PNPC Gila Sadar - What We Leave Behind

[LT Tamio K'Wara]

(( The Sadar-Aqila Quarters - Deck 176, DS224 ))

Another day, another failure. Gila had tried to gather courage for days on how to tell Kolya about her and Commander Adea’s findings. It was already a difficult ask since Kolya was currently practicing the entirely logical and expected Mizarian custom of completely ignoring her existence - and if possible, she had wanted to allow him that, enable him to observe the customs as prescribed - and yet she also knew that not telling him wasn’t an option.

He had to know.

Preferably before there was a wanton attack by uppity space pirates, or a black hole opened up next to them and deposited a massive space squid, or brainwashing parasites turned the crew of the sizable station against them, or- Gila sighed.

The universe seemed a much scarier place once you’d served in Starfleet for a little while.

Now, she was stuck in the dim family room by herself, watching the shut door to Kolya’s room like it was some sort of force field, keeping her from accessing him. It wasn’t, he still didn’t lock his door, but it might as well be. Gila rubbed her anxiety ring absentmindedly as she hugged her legs closer to her on the white couch. She still had to sleep. She had disciplinary duties tomorrow…

A dull whirring from the computer console made her look up in confusion. She’d already talked with Lt. Commander Osuna today, and besides, he was very adamant about maintaining a good work-life balance, so she doubted he’d try and contact her during his family time.

She rose to her feet to move to the console, cautious, as she smoothed out her ivory Yael-robe. Then, she paused, as she saw the caller.

‘Lieutenant Junior Grade Roy Bancroft, USS Artemis-A’

She froze as she stared at the screen, her dark eyes practically trembling in their sockets. Why was he calling? She’d assumed that if there was an inquiry to be made by Sickbay, it would’ve been Lieutenant Morgan who would call. But then, maybe Doctor Bancroft was part of the committee? Or maybe he’d taken over one of her old patients, found something wrong? The possibilities were endless, and each one of them made Gila uniquely aware that just not picking up really wasn’t an option… She didn’t want to risk ignoring it and then getting a stern call from Lieutenant Morgan after all. Just because she’d expected it to be him, did not mean she would’ve preferred that outcome.

She slowly accepted the call, taking a seat at the console as she did so, anxiously gnawing at the inside of her cheek.

Bancroft: =/\= ::softly, half-smile:: Hey, Doc. Wasn’t sure you’d pick up. =/\=

Gila blinked as she examined him. He seemed tired, though not in an exhausted fashion, and at least there were no explosions going off in the background. He also didn’t have bags under his eyes, so he was getting enough sleep at least. And yet, something about his countenance was off from the Ensign she’d met half a year ago. She wondered what had happened to him in the time since- Well, since then.

Sadar: =/\= H-Hello Doctor... S-Sorry, I, uhh. I wasn’t expecting- ::clears throat:: I-I see you’ve got the C-shift. D-Did, mh, something happen? =/\=

The human male leaned forward towards the console, and though it made no logical sense, Gila leaned backwards in turn.

Bancroft: =/\= Nah, not by punishment. This time, anyway. ::dry smile:: Sometimes the late shift’s just… nicer. Easier to think when nobody’s rolling in with sniffles and sprained wrists. ::a beat:: Heard you were on 224. Then I heard… other things. Enough to know you’re not in uniform anymore. =/\=

Gila grew quiet as Doctor Bancroft looked away from her, just ever so briefly.

Bancroft: =/\= Didn’t care for the way people were talking about it, so I stopped listening. =/\=

She didn’t know how to respond to that, so she looked down instead. She didn’t have to imagine what he might’ve heard - she’d heard plenty herself from the malicious gossiping she’d overheard some of the Enlisted do in the shuttlebay - and while Doctor Bancroft was of no obligation to feel sorry for her, nor maintain any misguided sense of pity for her situation, she appreciated the sentiment.

Sadar: =/\= ... I see. =/\=

When she looked back up, he was searching her face for something, though Gila couldn’t tell what, and she averted her eyes in response. The intensity in his gaze made her feel like she was back in the office, being cross-examined by a senior officer. Which, she supposed, wouldn’t be too off for their current situation. He had been promoted, proven his worth in the eyes of the Captain... And she was here, with nothing.

She was proud of him, proud that he’d not allowed a single moment to define his character as an officer.

He was everything she’d never been.

Bancroft: =/\= ::quietly:: But I figured… you were at least still practicing? ::beat, tilting his head slightly:: You’re not the type to sit on your hands while you have the skills to help people in need. I refuse to believe that. =/\= 

Gila didn’t look back at him, just quietly shook her head.

Sadar: =/\= I, uhh... N-No, I-I’m- ::clears throat:: D-Did the transition go well? I left, uhh, n-notes for my ongoing patients. I-I hope there were no issues. =/\=

Bancroft: =/\= Response =/\=

She twisted her anxiety ring slowly, realizing that avoiding the conversation wasn’t going to go away. Much like Commander Adea, Doctor Bancroft wasn’t the type of person you could just wave an excuse at and expect him to accept it at face value. He was too intelligent for that, and had been so since she first met him in the Grunden Conference Room.

Sadar: =/\= I, appreciate the consideration, Doctor… ::looks down at her hands:: W-Well, I’m d-doing disciplinary duties a-at the moment, and I have m-my nephew to look after, s-so- =/\=

oO Excuses Oo

She winced at that scolding thought in her mind. She’d had the option of doing disciplinary duties working for the healthcare services on DS224 - not actual medical practice, but nursing and clerical upkeep - and she’d purposefully avoided it. How could she call herself a Doctor now? After what she’d done?

Bancroft: =/\= Response =/\=

Sadar: =/\= I’m not- ::looks back up at him:: ... I don’t know. Who would want to be treated by a doctor like me? B-Besides, the DS224 medical staff is very competent. =/\=

Bancroft: =/\= Response =/\=

TAG/TBC

PNPC Gila Sadar

Civilian
DS224

As simmed by

LT Tamio K’Wara

Chief of Operations

USS Artemis-A

A240006GS1