Running Charge

Posted on Wed Feb 20th, 2019 @ 1:13pm by Lieutenant Sandra Adamson

Mission: Run Afoul
Location: CIO's office
Timeline: Following "I'm not running"
1516 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

After delivering Murphy to the brig, Lhaes returned to his office. He was still rubbing his jaw, realizing a drunk's punch still packed quite a bit of power if sufficiently fueled by anger. "Doctor Adamson, Lieutenant Rai," he announced as he tapped his commbadge, "this is Sommers, could be you both please come to my office. There is something I need to discuss with you both. It's important."

Tapping her commbadge, Jexasi replied, "On my way." She motioned for one of the duty officers to take her place at the security desk. Fortunately the CSO office was only a quick turbolift ride away. Once the trip was over, Jex pressed the door chime button to Lhaes' office. As she waited for acknowledgment, she quickly straightened her uniform a bit. She only wanted to be yelled at once in a day.

Fortunately, Lhaes wasn't one to yell at someone junior in rank over something as trivial as a uniform. That and there were more pressing matters. "Come in," he called out, gesturing for the Betazoid woman to take a seat once the door opened. "We'll wait for the doctor to arrive," he told her, "I really only want to say this just once."

Nodding in agreement, Jex sat patiently until the doctor arrived. She understood the frustrations that came along with explaining the same story over and over again.

Sandy tapped her badge. She had already calmed down from her recent burst out with the captain and the CSO. "On my way, commander." She said. She went over to the CIO's officer. She had no idea what this was about, and she still had to go see Stef in the brig as well as check up on mister O'Malley. And also need to talk to Tarria, to see what her findings are. She pressed the chime and waited to be invited in.

"Thank you for coming doctor," the Romulan said as soon as she stepped inside and sat herself down. Unconsciously, he rubbed his jaw as he regarded the two women on the other side of his desk. "I had to send Lieutenant Murphy to the brig," he explained, "he was irate, showed violent tendency and I believe he was intoxicated."

Shifting in her seat, Jex had not yet received a detailed report other than the ship's engineer was taken to the brig. She gave a polite nod toward Sandra, unsure if saying anything would set off another round of argument. Turning her gaze to Lhaes, she asked, "Before your call, I was on my way to get an incident report. Would you mind telling me what happened?"

"Who reported it?" Lhaes arched an eyebrow at her. "He was drinking, excessively. I thought to talk to him but he became irate and took a swing at me. As I cannot condone assault on a senior officer and pretty much for his own protection I thought it better to move him. I don't think he's fully aware of what he did."

As he spoke, the Romulan idly rubbed at.his throbbing jaw. "I don't want to press any charges, provided he does take some rest. Reports have it that he's not taken any rest in the past days."

Sandy crossed her arms. "Are we talking about Lieutenant Murphy? I have been getting complaints from several of his engineering officers. If he is not taking the proper rest, that would explain his behavior. But knowing his stubborn and passionate regard towards engineering, I think it is necessary to take him off duty for a short period of time."

Lhaes nodded. "Yes ma'am, we are talking about Lieutenant Murphy. I concur about your assessment regarding his passion for his work, but aren't we all passionate about what we do? And in all our cases, especially a department head, I would argue that adhering to rest periods is non-negotiable. We can't afford to make mistakes simply because we are too exhausted to pay attention." He paused. "I see no reason to remove him from his duties altogether, but that's not my call to make. I'm merely bringing this to your attention because I don't think he can go on like this. He needs help."

"I was merely making an observation and we should take it in account that he may wants to finish what he is doing now, and I can't allow it," Sandy explained, "Maybe 8 hours put on inactive and ban him from Engineering. Maybe that will force him to take some rest."

"No one reported it, directly," Jex pointed out before adding, "when someone is brought to the Brig, my PADD pings with the report and known information." Looking at both Sandra and Lhaes, she added, "I have read those same complaints. However, only Command or the Doctor may impose mandatory rest periods. I can only set the proximity detectors to alert us if he enters a no-go area and to keep certain doors closed for him, per orders from a Chief Medical Officer or Command Officer."

"I think it might be a good idea," Lhaes agreed, "which is why I alerted you two. My hands are tied here, I can't make such decisions. However on the part of assault, I'd like to let that slide provided he keeps to any limits you impose on him."

"Are you sure that is your wish?" Jex asked. While it was fairly common for minor charges to be dropped, protocol demanded that she get confirmation from the victim. Adding to the previous statement, she said, "As to how to handle him, my hands are tied as well, until I get orders."

"I don't believe he was in command of all his faculties," Lhaes answered simply, "if he hadn't been drunk he'd never have taken a swing at me. I don't think anything got hurt much... my pride...and my jaw but otherwise I don't think anything is damaged."

"No charges will be brought against our engineer, but I will keep him in the brig until he sleeps off his current condition," Jex agreed.

Lhaes nodded, then looked to the chief medical officer. "Doctor?" he asked.

Sandy was just listen to the two of them talk. "Well, since he is in the brig, I can go to examine him with a tricorder. I can't write out a medical order without at least examine him." she explained. "I will make my recommendations based on the tricorder scans."

"Thank you." He offered a small smile. "That's all I ask."

She then got up and walked to Lhaes taking out her tricorder. "Now let me check your jaw, commander. " Sandy offered. She started to scan him. She looked at the scan. "Well, he didn't break anything, not I would expect. But it will hurt a bit for a while. Could be a few hours, could be a few days. Do you want something for the pain, sir?"

Seeing no reason to be in any discomfort, as pain was a distraction from his duties, the Romulan nodded. "Yes please, thank you doctor," he answered. "I'm glad nothing is broken even if it does feel as if my jaw is on fire." He offered a grateful smile. "I wish I could've reacted faster, but he took me by surprise."

Shaking her head, Jex offered, "I wouldn't get too down on yourself. Quiet often, such attacks are never expected. Had you reacted, chances are high that both of you would be brought up on charges and would have demerits on your record. You reacted for the best, despite the injuries."

That drew a laugh from the Romulan. "Oh I'm sure you've seen my record is hardly free from demerits. I actually did get arrested once for a brawl. Me and a Klingon officer. Except she was drunk and I wasn't and I was trying to defend her honour. It's a while ago though but I'm sure if you dig, you'll find a few things."

"Yes, I saw," Jex nodded. She had gone through each crew member's record prior to launch. Smiling a bit, she added, "I'm sensing a pattern. Maybe you should limit your time around those who've had a bit too much to drink."

"Or stay away from them entirely," Lhaes chuckled, "especially since I'm highly allergic to alcohol and synthehol."

"Is there anything else I can do for you, Commander," Sandy offered as she had administered the painkiller and handed the hypospray to him. "When needed," she added.

"Thank you doctor." Stuffing the offered hypo into a pocked, he stood. "No I don't think there's anything else. I just wanted you both in the loop on why I acted as I did. I don't want to press any charges, the man has enough to deal with as it is." He gave them both a nod. "I'm going back to my quarters, if either of you need additional information, let me know."

"I am fine," Sandy said. "I need to go to the brig now."

---

Lieutenant Commander Lhaes Sommers
Chief Intelligence Officer

Lieutenant Jexasi Rai
Chief Tactical/Security Officer

Lieutenant Junior Grade Sandra Adamson
Chief Medical Officer