Karma

Posted on Tue Jun 23rd, 2020 @ 12:11am by Captain Nycolas Temple & Sasha Vieers (Deceased) & Ensign Dorian Rochester (Deceased)
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 5:17pm

Mission: Divided We Fall
Location: Captain's Ready Room

A Mission Post by Captain Nycolas Temple & Ensign Sasha Vieers & Ensign Dorian Rochester
Mission: Divided We Fall
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline:
Thu Oct 18th, 2018 @ 4:43am

With the main staff meeting over, Nyx was embarking on a series of smaller meetings to get everything in order before the Pandora arrived at Paradise Outpost. He was focusing on his work and operation of the ship to help get over the Bubble, however his first meeting of the day was only going to bring everything that happened in the alternate universe front and centre again. He had been avoiding Dorian Rochester since awakening, unsure of what to do about the junior officer that had killed him in the Bubble. He had also been disappointed to learn that Sasha Vieers had later joined with Rochester to help take over the ship. Even if none of this had occurred in reality, it still needed to be addressed.

Dorian and Sasha entered Temple's Ready Room like two school children being sent to the principle. Dorian was trying to look self-assured and confident but really he was scared inside. Sasha nervous too; wondering how her career may be effected by what had happened.

"Have a seat." Nyx began cooly, crossing his arms as he watched the junior officers take their place in front of him. "I suppose there's no use beating around the bush here, Ensigns. We need to discuss what occurred in the Bubble."

"In my defence, Captain, I was mentally strained and emotionally compromised by the situation we were placed in." Dorian immediately spoke first, his tone wavering here and there, though he had clearly rehearsed his speech. "I acted in ways that I simply would not recognise had it been in the real universe, and while I should take some responsibility, I am a victim of extenuating circumstances."

Nyx stared at the young man for a while. He raised his eyebrows. "You shot and killed me, Dorian. There were thirty other people in the Bubble who somehow managed to not shoot and kill me, so why were your circumstances more extenuating than everyone else?"

Dorian began to speak but then closed his mouth again. His face turned into an ashen frown.

"With respect, sir," Sasha spoke instead, "What consequences will there be? Given... well, given, none of it really happened."

"Yeah!" Dorian found his voice. "It's not like I actually did... that."

Nyx huffed, "You say it didn't happen and yet I distinctly remember how it felt to get a phaser rifle blast to the abdomen. I remember the pain. I remember dying. I said goodbye to my friends, I died. What consequences do you think there should be?" He asked with obvious sarcasm.

"But you're here." Sasha protested quietly. "Alive and well."

Dorian was about to add another "Yeah!" but a look from Nyx silenced him. Nyx sighed, "You are correct in that given the unusual circumstances of the event, I have no way of formally reprimanding Ensign Rochester. That will spare you from court marshal and imprisonment, at least."

"Thank you, sir." Dorian replied with a sigh of relief.

"Don't." Nyx snapped back. "It wasn't for a lack of trying on my behalf. I consulted JAG and received advice that testimony alone would not have the legal weight to carry a conviction. They did, however, recommend you be removed from the Pandora and placed elsewhere. The incident will still be noted in your record, albeit with explanations attached. And you will be mandated to see Counsellor Kaleri to assess your recovery from the Bubble."

Dorian seethed, his face now turning a darker red. He breathed heavily through his nose and his arms were crossed firmly across his chest. "So you're still going to tank my career then?" He sneered.

"I'm holding you to account for your actions." Nyx shrugged. "You couldn't possibly think there be no consequences from this, did you?"

"Don't I get a chance to defend myself?" Rochester argued. "What about what I did to help free us all from the bubble?!"

"It will be noted as well, that you lead an armed insurrection in order to test your theory. And proceeded despite the disapproval of your superior officer." Nyx added. "I know that at least part of what you did helped to speed up the decay of the bubble. From our analysis it appears the bubble's collapse may have freed our trapped subconscious and allowed us to awaken. That will be noted in your records as well. Everything will be. The good and the bad."

Dorian threw his hands up. "So then my career's over then. Thanks for nothing, Temple."

"Dorian..." Sasha whispered to him, trying to keep him calm.

"No! He's just picking on me." Rochester growled.

"Be thankful you're not in the Brig. Or being demoted." Temple replied earnestly. "You chose the path you took in the Bubble, including shooting me and taking over the Bridge. You may add whatever reasoning you want to the body of evidence but it will be weighted against your actions. That's only fair given the circumstances."

"Yeah, sure. When do I get transferred?" Dorian asked sullenly.

"You're being moved to Recreation Services during our mission to Paradise Outpost." Temple replied, trying not to rise to Rochester's attitude. "Once we then return to Carnwennan Station you will transfer to a position there until something becomes available on another ship."

Dorian stared at the Captain; he wanted to scream and shout about the unfairness of it all, how he considered himself a hero. Instead he could only seethe. The naughty school kid had been reprimanded by the Principle and acting out further was only going to invite more punishment. He tried to place a stoic expression on his face but his lip still curled in anger.

"Fine." He breathed. "Anything else, sir?"

Temple shook his head, "You're on Alpha Shift in twenty minutes. Get your uniform changed and see your supervisor. Dismissed, Ensign."

One could practically see the storm cloud over Dorian's head as he stamped out of the Ready Room. Nyx let out a deep sigh before turning back to Sasha. He looked to her with a little more sympathy. "What happened, Ensign?" He asked.

Sasha buried her face into her hands, "It all got so confusing. We were in there for decades, Captain. Decades. I know we can't excuse what Dorian and I did at the end, but the endless silence and nothingness drove us to act. That's the only explanation for it."

"I appreciate your frustration." Nyx nodded. "I, too, felt like we needed to do something in order to escape. But we simply didn't know if something we tried would work. Or it could have meant the instant death of everyone inside the Bubble. That was a risk I wasn't willing to take. Just because it might have helped doesn't excuse what you did."

"I know." Sasha said earnestly. She held her head up again to look at him and tears were falling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry I've disappointed you, Captain, I really am. If I could take it back, I would. I will do anything for you to trust me again. I hate how some of the crew look at me now! It's awful."

Temple nodded silently. Whereas Rochester had been defiant and self-righteous, Vieers was showing the remorse and weight of her actions. She was clearly already punishing herself inside for what had occurred and was keen to make up for it. Nyx crossed around his desk and sat in the chair next to her.

"I want you to see Counsellor Kaleri." He said softly. "You, too, will receive a note in your record, but you may stay on the Pandora if you choose. I will need to move you to Operations, though. To help you get that fresh start."

"Oh, Captain. Are you sure?" She asked, thankful for his leniency. "I'll work as hard as I can wherever you put me, as long as I can stay here!"

"I'm sure you will." Nyx nodded, finally giving a smile. "We all make mistakes, Sasha. I did, in the Bubble. The trick is not repeating those mistakes."

"I won't sir, I promise." Sasha said firmly, "I won't forget this second chance you've given me."

The two stood and Nyx put a hand on her shoulder, "I would hope not. Dismissed, Ensign."

Nyx watched as Ensign Vieers happily left the room. He had wished he'd gotten a better response from Dorian Rochester, one that showed at least some sign of remorse. He worried that by offloading Rochester to someone else that he wouldn't truly learn a lesson, that he would only get embittered towards command and Starfleet in general. Nyx didn't want to be responsible for that - but at the same time the young man needed to take responsibility for himself. He needed to see the consequences of his actions, otherwise Nyx was leaving himself open to a repeat of the same behaviour.

Nyx just hoped that the young man wasn't too late to be saved.

OFF