Lieutenant JG Ras El'Heem - Delaying the inevitable

[Ras El'Heem]

((First Officer’s Office, Deck 1, USS Khitomer, Docked at DS33))

 

The walk from the turbolift to Commander Hobart’s office felt far longer than it should have. Each step echoed with a rubbery weight, like his boots had absorbed the unease radiating from the conversation that had yet to happen. Ras kept his gait even and his shoulders squared. In his left hand, the PADD with his transfer paperwork and in his right, nothing. The corridor was quiet, save for the clank and vibrations of the ongoing repairs to the Khitomer. An engineer nodded as she walked past and Ras returned the nod without meeting her eyes.

 

The door to the First Officer’s office stood opposite the Captain’s ready room. Shut and unassuming in every way except for the way it made his stomach curl. The two hadn’t spoken since the incident with the probe. He had made a judgement call, that ultimately ended in the Khitomer being saved. This was objectively true. At the cost of his hand and at the cost of probably losing Hobart’s respect. And now he was submitting a department transfer.

 

oO Not exactly a glowing record for transfer approval Oo

 

Ras stopped at the door and took a deep breath. He could almost her mama Talia’s voice. He imagined she’d say “Just take your lickings and don’t apologize unless you mean it. And think about Statler Jr. if you’re nervous. If a bat can handle Nolan, so can you.” Or something like that. He waited a moment before pressing the buzzer. There was a pause before the doors slid open with another one of those whooshes of disappointment. The lights inside we low but warm. The kind of environment that could either be calming or intimidating depending on the mood of the man behind the desk. At least to him. Ras had only ever been here once before, to request permission for his still. That wasn’t such an intimidating occasion. This was different.

 

Hobart: Response

 

He followed the order and stepped into the man’s office.

 

El’Heem: Captain.

 

The door shut behind him and the sounds of metal on metal became muffled. Ras approached the desk and stood opposite of Hobart, waiting for permission to speak. He saw the commander’s eyes bounce to his stump and then back to his face. It was brief and fleeting, but he saw it. Ras cleared his throat and crossed his limbs, hiding the missing hand behind the PADD.

 

Hobart: Response

 

Ras shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

 

El’Heem: How are the repairs going?

 

There was a dryness in the way he was speaking. He was delaying the inevitable. With small talk. And he realized it. He also thought Hobart probably realized it too.

 

Hobart: Response

 

El’Heem: Good. Can’t be worse than our last few scuffles. Feels weird to be back here again. ::Pausing:: Deep space 33, that is.

 

Ras studied the commander and tried to gauge just how angry he was. There wasn’t much showing on his face that didn’t feel like stoicism.

 

Hobart: Response

 

That didn’t surprise him. He knew it was coming and he couldn’t delay any longer, lest he want to anger the man more. Ras sat in the smaller, less commanding chair than the captain sat in. He set his PADD down in front of him.

 

El’Heem: You’re right. I didn’t come here for that. I assume Chief Ohnari has talked to you about my transfer?

 

Hobart: Response

 

TAGS/TBC

Lieutenant JG Ras El’Heem

Medical Officer

USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)

K240106RE3