A few moments after the initial speech from the first Public Relations
officer the doors opened and the room went silent. Well, just for about 2
seconds then some of the ruckus started. Lasiter, Renaud and the two other
press folks made their way to the front of the briefing room.
Lasiter noticed Boulay and Firehawk with some new guy, as he took his place
behind a podium.
He placed his PADD in front of him and cleared his throat.
"Good morning, and thank you for coming today. I plan on making a
few remarks then I will take a few questions. " The CinC said in opening.
He continued with a brief introduction...
"Recent news reports say that it was our own Doctor Matthew Brennan
that assaulted Admiral t'Llhweiir and our newest ambassador from the Romulan
Government. I am here today to comment on those reports that one of
Starfleet Command's own has committed the crime of assault on two very
distinguished beings on this station. I would like to begin by stating
official Starfleet policy. It is against regulations for anyone involved in
an open investigation to comment either publicly or privately about the
particulars of that investigation. Any such comments are subject to
reprimand to include Court Martial and imprisonment. I wish to further
state that an investigation has begun to determine who leaked information
regarding this on-going investigation in the assault of Admiral t'Llhweiir.
We, at Starfleet, take this very seriously. Such breaches in security and
confidentiality can not only hinder the process of seeking justice, but may
cause those that are guilty to remain unpunished.
Now, on to an official comment from Starfleet Command. " Admiral
stopped to pick up the PADD and read directly from it. "It is our belief
that our college will be found innocent of all allegations that have been
made in the press. Those that have worked with Dr. Brennan for any length
of time would know that such a thing is out of the question for such a peace
loving and dedicated humanitarian. It is our wish that the investigation
into the attack on our colleague Admiral t'Llhweiir will go forward without
incident." he stopped for a sip of water form a glass on the podium.
He continued, "That was a statement from Starfleet Command, and it
will be provided to you in soft copy and recording from the Public Relations
Office.
I would like to make an appeal to all member of the press and to
those that are just curious. Please stay out of sickbay and those areas
that surround sickbay, unless you are honestly injured or require care.
There has been a rash of individuals trying to catch a glimpse of Dr.
Brennan by trying to get into sickbay with either bogus or self inflicted
injuries. Please do not do this. You are only endangering those who truly
need care. To help with this situation, Dr. Brennan has transferred all of
his patients to other doctors, and has devoted his time to his
administrative duties. I would like to stress that this was a personal
decision, and not a directive that came from Starfleet Command or myself.
This was done out of his own devotion to the best care possible to his
patients.
To conclude my remarks I would like to add a personal statement. A
doctor and a patient have a special relationship. One that is made up of
trust. Trust to be able to tell your doctor everything so that he can
properly make you well. I am among the very fortunate because I can claim
to have such a relationship with Dr. Brennan. He has not only become my
medical advisor, but a friend. I do not see this man committing those acts
that he has been accused of. As a being that works with him, talks with
him, as a being that interacts with him on a very personal level, I just do
not see it. Now, I feel totally safe being under the care of Dr. Matthew
Brennan. If I trust him to treat me, then perhaps we all can give him the
benefit of the doubt.' Lasiter stopped again to take a sip of water.
"Now, I will take a few questions....." he said looking out into the
audience.
{reactions}
*********************
Chris Salmi
http://home.earthlink.net/~csalmi/
ICQ# 28233696
