Bad Teacher...

Posted on Sun Jan 30th, 2022 @ 12:49pm by Captain George Charles [Reece] & Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor] & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Lieutenant Samaire MacBride-Reece [Lalor] & Staff Sergeant Leilani Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Avalon [ADMIN NPC]

Mission: Season 5: Episode 3: CAPETOWN
Location: USS Elysium, Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD 18 / 1434 hours
3254 words - 6.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Naxea entered the Observation Lounge, dressed in her standard duty uniform. She saw that Marine Captain Charles, Sergeant Charles, and Lieutenant McBride were present. "Hello Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant," she greeted, nodding to each officer and placing her hands on the back of a chair.

Leilani greeted her Superior Officer with a smile and a nod. “Hello Colonel, Thank you for coming.”

George nodded as well, as he held his wife's hand. "Thank you, Ma'am." He didn't atand and salute, as this was an informal setting to discuss their, and Samaire's, children.

Sam nodded almost shyly from where she stood, she was not sure if this was going to work.

Garrett entered next followed by Gary. "Hello everyone. Sorry for making you wait, just finishing up some last bit of business on the bridge." He explained as he took a seat and sat.

As he was the highest ranking individual of their small group, George decided to speak first. "No apology is needed, Sir. We, Leilani, Samaire and I, appreciate the three of you taking time out of your very busy schedules to meet with us." He took a breath and continued.

We have asked to speak with the three of you regarding a situation with both our son, Hendor, and Samaire's niece, Skylah."

"Sounds serious Captain and that is why we're here." Garrett replied moving his arm to include Naxea and Gary. "What is going on with Hender and Skylah?"

George looked first at Leilani, then Samaire, then he started to explain everything he knew about the situation.

Hearing George explain the situation, Naxea was a bit confused. "What caused Hendor to panic?"

George looked at Leilani, who nodded for him to go ahead. Taking a deep breath, he replied. "Hendor, as you may or may not know, Ma'am, was a member of the Outkasts, the group of individuals that the Elysium rescued from New Canaan. I personally saved Hendor from a group of grown men that were chasing him down. The Outkasts are all of the people born with any kind of deformity. Hendor," he smiled a sad smile as he spoke about his son. "He was born without a left eye, ear, or even the bone structure to contain them. Commander Sthilg, and his wonderful staff, are working very hard to give our son what he's always wanted. To look like everyone else, with two eyes and two ears."

"Because of this, he is very self-conscious of how he looks around strangers. When Mika ripped his hood off and taunted him for his appearance, Hendor panicked, reliving the fear he once had, back on New Canaan." George’s tone grew firmer and angrier. "The fact that Ms Harkes would allow that kind of behavior in her class is unacceptable. Add to it how she apparently has been treating and regarding young Skylah since she joined the class, this woman should not only be disciplined, her contract aboard this ship should be terminated immediately and a new teacher, one who is better equipped for the job, should be brought in. Otherwise, and it has been agreed upon by the three of us, that both Hendor and Skylah will be homeschooled, together."

After he finished speaking, George tried to calm down.

Leilani gently squeezed her husband’s hand offering her support. “Unfortunately, I was in quarantine at the time, so I wasn’t there to comfort my son. I do, however, stand by my husband’s decision.”

Naxea nodded in response. She agreed something should be done about it. She would be happy to send Man'darr for a visit...though a classroom wouldn't like be left standing.

"This is a very serious matter." Garrett replied. No child should be bulled. Add to the fact that the teacher let it go on compounds the situation." He called Avalon! and waited for the AI to appear. "Please show what the internal cameras of the classroom recorded."

Avalon nodded. "Of Course Captain"

== HOLO RECORDING==

"Hey!" One of the older boys exclaimed to his friends as he yanked off Hendor’s hood. "Look at this! We got a freaky little Borg drone!"

Hendor cried out in panic as he was assaulted, flashbacks of the gangs on New Canaan chasing him flooding forward in his young brain.

Skylah reacted without thought. She launched herself from the cushions and took down the kid who had grabbed at Hendor, tackling him to the ground. "Leave him alone Mika!" She yelled. And she let her little fists fly. She had her own trauma and she would not let others be taunted.

"Ow! Hey! Get off of me!!" Mika cried out, surprised by the sudden counterattack.

Ms Harkes was there lifting Skylah off him.

Skylah began yelling at Mika in an unknown language. But interspersed with that were the words "Nasty!" "Called him a borg!" And other words describing Mika in bad ways.

Another teacher knelt beside Hendor and helped him settle down.

When the second teacher gently questioned Hendor, he nodded and answered that the other boy, he now knew his name was Mika, had ripped his hood off and started taunting him. Skylah was only trying to defend him.

Mica screamed, "Wait till I tell my father what you did, you little time freak!" He spat his words in Skylah's direction, all the while, his lip and nose were bleeding.

Skylah glared at him. "Time Freak? I am more than that!"

Ms Harkes placed Skylah on the ground. "Skylah! You are on thin ice already. I will have to call your aunt."

Mika's friends smirked "No mummy to save you, bet your Aunt wants you gone this time!" one taunted, and a split second later he was on the ground with his friend as Skylah pounded on him, having pulled free of Ms Harkes, who struggled to pull Skylah off of the second kid.

While everyone was focused on Skylah, Hendor moved over and kicked the second kid. "Don't make fun of my friend!!" He kicked the kid again.

The second child scrambled back, his own nose bleeding. He glared at Hendor. "Freak!"

"I'm not a freak!" Hendor screamed. "I'm an Outkast!!"

The teachers began to separate the children and called their parents. Skylah was sat on a chair facing a corner, alone.

Mika and his friend Jak were taken to the lunch room to be treated.

Hendor was kept near a teacher.

==

Sam closed her eyes. "Well at least i know she can hit well" She said softly.

"Avalon," George spoke up, "Would you please show us how Ms Harkes behaved when both myself and Lieutenant McBride arrived to claim our children?"

==

George hustled into the classroom. "Hendor?!" His eyes landed on his son, and then the state that he was in. He knelt down and took his little boy into his arms. "What happened?!" He demanded as he glared at the teachers, the ones who were supposed to keep a safe environment for the children, but clearly weren't.

"Skylah protected me, Papa," Hendor spoke first. "Then I protected her. She's my best friend!"

Ms Harkes looked stressed as she moved to speak. "It seems one of our older children was curious about Hendor's hoody and some words were exchanged before that child was badly beaten by another child. We have segregated the violent child and your son is safe, Lieutenant"

"Captain," The word was sharp as a blade as George corrected the teacher. "And it seems to me, that the violent child was the one who first laid hands on my son. You will bring Miss Skylah to me now. Either that, or this issue can be sent up the ladder. I'm sure that Colonel Naxea, Commander Taylor and Captain Lovejoy would be very interested in hearing how you allow bullying in your classroom." George spoke with the full strength of a combat Marine pilot, a senior officer and an enraged parent, all in one package.

"You are not Skylah's guardian, thus you have no right to request her presence." Ms Harkes replied. "As it is, the parents of the boys she attacked will most likely be pressing charges against her. They will not tolerate her here anymore."

The doors opened again and a woman in Operations yellow entered looking around panicked. "Ms Harkes?" She said urgently.

"Ah Ms McBride." The woman's face went smugly superior and the smile went almost evil. "Good. Collect your niece. She is expelled."

"Why?" Samaire asked shocked. "Did she truant again?"

"No. She viciously and violently assaulted two boys here. We do not want violent children here"

Samaire stared in shock.

George growled quietly as he spoke. "That's not exactly what happened now, is it." He tone made no bones that Ms Harkes best drop the attitude and tell the whole truth.

"It is what has been reported" Harkes replied. "Ms Skylah McBride has been nothing but trouble since her arrival here. It is for the best. I suggest homeschooling"

Samaire looked around and saw her niece in the corner. She pushed past the teacher and went to Skylah and knelt beside her. "A dhuine beag ceart, tha mi an seo gu math." she said softly in Gaelic.

"Thug iad pàisde borg air agus an uairsin thuirt iad nach robh mo mhàthair ag iarraidh orm!" Skylah replied in the same language. "Mika agus Jak, bha iad a ’ciallachadh do Hendor. Tha Ms Harkes ag ràdh gu bheil mi gam bhreabadh a-mach às an sgoil oir rinn mi a ’chùis orra!"

"Thar mo chorp marbh!" Samaire stood and turned to face the teacher, the look on her face spoke volumes. Her hands clenched and now the eldest McBride was stalking towards the teacher looking very, very upset.

George felt the rage boiling out of Samaire. "Hold on, Lieutenant." He held up a non-threatening hand to block her advance. "Perhaps she is right. Perhaps we should move our children out of this space and homeschool them. I'm sure my son would have a much safer, calmer and more productive education that way." He turned his gaze to the sorry excuse for an educator. "And you can be sure that your contract will be closely considered. I suggest you reconsider how you treat your pupils. There is no such thing as a bad child, only bad teachers."

That said he looked at Samaire and asked, "Shall we?"

Samaire's hazel gaze was fixed on the teacher and then in a very low tone she growled "Okay, but I am contacting Security about this. Commander Taylor and Commander S'hib will be most interested. Skylah?"

The 5 year old girl stood and came to her aunt's side. "Get your things oe bheag"

Skylah nodded and skirted around the teachers and grabbed her bag from its cubby.

Once Skylah had returned to her aunt, George led everyone out into the corridor.

==

Once Avalon replayed what her sensors saw, George thanked her, then waited to hear what Naxia, Gary and Lovejoy would say.

Garrett watched the entire incident in stunned silence. When it ended he looked at the others. "Unbelievable and unprofessional." He looked to Samaire. "You should be proud of Skylah. She is a good friend to Hendor. He is fortunate to have her as one." He called to Avalon, "Avalon how long does Mrs. Harkes have remaining on her contract?"

"Ms Amarinta Harkes, has 3 years and 10 months remaining on her contract."

"I see. Can Ms. Harkes be removed for cause or be reassigned to another department?" Garrett asked the AI.

"Yes, she can be removed for cause. Her contract was initialized by Captain Lalor. And the Captain made sure there were clauses in it around such acts."

"If that fails, I'd be happy to pay her a visit," Naxea said shrugging. "I'm sure she would be more than willing to transfer after a few minutes of one-on-one time."

George couldn't help the corners of his mouth ticking up a bit. Fighterjock or Ground Pounder, the Corps takes care of its own. He gave Leilani’s hand a slight squeeze, refraining from any telepathic communication in such mixed company.

Leilani gave George a pained look. She wished she’d been there for Hendor when he’d needed her. “May I make a suggestion Sir?” She looked towards Garrett. “I’d like to help out at the school, put my Counselling skills to use as support for those children who need it.”

"That is an excellent suggestion Leilani." Garrett answered approvingly. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Leilani nodded and smiled. “Yes Sir. Obviously it will only be when I’m not needed for my main duties. On the days I’m there Hendor, and Skylah can accompany me.”

"She wont let them back in there" Sam said softly. "And Skylah would rather hang around in a tree than go to school"

George added, "And, after speaking with our son, he doesn't want to be where Skylah isn't allowed." He frowned slightly. There was really only two choices, as he saw it. One, Harkes is disciplined and kept on, which would have Hedor and Skylah being homeschooled together. Or two, terminate Harkes' contract, hire a new teacher, and they could return to school, with Leilani stepping in now and again as a school counselor.

Avalon looked at the captain. "Do you wish me to summon the teacher Captain?"

"I most certainly do Avalon. Let her know her presence is required immediately, no excuses. To do so will be looked on most unfavorably.''

The AI nodded and vanished. After a moment she reappeared. "It will take her 3 minutes to get here. She is on her way."

"Very good, thank you Avalon." Garrett replied and then added, "Avalon I want you here as well."

The AI nodded.

=

After the mentioned timespan the doors opened and Ms Amarinta Harkes entered the room. Her face went from calm to almost fully disgusted when she took in the people in the room but as she faced Lovejoy it was set in disapproving lines. "You wished to speak with me Captain Lovejoy?"

Garrett nodded ans smiled pleasantly, "I do indeed Mrs. Harkes. Please be seated, I believe you know everyone else."

"yes" The reply was frosty. "That said, I am surprised to be summoned Captain" The woman took the seat.

Naxea watched the woman as she sat. 'Sure, play innocent,' she thought as she looked the woman over, crossing her arms as she did so.

"Why is that Mrs. Harkes? I received a complaint about an incident at school today and as a teacher you would have intimate knowledge of that incident." Garrett practically purred at her.

Amarinta squared her shoulders and set her gaze on the Captain. "The child who caused the incident with unwarranted violence, was expelled Captain." her gaze now focused on Samaire. "Skylah McBride's violence was the last straw for a child who is a known Truant."

"Now Mrs. Harkes, that isn't exactly correct is it? The child who started this incident was the one who ripped Hendor's hoody off and taunted him. Isn't that so? Furthermore you did nothing to stop stop the incident from escalating." Garrett's voice was still pleasant as he addressed the teacher.

"I separated Ms McBride from the other children but she is a violent child Captain, she chose to continue. And if a child cannot control themselves then they are not welcome in my classroom. Add to that Ms McBride has a history of truancy and delinquency. I am sure no good will come from her in the future years."

Sam's hands clenched and she went to speak but held back.

“Now that’s not true is it?” Leilani looked towards Hawkes. “You say one thing, your emotions say different. You can’t lie, or make up stories in-front of a Betazoid. From my understanding Skylah was defending my son, something you should have been doing!”

"Easy Leilani," Garrett spoke evenly before he turned back to Mrs. Harkes. "Mrs. Harkes, correct me if I am wrong. Teachers are supposed to rise to challenges and be nonjudgmental. To help children. You seem to be the exact opposite. Narrow minded, one could say closed minded when it comes to helping children especially Skylah."

Naxea continued to stare daggers into the woman. Would she have treated Bajoran children the same after the occupation? She had been one such troubled child. After the Occupation, millions of Bajoran children had to learn to live normal lives--lives that they had never known. She was thankful to have had a more patient teacher such as Mrs. Keiko O'Brien aboard DS9. "Close minded? That's putting it nicely," she commented. "I'd say her attitude is fostering a hostile learning environment. Already making judgements on youth that have trouble adapting to certain situations."

Garrett nodded to Naxea, "Thank you Naxea."

The Teacher crossed her arms "That is YOUR opinion and none of you are educators so your opinions are not valid" She glowered at Samaire "Your Niece will not return to the school while I teach there. I have already added her crimes to her records."

Sam took a breath. "Oh ok, I am done with you." She said, her scottish accent coming to the fore. "Captain, how soon can we ship this woman off the ship?"

Garrett didn't answer Sam at least not directly. Instead he turned to face Mrs. Harkes. "Mrs. Harkes." he began in a tone that was absolutely glacial, "Thank you for making my decision for me. You are right we aren't teachers at least not a bad one. One who is so closed minded and judgmental. One who hinders a child's need for knowledge and instead stomps on it. As of now your contract has been nullified. Your services are no longer needed as a teacher on this ship. Good day." he finished effectively dismissing her.

The teacher stood and stalked from the room. She knew better than to argue.

Sam watched her go then sat down finally.

"One problem taken care of." Garrett announced, "Sam, Skylah can return to school as of right now. We just need to find a replacement for the recently let go Mrs. Harkes."

George released the breath that he hadn't even known he was holding. Looking over at Samaire, he gave her a friendly grin and nod of support. Their two families would be forever linked by this experience. He was glad that things had worked out. Looking back at Lovejoy, he said, "Thank you, Sir. I know our son will be very happy that Harkes is gone. As are we."

"Skylah as well" Samaire added.

Avalon spoke "Captain, There is a list of teachers who are awaiting postings, Should I contact BUPERS and ask them to send one through?"

"Yes please Avalon." Garrett answered the AI.

Avalon nodded and vanished. Leaving the officers alone.

"I'm glad that is all settled. Let me know if you have trouble finding a suitable teacher. I happen to know some and can ask them," Naxea offered, uncrossing her arms. "I should get back down to Marine Country."

"Thank you, Ma'am," George said honestly.

"Thank you Captain, Colonel." Samaire added.

“Thank you to everyone” Leilani smiled. “I wasn’t there when any of this happened. I’m just glad it’s all resolved now.”

"Just glad we were able to take care of this." Gary replied.

"Agreed Gary. However it is a shame we had to do this in the first place." Garrett replied. "A teacher of all people should know better."

~OFF~