2013 Silver Merit Award Is It Dereliction of Duty if the Captain Gets You Drunk?

[Jylliene 0]

 

(Joint Log, Jylliene and Chirakis)

 

The Control Tower usually felt like home to Jylliene. As she crossed toward the doors to Chirakis’s office, though, it felt ominous. She wasn’t really looking forward to the meeting, but the issue had to be raised. She paused at the door and rang the chime.

From inside the office a voice called, “Come,” just as the doors opened.

 

Jylliene stepped inside and approached the desk. “Captain. Thank you for agreeing to speak with me.”

 

“Of course, Lieutenant. Please sit while I finish this report,” said Chirakis, waving Jylliene into one of the easy chairs that faced the desk.

 

She breathed a sigh of relief as she sat down. Comfortable. It would perhaps make this easier. A little.

 

Within a few minutes, the captain pushed a padd aside and leaned back, her chair giving its customary squeak. “The privilege of command,” she remarked with a weary smile, “or so they say. How may I help you, Lieutenant?”

 

“Could we secure the office, please?” she asked, looking at Chirakis with concern.

 

The captain’s weariness dissolved as she regarded Jylliene for a long moment. “Computer, secure the office to condition one.” Lights on the door blinked red, security cameras darkened, and a heavy, almost palpable silence descended.

 

“I wondered if you had thought about what my being a Trill means for maintaining confidentiality of the mission so far - and anything we discover out there,” Jylliene began, as she gazed at the captain.

 

“Should I be thinking about it?” Her hands folded easily in her lap.

 

“I’m currently unjoined. But if there were to be a joined Trill who were to be incapacitated, and I were the only viable host in the area, I would be expected to become the symbiont’s new host. That symbiont would gain my memories - and would carry them to any future hosts.”

 

“Which tells me that you are a trained Trill host who is able to receive a symbiont.” She left off with a tone of finality, her expression not quite readable, but obviously concerned. Her hands gripped tight; her jaw clenched.

 

Jylliene nodded. “I would likely not be a first choice, since I left the program, but in an emergency, I’d be considered better than the death of a symbiont. Or than an untrained Trill host, for that matter.”

 

“Tell me, Lieutenant,” the captain began in forced calm, “why exactly are you worried about a future host gaining your memories?”

 

“There’s no guarantee,” she began, “that a future host would hold any memories or information from this mission confidential. There’s no guarantee that the host would be a Starfleet officer, or that they’d be a morally upstanding Trill - certainly, we screen hosts, but it’s not a perfect system. A future host may be tempted to give up information if it would be advantageous - or may be forced to do so.” Jylliene paused, then continued, “I’m not sure I can guarantee the security of the information beyond myself, were I to accept a symbiont.”

 

After a long silence, the captain sighed, “I see,” and slowly rocked to a stand. “This does present a problem,” she said, turning to walk slowly toward the observation window that ran the length of the wall behind her. Arms folded across her chest, she spoke into space.

 

“Before this mission began, Lieutenant, you were informed that the mission given to us by Starfleet would be dangerous and highly sensitive. You were also instructed to make a choice: leave the room or stay and forever hold your peace. The consequences of revealing anything about this mission... or the results of this mission... are so far-reaching that even I am bound to not discuss them. The subject of future symbiont joining should have been discussed before your decision to join the mission, Lieutenant.” She paused, but gave indication she was not quite finished. It was also evident she was not pleased, yet she did not seem angry.

 

“However, that time has passed and we cannot legally return to that moment.” She turned to face Jylliene, her expression stern, but non accusatory. “What do you suggest we do?”

 

“Unless there are conventions already in place for Trills in this kind of situation, I had a couple of possible ideas,” she replied. “The first would be the simplest - I flatly refuse any joining. I certainly have no intention of seeking one anyways, but should an emergency arise, I refuse to serve as even a temporary host. This would endanger the symbiont, and it wouldn’t do wonders for my reputation with anyone unaware of my reasons, but it’s the most straightforward option.” She looked up at the captain.

 

Seeing that she had no immediate comment, Jylliene continued. “The second would be to agree only on condition that I am the final host for the symbiont. Though it does at least give the symbiont one more host lifetime, it’s not as secure an option as the first, as I would need to be able to refuse further transfer. If I’m incapacitated before I can indicate those wishes, I can’t guarantee they’d be followed. It’s not really a great choice.” After a pause, she added, “I could also bow out now to reduce the potential damage, but that’d be putting Commander Ramson in a bind with her staffing of the Aegean. And it doesn’t completely eliminate the threat.” She paused, then added, “If there were a way to be certain of Starfleet oversight to any symbiont transfer, that may be another option, but I don’t know what kinds of regulations might be in place for such a thing.”

 

“Nor do I,” the captain replied. “If you do ‘bow out now’ you may be able to remain within the bounds of the mission and assist from the station. Your knowledge would be limited to the initial briefing, and Lt Cdr Ramson could find another operations officer.”

 

Jylliene nodded. “I’d be willing to do whichever you think would be the best.” She sighed, then continued, “I suppose I didn’t include the option of taking a spacewalk without the benefit of an EVA suit, but...I hoped that wouldn’t be necessary.”

 

Captain Chirakis’s expression remained focused, despite the apparent lighthearted comment. She raised a brow, as though she had actually considered the possibility.

 

“...could I get a stiff drink first, if that’s your choice?” Jylliene replied weakly, before slumping forward, her head in her hands.

 

“And what would you request, if that were offered?”

 

“Not sure. I hear the Humans on the station talk about brandy, but I think I’d prefer Romulan ale.”

 

“Romulan ale it is.” Chirakis’ arms dropped to her side as she moved toward an ornately carved cabinet on the opposite side of the room. “Chilled is best, though some like it warm,” she said as the contents of the cabinet rose through a panel on her approach. “I recommend chilled for discussions, warm for funerals... or, in this case, unprotected space walks.” Within moments she returned with two glasses of chilled Romulan ale, handed one to Jylliene, and settled into the easy chair next to her, regarding her curiously.

 

Then she raised her glass. “It seems you have quite a decision to make, Lieutenant,” she said introspectively. “Q’plah.” Watching Jylliene closely, the barest hint of a grin accompanied her first sip.

 

Jylliene almost believed that she was going to be taking that walk, until the toast. “Q’plah”, she replied, and took a somewhat larger swig, which she followed with an appreciative glance at Chirakis. “This is very nice. Thank you.” She paused in thought. “I would be leaning strongly toward the first option. It’s not ideal for the symbiont, but hopefully, it would never come to that. It’s the most secure, and I think I owe the team that, especially as I didn’t speak up when you first put the choice before us. If, though, you find out later that there is some other protocol in place - let me know?”

 

“Of course. You should know that Mr. Roberts and SubCommander Jorahl will be in command of the mission, so I am obligated to discuss your situation with them. I will remain on the station. If they decide that your situation should be handled otherwise, you will be informed.”

 

Jylliene nodded. “Of course, Captain.” She took another sizable swig, then glanced out the observation window herself. “I wonder if there are any non-Romulans on that station.”

 

“Or if there is anyone at all,” added the captain.

 

“True. Unknown at this point. It would just figure, though, after having had this conversation, that we’d end up finding a joined Trill sympathizer out there.” Jylliene took another swig and felt her head buzzing a bit. Let’s not get drunk in the Captain’s office, Jyll.

 

“Which is the purpose of the mission, Lieutenant. There may be occupants of Mist Station Three; there may be none. There may be ordinary prospectors, miners, or a vacationing family. We have no idea what may be found. Take care that you do not manufacture demons before they appear. It tends to confuse and twist the mind into unimaginable fantasies.”

 

She nodded. “Well spoken. Point taken, Captain.” She looked at the glass. There was still some in there, but she did want to be able to walk. If she could. She thought she could feel her legs. Maybe? She wiggled her toes in her boots. Tingly.

 

The captain’s smile broadened, bemused. “And next time you drink Romulan ale, Lieutenant, take care to sip. Slowly.” Then she stood, placing a hand on Jylliene’s shoulder. “Do not even attempt to stand. Stay seated and I will call an escort. Report to your quarters, as you are definitely not fit for duty. The break will give you time to consider your options.”

 

Jylliene grinned sheepishly. “Yes ma’am. And thank you, again, for this,” she indicated the glass in her hand, “and for the consultation. And for not ordering me out the airlock, or any other such means of removing the situation.”

 

“Oh, the airlock is always there, Lieutenant. It’s just not that hungry at the moment. Computer, stand down condition one.”

 

Jylliene chuckled, took the last drink from her glass, and awaited her escort.

 

----

 

Back in her quarters, Jylliene laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling. What if they did find a Trill..? No. No no no. Chirakis was right. That way lies...what was it she said? Something. Bad things. Fantasies? Here there be dragons, et cetera. Jylliene sighed. Next time, SIP the ale. S-L-O-W-L-Y.

 

She fell asleep, and dreamt of large spotted dragons bursting out of asteroids...