Decisions

Posted on Thu Feb 27th, 2020 @ 8:27pm by Commander Sokanon It'kla & Commander Galiaan Fordring & Commodore Siaxx "Bluemoon" Dvald-Vaxx MD & Director Tienn Gyce

Mission: Mission 26: Points of Divergence
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: 1000Hrs - February 9th, 2391

Firespirit walked into Roanoke's sickbay looking for Windspirit. The first person he saw was a Caitian lieutenant he didn't recognize. "Hey lieutenant, have you seen Windspirit around."

Sokanon mewled softly as she regarded the man before her. "Windspirit is presently in the back... I think she's doing inventory." the Caitian explained.

"Thanks," And he walked off looking for Windspirit.

Meanwhile Windspirit was in a chat with Galiaan Fordring about past events. Windspirit commented, " I still cannot figure out what possessed most of the medical staff to go and provoke Gyce into arresting everyone."

Galiaan shrugged. "I think it had something to do with a culture clash between various species... I mean my species does have a taboo... but I had no idea that Siaxx was going to step that far out of line.." the massive woman sighed. "Siaxx doesn't talk to anyone... I think she needs to get out more."

Windspirit shook her head," I told her I would try and get it sorted out, it wasn't really necessary."

Galiaan nodded her head. "I don't think she intended to insult you." the Vrykul explained. "I'm sure it was a culture clash... Bolians don't have a taboo where others do... like Bajorans and Humans."

Windspirit brushed her fur, "Yeah, you really think I have a taboo on the matter. In all honestly, I think the way Lt. Benice treated Hakaya was unfair." Before she said anything else, she noticed Firespirit coming through the door. "Oh hey Firespirit, What are you here for."

Firespirit shrugged," Well I'm just here to check on Hakaya Vakar."

Windspirit shook her head, "Well I'm not really sure how she is doing right now, but neither she nor her brother has left their quarters since then.

Galiaan regarded the smaller being. "Oh hello, sir. I apologize. I did not see you there.." she paused as he was less than half her size.. "I returned from a visit with them. Teval only let me in because I was a medical officer... she's going better then she was... but she's not inclined to talk to people just yet, he asked me to keep our visits as few and far between as possible..." she paused. "I did not wish to cause a scene so I left." she paused. "The Commander did do the medical check for me... so Hakaya is alright," she explained.

Firespirit looked up at Galiaan, saying, "Wow, you are big, I've never seen your species before. By the way, I'm commodore Firespirit, I'm Windspirits older brother."

"I'm Galiaan Fordring, my species is Vrykul." as she bowed to him. "We're relatively new in the Federation," she explained. "Hakaya is going to be alright... though I imagine that the cause of her collapse isn't due to claustrophobia."

Firespirit nodded," I think being imprisoned is part of the issue, but also she really seemed to be set off by the term 'medical examination' as well. Unfortunately, her File is covered in black ink that someone of my pay grade can't even access."

Galiaan sighed softly. "Very well... I won't pry then.." she responded. "Teval asked I pay them a visit around lunchtime tomorrow, which I don't mind.." the taller woman responded. "Do you have anything you need me to take care of?" she inquired of Windspirit. "Or do you want me to go track down Toshnarr.?"

Windspirit shook her head," No not really. Besides I think having a big scary lizard show up at Hakaya's quarters would unsettle her more than needed."

"That's why I told Toshnarr that I'd do it rather then him," Galiaan responded as the door opened and in walked Siaxx with six PADD's in her arms. "I hate paperwork.." one could hear the Bolian muttering.

Windspirit looked at Siaxx curiously," And you wonder why I decided to stay Warrant."

Siaxx placed the PADDs on her desk. "Yeah... I think I need a Yeoman... and I think I need a holiday... a long holiday.." he sighed. "I thought I was making a point.... I was stupid..."

Windspirit pulled her brother to her," Well, I told you I was trying to get it sorted out, that's why I brought a commodore, whom is my brother to come help out."

Siaxx regarded the smaller female. "Could he have helped get Hakaya out of the brig.?"

Firespirit commented," Well, aside from the fact that her PTSD would have gotten her out anyway, I would have liked to think I could hav done something about it. JAG has basically given me full authority to rewrite the profile as I see fit until they come up with a more permanent regulation."

"Ahh... well..." she sighed. "This human high culture needs to end..." as she rose to her feet. "You guys want anything?" as she went over to her replicator and proceeded to order a bowel of shepherds pie with gravy and a tankard of orange punch.

Firespirit put up his hand," No maybe later, I want to see Hakaya first."

Siaxx nodded. "Teval requested we not disturb him too much.." she responded. "but I won't stop you from going to visit Hakaya, she's presently with her brother.." she explained.

Firespirit nodded, and with Windspirit and Gailaan, left to go to Teval and Hakaya's quarters. Arriving at their Quarters Firespirit hit the door chime, and teval answered the door," Oh, its you two."

Firespirit nodded," How is your sister."

Teval looked behind him, where Hakaya was curled up on the couch, tail wrapped around her, her back facing them. Karryn was sitting near by. Teval looked back at firespirit, " Well, she is able to recognize friend from foe now, but she is still pretty agitated.

Firespirit nodded, and slowly approaching hakaya, he knelt down and gently started rubbing her ears. Hakaya didn't start purring, but she did stir slightly. Firespirit looked her over, saying to Teval, "You know, you two really have such pretty fur."

Teval nodded," Don't get that compliment too much."

Firespirit was startled slightly when Hakaya turned around and looked at firespirit, she said quietly," What is it do you want."

Firespirit pulled out a PADD," I'm just here to try and sort out your profiles so this can't happen again."

Hakaya sat up, saying," O.K. how do you intend to do that."

Firespirit set his medkit on the table," Well first I need to conduct a medical examination so I can rewrite the profile."

Hakaya decided to cooperate and stood up, while Firespirit looked her over. He noticed that the fur patch missing around her crotch still didn't cover her very well. He didn't comment on it though, as he continued his examination. He took particular notes that her tail was as long as her body and extremely thick. He knew that she would have a harder time wearing lower body garments than even his own species would.

Firespirit gave Hakaya a nod when he finished," O.k. I'm done. Do you need anything."

Hakaya laid back down on the sofa," I just want humanoid species to stop imposing their stupid taboo's on us."

Firespirit sighed," Unfortunately, that's not going to be an easy change."

Galiaan who had kept her distance and silence until now. "Perhaps not... but it DOES need to change. We all have different values, values and customs and so forth.." she regarded everyone. "for someone to impose their values, cultures and traditions is not only unfair, its a form of imprisonment...." she paused. "its also a form of servitude because Human culture has permeated the Federation so much... Its time that we... changed that."

Firespirit looked at Galiaan," Well I fully agree with you on the matter, Its just not going to be an easy thing to change."

"Well... I didn't come here to piss everyone off." Galiaan responded. "But it is worth looking into changing it.."

Firespirit sighed," Yeah there have been recent challenges to the nudity laws, even some human societies have challenged it, which is why I dont see them as being the most atubborn species on the matter. I honestly see the Bajorans, Andorians and Tellarites being the most stubborn about it."

Galiaan nodded her massive head. "Well I fully expect this to be a truly unholy shitstorm when the argument comes out again..."

Firespirit nodded," Yep, it will be." He then turned back to Hakaya, whom was lying on the couch curled up, though this time facing him. He gave hakaya a rub on the cheek and she purred in reply, prompting Teval to say," That's the first time she has done that in the last couple of days."

Firespirit stood up and walked over to Teval," Yeah, she is still going to need some time, now is the time for us strangers to leave her in peace."

Windspirit nodded in agreement, and the two of them left.

Galiaan turned to Teval. "If you have nothing further that you guys require of me. I'm going to head back to sickbay."

"So, what are you going to do next," Windspirit asked her sibling.

Firespirit pondered the question before saying," I wanna talk to Lieutenant benice as well, mainly about the whole situation, get her take on the matter."

Windspirit just looked ahead," OK.

Shortly later the two of them walked into Gyce's office, with Firespirit saying, "Hi, lieutenant, how are you doing today."

"Hello, Sir." Gyce was in the middle of packing up her things, since this assignment was only temporary. Her assignment was done and her hubris broken. "Something I can do for you?"

Firespirit put up his hand, saying," You don't have to call me sir, I'm not that stuck up. Though I would have figured that you would be working on the porn case that has plagued the fleet, thanks to that computer virus."

"Captain Tane has made it clear that my pursuit of justice and law enforcement is not ideal for her ship," Gyce recanted almost verbatim. "She has given me no other cases to look at. Nor has the fleet admiral. So I"m packing up and shipping back to McKinley tomorrow morning."

Firespirit shrugged, saying, "Yeah well you did have the misfortune of being assigned to conduct an investigation on a ship, that quite frankly, the admiralty uses as the trashbin of the fleet. But anyway, that's neither here nor there. However if you don't mind, I would like your perspective on the matter regarding the medical profile for the kurokuri. Because quite honestly, an issue like this was bound to happen sooner or later."

"In a Federation where it's military creates rules designed for the majority," Gyce began diplomatically, "I do see flaws. But I am a law enforcer. I cannot change what is written. And in this case, a minor was exposed to an adult's gender part. By law, I had to arrest her. Though in my defense, Sir, I had issued a warning and tried to get her to at least cover the part when walking in a public area."

Firespirit sighed, saying," Relax, I'm not here to criticize your decision on the matter. In all honesty JAG is so confused about it they don't know which way to call it. In this case, technically, the profile does overrule the law regarding the matter, as it doesn't list shaved pubic area as an exception, but at the same time, it didn't state specifically that the law doesn't apply either, that's why I am here to reevaluate the profile, that way so when a future incident like this comes up again, there is a regulation defining what to do if a similar circumstance arises."

"I'm not sure what my opinions would yield in that regard," Gyce admitted. "But I don't like it when other cultures harp on mine, and cultures similar to mine. And in this case, the crew of this ship disgust me with their inability to see that some parents just don't want to expose their kids to sexual subjects until puberty."

Firespirit shook his head, "I am the kind of officer whom will at least give those under me the time to speak their mind, even if I don't agree with them, that's why I am asking. And ultimately the final decision rests with JAG anyway, it just may take a few years for them to sort it out, particularly since they have bigger things on their mind. So for now, they gave me full authority to rewrite the profile as an interim decision until they come up with a more permanent regulation. But one thing to keep in mind here, is that this is ultimately a conflict of cultures, and that the issue with the nudity taboo goes both ways. While people have every right to not want to see another persons parts, What makes it right to impose a nudity taboo on other species that don't have it to begin with. In a sense, by forcing Hakaya to cover herself, you are imposing your cultural belief on someone whom clearly doesn't want it. That's why there needs to be some kind of compromise that will appease both sides, at least to some degree, that's why I asked for your perspective."

"I'm honestly not sure what else I can add," Gyce admitted. "So long as private parts aren't showing in the presence of minors, I'm not going to fuss."

Firespirit sighed, saying," Well I will say this, While your decision may have not been exactly right, it wasn't wrong either. This is just one of those cases where the law had failed you. And I will also say, I don't necessarily agree with how the crew or the captain handled the matter either. And there is no way you could have known about Hakaya's PTSD problem. Her medical file is covered in black ink that even my pay grade cannot remove. But do keep in mind that there is a culture clash going on regarding the nudity taboo that is growing, in general many cultures are becoming less sensitive about it than before. Even humans cannot be counted on as being consistent on the matter, so yeah, you may think that the issue is done and over, but the truth is, its not. Both you and I will have to deal with this issue in the future."

"Probably... But Prophets pray it is not here," Gyce spoke more to herself. "I don't think I can stomach another one of Captain Tane's rants on morality."

"Fair enough," Firespirit shrugged, then said, "Well hopefully you have better luck in the future." With that firespirit and windspirit left the office.

Roughly 10 minutes later Lieutenant Alyssa Mckinleys voice came over the comm, "Lieutenat Benice, there is a commander Loran from JAG wanting to speak with you."

"Put her through Lieutenant," Gyce spoke as she closed down her computer and folded it up into her messenger bag.

Commander Loran's face popped up on the computer terminal. He noticed Gyce seemed to be packing up, saying, "Lieutenant Benice, I am Commander Loran, we have a situation that we need you to deal with."

"Sir?" Benice asked as she looked up at the computer screen that belonged to the temporary office.

Loran didn't look too happy, "I know you are about to leave Roanoke, but you are going to have to stay longer. Admiral John Walton, the admiral whom was implicated in the virus that spread throughout the fleet went AWOL a few days ago, and we need you to investigate Roanoke's computer core and find out if there is any evidence of criminal activity."

"I'll get with the ship's chief engineer and see what he can find, Sir." Gyce promised. Though inwardly she did not like knowing she would be staying longer.

Loran shook his head," Given the importance of the case involved. We need you to be there yourself, no offense, but I am not too keen on trusting Roanoke's crew to handle an investigation like this. We need an outsider there."

"I found nothing to confirm the rumors I was sent here to investigate," Gyce frowned. "But I agree, these people aren't known to do things by-the-book. I'll inform Captain Tane that I am here for a few more weeks, at least."

Loran nodded, "Thanks, and do be careful Lieutenant, Walton may come and try and eliminate the evidence. If he shows up, apprehend him."

"I shall Sir," Gyce promised. And when the line was cut, she turned to the officer itself and plopped in the chair with despair. "Seems like I am staying here longer after all."