Mara, the secondary medical officer for the Order Research Cruiser Seker, sat in the DAI Grand Hall, watching the proceedings of the voting.
It was empowering, in a way, to see the Order members walk up to the terminals to vote. Some tapped the keys decisively, with purpose, knowing exactly what they wanted for the future of the Order; while others were more apprehensive and took some time to hit the button that would finalize the votes - but these would be perfect, well thought out votes, that would mean so very much.
This very election, taken in a turbulent time of rebellion and war, could change the balance of the Order. The very fate of this organization hung in the balance, and thus the fate of Sirius hung in the balance, as the Order was the single saviour of mankind.
Yes, this had to be carefully considered.
Each vote here had the gravity of a neutron star.
Each vote here was not cast lightly.
This took deep and troubling thought on the part of all. This took courage, this took faith.
And most of all, it took vision. Vision for the Order, and vision for mankind.
Mara smiled at this, feeling heroic patriotism for their cause rising in her otherwise unimpressive chest.
She glanced over at the Doctor, still in his chair beside her, and knew that she sat next to a great hero - a man of contemplation, patience, forethought, and brilliance. The Doctor hadn't voted yet. He sat in his chair, thoughtfully, mulling things over, one leg extended straight out and a grimace of intense contemplation on his face, almost like he was in pain.
Mara knew that his mind was wrestling with this choice. Who to elect? Which heroes would help lead the order?
To consider something so much, so hard...
She knew he was dedicated to the Order. He indeed had only the best for it at mind, and she could see the pain as the troubles of the Order disturbed him. Yes, Mara knew, this man had his pulse on the Order, and knew the gravity of the situation. She was proud that he was her captain.
The Doctor shifted in his seat again, casting glances left and right.
So many people. Why does one bloody vote count?
He glared at Mara, who was sitting straight up, appearing very inspired and patriotic.
It'll last until she sees dinner, he wagered himself.
She looked at him and smiled.
Why is she smiling?
She turned to continue watching everyone else post their votes.
The Doctor scowled and returned to staring at his leg.
His arthritis was acting up, and it hurt like hell.
His face was screwed up in literal pain, and these elections couldn't really matter much less to him.
Damned Omicrons always gave him arthritis, it seemed.
Mara's misplaced admiration seemed to turn to impatience. She was pushing at him to get up. As the captain of their research vessel, he was the one responsible to vote.
Blasted girl. She didn't understand one thing about being old.
Sure, she knew about medical conditions, and the symptoms of arthritis and how to treat it, but...
Bah.
Nevermind...
He pulled himself up and pushed past the sitting Will, Richter, and Miles seemingly rudely; walking clumsily with his painful leg.
Mara looked again at the Doctor.
A man on a mission, striding confidently with an odd determination in his step, towards the voting consoles.
"He's an inspiration to us all." she murmured thoughtfully.
Richter, the weapons officer, nodded sagely.
The Doctor made his way down to the terminals, his arthritic leg painfully clumsy as he made his way to the terminal. Once he had finally reached it, his leg was pulsing like a migraine.
He paused to try to remember if he'd ever heard anything about leg-migraines in his schooling so long ago.
He decided that he hadn't, and proceeded to vote, typing in his ID code and all applicable passwords and such with a practiced ease that was only hindered by his old hands.
Three attempts later, he'd typed the correct combination and began to fill out the voting form...
Quote:CANDIDATE AGENTS
Order Primary Fleet Candidate: Ophidian
Reason: I've met him in space a good deal. Good sort of chap. Responsible, takes charge so I don't have to bother with it. Why am I writing all this? Whoever reads this is going to know exactly who he is...
[enter]
Independent Candidate: Callsign Noobl3t.
Reason: My finger hurts, I don't want to bother with typing anything right now. And look, you've made me type something...
[enter]
The Doctor scowled and walked away from the console, towards the rear of the hall where the doors outside were. This assembly would be no further enriched if he decided to stay
Why they ever added a comments section was beyond him.
At the moment, it seemed like the door at the end of the hall was beyond him.
The rest of his crew stay in the hall, at least.
Mara's eyes followed him out. He still did not know what was going through her mind.
So heroic. she thought as he strode out of the hall, white labcoat contrasting against the rest of their black Order uniforms. He was always more independent of the Order than the rest of them... but he seemed to have more of a heart for saving humanity than most did... What noble thoughts were going through his mind, what lofty ideals thrummed in his soul?
The Doctor limped his way down the hall, attempting to make it to his lab in this base.
He had painkillers there.
Heh.
Painkillers.
Yes, he needed a painkiller.