Post 317: Captain's Holiday

Stardate:70723.0800
Title: Captain's Holiday
Author: Zanh Liis
Scene: Ready Room
Time: The morning after "The Core of the Problem"
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Repairs to the mighty USS Independence were already underway, even as the ship continued to make its journey toward Trill at maximum warp.

They would be in orbit soon, help would arrive from the planet and things would really kick into high gear on the repair front. That was the good news.

The bad news was that it had not been a pleasant morning for RJ Gilmore at all thus far, and he was determined that everyone he encountered was going to know it.

His brief conversation with Dr. McBrayne and even worse, that frustrating Starfleet-issue McKenna had gone about as badly as possible.

He needed rest, they said. He'd done nothing but rest, he protested, first in Sickbay and then in his quarters.

Yes, he had disobeyed the doctor's wishes by going to the bridge during the crisis caused by the computer virus. But that could not be helped. He had justified his decision every way possible, but the medical staff just wasn't buying. He would be taking a vacation, they decided. Whether he wanted to or not.

"Three full days?" He protested again as he and Dr. McKenna waited for Zanh Liis to join them in the ready room. "That's too long."

"Think of it as an extended holiday weekend." McKenna suggested brightly.

Zanh Liis stumbled in, nodded to the two men and went straight to the replicator. "Hot coffee, black." she intoned. McKenna attempted to speak to her but she raised her hand, gesturing for him to wait a second. She closed her eyes, took a sip from the cup, then smiled as she looked at them.

"Now, then. What can I do for you so early this fine morning? Captain? Doctor?"

"Now that the crisis of the computer virus has been averted, I must speak with you. Explain to you the reason that I was sent here by Starfleet." McKenna's voice sounded serious.

RJ sat down in a chair and folded his arms as the doctor went on.

"I was sent to conduct the final examination in a series of periodic evaluations of Captain Gilmore's. . . preexisting condition."

"Have you heard, Zanh Liis?" Gilmore's voice showed his irritation. "Unpleasant memories of serving in wartime are now considered a 'condition'."

"You don't say. I suppose we all need to be examined, then." Zanh understood his frustration. She couldn't imagine that anyone who had been through all he had -not only the Dominion war, but also Klingon skirmishes and the horrors at Wolf 359- wouldn't have at least a few battle scars, inside and out. "Our staff doctors couldn't have done this?"

"Oh, they could have. But before he accepted this command, Captain Gilmore requested that this type of evaluation be conducted by," he paused, thinking how he should to phrase it.

"I demanded," Gilmore clarified, "That if anyone was going to try to get inside my head, it was not going to be anyone on my crew."

"Completely understandable." Zanh nodded and sat down behind the desk.

"See! At least someone gets it." Gilmore pointed to her. "Go ahead, McKenna. Tell her your great conclusions."

"It is my conclusion that the Captain is doing very well, especially considering his recent cardiac replacement surgery. No need for further exams of this sort." McKenna replied. "However, it is also my opinion that he should take advantage of the opportunity to visit Trill for a few days, while the ship is being repaired. Because apparently he is unable to get appropriate rest aboard."

"Shore leave," Zanh dreamed aloud, trying to remember the last time she'd had any. "I envy you, Captain."

"Then you can go instead!" Gilmore slapped his knee and rose from his chair. "It's all settled. Have a wonderful time."

"Afraid not, Sir." McKenna stopped him gently. "I can have Dr. McBrayne sign off on the order as well, if you'd like a second opinion."

"No." Gilmore responded quickly. "That won't be necessary."

"Excellent."

"How is Dr. McBrayne doing after her scare with the EMH?" Zanh asked.

"She's fine, but she's been working too hard." McKenna replied. "It's my recommendation that she take a few days off as well, and get some rest."

"Write up that order right now, I want to sign that one myself." Gilmore insisted.

"Very well. In the meantime, you might want to pack, Sir." Liis replied. "Your runabout leaves soon, and from the looks of this," She looked over a PADD that McKenna had handed to her. "Your resort accommodations have already been arranged."

Gilmore harrumphed.

The door chime beeped and without waiting for a reply, Commander Reece the visiting Trill appeared before them.

"Good morning, people! Try to stem the flood of your tears when you hear this, but," he sighed dramatically, "I'll be leaving you now. Runabout is packed and ready to go."

"Goodbye!" Gilmore made a sweeping gesture toward the door. "Don't let us slow your progress, Commander."

"Just keep swimmin'!" Reece replied as he ducked back out.

"Hold up there, you." Zanh cautioned. His shoulders sank and he turned back. "I need you to ferry a few passengers for me."

"Oh, come on! I was just ready to get out of here! You've got my report on T'Ana's performance review. I stuck a gold star on her cute little forehead. I also helped save your people from the holodeck of doom, and as a bonus I helped with ideas for that bad computer thingy." he whined. "Let me go!"

"Soon enough. But our Captain is taking a holiday, we need to get that computer virus sample to Command down on the planet, and we have to attend to the February Grace situation. You're my best option for one-stop shopping." Zanh held her hands up in a hopeless gesture toward him. "Sorry Reece, but you've been drafted."

"You mean I have to go with," Gilmore began, but then Zanh's following words registered with him and his brow creased with worry. "Wait a minute. What February Grace situation?"

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Zanh Liis
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791