From: "Dianne Eberle" Subject: USS OBERON: A Lesson for the Counselor Date: Sun, 25 Apr 1999 13:19:39 CDT USS OBERON Stardate: 110424.0540 Bridge Crys walked out onto the bridge. She couldn't believe the way her life turned. Not only could things get no worse in her personal life, but now the Captain stuck to work with Lt. Cmdr. Ellsworth. He had to know that Ellsworth has not left her alone. "I've never seen a case quite like you're." he had said. "You actually believe that you're husband is dead. Even when he's in the same room with you. This is very interesting. I will have to compare my notes with my theorem and figure out the best treatment for you." She was thankful that she had been such a case, because while he studied his notes he'd left her alone. But working that closely together may just not work. "Lt. Fandozzi?" she heard the annoying voice of the Counselor. "I was wondering if I may have a moment of your time?" "Yes, if it's about the mission. If it has anything to do with my personal life, then it's off limits. We need to work together. I'm not seeking your services...and believe me, I never will." she snapped. Ellsworth looked stunned. "Well Lieutenant, you know that if feel it's necessary for the safety of the crew, I can have you relieved from duty." Crys was about to speak, but decided that she'd better keep her mouth shut. She grabbed the padd with the list of civilians on it and stepped into the turbo lift and prayed that the doors would close before Ellsworth stepped onto it. She breathed a sigh of relief as the turbo-lift doors closed behind her and the annoying counselor was left behind. She again read over the padd in her hand. The orders made no sense to her. Why did they have to send these people off on shuttle crafts. If the ship was going to depart quickly then it would be much faster for them to use the transporters. The only reason for not using the transporter would be if there was a field of some sort that would prevent the transporters penetrating them. But if that didn't occur around the Guardian, then she felt that the rest of the planet should be suitable for the use of the transporters. She had a lot of problems with this order and was going to have to discuss this with the Captain. She could of kicked herself that she didn't think of all these questions when she was in the meeting. This wasted time to have to return, especially if she happened to run into the Counselor on the way. And run into the counselor she did. As she went to walk back off the turbo lift there he stood as if he was waiting for her. She walked by him without so much as a glance. "Lt. Fandozzi, I really think we need to get things settle before we can go on with this mission." he droned. "Counselor, I think we have nothing to get settled, and even if we did, we don't have time to settle it now. I need to talk to the Captain and then we need to start getting the civilian crew and non-essential personnel off the ship." she stated, "So if you'll excuse me now, I have some things to discuss with the Captain. I've already wasted to much time. Considering you are suppose to be assisting me in this project I suggest that you get started. Let the personnel and families know that they are being transferred to the planet and assist them with anything they may need to bring with them. I'll take care of the Marines in a few moments and the flight crew for the shuttles." Nigel Ellsworth looked at her with strain on his face. Had she overstepped her boundaries. Perhaps she had, but she really didn't care. He was suppose to be assisting her with this project and so far all he'd done is stand around trying to keep her from getting her work done. If he wasn't going to take any initiative she had no problems telling him what to do. He had no business being on a starship. She couldn't understand what Starfleet was thinking about assigning him here. She rang the buzzer to the door on the Captain's ready room and the door opened as Dr. Crown began to leave. "Dr. Crown, please stay. I was going to find you next to get the coordinates for the shuttles. I just have a few questions for the Captain and then we'll get started." she firmly stated. She was now all business. That's the way she worked best. She cleared her mind of everything that would keep her thoughts from her work, but Nigel Ellsworth would keep jumping in with things she didn't want to think about. She didn't want her thoughts clouded with the past at this moment....and Ellsworth wouldn't leave it alone. "Captain, I have a few questions before I get started. I'm don't quite understand why we're sending the civilian population and the non-essential personnel off the ship in shuttles? This will deplete my staff a great deal and I know that with the D-warp technology that we'll be using, it won't take us long to get there, but how long will we be staying. I do need to have staff to cover the shifts. It's only fair to the personnel left on the ship." she stated. "I understand what you're saying Lieutenant, but understand my point of view too. We are leaving 287 people on the planet. If we don't return, and Starfleet is unable to retrieve them, they need a chance to be able to get to a federation colony somewhere. We can't just abandon them." "Of course." was her only response, but her mind was thinking of many other reasons. Replicators, Communications...Shelter. She felt foolish that she was wasting the Captain's time, and the little bit of time that she had. "And about your staff, we have many pilot aboard the OBERON that aren't in Flight Control. Several in Engineering, Science and Operations. We will not run into any difficulty staffing our departments. Also the Marine compliment we're sending can have several pilots in it, so you don't have to send your entire staff." "Thank you sir, I'm sorry that I've wasted your time. But I do have one more question. Am I allowed to use the transporters to help speed up the movement of people? I now have about 15 minutes to get 287 people moved. That will be a task in itself, especially moving children. They won't understand fully what's going on and it can be upsetting to them." "Of course, Lieutenant. If that will help you I see no reason why that would be a problem." "Thank-you, Sir. Now if I had the coordinates, we could get started." she said with a smile, turning to the CMO. NRPG: Matt, I'll leave it up to Adam to pick the place. :) Crys left the ready room, feeling slightly foolish. She should of been able to figure out the Captain's reasons without bothering him. But she couldn't dwell on it. Her next stop was to see Chief Sommersby and to coordinate the Marine compliment. Sommersby had the Marines ready when she arrived, stating he thought she would be there sooner. She flushed, knowing she should of been. She asked about pilots, making sure there was a few in the group. Sommersby laughed at the young Lieutenant. "They're all pilots, my dear. Marines have to be trained to pilot. If you have 1 pilot to 20 marines and the pilot gets killed in battle, there's no way for the survivors to retreat." Crys was beginning to feel that this day must have been designated as "Make Crys look stupid Day." But she had no time to dwell on it. She headed down to the deck of the family quarters. When she stepped off the turbo lift it was a madhouse. People not knowing what they were suppose to do, and in the middle of the commotion was Lt. Cmdr. Nigel Ellsworth. Crys recognized one of the ships School Teachers and pulled her aside. "Can you get together with the teaching staff, as quickly as possible, and get the children together. Tell them that you're all going on a field trip to the planet." The teacher smiled and nodded. Soon the 115 children were in shuttle crafts heading to the planet. Next she started with the adults in the group. The Marines were already in shuttles, many of them as pilots and the adults were easily directed to where they were going. When that was finished the handful of people left were beamed directly to the sight. Crys sighed when it was all over with. The teachers were a god send and so were the marines. But as for Nigel Ellsworth, for most of the time he sat reading over his latest book. Crys was outraged. "Commander Ellsworth!" she said in a tone and decibel level that got his attention quickly. "Can you tell me what you did to assist in this operation? I can, nothing!" She turned to leave. "Well Lieutenant, I've been looking into some of your problems and how I've discussed similar ones in my latest book. I do believe that one option that we have could be Marriage Counselling." Without saying a word the young FCO pivoted on her heals and slugged the Counselor just below the diaphragm with all her might. As she walked away she tapped her combadge and stated. "Fandozzi to Sickbay, I believe Counselor Ellsworth may think he needs some medical attention." *************************************** Respectfully Submitted, Lt. Crystalla Fandozzi FCO USS OBERON _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com