Fic: Observations, Ch 2
Dr. McCoy exhibits signs of deep xenophobia.
His comments directed at my person, which are usually focused on some aspect of my Vulcan background or mixed heritage, are spoken with the clear intent of provoking a visible emotional response. Initially, relations between us were courteous and professional, perhaps slightly strained on his part, due to my involvement with the captain’s academic hearings. Immediately after the destruction of Vulcan, relations were extremely formal. The doctor devoted a considerable amount of energy to restrain himself from saying anything humans might consider insulting or derogatory. He established new behavioral patterns in accordance with an archaic North American code of propriety.
Neither the visible effort nor the restraint are present currently. The reason for this change is not clear. I have observed that some humans are incapable of suppressing their emotions for extended periods of time. As of yet I have not ascertained whether he acts purely out of a personal aversion to me, or if other variables are effecting him.
The doctor has, however, on several occasions declared emphatically to the captain his revulsion at our frequent encounters with other alien species. Words such as “inhuman” and “insane” and other “colorful turns of phrase,” as Nyota puts it, are bandied about with startling ease.
It is not fitting for an officer in Starfleet, on board a vessel dedicated to exploratory missions, with an 87.65% chance of initiating an average of 62.9 First Contacts per five year period, to conduct himself in such a manner.
Furthermore, this ship is scheduled to take on several diplomatic missions. The Federation will send the captain and the Enterprise to mediate conflicts, and Dr. McCoy’s present attitudes would be detrimental to the success of such missions. Interplanetary negotiations are notoriously fickle, where violation of some minor cultural taboo may provide grounds for breaking off relations and initiating war. If, as his current behavior indicates, the doctor is unable to curb his manner of speech, there is an extremely high probability that he will not only offend alien dignitaries, but misrepresent the Federation and that body’s stated goals. It is not unreasonable to surmise that any diplomatic parties would assume that the Federation does not truly seek to act as an unbiased, neutral mediating party.
Nyota informed me that Dr. McCoy joined Starfleet out of economic necessity. Whatever the original basis for his decision, as an officer aboard the Enterprise and representative of the Federation, he is obligated to uphold a standard of conduct and execute his duties such that they do not interfere with the success of the missions. He has made it sufficiently clear that he disagrees with the Vulcan principles upon which the philosophy of this expedition was founded, but he must respect them.
The captain has not seen it fit to formally reprimand the chief medical officer. Therefore, I must take it upon myself to raise the subject matter with the captain.
--
“Woah, wait, Spock. You think Bones is xenophobic?”
“His actions strongly indicate that the doctor has a fear of alien species.”
“Spock, Bones doesn’t actually mean half the stuff he says. He’s just joking. You know, being all human and illogical.”
“I had considered that possibility that this was an elaborate form of Terran humor, given that humans have a propensity to find emotional satisfaction in another’s misfortune. However, such a propensity does not explain the intensity with which he articulates his opinions and the distinct lack of laughter on his part. You, captain, are the one who laughs.” The captain began to frown. “Furthermore, there is a point when such pleasure is not derived from the miserable situation of another individual, but from another group that is perceived in some way to be different from the group with which the xenophobe identifies himself.”
“Look, I guess I can see how you might think that Bones is xenophobic. But that’s just not who he is-he’s not mean like that. Bones is sarcastic about everything, Spock. He's always cracking jokes about humans too, muttering about how we're off our collective rockers for flying out in a vacuum in nothing but a fancy tin can. I mean, if he were a closet xenophobe, why doesn’t he refuse to see to your medical needs or something?”
“Dr. McCoy does not service me in the Sickbay.”
“What?”
“My medical needs are attended to by Dr. M’Benga. He specializes in xenophysiology and received some training from the healers of Vulcan. As my own physiology favors my Vulcan heritage, it is only logical that I have been assigned to Dr. M’Benga’s care. He is also familiar with my medical history, as he and I both served under Admiral Pike. That issue, however, is not relevant to our present subject matter.”
"Spock--"
"Your reluctance to broach this topic with the doctor is atypical of you, captain. The logical rigor of the arguments that I have put before you well exceeds the standards required by humans, though my brief experience under your command has established that rationality is never the guiding principle by which you take action. If you find the prospect of such a discussion unpleasant, then I will speak to Dr. McCoy."
"No, I'll talk to him," the captain replied. He gave me a long look. "Commander, I'm sorry if Dr. McCoy has offended you in any way."
"Captain, you may be assured that I did not act out of any offense taken. As First Officer of the Enterprise, it is my duty to inform you of any and all circumstances that might impact the efficient operation of this ship and successful accomplishment of assignments."
"Of course, Spock. I would have expected nothing less." The captain fixed me with a cryptic look once more. "Dismissed."