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T'aral

Regarding the Caine Incident

T’Aral leaned back on her couch, tapping notes in Vulcan script while Lieutenant Thomas Keefer draped himself on another couch across the room – spilling his guts to whomever would listen. She had sent T’Shia and the two security officers outside, but within minutes it was clear that she would not need the phaser in her lap. Keefer was alone and tired, and she was a sympathetic ear. He wove a sad story of a Lieutenant with the highest ideals being given an undisciplined ship with a command staff that undermined him at every turn. There were issues of dress code, of maintenance, of standard reporting procedures which painted a pattern of insubordination. The ‘Strawberry Incident’ was, to use a human phrase, the topping of the dessert.

 

“They never respected me – never respected Starfleet discipline. My staff officers always turning a blind eye or undermining me directly; but now I had them! There was supposed to be enough in the ship stores for two servings for everyone, and we ran out! All we had to do was to check access logs and we would’ve known who the thief was, but they wouldn’t support me – they never supported me in anything!”

 

T’Aral nodded patently. She knew better than most that there were times which a subordinate officer felt the need to stand contrary to a commanding officer, but those times required justification. For there to be order the Captain had to be in charge, and no order could be refused without a reason which stemmed directly from regulations. “If you were in their position, could you think of anything which would give them reason to stand against you consistently?”

 

Keefer paused briefly. “I know that the crew hated what a stickler I was regarding discipline; they probably just didn’t want to make the hard choices needed to maintain respect for command. I know that there are rumors about my writing – well, even a ship’s Captain needs some way to unwind now and then, doesn’t he?”

 

“The ability to release stress in a constructive, or at the very least non-destructive, manner is considered essential for all species. Even Vulcans require this.” T’Aral nodded to Keefer as he turned to her to confirm what she said. “We engage in meditation; this is our method. Yours would understandably vary. If I may, I would appreciate your permission to read your work. I believe it would allow me to understand you better.”

 

Keefer smiled slightly. “I think I’d like that.” He then frowned. “You get it, don’t you? They were cadets, and it was my job to make them Starfleet officers. There had to be discipline, there had to be order, and theft – that just couldn’t be allowed!”

 

“It is all right, Lieutenant; I do understand.” T’Aral typed a few final notes before closing her datapad. “Mister Keefer: regulations require that you remain under guard during the inquiry. Please co-operate fully with Security, as acting contrary to orders will only hurt your case. I will be filing my report once I complete my background investigation. You are dismissed.”

 

As Keefer nodded and left, T’Aral began to access the Caine’s database, reading through all the senior officer logs as well as the Lieutenant’s novel. The picture of what probably happened became clear, and along with that came a certain admiration for the lieutenant. As a writer he had considerable talent, although she made a point to leave him a personal note to review his last chapter … the stress he was under was beginning to show.

 

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Medical Report: Evaluation of Lieutenant Thomas Keefer

 

A physical examination was performed by Ensign T’Shia Khora. Lieutenant Keefer is in reasonable health, and shows no sign of neurological degradation. There are signs indicative of a lack of sleep and indications of an elevated level of Epinephrine ( adrenalin ) for an extended period of time. All readings suggest that this was naturally produced and his body is filtering out the hormone steadily. His current adrenal production appears slightly depressed, as would be expected following a period of elevated stress.

 

Subject’s manner is currently slightly erratic, but not dangerous. Lieutenant Keefer is in full command of his senses and does not exhibit any delusional tendencies regarding hallucinations or a heightened state of general paranoia. A review of the ship’s logs indicate that the senior staff maintained a consistent lack of confidence in the Lieutenant’s command abilities and an objection to his strict interpretations of Starfleet regulations. Examination of Keefer’s own logs and personal writings demonstrates a highly perceptive mind. Therefore any accusation of paranoia should be tempered, as Keefer most likely was aware of his crew’s overall attitude.

 

Recommendation: Lieutenant Keefer should be given a leave of absence not to exceed 336 standard hours ( coloq.: 2 weeks Earth Standard ). Following this he should be given administrative duties in an established post with no standing incident reports. Eventual promotion to supervisory duties is recommended pending further positive evaluations, though a return to a command assignment of any sort is not recommended.

 

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T’Aral dispatched her report, sending a copy to Captain Calestorm and Commander Wesley with a personal note attached.

*To quote a human phrase: it is not paranoia if they are out to get you.*

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