Lieutenant JG Roy Bancroft - What We Carry Forward
Carter Schimpff
(( Primary Sickbay, Deck 7 – USS Artemis-A ))
It was late.
Not by shipboard standards – just late in the way that felt most real to Roy. The lights had dipped to their soft night-cycle amber, the foot traffic in Sickbay had slowed to a trickle, and even the humming of the environmental systems seemed to whisper instead of speak.
He could’ve picked a different shift. Technically, as a Junior Grade, he had options now. But the truth was, he liked the quiet. It gave him time to breathe.
Time to think.
Roy swiveled slightly in his chair and let the PADD in his hands fall to the desk with a soft clatter. Leera Dakora’s genomic scan glowed briefly before dimming to standby. He couldn’t focus on that particular failure any longer. Not tonight, anyway.
His eyes flicked to the panel on his right.
A transmission request sat open. Still idle. Still unsent.
All it would take was a single swipe to cancel it. Close the tab. Close the loop forever. Pretend he’d never typed in his authorization code. Pretend curiosity hadn’t turned into something that sat like weight on his chest.
That would be neater. Cleaner. Safer.
He flexed his jaw. Licked his lips. Rolled his eyes – more at himself than anything else – and tapped the final sequence.
The line engaged. The screen came to life.
And for a few heartbeats, there was only silence.
Bancroft: ::softly, half-smile:: Hey, Doc. Wasn’t sure you’d pick up.
Sadar: Response
Roy leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees, fingers laced loosely. Like he was steadying something fragile that couldn’t be allowed to slip and break.
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.
He looked away – just briefly. A muscle jumped near his temple. Then he cleared his throat.
Bancroft: Didn’t care for the way people were talking about it, so I stopped listening.
Sadar: Response
His eyes flicked back to the screen – searching her face. Not for guilt, or shame, or even explanation. Just for her. The doctor he’d trusted in some of his most formative moments. The one who had once looked him in the eye, held his career in her hands, and chosen to teach rather than terminate.
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.
Sadar: Response
TAG/TBC!
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Lieutenant JG Roy Bancroft
Medical Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240205RB1