The Sky's the Limit - Marco Palmieri [29]
Pulaski leaned forward preparing to speak, but Riker cut her off. “I know what you’re going to say, and you’re right. You have the right and obligation to train your people as you see fit. In fact, from what Chief O’Brien told Lieutenant La Forge, there’s merit in your plans. That isn’t the issue. What is the issue is that one of the Enterprise’s senior officers failed to coordinate her training with the rest of the staff.”
Riker leaned forward, tapping a finger on the table as he began reciting. “It was only because of Chief O’Brien’s skill and Lieutenant La Forge’s team restoring power when they did that we didn’t lose your team today. Still, several scientific experiments on board have been compromised and may have to be scrapped. In addition, ship’s sensors were damaged by the power fluctuation. We’ll be without our long-range sensors for at least another three hours. Also, there was a spike in the warp core temperature that will force us to put in at a repair facility as soon as this mission is over.”
As Riker paused for a breath, Captain Picard took over. “Doctor Pulaski, this is not the first time you’ve disregarded ship’s protocol since you came on board. I’ve been inclined to overlook some of your indiscretions due to your unfamiliarity with the Enterprise. However, while you make a fine replacement for Doctor Crusher as a chief medical officer, you do not appear to be making any effort to fit into shipboard routine and insist on doing things your own way. Well, that stops as of today. I cannot overlook this behavior any longer, especially when doing so puts members of my crew in jeopardy. Do I make myself clear, Doctor?”
Pulaski’s mental claws flexed, but she could tell that this was neither the time nor the place to have this conversation. Forcing herself to remain calm, she held her tongue and nodded.
“Thank you. Doctor, Mister La Forge, that will be all. Number One, I’d like to talk to you about—” Picard looked up when a sudden chirp interrupted him. He keyed a small switch on his table. “This is Picard.”
Data’s familiar voice filled the room. “Captain, could you and Commander Riker please come to the bridge? There is something here I believe you would be interested in seeing.”
“Can’t he just patch the feed through to here?”
“Actually, Doctor, we are having problems with the sensors and are unable to provide a visual of the phenomenon at this time.” The android’s matter-of-fact reply did nothing to tone down the accusatory look Riker shot her. “However, in this instance, it would make little difference. That is why I have requested Captain Picard’s presence.”
“On my way, Data. Come on, Number One, let’s go see this phenomenon, whatever it is.”
“Right behind you, sir.”
As the two senior officers left, Geordi looked over at Pulaski. “You were really trying to do two site-to-site transfers involving eleven separate sets of coordinates?” A big smile crossed his face. “I have to give you credit, Doctor. When you do something, you go all out, don’t you?”
Pulaski stopped and stared at Geordi. He sounded almost envious. Giving him a confused look, she sat back down. “That was the idea. The scenario said a shuttlecraft had been on an emergency approach to the Enterprise and crashed into the shuttlebay before the inertial dampeners could halt its forward progress. There would be multiple casualties, debris, and hazardous material, so they couldn’t transport in as a group. I was testing Chief O’Brien as much as I was testing my team.”
“I get it. A worst-case scenario forces your team to improvise even before they arrive. I like it.”
She frowned, letting her confusion show. “I’m not getting something here. A few minutes ago, you were ready to hang me by my ankles over the warp core. Now you’re showing an inordinate amount of interest in my exercise. Did I miss something?