I'm Commander Jacob Keyes [The first name is important, there's two of them around...] the present acting commander for all UNSC personnel presently here. I also have no medical training, I couldn't have done what you did and I'd like to thank you for that.
[ Oh look, he speaks like a normal human being. Something that Joan finds oddly refreshing. ]
Commander Keyes, Joan Watson. By the time I met Sam, Master Chief Petty Officer Spartan-117 [ Yeah that's right, she remebers. ] had already administered field care to him. I was simply asking a few follow-up questions. Pain levels, that sort of thing.
But you're welcome anyway. It's the least I could have done to help.
[YEAH he's one of the only two normal people around, er well, there's three, but Catherine speaks like her Spartans so...]
Pleasure, Ms. Watson. And good, someone knows what to ask here, my daughter and I may be officers but we're not good at the medical side of things, though if the Spartans pain tolerance wasn't above my own I'd be surprised.
And it may have been, but not many are willing to lend a hand to those in need.
If there aren't a lot of people who are willing to chip in, that just means that the ones of us who are have to work a little harder to pick up the slack. Luckily, I do well with a full plate. And minding other people for a living is something I'm used to.
Since you're Master Chief's superior officer, I assume he's told you about our agreement.
That must have been a tricky career change. The way I understand things, there's a lot of protocol involved when it comes to the military. Official channels, red tape, etc. And the stakes are a lot higher with soldiers than they are with students. Though no less formative, I'd guess.
Tbh, I wouldn't be surprised. Master Chief doesn't strike me as particularly good at communicating when he's made up his mind about something. So you know, he's asked me to medically consult for the Spartan outfit on board.
Not when you're grounded after enlisting it's not such a huge career shift. I taught at a military academy after being medically grounded, shattered hand, plasma burns and the like. [NBD Joan, really. He just hated it, same idea though, people are difficult.]
Around the Spartans however you'll discover it's even worse. Don't be surprised to be told it's classified.
With our medic/scientific consultant presently MIA I'm not surprised he asked you. I hope you don't mind if you get asked to treat the rest of us, not sure when our old one will be back, though not all of us are Spartans.
[ A military teacher. Joan files that way for future reference, along with everything else the commander shares with her. He is, in comparison to Chief, staggeringly forthcoming. (Though Joan knows that, Chief being Chief, this is probably not that surprising. ]
Ftr, I've been told that at least once. Obviously I have a lot of questions, and I wanted to know a little bit more about the Spartan program. Things that would effect possible medical treatment, stuff like that. Needless to say, I didn't get far.
I'll tell you what I told Chief, which is that I don't take orders and that I am a consultant — which means I expect to be consulted. I'm not around just for whenever's convenient for him. If I'm not part of the medical decision making process than I'm simply a field hack, and that's not what I'm here to do.
if you can understand that and accept it, then I have no problem consulting for you and your associates as well, Commander Keyes.
[He's not a private guy really, some stuff he'll share happily considering it's public record. It also helps that he, you know, gets people. Chief is a special case.]
Ma'am, I'll tell you what I can. As of this moment, Dr. Halsey, who is in charge of the Spartans when she is here, will more than likely wish to speak with you about medical treatment concerning them. I suggest you do so upon her return, otherwise she she can and will prove a force far more difficult than I'd like to deal with again, and I doubt you'd like to face her when she gets like that herself.
However, there are a couple of us that would be uncomfortable dealing with her. The other Cdr. Keyes, she's my daughter, tends to be uncomfortable around Dr. Halsey, and I'm not sure but perhaps a woman named Cortana as well. I'm more than happy to seek you out for consultations as well on anything else.
I can understand where you're coming from, I'm in a similar position myself when it comes to them. If you promise to come to me when faced with medical concerns about them and when they're injured so I'm made aware, I can promise to do my best to make sure they go to you.
[ Commander Keyes, Joan thinks you're a godsend. It's like communication heaven all up in here right now. ]
I appreciate your candor, Commander, and the heads up. I wasn't aware that I'd been brought aboard to fill a vacated spot and if Dr. Halsey returns I am more than willing to step aside to allow her to return to her position completely unimpeded. Continuity in medical care is huge and if she has a better understanding of the Spartans then I'd probably be doing them more harm than good by not deferring to her assessments.
As for you, your daughter, Cortana — you're all more than welcome to contact me in the future. It's actually kind of refreshing to talk to someone so upfront. It's a lot easier for me to understand what's at play here.
[He tries, he really really does. He values talking above all else man, otherwise you end up with trouble.]
The Spartans would try and keep her out of things, for the best usually, however Dr. Halsey is over protective. And with the Spartans you're more than likely correct in regards to that, last time I dealt with them they kept to themselves by and large when it came to equipment and the like.
And you're more than welcome, I understand your position it wasn't long ago I was in a similar one. Frankly I'd like to avoid making things too awkward, so it's a lot easier on all of us if someone shares things.
If you need anything ask, I'll tell you what I can. Though thank you for being understanding of things, it makes my life a hell of a lot easier.
[ So basically, if Joan is understanding this right, nobody communicates with anybody and it's a big awkward mess. ]
An over-protective doctor can make for some complicated situations, especially when the people she's charged with looking after are soldiers who have a larger sense of obligation than themselves. Not exactly the best cocktail of personalities to be completely frank, but I've dealt with my share of difficult people in less-than-ideal circumstances.
I hope you understand that communication goes both ways. If there's something that you're concerned with that you think I can bring new insight to the table on, I'm more than available.
[ That's the first message she sends. The second comes about five minutes after. ]
Actually, there is something I'd like to ask you about. It has to do with Sam, Spartan-034. When I asked him about it, he said it was classified. I don't think he was lying, but I was wondering if you had the authority to answer.
[ Given that Joan's the one who's brought it up, she's not about to beat around the bush about it. Commander Keyes has already proven to be worlds more forthcoming than any of the Spartans she's interacted with. In fact, he's more forthcoming than most people, period. If he tells her, he tells her. If he doesn't, he won't, but she imagines he'll be honest about it rather than evasive. ]
I've spoken to Sam a few times now and the more I talk to him the more I'm curious. How old is Sam exactly?
[Oh, oh boy. That's a loaded question and he can just imagine Catherine looking over his shoulder and giving him one of those looks. The ones that put people in their place and promise him that his ears will be ringing later from quiet reprimands.
It's really not worth it to him to have that mental image in his head so, he'll just fudge things a bit. He's not exactly aware of how old Sam is after all, he can do this.]
I'm frankly not exactly sure, the information as far as I'm aware is classified until I'm told at a later date, just as with all other information pertaining to the Spartans.
I'm just as in the dark as you are.
[Except not really, he can guess based on Kelly's age that Sam is 14, or there about. He can also guess how old Gray Team is just by that, but he's not sure and he's not about to share guesses. Nope.]
[ And there it is, the it's classified line but from Commander Keyes she accepts it, doesn't find it cagey or in any way evasive. Maybe if they were talking face to face, she'd give what he has to say a second pause, but for now it is what it is and Commander Keyes is the closest thing Joan has to a touchstone when it comes to understanding the Spartans. ]
Understandable. I appreciate you just fielding question.
Maybe it's odd, but there's just something about him I can't quite put my finger on. But he seems like a good kid. I don't mind looking after him.
[ And therein lies Joan's issue. He seems like a kid, not the fully-grown man he appeared to be. It twinges on Joan's intuition in odd ways, making her feel both uncomfortable and invested — moreso than she probably would have been otherwise. ]
[She's managed to find that one nagging thing in the back of his mind about the Spartans. They're kids. He knows they're all kids, they never had a childhood really, where not compared to everyone else. Even Miranda had a better one then them...
And that's really saying something.
He brushes it off, puts on his best commander's hat and tries to sound like an officer.]
They're all young people, or were brought into the war as young people, fighting a war for the very survival of mankind. They're children compared to most, that shouldn't see worlds nuked until they're smooth and yet they've seen that and so much more.
Young people in a war ma'am, they tend to give us all that feeling until they're older, wiser. I've seen enough fresh faces looking at me to know that.
Please don't call me ma'am. It makes it really obvious that I'm talking to the station and not the man.
[ For the longest time that's the only message that Joan sends, that particular form of address (ma'am) having been an irksome point with both the Master Chief and Sam. Up until now they've been able to avoid it, but to have it surface now in conversation makes Joan immediately wary, like he's suddenly hiding something.
She's being paranoid of course, or just irritable, though something continues to niggle at the back of her mind. ]
But Sam didn't get an opportunity to get older and wiser, did he? He told me about what happened to him. That he died.
[Oh, he did it again didn't he? Oh, that's not something he usually does, it's just habit when he does that. Which is why his apology is immediate.]
Sorry, habit. Not many respect my rank or me outside those here, not used to commanding others yet.
[That's the truth. But then he's waiting on her and he gets that and he sighs, sends another message.]
And my own daughter dies soon. She's 27, she won't get older; don't tell her that she doesn't know. War takes as much as it saves, we can't change that. Good, young people die to protect us all.
[ For all Joan gets people and has something of a sixth sense when it comes to them, she wasn't expecting that. Not at all. It stuns her, but not into silence. That's the sort of confession you don't leave having unanswered. ]
I'm so sorry. I can't even begin to understand what that must be like for you, not only in terms of yourself but in terms of her too. Interacting with her, supporting her in the things she might choose to do.
For what it's worth, I'm a former sober companion. I know there's no obvious overlap there but sometimes grief and loss factor into things. I've helped people in the past by just being there — someone they can talk to. I imagine your situation with your daughter isn't one you can really share with your colleagues or your soldiers.
But I can provide that for you, if you'd like. I know it's not my business, but I did say I wanted to help.
[No, but it does the job. It gets her off of the Spartans, it gets her focused on something else and frankly that's all he cares about, even if part of him is regretting it.
So he just focuses on that, focuses on her offer and frankly now he has to figure out how to not tell her that Miranda's mother is also the woman in charge of the Spartans. That's a bit of a well, problem.]
It's what happens when your daughter follows you into the service. We're both the same way, I knew this could happen.
[Doesn't mean he likes it though.]
For as long as I've known Dr. Halsey, there are just some things I can't talk to her about. The offer is appreciated, Ms. Watson. I'm just rather used to keeping to myself, I'm sure you can understand that, so I'm not sure how often I will take you up on it.
[ The more the commander talks about Dr. Halsey (or talks around her, as is sometimes the case), the more Joan wonders about her. What sort of woman was overprotective of Spartans, and was the sentiment born out of the kind of oaths that came with being a doctor or was it something more proprietary? She considers asking, but then puts the thought aside. ]
Sometimes just knowing the option is there can make all the difference. I'm not here to push or pry; your business is your business. Just try to keep in mind that there's a new avenue open.
[She'll discover he does that a lot, it's just habit. And he's not going to touch on what Catherine has done to the Spartans, why they're so important to her. There's a lot of issues there, some he's not touching on and won't for well, his own peace of mind if nothing else.]
I just might, who knows. People and myself have surprised me before, shouldn't be any different here.
Thank you again, for the offer, I'll be sure to keep it in mind.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
( d 3 )
I've had previous medical training. And I did give Sam a look, yes.
o7
no subject
Commander Keyes, Joan Watson. By the time I met Sam, Master Chief Petty Officer Spartan-117 [ Yeah that's right, she remebers. ] had already administered field care to him. I was simply asking a few follow-up questions. Pain levels, that sort of thing.
But you're welcome anyway. It's the least I could have done to help.
no subject
Pleasure, Ms. Watson. And good, someone knows what to ask here, my daughter and I may be officers but we're not good at the medical side of things, though if the Spartans pain tolerance wasn't above my own I'd be surprised.
And it may have been, but not many are willing to lend a hand to those in need.
no subject
Since you're Master Chief's superior officer, I assume he's told you about our agreement.
no subject
Exactly. And it's something I'm used to as well, before getting a ship I was a teacher.
And no, you'll discover I'm not always in the loop when it comes to Spartan affairs.
no subject
Tbh, I wouldn't be surprised. Master Chief doesn't strike me as particularly good at communicating when he's made up his mind about something. So you know, he's asked me to medically consult for the Spartan outfit on board.
no subject
Around the Spartans however you'll discover it's even worse. Don't be surprised to be told it's classified.
With our medic/scientific consultant presently MIA I'm not surprised he asked you. I hope you don't mind if you get asked to treat the rest of us, not sure when our old one will be back, though not all of us are Spartans.
no subject
Ftr, I've been told that at least once. Obviously I have a lot of questions, and I wanted to know a little bit more about the Spartan program. Things that would effect possible medical treatment, stuff like that. Needless to say, I didn't get far.
I'll tell you what I told Chief, which is that I don't take orders and that I am a consultant — which means I expect to be consulted. I'm not around just for whenever's convenient for him. If I'm not part of the medical decision making process than I'm simply a field hack, and that's not what I'm here to do.
if you can understand that and accept it, then I have no problem consulting for you and your associates as well, Commander Keyes.
no subject
Ma'am, I'll tell you what I can. As of this moment, Dr. Halsey, who is in charge of the Spartans when she is here, will more than likely wish to speak with you about medical treatment concerning them. I suggest you do so upon her return, otherwise she she can and will prove a force far more difficult than I'd like to deal with again, and I doubt you'd like to face her when she gets like that herself.
However, there are a couple of us that would be uncomfortable dealing with her. The other Cdr. Keyes, she's my daughter, tends to be uncomfortable around Dr. Halsey, and I'm not sure but perhaps a woman named Cortana as well. I'm more than happy to seek you out for consultations as well on anything else.
I can understand where you're coming from, I'm in a similar position myself when it comes to them. If you promise to come to me when faced with medical concerns about them and when they're injured so I'm made aware, I can promise to do my best to make sure they go to you.
no subject
I appreciate your candor, Commander, and the heads up. I wasn't aware that I'd been brought aboard to fill a vacated spot and if Dr. Halsey returns I am more than willing to step aside to allow her to return to her position completely unimpeded. Continuity in medical care is huge and if she has a better understanding of the Spartans then I'd probably be doing them more harm than good by not deferring to her assessments.
As for you, your daughter, Cortana — you're all more than welcome to contact me in the future. It's actually kind of refreshing to talk to someone so upfront. It's a lot easier for me to understand what's at play here.
I truly appreciate it.
no subject
The Spartans would try and keep her out of things, for the best usually, however Dr. Halsey is over protective. And with the Spartans you're more than likely correct in regards to that, last time I dealt with them they kept to themselves by and large when it came to equipment and the like.
And you're more than welcome, I understand your position it wasn't long ago I was in a similar one. Frankly I'd like to avoid making things too awkward, so it's a lot easier on all of us if someone shares things.
If you need anything ask, I'll tell you what I can. Though thank you for being understanding of things, it makes my life a hell of a lot easier.
no subject
An over-protective doctor can make for some complicated situations, especially when the people she's charged with looking after are soldiers who have a larger sense of obligation than themselves. Not exactly the best cocktail of personalities to be completely frank, but I've dealt with my share of difficult people in less-than-ideal circumstances.
I hope you understand that communication goes both ways. If there's something that you're concerned with that you think I can bring new insight to the table on, I'm more than available.
[ That's the first message she sends. The second comes about five minutes after. ]
Actually, there is something I'd like to ask you about. It has to do with Sam, Spartan-034. When I asked him about it, he said it was classified. I don't think he was lying, but I was wondering if you had the authority to answer.
no subject
You don't know the half of it, Ms. Watson. But that's for Dr. Halsey to share, I'm just the middle man here.
And thank you, it's been some time since someone's offered me that. I'll keep you in mind.
[He goes to send that then oh, there's that. WELL THEN.]
It'd depend on what it is he mentioned. If I can give you an answer, I'll do so.
no subject
I've spoken to Sam a few times now and the more I talk to him the more I'm curious. How old is Sam exactly?
no subject
It's really not worth it to him to have that mental image in his head so, he'll just fudge things a bit. He's not exactly aware of how old Sam is after all, he can do this.]
I'm frankly not exactly sure, the information as far as I'm aware is classified until I'm told at a later date, just as with all other information pertaining to the Spartans.
I'm just as in the dark as you are.
[Except not really, he can guess based on Kelly's age that Sam is 14, or there about. He can also guess how old Gray Team is just by that, but he's not sure and he's not about to share guesses. Nope.]
no subject
Understandable. I appreciate you just fielding question.
Maybe it's odd, but there's just something about him I can't quite put my finger on. But he seems like a good kid. I don't mind looking after him.
[ And therein lies Joan's issue. He seems like a kid, not the fully-grown man he appeared to be. It twinges on Joan's intuition in odd ways, making her feel both uncomfortable and invested — moreso than she probably would have been otherwise. ]
no subject
And that's really saying something.
He brushes it off, puts on his best commander's hat and tries to sound like an officer.]
They're all young people, or were brought into the war as young people, fighting a war for the very survival of mankind. They're children compared to most, that shouldn't see worlds nuked until they're smooth and yet they've seen that and so much more.
Young people in a war ma'am, they tend to give us all that feeling until they're older, wiser. I've seen enough fresh faces looking at me to know that.
[That's all he can say, all he can do.]
no subject
[ For the longest time that's the only message that Joan sends, that particular form of address (ma'am) having been an irksome point with both the Master Chief and Sam. Up until now they've been able to avoid it, but to have it surface now in conversation makes Joan immediately wary, like he's suddenly hiding something.
She's being paranoid of course, or just irritable, though something continues to niggle at the back of her mind. ]
But Sam didn't get an opportunity to get older and wiser, did he? He told me about what happened to him. That he died.
no subject
Sorry, habit. Not many respect my rank or me outside those here, not used to commanding others yet.
[That's the truth. But then he's waiting on her and he gets that and he sighs, sends another message.]
And my own daughter dies soon. She's 27, she won't get older; don't tell her that she doesn't know. War takes as much as it saves, we can't change that. Good, young people die to protect us all.
no subject
I'm so sorry. I can't even begin to understand what that must be like for you, not only in terms of yourself but in terms of her too. Interacting with her, supporting her in the things she might choose to do.
For what it's worth, I'm a former sober companion. I know there's no obvious overlap there but sometimes grief and loss factor into things. I've helped people in the past by just being there — someone they can talk to. I imagine your situation with your daughter isn't one you can really share with your colleagues or your soldiers.
But I can provide that for you, if you'd like. I know it's not my business, but I did say I wanted to help.
no subject
So he just focuses on that, focuses on her offer and frankly now he has to figure out how to not tell her that Miranda's mother is also the woman in charge of the Spartans. That's a bit of a well, problem.]
It's what happens when your daughter follows you into the service. We're both the same way, I knew this could happen.
[Doesn't mean he likes it though.]
For as long as I've known Dr. Halsey, there are just some things I can't talk to her about. The offer is appreciated, Ms. Watson. I'm just rather used to keeping to myself, I'm sure you can understand that, so I'm not sure how often I will take you up on it.
no subject
Sometimes just knowing the option is there can make all the difference. I'm not here to push or pry; your business is your business. Just try to keep in mind that there's a new avenue open.
You might even surprise yourself.
no subject
I just might, who knows. People and myself have surprised me before, shouldn't be any different here.
Thank you again, for the offer, I'll be sure to keep it in mind.