C4W

Posted on Mon Mar 1st, 2021 @ 12:07am by Lieutenant Michael Stonebridge & Commander Samantha Howard

Mission: Sabotage
Location: Brig

Dr Samantha Howard briefed her team as they away mission drew closer, hand picking a number of medics to remain on the shuttles to tend to any wounded once they were recovered from their captures. Sam herself was a little disconcerted regarding the briefing - it seemed as though Grayson and Stonebridge were butting heads.

"Computer, locate Lt Stonebridge" She asked, wanting to have a chat with him and make sure everything was ok.

"Lt Stonebridge is currently in the brig" the female voice of the computer intoned. Sam was shocked. The brig - why?

She picked up her medkit and headed down to the Washington's brig, ready to make a 'concern for welfare' housecall.

Stonebridge and his team were sat in the middle of the Brig playing poker when the Doctor arrived. As the doors swooshed open, Michael Stonebridge looked up.

“Doc! To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Asked Stonebridge

Sam looked around, noting the team that were playing cards "Could you give us a minute please gents?"

“Of course Doc.” Replied the Intel team in unison. And they all moved away from the table. Stonebridge motioned for the Doctor to take a seat and place her gear on the table.

“What’s on your mind Doctor? Or should I try and guess?” Asked Stonebridge as if he didn’t know!

Sam tossed up a few smart assed answers in her mind before making the decision that keeping her trap shut was most likely the least offensive course of action. She didn't know Stonebridge very well so mouthing off in front of him wasn't a good idea.

" Concern for welfare" She said finally, placing her medkit on the table and slipping into the chair. "And an ear if you need one"

Stonebridge smiled at her reading her body language like a dime store novel. “All due respect Commander, but you sure it’s me you should be talking to? After all, I’m not the one that’s going to get someone killed. Let me rephrase that. There are losses that happen during a combat action. But taking unnecessary chances is not something I’m willing to do on my watch!” He said in a very serious manner.

Sam listened patiently, doing her best not to get drawn into 'sides'. Grayson was a fine XO and leader, Stonebridge was a yet unknown quantity to her at this point. " I talk to everyone, regardless of who they are. 90% of medicine is talking to people" She admitted with a shrug " Differences of opinion are one thing, I get the distinct impression that you two were butting heads."

Stonebridge’s facial expressions changed. “Ok Commander, you’re in surgery. Assisting you is a newish Lt. And you’re still learning her style. During the operation she brings up a cautionary fear. What do you do. Dismiss her straight away. Ask her to explain her caution or tell her that you out rank her so you’re doing it your way regardless of what she says. Now remember lives hang in the balance.” And he crossed his arms and waited for her to answer.

" I would listen, however the decision on which way to proceed would ideally remain mine. Grayson is used to small teams with no intel support - this is his comfort zone. Just because he dismissed your suggestion doesn't mean he still didn't consider it" Sam offered, wanting nothing more than to make peace.

Stonebridge stood up. Twisted around his chair and leaned forward looking her right in her beautiful eyes. “Ok, it’s time to rip the bandage off. As an Intel officer I work special operations all the time. And when I take a new assignment I read crew records to see who I’m working with. You my dear Doc should not be a part of a three man team kicking in doors. Because I’m sure there’s still some trauma from your last away mission. The condition you had to face couldn’t have been easy. So you mean to tell me that one Security Officer, you and the Commander should be the ones kicking in doors looking for High value Targets or hostages.” And he stood straight knowing he had hit below the belt. But he had to make her see his point when they had special operators all over the place to do that job and she was far too valuable to have in the firing line. “Tell me I’m wrong Doc!”

The words hit home just as they were intended to. The colour drained from her face as she realised how much he would know.

"What happened wasn't his fault...it was mine" She whispered, " I helped the enemy so he wouldn't kill anyone else" She was visibly shaken for a moment before pulling herself together.

Stonebridge saw the torment. He moved back around and sat closer to her. “I’m not worried about you. You were cleared or you would not be here. I’m worried that our XO thinks he has something to prove. When you have the resources, you use them. It’s better to be safe than sorry. My worry is that your three man team will end up becoming hostages as well or worse. KIA. That’s why I’m on this self imposed lockdown. I can’t be party to that knowing it did not have to happen. So until the Captain and XO discuss this with me. I’ll be right here. I realise I can’t do this every time he and I disagree. But after this it’s my hope that he will realise I’m an asset and not a hotdog. But when it comes to these types of operations, Yes I am a know it all. This is what My team does!” Said Stonebridge as he grabbed her hand to calm her a bit more.

" But until recently we didn't have an Intel team.. let alone of your calibre. Sometimes change can have resistance" She said carefully "However we need to work as a team and utelise everyone's expertise" She wasn't sure if even she could pull it off, but she was willing to try. The clock was ticking.

“I understand that. But somebody up there knew the mission packages would change and placed us here. I get the feeling that you know the XO better than I ever could. I’m not saying make him see reason. I’m just saying talk to him. I don’t want you in harms way.” And he remembered he was holding her hand and slowly and methodically released it. “There’s too much at stake!” And he gave her a warm smile. “Speak to the CO if you have to. But get yourself off the entry team.” Said Stonebridge as he offered to help her up by standing and sticking out his hand yet again!

" I can hold my own if I need to. I don't enjoy it by any means but I don't need protecting" She replied, measuring her tone carefully. " I will however speak to both the Commander and the Captain." She rose, pushing the chair back with the back of her legs as she did so. " Do me one thing though?"

Funny thing was. All of a sudden he could deny her nothing. “If it’s within my power, of course Doc!” He said remembering the sensation of looking into her eyes for the first time.

" Try to get along with him. I know it can be hard with the chain of command and different positions and report chains. Get to know him. I don't want to be the one who ends up dead because you two don't see eye to eye" She admitted honestly, holding his gaze confidently.

He thought for only a moment as their eyes locked for a long moment. He wished there was someone in his life like her. “As you wish. As soon as all of this is settled. I promise! Good day Commander.”

" And to you, now do me a favour and unarrest yourself and get cleaned up - we need you" She smiled as she turned and left - hoping to have mended the fence with a little more than gaffa tape and fencing wire.

He looked at her long and hard. But she was right. This was helping no one. “Team Saddle up. We’re out of here.” And they grabbed their gear and headed back to their duty station.

End of log