07-17-2025, 03:26 AM
Ameen listened intently, his fingers steepled in front of him on the table as Doctor O’Fee laid out the "conundrum." He processed her words, the initial medical concern giving way to a far more complicated and unpredictable personnel issue. When she finished, the quiet in the no-nonsense briefing room felt heavy.
So, it's not a medical rejection risk, Ameen thought, his mind recalibrating the entire situation. It's a professionalism rejection risk. The symbiont is fine, but the new host... C'had... might be a walking diplomatic incident. The "fun" he mentioned wasn't just a bad joke...
He glanced at Keir, then back at the Doctor.
"Thank you for your candor, Doctor," Ameen said, his voice calm and even, masking the 'what have we gotten ourselves into' feeling that was starting to creep in. "That certainly clarifies the nature of our... situation. Your assessment of the host's personality being the primary driver is a critical piece of information."
He paused, choosing his next words carefully.
I need to be careful here. O'Fee's instincts are to correct and control, which is what a good doctor does. But the mission brief... 'highest regard,' 'every request must be met.' That sounds less like a suggestion and more like a direct order from the Trill government, relayed through the Federation. Our job isn't to fix C'had, it's to get him to the negotiation table happy and willing to work...
"Doctor, your concern for the mission's integrity is noted, and it's valid," Ameen began, leaning forward slightly. "However, we have to consider the unique nature of our guest and our orders. Ambassador Junde was explicit: Kestir is to be held in the 'highest regard,' and 'every request must be met.' The dossier also notes Kestir's history of success is tied to... unconventional methods, like immersing in local cultures."
He looked from O'Fee to Keir, framing his next point as a command strategy. "It's possible... that this host's... exuberance... is part of his process. Or perhaps, as you said, an influence from past hosts that needs to run its course. Forcing a confrontation or imposing strict discipline right now, especially after a traumatic emergency joining, could be counter-productive. It might sour him on this crew, this ship, and by extension, the mission itself. An unhappy or resentful negotiator is an ineffective one."
And an ineffective negotiator means we fail, he thought. Simple as that...
"For now," Ameen continued, his tone shifting from analytical to decisive, "our approach must be one of accommodation and observation, not correction, unless his behavior directly endangers himself, the crew, or the ship. We will provide a professional, secure, and supportive environment. We will give him the space he needs to... acclimate."
He turned to his CMO directly.
"Doctor, I need you to continue monitoring him, but from a supportive standpoint. Assess his psychological state, ensure he's coping with the new joining, but hold off on any behavioral interventions for now. Your medical expertise is our safety net here, not our disciplinary arm."
Then, he looked to his First Officer.
"Commander Keir, your thoughts on this approach?"
== Tag Keir 77, Dr. O'Fee ==
So, it's not a medical rejection risk, Ameen thought, his mind recalibrating the entire situation. It's a professionalism rejection risk. The symbiont is fine, but the new host... C'had... might be a walking diplomatic incident. The "fun" he mentioned wasn't just a bad joke...
He glanced at Keir, then back at the Doctor.
"Thank you for your candor, Doctor," Ameen said, his voice calm and even, masking the 'what have we gotten ourselves into' feeling that was starting to creep in. "That certainly clarifies the nature of our... situation. Your assessment of the host's personality being the primary driver is a critical piece of information."
He paused, choosing his next words carefully.
I need to be careful here. O'Fee's instincts are to correct and control, which is what a good doctor does. But the mission brief... 'highest regard,' 'every request must be met.' That sounds less like a suggestion and more like a direct order from the Trill government, relayed through the Federation. Our job isn't to fix C'had, it's to get him to the negotiation table happy and willing to work...
"Doctor, your concern for the mission's integrity is noted, and it's valid," Ameen began, leaning forward slightly. "However, we have to consider the unique nature of our guest and our orders. Ambassador Junde was explicit: Kestir is to be held in the 'highest regard,' and 'every request must be met.' The dossier also notes Kestir's history of success is tied to... unconventional methods, like immersing in local cultures."
He looked from O'Fee to Keir, framing his next point as a command strategy. "It's possible... that this host's... exuberance... is part of his process. Or perhaps, as you said, an influence from past hosts that needs to run its course. Forcing a confrontation or imposing strict discipline right now, especially after a traumatic emergency joining, could be counter-productive. It might sour him on this crew, this ship, and by extension, the mission itself. An unhappy or resentful negotiator is an ineffective one."
And an ineffective negotiator means we fail, he thought. Simple as that...
"For now," Ameen continued, his tone shifting from analytical to decisive, "our approach must be one of accommodation and observation, not correction, unless his behavior directly endangers himself, the crew, or the ship. We will provide a professional, secure, and supportive environment. We will give him the space he needs to... acclimate."
He turned to his CMO directly.
"Doctor, I need you to continue monitoring him, but from a supportive standpoint. Assess his psychological state, ensure he's coping with the new joining, but hold off on any behavioral interventions for now. Your medical expertise is our safety net here, not our disciplinary arm."
Then, he looked to his First Officer.
"Commander Keir, your thoughts on this approach?"
== Tag Keir 77, Dr. O'Fee ==