Please, Not Again.

[A Davis 0]

Please, Not Again.

 

It seemed to Amanda Davis, Psychologist and Counselor for Sky Harbor Aegis, that she - and the station - had enough to handle without this. What with displaced families, total station lock-down , the shortage of supplies, and general malaise among the populace along with the imminent danger of hull breach, one more thing added to the mix could mean the difference between status quo and total insanity. And this particular one more thing just seemed ludicrous, but it was her duty to report it.

 

Steeling herself and clutching the folded piece of paper in her hand, she ran the security gauntlet up to the Control Tower to speak with Commander Chirakis. She found her lounging in her office, no doubt taking a break from the mayhem that was de rigeur lately. And, given the mayhem, Amanda wasn't exactly prepared for the commander's initial reaction.

 

"P... M... S...?" The Bajoran's expression was somewhere between mild amusement and incredulity as she pushed back her chair and casually took the flyer, giving it a once-over while Amanda struggled to find appropriate words of explanation.

 

"Protecting Microbial Species," she finally replied somewhat apologetically with a grin to match the commander's. "I know, I know - it loses something in the translation. Actually it loses a lot in the translation, and it's obvious that the connotation to humans, especially Terrans, is quite hilarious, but.... "

 

"And there are how many translations here?" The commander flipped the pamphlet over.

 

"Twenty-seven."

 

"Twenty-seven translations."

 

"Actually, more like fifty if you include the various dialects, but...."

 

"And you found this where?" The commander's amusement was fading. She seemed to be absorbed with the Klingon version.

 

Breathe. She's concerned. Keep it light. "Actually, it found me." Rubbing the back of her neck, she continued to smile, hoping it looked genuine enough to lighten the growing tension. At Chirakis' quirked brow, she explained, "One of the children was using it for an airplane, and..."

 

"An airplane?"

 

Gods, won't she let me finish a sentence. Just one. "An airplane. A craft that flies within the atmosphere?" She nodded. Good. Keep going. "It was a very good paper airplane, actually. I do believe the child has a future in aeronautics. It flew completely across the main area of the Midway before crashing into the back of my head."

 

Chirakis raised her eyes briefly. "And why the paper?" She flipped it over several times, as though she'd not seen paper for quite some time, flicked it around, rattled it, and held it up to the light.

 

"Because so many of us are displaced from the evacuation. Because we haven't access to ordinary channels. I'm sure you understand that many families had to leave their billeting with only the clothes on their backs. Even I need special clearance to access my files in the office."

 

"Your point."

 

"Oh. Well... because they don't have ordinary access and this..." Amanda groped for the appropriate words in Federation Standard, "...group of environmentalists is eager to spread their... concern, they've produced these 'hard' copies as they're called and are distributing them throughout the station."

 

"Their concern for what?" Her eyes darkened and the circles under them became more pronounced.

 

Oh dear. "The, um.... total obliteration of a new species."

 

Amanda waited a beat before continuing. As Chirakis seemed to be mulling that over, she continued, "Because those 'space whales' have never been seen before? Or at least they've never been documented as having been seen? And the parasites they carry are a totally new species that may not be found anywhere else in the universe...?" It suddenly occurred to Amanda that it might sound like she was defending them, so she stopped shy of a full explanation.

 

"They want us to stop... killing... the parasites." A frown had emerged, the commander's eyes narrowed, and a flush crept up her neck.

 

Amanda cleared her throat and kept her tone as casual as possible. "Yes. You see, they believe that all life is sacred and that life forms that cannot defend themselves should have an advocate, so..."

 

"An advocate." Leaning forward on her desk, Chirakis brandished the paper, clutching it as though squeezing the life out of it. Even with this display she was obviously suppressing her anger, which, to Amanda, was quite an achievement, especially after several days without rest. The Bajoran kept her tone even, but her eyes? Thoughts of don't kill the messenger came to mind.

 

"They might want to consider, Counselor, that this species has so far protected itself quite well, and that this may be the last microbial species they ever protect if they breach the hull." With that, the commander rose to escort Amanda out. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Ms. Davis. Now, if you will excuse me?"

 

As the door closed behind her, Amanda heard the characteristic chirp of the comm, followed by a very clipped, poignant, "Dabi. My office. Now."