Lt. j.g. Ar'Gorvalei - Answering the Call

[Jamie Comeau]

((USS Arrow, Deck 3, Sickbay))

Ar’Gorvalei sat at his desk, contemplating the design notes left by Commander R’Ariel regarding the drop-in sickbay plans for Cargo Bay 1 and the mess hall, plans which she had drawn up during their recent humanitarian assistance to the Chalnoth. Both might be needed if the number of survivors were high. For that matter, he might need to plan a third drop-in sickbay. But where? 

 

Looking over a schematic of the ship, Ar’Gorvalei considered two possibilities – Cargo Bay 2 down on Deck 4 or the ship’s gymnasium. Neither was ideal; but then again, neither was using the ship’s mess as an impromptu infirmary. 

 

The captain had said to prepare for two or two hundred survivors, but all he could do at this stage was lay out contingency plans. He couldn’t justify turning half the ship into a sickbay now without more information. But he could make sure plans were in place to do so at a moment’s notice. 

 

Two hundred seemed an unusually huge number. The Arrow only carried a crew complement of sixty. Unless captain Shayne was speaking hyperbolically – and Ar’Gorvalei really hoped he hadn’t been making plans based on hyperbole – the captain had to be considering the possibility that there might be other missing crews being held; the captain had mentioned the Borizov, lost with all hands. 

 

For all they knew, the Sheliak could be holding crews from other galactic powers as well. Two hundred could even be a low figure. 

 

Ar’Gorvalei looked at the ship’s schematics again. Perhaps Cargo Bay 2 and the ship’s gymnasium could both be used as drop-in sickbays in an emergency? 

 

A headache threatened with the potential logistics nightmare, averted only by the sound of an unfamiliar voice calling his name. 

 

Niac:  Lieutenant Ar'Gorvalei?  I need to speak with you.  

Ar’Gorvalei stood up from his desk, and rounding the corner, found the ship’s new executive officer standing in sickbay. The stocky, bearded Trill turned toward him.

Ar'Gorvalei:  Commander Niac, what can I do for you?

The first officer offered a hand, and Ar’Gorvalei shook it. 

Niac:  I need to discuss the upcoming mission with you.  Is there someplace we could talk privately?   

Ar’Gorvalei looked around. The most obvious place presented itself, but Ar’Gorvalei was reluctant to take advantage of it, even if he had permission to use it.

 

Ar'Gorvalei:  Yes, we can use the CMO’s office. 

 

Ar’Gorvalei ushered Commander Niac into the chief medical officer’s office, feeling like an interloper into someone else’s private sanctum. Even though Commander R’Ariel preferred the counseling suite for meetings, everything about the room radiated her personal preferences, or so it seemed to Ar’Gorvalei, and nowhere did he feel her absence more keenly than here. 

 

oO Please return soon, R’Ariel. I … we need you. Oo 

 

Gingerly, he took a seat behind her desk, careful not to disturb anything, and clasped his hands in front of him.

Niac:  I'd like you to be a member of the landing party we're sending down, Lieutenant.  They need a medic and you're the best one we have.   

 

Ar’Gorvalei closed his eyes for a moment, smiling in bitter amusement.

Ar'Gorvalei: Of course.

Karrod nodded.

Niac:  At ease, Mr. Ar'Gorvalei.  I want to hear what you think.  I'm aware this crew has no lack of...difficult history with the Sheliak.  

Ar'Gorvalei: The history goes back before my time here. I’ve only read the mission reports. But last year, I was part of a team sent to infiltrate a Sheliak carrier and neutralize a bioweapon they were planning on using on a defenseless world. I nearly died, in this sickbay. 

 

Niac: Response 

 

Ar’Gorvalei: Don’t mistake me. I have a healthy respect for what the Sheliak are capable of. Nevertheless, I am the most logical choice. Others can take over my responsibilities here. I can leave instructions for the remaining preparations. Who else will be going? 

 

Ar’Gorvalei realized he was redirecting the conversation. It was one thing to admit one’s fear to oneself, and another thing to admit it to one’s first officer; especially one so new and unknown. Besides, he had acknowledged and accepted his fear. That was the first step to overcoming it. Now he was ready to face it. 

 

Niac: Response 

Tags/TBC 

Lieutenant j.g. Ar’Gorvalei 

Medical Officer 

U.S.S. Arrow 

A239809A11