Chapter 4

Several minutes later, Colonel Caldwell appeared at the door. »What seems to be the problem?« he asked the other officer.

Before Lieutenant managed to say anything, Carson spoke up. »Oh, thank god. Colonel, this man,« he pointed at the officer, »won't let me onto the Daedalus because I have too much luggage.«

»Doctor Beckett, I thought you knew it was agreed that there's a limit to how much one can take along,« the Colonel said, exasperated by the fact that Carson didn't follow his instructions.

»Aye. Is this too much?« The doctor pointed at his suitcase and his bag.

»That's all you have?« Caldwell asked in surprise.

»Aye. And a small box I sent ahead, but that's all.«

»And how is that too much?« Caldwell asked the officer.

»Take a look at it yourself, sir.« The officer handed the clipboard to Caldwell.

»I see,« Caldwell said calmly. »Someone classified all the medical supplies as Dr. Beckett's personal effects.«

»That's what I've been trying to tell him!« Carson cried.

»It's okay, Lieutenant,« Caldwell told the officer. »Let it go. I can assure you it's all taken care of.«

»I can't, sir.« The Lieutenant was distinctly red in the face now. »It is what's written here. It's an official document. We can't overlook it.«

»Why?« Caldwell asked.

»It's the official procedure, sir. Besides, even if I were to turn a blind eye to Doctor Beckett's factual personal effects, the amount of factual medical supplies is too large.«

»Lieutenant, I am the commander of the ship. I know how much storage space we have. It's already taken care of. The amount of these supplies is large, but nothing we can't handle.«

»I'm sorry, sir,« the Lieutenant said with remorse.

»D'ye hae no bloody reason, man? Can ye no tell it's a load of medical supplies!« Carson exploded from behind Caldwell.

The Lieutenant's eyes bulged out in fear. Not the least because he didn't completely understand the strange speech. »Is he alright, sir?« he quietly asked Caldwell.

»Lieutenant!« Caldwell growled equally quietly in response.

»Sorry, sir,« the Lieutenant whispered. Before Caldwell could say anything he turned to Beckett. »Are you absolutely sure all of it is necessary?«

»Aye,« sighed the doctor.

»You did the statistical breakdown of your expenditure and needs?«

»Aye.«

»You cross-referenced the availability of supplies with the availability to the rest of U.S. government-sponsored medical facilities?«

The commander and the doctor exchanged confused looks. Each could tell the other didn't have a clue what that meant. Carson shrugged, assuming his head nurse knew what it was about. Thank god she was an American.

»Aye.«

»Alright. Apparently the other procedures were done correctly. As it concerns intergalactic travel and medical supplies, it is permissible for me to overlook the unusually large amount of this cargo subcategory. I am a kind man, I know it's for a good cause.« Carson and Caldwell again exchanged looks at this near insanity. Caldwell started wondering whether it was him that didn't speak English, or the Lieutenant.

»Thank you,« Carson said with a tinge of sarcasm in his voice. He and Caldwell turned to go.

»Wait a minute, sir, Doctor.« The officer stood up. »There is still the matter of Doctor Beckett's personal effects.«

»I thought that was arranged,« Caldwell said, since Beckett was momentarily left without the ability to speak.

»No, sir. We only resolved the dispute regarding the excess of medical supplies.«

»Lieutenant. Is it not obvious that that,« Caldwell pointed at Carson's bag, »and medical supplies aren't the same thing. Somebody made a typo, dammit. It makes little difference on my ship.«

»With all due respect, sir, a typographical error was made. I cannot overlook it. Sir. Doctor Beckett has exceeded the number of personal items.«

Carson shrugged in obvious defeat.

Caldwell thought for a moment. »Lieutenant. Can you make a correction and classify the Doctor's personal effects as mine?«

»You will have to sign an agreement, sir« the Lieutenant said shyly, now obviously out of his league.

»Sure.«

It took five minutes for the Colonel and the Lieutentant to arrange everything, but it was finally done. Caldwell said a sacchariny »thank you« to the other officer who seemed oblivious to the insincere nature of it. Carson simply nodded, too exhausted from all the dealings with bureaucracy to do much more.

As they exited the office, Carson turned to the Colonel. »Thank you, Colonel.«

»No problem, Doc,« Caldwell smiled. »I don't like these administrative horrors any more than you. Besides, for the next eighteen days, you're one of my men.«

»Can I ask you something?«

»Sure.«

»How did you know it was possible to mark my things as yours?«

»Experience, Doctor.« There was mischief in his eyes.

ooo

Carson sighed in relief when he finally set foot into the corridor off his cabin, knowing his luggage was safe there and his medical supplies safe in the storage room. All was well with the world again.

But not for long. Only moments after the relief, he heard something he hoped he wouldn't need to hear for at least a month. The sounds of two horrendous creatures coming at him from behind his back.

»Hey, Doc!«

»Carson.«

Sheppard and McKay smiled at him as they entered the corridor.

Carson just glared strangely, said only one thing: »You two'll be the bloody end of me yet!« and stormed off.

McKay and Sheppard exchanged confused glances.

»What did you do?« Sheppard asked the other man.

»Eat breakfast? How the hell should I know?«

»I haven't even seen him since we got back,« Sheppard added.

Fortunately, they knew, this would blow over sooner or later. Sheppard shrugged and walked away, Rodney following him. Supposedly Elizabeth brought enormous amounts of new DVDs with her. She had to be better company.

The end