Dealing with a problem

Month 10 Day 26

0803 Hours

Captain Jane Burke

Jane took her seat behind her desk, indicated the facing chair for Smitty. “Well, what is this about?” This had better be good, to explain why he ‘forgot’ his day off. Again.

“As soon as I learned that I had been wrong in my assumption about who built those mistletoe units, I came to the bridge to apologize and inform Co-MacDowell that her punishment was cancelled. Before I could get a word in, before I could even step off the lift, I heard some of the worst sexual harassment I’ve ever heard.”

Jane’s mood fell. Sounds like Evans is at it again. Some people never take a hint. “Evans?”

“Not just him. Adams was there instead of in engineering, and he was just as involved as Evans. I’ve come to file a complaint against both of them.”

“On her behalf,” Jane ended for him. “Good. I’ve wondered when she’d get fed up enough to do that.”

Smitty frowned. “She hasn’t. Or rather, she’s afraid that if she files charges, either she won’t be believed, or they’ll twist it around to seem that she’s having an affair with whomever she consults to file those charges.”

“I don’t understand. You just said she filed charges.”

“No, sir. I tried my best to convince her to, especially after I debriefed Firoz on the situation, but she utterly refused. I’m here to file charges myself, on her behalf, but without her approval.”

That’s unusual. But if anybody did it, I would expect it was Smitty. Still, it’s entirely possible he’d be named by the perpetrators as not a disinterested party. I don’t want her to think she isn’t believed, but we have to be careful with ‘this situation’. “I‘m not surprised, but you’re putting me in a bit of a spot.”

Smitty looked surprised. “What do you mean?” And then he got a little angry. “Captain, if you had any idea what she has to put up, night after night—”

“But I don’t,” she pointed out. “Not really, although I have a clue or two. That’s why Evans is now on D shift. It only gives him 2 nights a week to pester her. If he hasn’t taken the hint and is still up to his old behavior, I’m willing to take further action. But if she isn’t willing to file charges--or at the very least to back up your filing of charges--then he can easily twist that into you having some... interest in her yourself.”

“Captain!”

He’s appalled by the insinuation, and yet those red spots on his cheeks say something else. She motioned him into silence. “So we have to go about this carefully. Make sure we have plenty of evidence to back up the charges. Did you record Firoz’s debriefing?”

Smitty’s demeanor deflated. “No, I never thought to. I certainly never expected a woman who endures that kind of treatment to refuse to file charges!”

“So, we need to gather proof before we file charges. If she won’t, can’t or doesn’t want to cooperate, we have to gather that proof despite her. I can ‘debrief’ other members of the midnight bridge and make sure I record what they say. But there’s a chance one of them might tell someone, and before you know it, the pair of miscreants would hear about it and be warned. So before I do that, we should try to record what happens on the midnight shift on the bridge.”

Smitty nodded. “Right. Record the nights he’s on duty. But I don’t think she’d agree to doing that.”

“No, I meant every night she’s on duty, not just the nights Evans is on duty. We don’t want him claiming that his duty shifts are no different from the rest of them.”

Smitty’s brow furrowed. “True, he would be the type to make that claim. Still, I don’t think she’d do it. She seems pretty determined not to take any action against them. She’s afraid of the rumors they would spread if she did do something.”

“We’ll consult with Abdulla, make sure the recordings are without MacDowell’s knowledge. We certainly don’t want the victim to spill the beans about what we’re doing. If she had knowledge like that, it might slip out in a moment of unthinking anger.”

He looked thoughtful. “That... seems like a good idea,” he agreed.

“We should also take a look at how well they’ve been doing their jobs while they’ve been harassing her, compare it to nights when they haven’t been harassing her. That will open stricter forms of discipline, if their job performance has suffered from their intrapersonal pursuits.”

“That sounds good. There’s no way Adams can be doing his job properly when he isn’t even in engineering.”

Jane reached forward and pushed a button. “Lt Abdulla, would you come to my office, please?”

It only took a moment for Abdulla to make her appearance. “Yes, captain?”

“We want to audio record what happens on A shift every night that MacDowell is on duty, but not have her realize it’s happening. I assume you can arrange that.”

There was a hint of a smile on Abdulla’s face. “I’ve tried to get her to file charges, but she’s a stubborn girl, with some strange ideas in her head. As for recording, yes, I can set it up, but if I do it, I can’t guarantee she won’t notice. I suggest asking Rags—um, Lt Oakhurst to set it up. He can do it and cut out the telltale ‘recording’ light from the system so that she doesn’t realize it’s being done. Would you like me to talk to him?”

“Mr Smythe will,” Jane decided. “Thank you, Abdulla. Needless to say, if we don’t want MacDowell to know things are being recorded, we don’t want anyone else to know, either.” When the young woman nodded, Jane told her, “Dismissed.” After she had left, Jane turned to her Chief Engineer. “Do you understand all the recordings and reports we need Oakhurst to gather for us? Is there anything we’ve forgotten?”

“I remember,” he stated. “I’ve got another report I’ll have one of my people put together. Will you be informing Nichols?”

“Not until we’re ready to file charges. I don’t want any hint of what we’re doing to get back to Evans and Adams. Make sure your people understand that. And don’t tell anybody anything about this that you don’t have to. If they don’t know anything, they can’t let it slip.” She turned her head. “Is that understood, Blossum?”

“Yes, sir. I haven’t heard a word.”

“Good. Okay, Smitty, go consult with your people. I don’t know what shift Oakhurst is on today, but track him down at your earliest opportunity. I’ll send him a message that you are acting on my behalf, and if he has any questions about that, he can contact me directly. Consult with whoever you assign your report to. And then... get out of uniform and enjoy the rest of your day off!”

Smitty sighed at her final instruction. “Yes, sir.”

Temptation

Month 10 Day 26

0758 Hours

Bugalu

Wishing desperately that this had been one of his days off, Bugalu hung back in the back of the crew when the lift arrived at the bridge. He was not in any hurry to leave the crowded transport, and waited as long as he possibly could before following the others. Space, this is going to be so hard. I always say something to her at shift change. Always! Only now I can’t! Eventually - far sooner than he was ready for it - everybody else had gotten off. Steeling himself, he walked off the lift and started for his station.

“Bugs!” He heard her quiet call and abruptly ceased walking, but stopped himself from turning to face her. “I need to talk to you,” she added.

People were trying to get past him, headed for the lift. He grabbed one at random. “Firoz, would you please remind Mac that I am not allowed to talk to her?”

Firoz stared at him as if he was insane. “Why not?”

“No, Bugs, that’s not-- At least I think it’s...” Her voice trailed off on a note of general confusion.

That was when Bugs saw Smythe at the engineering console. A cold draft went down the helmsman’s back as he realized how close he had come to disobeying an order. Even this—giving her a message through someone else—might be too much for the old man to bear.

Bugalu was surprised, then, by the look of mild confusion on Smythe’s face as the engineer gazed at him and then shifted his attention to Mac. “Oh,” the older man grunted. “I should have told you at breakfast; Lt MacDowell’s confinement has been canceled. Therefore, that stipulation is no longer in effect, either.”

Bugalu could only stare at him in puzzled shock. From her chair, the captain asked, “What made you change your mind, Smitty?” You were quite irate last night.”

Yes, I’d like to know, too. He absolutely was not going to listen to anybody last night. But this morning he’s cool as can be.

The engineer’s face went a little pink. “Yes, well, Lt Wilson informed me that Co-MacDowell didn’t make those items, that she - Wilson - did.”

“So you confined Wilson?” Evans asked with a gloating grin.

Smythe turned a cold look on the helmsman. “No, I did not.”

Evans looked surprised, but didn’t say anything else, and turned back to his station, pausing only to send an impatient glare at Bugalu. Tough. He can wait. I have to be sure...

Smythe went on. “I never told Wilson not to make any such items, so I can’t punish her for having done so.”

“But are you sure MacDowell did not tell her how to do it?” Captain Burke asked, and quickly held up her hand to stop Mac from answering.

What’s she probing for? Although, actually, she’s asking all the same questions I would, if I were her. If I weren’t already sure of the answers.

Smythe shook his head, his face going even redder. “No, she had nothing to do with it.” He cleared his throat. “Turns out I... asked a question that got Wilson thinking along those lines. Meanwhile, I forgot I’d even asked her.”

“I see,” the captain stated. “Well, everything ends well, then. Mr Bugalu, you have 1 minute to exchange pleasantries with Lt MacDowell.”

“Yes, sir,” he acknowledged, and finally turned to face his adopted sister, a big grin on his face. “Then you’ll join me for supper this evening, right, Mac?”

“No, Bugs, I can’t. Not for a few days. I just can’t deal with that mistletoe any more.”

“Oh.” Should have seen that coming. She did give it a good try. If it had just been Tall Bear, she might have been willing to risk it again tonight. But I don’t want to drive her right back to Pa’s brainwashing. “Okay, tell you what. I’ll bring supper to you, and we’ll spend the night in.”

She sighed in relief, one hand nervously clutching the lower front of her uniform tunic. “Thanks, Bugs.”

The captain cleared her throat. “Excuse me for intruding. The mistletoe was only approved for 24 hours. By now they should be in storage, awaiting dismantling by the evening shift.”

Approved by whom? Did she know about them all along? Come to think of it, I didn’t see any of them at breakfast.

Mac’s face lit up in relief with a big grin. “That’s even better. Thank you for the information, captain. Supper as usual, Bugs.” She left the bridge.

Bugalu was humming when he finally relieved Evans. “Wasn’t that a touching scene,” Evans muttered. “She’s not yours exclusively, you know.”

“As usual, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The shift-change procedure finished, Evans leaned closer, his voice went even lower. “She picked up a new boy friend last night.”

Idiot. “Did she? Good for her.” The best way to drive him crazy is to be completely unconcerned, no matter what he says. Gnashing his teeth, the other man turned angrily and left.

With the bridge emptied of midnighters, the captain asked, “Mr Smythe, I could have sworn this was your day off. Is there a reason for you being here, or did you merely forget that?”

Smitty slowly turned from watching the engineering console. “Actually, captain, I’d like a few words with you.”

“Sounds serious,” she half joked. “How is our course, Mr Bugalu?”

It was her standard query at the start of each shift, and after a quick glance at his controls, he gave her his standard response. “We’re on course and at speed, Captain.”

“Very well. Smitty, come into my office.”

Second Try

Month 10 Day 26

0302 Hours

Smythe

Smythe swallowed and took a deep breath as the lift neared the bridge again. This time, I’ll keep this short, to the point and public; I won’t be distracted. The lift door opened.

“She’s been acting strange ever since she got back,” he heard Adams say. “That’s 4 diagnostics she’s started in an hour.” Is he still here?

“Maybe there’s a glitch she’s trying to track down,” Evans suggested.

“I doubt she’d be humming if that was the case,” Adams answered sourly.

“You know, she was flushed when she got back,” Evans pointed out.

“Yeah,” Adams agreed. “And her quarters are on Deck 4, too.”

“Think they had time?”

Is he trying to imply...

“Hard to tell, with a man his age. What about it, Mac, did you sink your claws into another senior officer?”

“Or, to put it another way, did he get sunk into you?” Evans snickered.

Smitty felt his temper rise at Evans’ daring. He did his best to tamp it down and smother it, because obviously she had been right about the slander these two would spread at any hint of outrage.

She noticed an incoming message, and made arrangements for it to be recorded. “That’s not a valid question to ask while on duty - or at any other time - so I won’t answer. Quit wasting my time and let me work.”

Adams placed his face right up to hers. “Why don’t you quit wasting time? Sooner or later—”

“Still here, Adams?” The entire bridge crew turned in surprise. Maybe I should make the lift open with a bit more noise. Then again, maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe I should visit the bridge in the middle of the night more often. On the other hand, it isn’t a smart idea to deliberately seek her out when I have such strong reactions to her.

“Mr Smythe.” I can almost see his mind working on an excuse. “I, uh... Lt MacDowell is having difficulty with an irritating glitch, so I thought I would help.”

“Oh?” he asked, taking a step closer.

The redhead gave a delicate snort and muttered, “Like I need help from a half-wit engineer.” Does she mean all engineers are half-wits? Or only this particular one?

“If I remember correctly,” Smitty said calmly, “Communications is not one of your strong points, Adams. It would have made more sense to send Hicks.”

Adams swallowed. “Mr Smythe--“

“Adams,” he broke in ruthlessly. “I put you in charge of night shift because I thought you could handle the assignment. Having made the decision, I don’t like to change things around.” He waited half a beat. “Unless I need to.” He smiled, but felt no friendliness towards the man. “Have I made myself clear?”

“Absolutely,” Adams answered. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll get back to deck 16.”

“Yes, do that,” Smythe agreed, and watched as the young man left. He turned to Evans, who was halfway back to his own post, and raised his eyebrows questioningly. “Were you assisting also, Evans?”

“Ahh, no,” the lieutenant replied, but offered no further explanation. He silently took his position at the helm.

“Then I’ll have a few words with MacDowell.”

Evans whirled. “Again?” He seemed aghast at his unthinking response and quickly added, “Of course, Mr Smythe. I’ll have someone cover for her, but, um... just in case we need her, will you... be on deck 4 again?”

Smitty’s heart stopped at the thought, but he fought not to let his reaction show. “Oh, no need for any of that. This won’t take long; I’ll simply speak with her here.”

“Oh. Okay. Of course.” He almost seems disappointed.

The incoming message was complete, and she methodically sent it through internal channels to its destination. This cool, efficient woman is so different from the bungling girl I remember from those first few days. His anger melted. “Colleen,” he began quietly, and took a step closer. “I’ve learned that I was mistaken, that you weren’t involved in those mistletoe units. Therefore, your confinement to quarters is canceled. I... hope you can forgive me. Also that you’ll consider what we discussed earlier. Good night.” He turned for the lift.

“Wait!” When he turned back, she nearly ran into him. “You’re canceling my punishment?” she declared, and it looked like panic in her eyes, instead of the relief he’d expected. “You can’t do that!”

“I just did,” he blurted, shocked once again by her contrary nature.

“No, but,” she protested, ‘what if I say that you weren’t mistaken after all?”

What is this? Does she want to be confined? Why? If she doesn’t feel like leaving her room, that’s her choice. “Are you saying Wilson lied to me?”

“Wilson?” she squeaked, completely distraught. “No, not Ivy.” She wrung her hands, looked everywhere but at him. “But the party! That never should have happened while I was confined.”

It’s true; for some reason, she wants to be confined, and she’s searching for a way to make me do it. How far will she go? It’s 1 thing to take one’s lumps, as Wilson said, but she hasn’t done anything to take lumps for. “Since the punishment was a mistake, I can hardly hold the party against you. Anyway, the party wasn’t your idea.”

“Oh, dear, this isn’t going right,” she muttered, and looked up in sudden inspiration. “Yes, dear. Whatever you think, dear. You’re the boss, dear.”

How dare she--! He stopped being mad by the time she reached the 3rd ‘dear’, and actually grinned at her when she got it all out. “Apparently, you’re trying to make me angry so I’ll confine you again. I don’t know why you want that, but I won’t be manipulated that easily. If you want to stay in your room, then stay there; don’t drag me into it.”

She muttered something he didn’t hear, bit her lower lip and turned back to her station. “Maybe Mac will throw me in sick bay. He always wants to.”

Smitty unaccountably found his teeth were grinding. “Perhaps so,” he agreed sourly, though she hadn’t been speaking to him, and retreated from the bridge.