

[STSF_BluRox 0]

the cake is a lie....

 

 

 

 

 

 

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