Good Doc, Bad Cop

[Nicolas Lepage 0]

Good Doc, Bad Cop

A Joint Log by Lepage/ Ocis

 

 

A final, “Deosi tur san verak!” escorted the Romulan chief of security and Spader through sick bay’s sliding doors. After a moment of silence, Ocis glanced up at the doctor standing next to him, profound relief, contempt, and confusion playing alternately in his expression.

 

“You didn’t hand me over,” said Ocis with a semi-defiant toss of his head. “Why?”

 

Nick pretended to be studying the readouts from the biobed. He wasn’t quite sure just how much he should tell Ocis. Granted, the question was easy enough to answer but the CMO didn’t really think admitting quite how much Dabi’s request upset him would be a smart decision right now.

 

After a few seconds he turned to his patient and smiled. “Let’s just say that our chief of security and I do not quite agree when it comes to interrogation techniques. You’re still here because I don’t want to take any chances. Besides,” he added with a grin, “It’s a long way from here to the brig in case you get worse.”

 

Ocis gave a snort. “Right,” he said. “What you really mean is that you hate him. Pro’bly hate Rommies. Don’t blame you. They’re just a bit closer to civilized than the Breen, and that’s not saying much.”

 

With a sigh Nick pulled up a chair and sat down. It couldn’t hurt talking to Ocis, and for all Nick knew he might even get some information out of his patient; something the security folks had not accomplished.

 

“I don’t hate him,” Nick said, shaking his head thoughtfully. “I don’t like his methods, his way of thinking. And I’m not afraid of antagonizing people if I think I’m doing the right thing.

 

“And you’re not afraid of him?” Ocis stopped swishing his water glass and set it down on the bedside table before crossing his arms. “You’re not worried he’ll take you out?”

 

A mirthless laugh escaped Nick. “I may just be a doctor but I’m not helpless. Besides, this is real life, not some cheap novel. I expect some trouble but nothing I can’t handle. Dabi might seem scary but you know what they say about dogs that bark.”

 

Ocis cocked his head in a come-again? look.

 

Nick recognized the look of confusion on Ocis’ face and immediately tried to explain. “Let me put it this way. Dabi is the kind of person who likes to have things done his way. He’s used to people following his orders. As much as he might not like the fact that I won’t do what he wants he’s not foolish enough to actually do anything. He knows this is Starfleet and he knows we play by different rules. Will he complain? Yes. Will he rant and rave? Probably. Will he get his way? Definitely not.”

 

Nick paused for a few seconds, trying to find the right words. He took a deep breath before continuing. “I may not be as naive anymore as I was when I first got here. But I still believe that the means to achieve a goal matter just as much as the goal itself.”

 

“You’re... Starfleet?” he said, giving it the tinge of a swear word. He eyed Nick a minute, his chin jutting towards him. “Heard about Star...fleet from some raiders we hit up for supplies a while back. Good suppliers they were... ‘til the ‘Fleet took ‘em out. They didn’t have much nice to say. Heard you’re just as bad as the Breen - bad as rivals, they said. So... how come they’ve not taken you out?”

 

Now it was Nick’s turn to be confused. “Taken us out? Who?”

 

“The Breen. You - this Star... fleet - more powerful than they are? Kind o’ hard to b’lieve.”

 

It suddenly dawned on Nick that Ocis didn’t know about the Breen. “Well, we’re certainly more powerful now. There’s this tiny bit of news you might have missed. The Breen are gone.”

 

Ocis’ surly expression flickered for a moment, but returned in his tone. “Right. The Breen. The Breen are gone.” He smirked. “Good one. Good try, Doc.”

 

“Think about it for a second, Ocis,” Nick started to explain. It was to be expected that Ocis wouldn’t believe him. After all, wiping out an entire species was no small feat. Even though Starfleet had had no part in it as far as Nick knew. “Starfleet moves a space station such as Aegis close to Breen space, the ally of one of the most formidable enemies we’ve ever encountered.”

 

Ocis didn’t seem convinced and continued to measure Nick with his eyes. “So... Starfleet is out here with this... station...” he waved a hand to take in the facility, “...and the Breen are gone. And Starfleet is this nice bunch of people... like you.” He waggled a finger, nodding his head thoughtfully. “When do I get to leave?”

 

“Well, you will still have to face charges for stealing our supplies.”

 

Ocis’ jerked up, his eyes narrowed, his expression changing drastically. “We don’t steal. We take what we need. To survive.”

 

“You took things that didn’t belong to you. Looks a lot like stealing to me. But if, as you claim, you took the stuff in order for your people to survive,” here Nick paused and shrugged. “There might be something we can do for you. For one thing, if you officially request assistance we would be very likely to give you what you need.”

 

“Right. Then you find our base and wipe it out.”

 

“Yeah, exactly. Just like we hung you from the ceiling by your ankles and whipped you raw to get information.

 

“Look, Ocis,” Nick leaned forward a little, trying to make sure that Ocis would understand his situation. “I’ve gone over all the stuff you took. I saw your condition when you got here. It looks like all we’d have to do to wipe your people out is stand by and watch. I’m offering you help. Take it or leave it. It’s your choice. But consider your decision carefully because lives are at stake.”

 

What Nick said seemed to sink in, but Ocis remained close-lipped. He sat back, staring first at Nick, then at some unseen object beyond the station’s walls. End of conversation.

 

Nick got up, realizing Ocis had provided as much information as he was willing to. He knew it would be a difficult decision and would certainly take Ocis some time to consider.