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Post by Lieutenant Victor Springfield on Nov 7, 2016 9:31:31 GMT -5
After the events of the last Sentinel episode...
Victor cautiously entered Sickbay, looking around for Billie. In his hands was a fruit and chocolate basket. He approached her office...
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Post by Lt Cmdr Billie Jo Spencer MD on Nov 7, 2016 10:41:42 GMT -5
Billie Jo made her way to the sickbay. Since she had now been officially reinstated as the ship's medical officer, she thought it was appropriate she made sure that the medical bay was prepared. Realistically she thought that if this mission went south, there would not likely be a big need for medical treatment, as they would all be dead. But, she felt it was best to be prepared.
She entered sickbay and much to her exasperation, Victor Springfield was waiting there for her. He was holding some sort of gift basket. Billie Jo's face immediately tightened as she let out a little groan, or perhaps it was a growl. She was pretty sure he was completely misreading this situation and her reasons for being upset with him.
She looked him over and quickly examined the basket, “I suppose that is for me? Are you expecting us to kiss and make up? You really don't get it do you?” she asked, trying to be polite.
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Post by Lieutenant Victor Springfield on Nov 7, 2016 10:53:17 GMT -5
Victor gently placed the basket on her desk.
"Doctor, I..." He paused. "I know what you're thinking. You probably think that I'm here to take K'Rika to some clandestine location and perform some kind of bizarre experiments on her. Despite what Hale thinks, Avalon is not the same as Salvation. My only directive here is to assist you and your crew."
Vic cleared his throat.
"I petitioned the Federation government to formally approve your custody of K'Rika. I'm not here to take her away."
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Post by Lt Cmdr Billie Jo Spencer MD on Nov 7, 2016 11:29:31 GMT -5
Billie Jo shook her head, “No. You are wrong. You don't know what I am thinking. You are also wrong if you believe Avalon and Salvation are not the same.” She stated and then took a long breath, “You know my dad liked to say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And, you know what groups like Section 31, Salvation, and Avalon all have in common? Good intentions. The reality is Avalon is just another officially-nonexistent and autonomous clandestine organization which claims to protect the security interests of the Federation. But, in the end, all that means is they have no oversight and no accountability.” She stated and then pauses, perhaps for a breath or maybe to consider what to say next. “And, I believe you that your only directive here is to help us. After all, the current crisis really requires all hands on deck, doesn't it? But, someone out there challenged my custody of K'Rika. I don't know who. All I know is Avalon sent teams to secure her from the Dilithium facility. I'm sure it was all for the greater good. But, what about afterward. Will they consider her a threat? Will they want to study her? Will they lock her away somewhere for her own protection? Maybe? Maybe not? But, who is going to stop them if they do? Do you really know who you are working for?”
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Post by Lieutenant Victor Springfield on Nov 7, 2016 11:45:36 GMT -5
Victor leaned against the wall.
"You should know that Section 31 has stood against Avalon since day one. That's because the purpose of Avalon is directly opposed to that of Section 31. From time to time, the Federation discovers phenomena or artifacts of tremendous power. The kind of power that those from Section 31 would love to get their hands on. Instead, we secure it, so that it could be studied responsibly. And if it can't be studied with the technology we have now... we wait for the Federation to catch up. Section 31 and Salvation... they stood in the shadows because they /knew/ that they were wrong. We stand in the shadows to /protect/ the galaxy."
He paused for a moment.
"Once we found out that Chorus was on your tail, we sent a team to the dilithium mine to extract you and K'Rika. It was to bring you to safety, not to arrest you. I understand your concerns about K'Rika, you know. I have my own concerns, too. Do you know her history? How she got into this quadrant?"
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Post by Lt Cmdr Billie Jo Spencer MD on Nov 7, 2016 12:10:31 GMT -5
Billie Jo watched and listened to Victor's reply. She has a look of incredulity on her face, mixed with a hint of amusement. It was clear she wasn't buying any of what he was saying.
She shook her head slowly, “You can save the sales pitch for the uninitiated. I am not surprised Section 31 and Avalon can not work and play well together. As I recall Salvation always had its difficulties with Section 31 and even Avalon on occasion. These are not the sort of organizations that share power. Each group believes they are the protectors of the Federation and can not tolerate people standing in the way of that lofty goal. They all stand in the shadows for the same reason. Because to stand in the light means they have to submit to oversight and have to play by the rules. Once in the light, they are no longer the ones who get to decide what is best for the rest of the galaxy. “ She stated in a polite tone. “I believe you believe that Avalon exists to protect the rest of us. But, who protects us from them?”
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Post by Lieutenant Victor Springfield on Nov 7, 2016 12:19:38 GMT -5
"Submit to oversight?" He inquired. "Like T'Grav's kangaroo court? If you want to know who's been blocking your guardianship application, you might need to only look as far as him. Even oversight committees can be corrupt. The only way to protect against that is to recruit the right people."
"Do you know why we recruited Aquarius? Because we want to staff our project with officers who will speak out in case it ever goes down the wrong path. That's how we guard ourselves against becoming another Project Salvation. If I ever felt that we were doing the wrong thing, I would stop it."
"I know you may not believe that... but it's the truth. You're going to need to put your faith in something. Will you place it in T'Grav? His corrupt oversight committee? Or me, who's here right now to help you and K'Rika? I don't envy your position, but the reality is that you will have to put your faith in somebody."
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Post by Lt Cmdr Billie Jo Spencer MD on Nov 7, 2016 12:35:40 GMT -5
She shakes her head, “That is just my point Victor, no one is above being corrupted. We need more accountability, not another unaccountable big brother organization hiding in the shadows. You are right T'Grav is abusing his authority. And, he needs to be stopped. But, I should remind you that Liz spoke out when she thought Salvation was headed down the wrong path, it did little good, did it? But, you are right about one thing, I need to trust someone. And, I do. I trust this crew. Which leads me to you. In the Bible, Jesus said no man can serve two masters. So what about you, when push comes to shove who will you stand with? Us, or them?”
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Post by Lieutenant Victor Springfield on Nov 7, 2016 12:43:25 GMT -5
Victor shook his head. "We're not on different sides. That's something you'll come to realize over the course of this whole Chorus incident. I've been with Avalon for most of my career, and they are all upstanding officers. You have nothing to worry about."
"But then again, you don't need to believe me. Just wait and see. My actions will speak for themselves. With that said, I would need your help with something."
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Post by Lt Cmdr Billie Jo Spencer MD on Nov 7, 2016 12:48:05 GMT -5
Billie Jo folds her arms as she scrutinizes Victor, "I hope you are right. Because believe me I will be watching you. And, I likely won't be the only one." she stated, still maintaining a polite tone. "Now, what was it you needed help with?"
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Post by Lieutenant Victor Springfield on Nov 7, 2016 14:43:04 GMT -5
"You see, Doctor," he began. "I want to get a bead on Chorus' location using my device. I would need you to monitor my lifesigns while it's in use."
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Post by Lt Cmdr Billie Jo Spencer MD on Nov 7, 2016 16:28:57 GMT -5
Billie Jo scratches her temple, "You mean your little astral projection gizmo?" she replied, grinning. "I would personally be delighted to monitor its use. I am curious to see how it works. But, with respect to using it on this mission, I will need to have a direct order from Commander Shantal. I was pretty sure her plan relied on Chorus finding us, not the other way around. If you can see him why would Chorus not be able to see you? He is a high-level esper after all. And, if he sees you why would he not be able to follow your trail right back here?"
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Post by Lieutenant Victor Springfield on Nov 8, 2016 7:28:20 GMT -5
Victor sighed. "I guess I need to get use to this 'chain of command' stuff."
"Anyway, just remember. I'm on your side here. You have nothing to worry about from Avalon... don't let Hale get into your head."
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Post by Lt Cmdr Billie Jo Spencer MD on Nov 8, 2016 12:42:02 GMT -5
Billie Jo gave the man a sympathetic smile. "I appreciate your understanding in this matter. This isn't anything personal against you. During my time here on the Sentinel, I have made a lot of mistakes and burnt up a lot of the trust people placed in me. In spite of that Shantal took me back. I think I owe her something for that. The only thing she ever asked me for was trust. So that is what I am going to give her. Part of that is not going behind her back. That is something you would do well to learn if you intend to stay on this ship. That is just a little bit of free advice. Since at this point, I think you are in a similar situation, having lost the trust of many on this crew."
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Post by Lt Cmdr Billie Jo Spencer MD on Nov 11, 2016 13:51:42 GMT -5
Billie Jo watched Victor leave sickbay and exhaled sharply. She then turned her attention toward making herself busy preparing the sickbay for the approaching battle. The reality was there was little the needed to be done. The medical facilities and the sickbay staff were really about as ready as they could be for what was to come. But, she needed something to do. It seemed she wasn't needed for anything else. As she focused on her work a voice from behind her startled her and make her jump.
Morgan had managed to approach her without so much as a sound, “So Mister Springfield thinks I am trying to get into your head?” he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Billie Jo spun around, and gave the man a warning look. “I need to put a bell on you or something.” she said then smiled warmly.
Morgan grinned, “Sorry. It is just what I do.”
Billie Jo turned back toward the tray of hypospray vials she was working on, “Yeah I think he feels your brainwashing me against him.” She stated. “I am not certain what he really expects. It is hard to ignore history and simply give him the benefit of the doubt just because he claims Avalon is different.”
Morgan gently placed a hand on her shoulder, indicating he would like her to turn to face him. Billie Jo did. She turned to face him and stood there looking up at him. Morgan took a minute to stare affectionately back into her blue eyes. “I didn't come here to talk about Victor.”
Billie Jo nodded, “I figured that much. What did you want to talk about?”
“I was hoping we could talk about Joshua Cameron.” He stated.
Billie Jo gave him a pensive look, “What is there to talk about?”
Morgan frowned, “I think it is pretty clear you still have feelings for him. But, you are aware that that thing, Chorus, is not him. Chances are he can't be saved.”
Billie Jo's expression turns stone cold at that, “You don't have to remind me of something I am all too aware of.”
He softly brushed a hand against her cheek, “I am not trying to hurt you. I just don't want you to get your hopes up. The reality is Joshua may be beyond saving.”
Billie Jo has a lost expression on her face as tears began to well up in her eyes, “Hope is all I have left. I remember now, everything he did for me. How much he risked and how much that ultimately cost him. And, in the end, I could not do anything to save him. Even now I am completely powerless to help him.” She explained, her voice quavering as she did so. Finally, she buried her face in her hands and started to sob. Morgan put his arms around her in an attempt to comfort her.
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