Posted Oct. 8, 2018, 8:16 a.m. by Staff Sergeant Philip Hewson-Williams (Marine/Medical Assistant) (Jim Watkin)
Posted by River Styxx (Marine) in Alt timeline: sickbay Rivers boarding Eval.
Posted by Staff Sergeant Philip Hewson-Williams (Marine/Medical Assistant) in Alt timeline: sickbay Rivers boarding Eval.
Posted by River Styxx (Marine) in Alt timeline: sickbay Rivers boarding Eval.
Posted by… suppressed (12) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It had been a while since River had, had a medical evaluation. On her previous posting there wasn’t really much time for that. She didn’t mind medical check ins, they where important. Anyone not fit for duty had to be dealt with, one way or another. She reached sickbay and walked inside. Her ice blue cold eyes surveyed the room, with almost a predatory stare. She looked for the nearest doctor and went up to them.“I’m here for my board Eval, I’m River Styxx the new Marine” she said blandly.
River Styxx (Marine)
“In that case, you need to see Staff Sergeant Hewson-Williams,” the NE doctor replied, “He’s over there.”
The NE indicated to an admin area of sickbay, where a marine medic was sat at a desk using the terminal.
-NE Doctor
River simply nodded and walked over to the seated Marine. “My name is lieutenant River Styxx. I’m here for my evaluation.” she said simply “I was informed that you where the one to see.” she added.
River Styxx (Marine)
“The Devil Of Acheron, herself,” Phil answered finishing up the sentance on the paperwork he was at before rising from the desk and making eye contact with the Lieutenant. It was clear from his tone that he already disliked River.
“Welcome aboard,” he said in his deep voice and distinctly English accent, “So what have we done to deserve the pleasure of your presence?”
-Phil
I do so love it when people use my name River thought to herself. “charmed to meet you too. I was ordered here by command. I do as I’m ordered. Maybe they thought i could whip the marines here into shape. maybe they want to give me a break” she said simply.
“We all follow our orders, Sir,” Phil answered curtly, “For some of us that means picking up the pieces of what is left afterwards.”
“However that is for me and command to discuss. I need my eval done and i was told you were the one to see. So shall we begin?” she added after a short pause.
River Styxx (Marine)
“Sharp, and to the point,” Phil replied, “And yes, that may be for command to discuss with you, but that is not what I am talking about.”
Phil rose from his desk and took out a tricorder. As he began to scan Styxx he paced slowly around the desk. The tricorder hummed as he continued his scan.
“Did you ever see the broken remains of the marines at Archeron?” he asked, “And I’m not just talking of the dead.”
-Phil
Phil’s scan would show a vast catalog of injuries, all healed but recent most likely received during The siege of Acheron. The scan would also pick up a tattoo on her wrist. a tattoo of the name Lilly and a stardate.
“Yes I did. I also saw children looking for there parents, parent looking for their children. The local Malita helping the civilians, the Militia where handling the situation better then marines. some marines where cowering in corners wolering in self pity. If you’re looking for some form of compassion I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. Many of us at the end of the siege could barely remember what compassion and mercy where.” River said simply.
“It’s ironic, we became monsters to stop monsters.” she added after a short pause.
River Styxx (Marine)
“And there it is,” Phil replied, “The difference between a marine and a monster is the self-discipline.”
Phil held up his hand in a gesture to indicate he hadn’t finished speaking, “I don’t doubt you did what you believed to be right and necessary. By the time the Light Division arrived at Archeron the seige was all but over. I saw the marines cowering in the corners. Broken because the thought they had failed in their duty to protect the civillians. Worried that their commanding officer would see them as a failure. More scared of their friend than the foe they had fought so hard against. They didn’t need to fear you to respect and follow your orders. You were their commander.”
Phil continued his slow pace whilst scanning, “As strong as marines are, they are still people with feelings and emotions tucked away in there somewhere. Even you,” he said making note of the tattoo.
-Phil
“Perhaps you are right. I did what i had to, to hold the planet. I made many sacrifices, lost many men. However if had let my emotions get the better of me, many more would have died. My emotions and mercy had cost me enough already. I didn’t want to make the same mistake.” she said simply. River was surprised how smart Phil seemed to be.
River Styxx (Marine)
“Archeron changed us all, even those of us that arrived late in the day, so to speak,” Phil replied, “I may not be the young, somewhat niaive Lance Corporal that I was then. He would have followed every order without question. I will follow your orders too, even if I don’t agree with them. But as the senior medic in this detachment, I do have a duty of care to every marine here. So if I didn’t offer feedback or advice regarding their welfare, I wouldn’t be doing my job properly.”
-Phil
River could respect that “I would not expect you to act any other way. It is your duty and we must all do our duty.” she said simply “So am i cleared for duty. Or do you have any other questions?” River asked after a short pause.
River Styxx (Marine)
“You are cleared for duty,” Phil replied in his distinctly English accent, “The only question I have is from personal curiosity, if you don’t mind.”
-Phil
River looked at Phil and thought for a few seconds “Very well. You can ask” she said giving her permission.
River Styxx (Marine)
Phil considerred how to word his question having not expected to have been granted his request.
“I do not recall seeing the name ‘Lilly’ in your file,” he began, “She is clearly important to you, but I cannot help but wonder who she is.”
-Phil
River sighed and paused. Almost lie she was gathering strength to say what she was about to say, that or she was going to refuse to answer. “Lily is the reason i know compassion and mercy are only good for getting yourself or others killed.” she said “Lily was an 11 year old girl i was thinking of adopting. She was killed on Acheron. I had met her early in my assignment, she was an orphan. During the battle the enemy learnt that i had strong feelings for her. So they out a large target on her, to get to me, the commanding officer.” River said clenching her fists.
“They attacked all the schools looking for her. Hundreds died because i showed compassion. Then it got worse. One day i was evacuating civilians, Lilly was among them. The enemy liked using poison darts, it was a slow and excruciating death. She got hit by one. Despite all my past experience i took her to sickbay, her body shaking in my arms. The doc had said they had found a cure, it was their last chance. They injected her and her condition got far worse. she began screaming, crying out, clutching her teddy. she yelled River it hurts, River make it stop, please help ,me. So i told her to hold her teddy tight it would all be over soon. I took my side arm out aimed and fired.” River paused trying to fight the tears.
“She looked like she was sleeping. That was the day i realized mercy and compassion where fools emotions. My attempt at mercy had caused her so much suffering. So i gave the order any who where struck by poison darts where to be shot on site, no mercy would be given and no quarter. I became the devil because that is whats needed to get the job done. Emotions are good for nothing and i refuse to let them in.” River said she was now standing and facing Phil.
“That is why i have the tattoo the star date is the day she died her twelfth birthday. To remind me of her and that mercy is not needed nor are any emotions.” she said after a long pause. it was clear River was trying to compose herself.
River Styxx (Marine)
OOC: Whoops sorry got carried away a bit.
Nathan
“She did not die because of your emotions or your compassion,” Phil said warmly, “She died because her killers were ruthless.”
He foldered his arms and perched on the desk. “I lost some-one close to me and it took me a long time to realise it wasn’t my fault. Steven died right here,” Phil said indicating to the nearest biobed, “At the time I thought it was because I hadn’t kept an eye on him during the mission. Then because I couldn’t save him. Truth is, the enemy had taken a pot shot whilst I wasn’t looking and no-one, not even the shooter, could have thought it was going to hit a target. Would I give the order the same order again that got Steven killed? Yes. Does that make me as emotionless as a Vulcan? Most certainly not.”
-Phil
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