Unquestionable Competence

[knlwtchr 0]

Hayden walked away from the shuttle bay, still feeling like she'd come away from a mental tug-of-war. Thankfully, she didn't end up in the mud, but then, neither did the Coalition Ambassador.

 

She stepped into the turbo lift. "Bridge," she commanded her mind replaying the meeting over and over again. The Federation Ambassador was suffering from the same condition as the Captain. Was it possible? And the situation on Felinia. The Coalition Ambassador was assuming that the Arcadia would have to travel through Felinian space in order to reach Paktar, and if Felinia remained embroiled in civil war, there was no way for the Arcadia to pass through and obtain clearance into Paktar space.

 

And the Sokur Station, she needed to get briefed on the status of that immediately. She pressed her forehead to the cool metal of the turbo lift. She had felt the Benai try to pry into her mind. It had been a long time since she'd felt a power like that, and to be honest it unnerved her. She had been successful in blocking his attempts to break into her mind, and yet in that very success she had confirmed to him that she was indeed, not, a typical humanoid.

 

The doors hissed open and she squared her shoulders to face the crew. She knew they were all wondering if her memory had returned, and she had come to the point where she couldn't give a flying fart what they thought. Personal memories aside, she was still a competent officer and would do her job until the Captain said otherwise.

 

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar face and groaned inwardly. At that moment she would have rather seen Dr. Telano than Counselor Knlwtchr.

 

"Commander!" In almost a yell, Andrea sprang to her feet and began to advance up the ramp to the turbolift. "May I have a word with you?"

 

Hayden paused looking toward the ready room, and then back at Andrea, "Counselor, how good to see you. I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment, perhaps you could check my schedule and set up a time ... ?" her voice trailed off hoping she'd get out of this meeting.

 

Andrea waved away the notion. "Commander, I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist." Moving towards the Ready Room doorway, the confident Counselor blocked the Commanders way and motioned back toward the turbo lift. "It is, after all, of most significant importance, I promise" With a smile, Andrea poised and patiently waited for the next protest she knew was probably coming.

 

"Counselor, I'm sure you're aware the that I've just returned from a meeting with the Coalition Ambassador. The Captain is waiting for my report."

 

"Well aware, Commander. However, I am sure he is well aware of the foremost importance of your physical and emotional health." The Junior Lieutenant watched the First Officers reaction and then added. "I would be happy to give you a tardy slip, if you like."

 

Hayden sighed and motioned Andrea to the Conference Room. "It's here, or nothing"

 

Andrea stepped aside and nodded. "Lead on, Commander."

 

Hayden turned on her heel and walked into the conference room, biting her tongue to keep from releasing an verbal onslaught on Andrea. She turned to Lt. Garnoopy. "Lieutenant. I am in the Conference room with Counselor Knlwtchr. However, should the Captain inquire as to my whereabouts, please indicate to him that he's to interrupt our meeting." She gave Andrea a small smile and entered the Conference Room and turned to face her. "Okay, shoot."

 

Carefully, Andrea considered Hayden before her and chose her words. She walked around to the far side of the room and took a seat. Folding her hands on the table before her, Andrea leaned in and looked into Hayden's eyes.

 

"Commander, I wanted a moment or two," 'or three', she thought, "to speak with you about your recent episode in Sickbay. I want to help you to restore as much memory as we can." Andrea paused and watched Hayden's body language, clearly in distraction.

 

Taking a seat, opposite Andrea, Hayden looked directly at her. "Andrea, I have been over all of the reports from Arcady Prime. I've read, in detail, how Major StarDust struck me repeatedly with a silver candlestick, while Lt. Garnoopy looked on. As a physician, I am quite aware of how seriously I was injured and am equally aware of how such an injury can interrupt one's memory. What more do you think you can add?"

 

Keying in certain sequences into her PADD, Andrea then returned her eye contact with the First Officer. "I have no conflict with your injuries, Commander."

 

Hayden rubbed her forehead.

 

"What's that?" Hayden asked suspiciously

 

Andrea picked up the PADD, turned it around, and passed it towards Hayden. "This is my initial assessment of your injuries and their effects on your memory. You may take a look if you like." Then she continued. "My conflict is that your memory loss did not occur until AFTER Dr. Honeycutt's surgery. Now, either that is an indication to a psychological mystery or a problem that far exceeds being pounded in the head."

 

"Well then, perhaps you should be talking to Dr. Honeycutt."

 

Counselor Knlwtchr stood and rested a leg against the table beside Dac and took one of her hands. "Hayden, I am not your enemy nor do I intend to be classified in such a manner. I want to help you, but I need your cooperation to do that."

 

Andrea considered the Commander and continued. "What was the last thing you remember before waking up in Sickbay?

 

"I was taking a shower," Hayden paused thoughtfully. "I was mentally making up my report to the Captain. I knew Ziggy would be feeling guilty about what happened."

 

Andrea raised an eyebrow suspiciously at Dac. Ziggy feel guilty? She made a mental note to return there shortly, but let Hayden continue.

 

"I know he was being influenced by Queen Alanda, as was Lt. Garnoopy. Otherwise why would he have attacked me so? And why would the Lt. have stood by and watched?"

 

Andrea nodded in agreement. Hayden paused, her brows furrowing in concentration. "That's it, my last thought. I had to make my report to the Captain."

 

Intrigued, Andrea released Hayden's hand and leaned against the table top. "Hayden, do you remember beaming down to the planet?"

 

Hayden cocked her head to one side, "Of course. Lt. Colonel Quest and I were in command. However, we let you and Lt. Lane appear to be the women in charge."

 

Andrea nodding and added: "Do you remember our tenure on P'Jem?"

 

"I didn't go to P'Jem. I was recovering from my head trauma, or so records indicate."

 

This time the Counselor stood up and took the nearest seat. "Do you recall being on Granada II?"

 

"If you're asking me about the aspects of the mission, yes, I can tell you that. I've read the reports. If you're asking me details of conversations with others. No. I don't remember."

 

Andrea shook her head, "No, I don't mean any reports you may have read. I mean, do you remember setting foot on Granada II? Do you remember beaming back to the Arcadia because he had lost Moose and had to regroup? What do you physically remember?" The Counselor watched Commanders Dacotah's facial expressions carefully. She knew it was important to know just what the Commander remembered and how well.

 

"Nothing." Hayden said simply leaning back in the chair. "Not a damn thing."

 

Andrea nodded again and crossed her legs. "Alright. Now, what do you remember clearly before that?"

 

Hayden paused .... "Clearly? I was Chief Medical Officer. I was involved with an incredible man. It's all pretty fuzzy"

 

Picking up the PADD now, Andrea read over some records and then replaced it onto the table.

 

"Yes, Sidney Jordan. Is that right?"

 

"Yes." Hayden felt the familiar ache at the memory of Sidney, but kept her face impassive.

 

Andrea blinked, considering Dac carefully again. Something was looming over her thoughts like a swarm of bats. If her memory was not blocked at a specific point in time TO a specific point in time in the past, she might understand better what was going on. But, it appeared that Hayden's memory block started several days before the CAUSE of the block had occurred. Though she hated to admit it, LtJg Knlwtchr was definitely confused. Taking up the PADD again, she began to enter notations. Then she set down the PADD and looked up at Dac.

 

"Commander, do you feel inhibited in any way to preform the duties of First Officer? Are you confident enough in yourself, even with your memory loss, to continue?"

 

"What do you think, Counselor? Do I exhibit any characteristics that would warrant you to recommend my removal from duty? Andrea, I can't force my memory to return. I can only do my job and it will return on it's own volition"

 

Andrea clasped her hands together and nodded cooly. Though she had at least fifty more questions to ask, it was obvious she wasn't going to get much further here and she could tell Hayden wanted to end this meeting as soon as they could.

 

"What I think right now is that you are fully functional and capable of performing your duties as First Officer. However, I would like to set up more sessions in the next few days to monitor your progress."

 

"I'll make you a deal," Hayden said, looking at Andrea thoughtfully. "I will arrange it for you to accompany me on any and all away teams so that you may observe me and, if time and the situation permits, ask me all the questions that are still swarming around your head. Deal?"

 

Andrea nodded. "Deal."

 

Hayden smiled, and while on one hand she felt a relief of being done with their session, she felt as though she's just given Andrea the key to Pandora's box. Andrea remained seated, taking the PADD from the table again.

 

"Thank you, Commander. Would you like me to accompany you into the Captains Ready Room?" Then she noticed the chronometer. "It has been over an hour."

 

"Thank you, Andrea. I think you will be most interested in my report."

 

Pushing away from the table, Andrea stood and politely waited for Hayden to stand. She released a sigh of relief. 'At least now,' she though, 'I have something to go on."

 

 

Hayden L. Dacotah, Commander

First Officer

USS Arcadia NCC-1742-E

 

LtJg Andrea Knlwtchr

Counselor

USS Arcadia NCC 1742 E

Edited January 19, 2004 by knlwtchr