03-30-2026, 06:40 PM
“It looks like the line has been drawn,” The Chief Medical Officer answered for her, “But some people behind it are going to die if nobody can get to that starbase.” Art grit her teeth in reaction; she knew this, and this was why she had hesitated when asking her sensitive question.
It was Beinn who spoke next, thankfully, because Artemis wasn’t entirely sure she wouldn’t bite the CMO’s head off. “If it does come to a boarding action, training your people in concealed armor usage might be a good idea.” Was he talking to the CMO or her? Was an Ensign –damn it, he wasn’t an Ensign any more– really giving her advice? Unfortunately for Art, it continued. “Cardassians won't likely fire on higher settings due to collateral damage taking them out as well, so any armor involved could save lives before Medical is needed. Of course, I'm happy to act as a combat medic
for your security officers.”
Art’s stormy mood was officially back. She had to physically bite her tongue to keep herself from turning and maybe actually biting the wolf’s head off. The reason Cardassians don’t shoot to kill, you medic, she thought bitterly, is because they’d rather interrogate their prisoners of battle to death, and draw out the pain. They don’t see battle the way everybody else does. To them, battle is just an opportunity for more ‘interrogation’ fodder.
Captain Braggins spoke, and Art wasn’t sure she had been so glad in recent history to hear the cocky Augment talk. "By blockading the system, the Cardassian Union has committed an act of war against the Federation. Though no formal declaration of war has been issued by either side, we must assume that at the very least, we are in a de facto war situation. For now, we are at ‘Rules Of Engagement’ Yellow - we are authorised to use force if attacked or are witness to any hostile act committed by Cardassian vessels or troops."
Art grumbled wordlessly. As far as she saw it, if someone hit you, you sure as hell hit back, no matter what.
"This ship will not fire first,” Braggins intoned, “even if provoked. We will not be the reason this sparks into another Border War."
Now a soft growl eminated from the brooding Klingon.
The young Captain went on to talk about supplies, and logistics, and engineering, and if Art could shoot lasers out of her eyes, there was a specific spot on the table that would certainly be well-charred. To end the meeting, she announced that the promotion recommendations had gone through and been approved, and both Wright and Chertstone had been elevated. As people dispersed, Chertstone materialized at Peter’s side, stealing whatever moment she and he might have had. It was probably just as well; Art was taking her time getting up from her seat as she fought to control her emotions.
“Chief,” her new Ensign said, "whenever you want Security drills started, I’m available. If you want extra prep on boarding response before we depart, I can start reviewing team configurations now.”
Ensign Riley Wright was one of maybe two people right now that Art didn’t want to snap at. Maybe I should take up Vulcan meditation or something. The COS thought, holding in a snort of derision. “Sounds good.” Art got out. “You start that.” Her mind had gone back to the conversation she was having before Braggins started the meeting. “I’m going to the holodeck to beat something up.” As she led Wright out of the room, she realized they would be going opposite directions.
“I won’t be long.”
She took a few steps, and then turned back around suddenly. “Oh,” she half-called after her officer, “And get me a big ETA clock up on the main screen. I don’t want us in the middle of a drill when we get there.”
It was Beinn who spoke next, thankfully, because Artemis wasn’t entirely sure she wouldn’t bite the CMO’s head off. “If it does come to a boarding action, training your people in concealed armor usage might be a good idea.” Was he talking to the CMO or her? Was an Ensign –damn it, he wasn’t an Ensign any more– really giving her advice? Unfortunately for Art, it continued. “Cardassians won't likely fire on higher settings due to collateral damage taking them out as well, so any armor involved could save lives before Medical is needed. Of course, I'm happy to act as a combat medic
for your security officers.”
Art’s stormy mood was officially back. She had to physically bite her tongue to keep herself from turning and maybe actually biting the wolf’s head off. The reason Cardassians don’t shoot to kill, you medic, she thought bitterly, is because they’d rather interrogate their prisoners of battle to death, and draw out the pain. They don’t see battle the way everybody else does. To them, battle is just an opportunity for more ‘interrogation’ fodder.
Captain Braggins spoke, and Art wasn’t sure she had been so glad in recent history to hear the cocky Augment talk. "By blockading the system, the Cardassian Union has committed an act of war against the Federation. Though no formal declaration of war has been issued by either side, we must assume that at the very least, we are in a de facto war situation. For now, we are at ‘Rules Of Engagement’ Yellow - we are authorised to use force if attacked or are witness to any hostile act committed by Cardassian vessels or troops."
Art grumbled wordlessly. As far as she saw it, if someone hit you, you sure as hell hit back, no matter what.
"This ship will not fire first,” Braggins intoned, “even if provoked. We will not be the reason this sparks into another Border War."
Now a soft growl eminated from the brooding Klingon.
The young Captain went on to talk about supplies, and logistics, and engineering, and if Art could shoot lasers out of her eyes, there was a specific spot on the table that would certainly be well-charred. To end the meeting, she announced that the promotion recommendations had gone through and been approved, and both Wright and Chertstone had been elevated. As people dispersed, Chertstone materialized at Peter’s side, stealing whatever moment she and he might have had. It was probably just as well; Art was taking her time getting up from her seat as she fought to control her emotions.
“Chief,” her new Ensign said, "whenever you want Security drills started, I’m available. If you want extra prep on boarding response before we depart, I can start reviewing team configurations now.”
Ensign Riley Wright was one of maybe two people right now that Art didn’t want to snap at. Maybe I should take up Vulcan meditation or something. The COS thought, holding in a snort of derision. “Sounds good.” Art got out. “You start that.” Her mind had gone back to the conversation she was having before Braggins started the meeting. “I’m going to the holodeck to beat something up.” As she led Wright out of the room, she realized they would be going opposite directions.
“I won’t be long.”
She took a few steps, and then turned back around suddenly. “Oh,” she half-called after her officer, “And get me a big ETA clock up on the main screen. I don’t want us in the middle of a drill when we get there.”