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Justifying the Means (Introductory Side Sim - 3 years earlier)

Posted May 9, 2020, 6:23 a.m. by Captain David Mills (Commanding Officer) (Katy Darrah)

Posted by Lieutenant Marcia Knowles (Chief Medical Officer/Chief Science Officer) in Justifying the Means (Introductory Side Sim - 3 years earlier)

Posted by Captain David Mills (Commanding Officer) in Justifying the Means (Introductory Side Sim - 3 years earlier)

Posted by Lieutenant Marcia Knowles (Chief Medical Officer/Chief Science Officer) in Justifying the Means (Introductory Side Sim - 3 years earlier)
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
“Dr Knowles, put down the scalpel, step away from the operating table,” a klingon security officer commanded.

The brunette paused for a moment, considered, but refused to do so, “I can save him, damnit!”

“Lieutenant Commander Knowles, put down the scalpel, the officer does not want to have the operation,” the klingon security officer repeated, “that is your last warning, my phaser is set to heavy stun.”

“Nurse Caliden, we can save his life,” the Doctor replied, “monitor his lifesigns as I cut between the third and fourth ridge.”

But the Nurse had already moved away from the operating area, and stood alongside the security officers, “no, Marcia,” the Nurse addressed as Caliden replied, “he doesn’t want the operation. Please, stop.”

“Damnit, nurse, I’m a Doctor, and a Scientist, and a Starfleet Officer I will do this,” Marcia snapped, “I will do this.” She went to insert the knife into the body of the officer on her operating table, but the Klingon security guard was quicker, and the phaser beam struck her and she crumpled to the ground. The sound of the scalpel hitting the ground and the sight of her nurse lunging at her, medical tricorder in hand the last thing she registered by sight and sound.


She woke, and was unsurprised to find herself in the brig. She was still in her starfleet uniform, but her pips and her combadge and her medical tricorder were gone. A Security Officer, a woman was standing guard.

“Julie,” she said to the woman, “healing nicely?”

Marcia had mended a broken bone in the woman’s leg a few weeks earlier.

“Yes,” was the short reply, before tapping the intercom, “Captain, she’s awake.”

“Thanks, Lieutenant,” came the response, “we’ll be there shortly.”

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the captain, the XO and the CMO were gathered in the brig, and the officer on duty was dismissed.

“We’ve spoken with Fleet Command, and they’ve arranged for us to Dock at DS47 for you to be questioned regarding your actions, Lieutenant Knowles,” the XO told her, “until then, you’ve got the choice, you may return to your quarters and remain there, or you can remain here in the brig.”

Marcia nodded, but said nothing.

“You could have achieved great things, Doctor,” the Captain observed, “you should have followed protocols, but now, your career is set back. Come, Commanders.” The XO and CMO turned to leave after the Captain.

But then, Marcia spoke up, “wait, Doctor Valgo, a few words if I may … alone.”

The CMO paused, motioned for the CO and XO to depart and looked back at Marcia.

“Yes?” The tone of voice was clipped and there was none of the usual warmth that Marcia was used to.

“The Lt Commander?” Marcia asked.

“A team of us managed to save the patient, using tried and tested and approved methods to save the officer in accordance with the wishes of his species, Lieutenant,” Valgo replied, “it’ll be several months, but a fully recovery is expected.”

“My operation would have seen the officer at work next week, the efforts of the Federation would have been advanced, and the mission would have been completed sooner, you know that, and I know that, Dr Valgo,” Marcia retorted, pacing her cell.

“We will complete the task on schedule and we’ll maintain our ethics in the process, Knowles,” Valgo replied, “if there’s nothing else, I have my tasks to complete, you were technically competent, Dr Knowles, but your heart for the patients had a lot to be desired. I trust you have time to reflect on your actions and see them for what they are … misguided and lacking in compassion for the patients. “

“And I trust you have the time to reflect on the knowledge we could have acquired from my surgical practices, Doctor Valgo,” Marcia Knowles called out after Valgo, even as the CMO departed.

The security officer from earlier looked in at Marcia and said, “so, Doctor Knowles, are you staying here, or returning to your quarters?”

“My quarters,” Marcia replied, and waited wordlessly for the shimmering forcefield to be lowered.

  • Knowles CMO/CSO

The flight to DS47 went without incident. Infact, Marcia took the opportunity to do some science subjects via (very) distant education as they went.

When they arrived, an armed security escort arrived to deliver her from the ship and to DS47.

She was questioned, but unrepetent for her actions my training sees me trying to save lives. If that means I cut corners and don’t follow the rules by the letter, so be it. The officer in question could have been back at worker quicker had my surgical practices not been questioned and dismissed. The ship needed him back at his post and I was responsible for doing so. The decisions of others are theirs to make, mine are mine to make, as are the consequences. I would do the same again if I found myself in the same position again.

For their part, the board of enquiry said that Marcia’s skills as a physician were not in question. She was a skilled surgeon, however her refusal to follow the guidelines and to not comply with the wishes of her patient and her patient’s people shows a disregard for life and the rule of law that couldn’t be ignored or let slide. Starfleet had other skilled surgeons, plenty of them and they were willing and able to follow the guidelines.

When they arrived at DS47, someone was waiting for them, but not someone who would reveal himself just yet–he had to wait till Marcia was alone or his cover–and that of the whole organization–would be blown.

He hung around them, close enough to hear their conversation–if there was any–but far enough away that he blended in with the crowd. He had to wait for the right moment to move in and speak with her–it was super important.

Unknown Figure

She was told to leave the room while they decided in what capacity she could be expected to work in, and what penalties she could expect. She left the room and went into a corner with a table and two chairs. It was in a slightly shadowy corner of DS47 and it was almost as though it was designed for a clandestine meeting.

She sat in the chair that had its back to the viewports so she could see anyone coming to see her. She was situated in such a place that there would be no doubt, she’d see anyone wanting to meet her.

Knowles CMO/CSO

After letting her sit a few moments, the man emerged seemingly from nowhere and walked towards her, making it clear he was coming towards her. “Doctor Knowles?” He asked.

“Correct,” she said, looking at him, “do I know you?”

“Isaac Norton,” he said, taking the seat across from her. “I’ve been following your career, doctor. You’ve done some great work, and some of it might be controversial.” He was stating the obvious, but he needed to, in order to lead up to the final offer. “I want to ask, what brings you all the way out here.”

“My work was too controversial for my former ship, Mr Norton, and they decided that here and now was the perfect place amd time for me to answer for my crimes of trying to get an injured officer back to work as quickly as possible,” she replied calmly, “if I had my time again, I would do exactly the same things and take the same actions again. I used my training as a doctor to bring that officer back to health. My actions were justified, despite what my record is certain to show.”

He wasn’t in a Starfleet uniform–at least not one Marcia would recognize–instead he was wearing what seemed to be a black leather jacket over a black turtleneck sweater, yet he seemed to know an awful lot about her.

Isaac Norton

She spoke calmly and firmly and she looked straight at Isaac as she did so, “I readily admit that I cut corners in the surgery, but the Cardassian surgical techniques are far in advance of those of the Federation, and it would have saved him. I regret nothing I did, Mr Norton, nothing. There are opportunities outside of Starfleet, afterall.”

Knowles CMO/CSO

“I’m here to offer you one within Starfleet, doctor.” Isaac said calmly, “are you familiar with Section 31? We need a doctor like you for an ambitious project one of our top Captains is working on.”

Isaac Norton


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