Lt. Jg. Ryden TARUS Kel - Something lighter

[Ryden Kel]

((Main Sickbay – StarBase 118))

Sickbay was familiar enough that Ryden could move through it almost
unconsciously, weaving past biobeds and equipment consoles without
drawing attention. Not that he was trying to sneak up on anyone... he
just wanted to make sure the officers who had been away on Capricalia
weren’t still stuck here under fluorescent lights when they could be
out enjoying shore leave.

It felt almost ironic. Wyn, the former Chief Medical Officer, policing
the very place he once commanded. But now, as Executive Officer, part
of his job was coaxing the crew to actually rest. And maybe... just
maybe... he could do it without making every step feel like an order.

Foster appeared around the corner before Kel could think too long
about it, his gaze locking onto him.

Foster: Lieutenant Ryden Taurus Kel, aren’t you supposed to be off duty?

Kel froze for half a second. Taurus? He blinked at the familiar blue
eyes. Foster had just… butchered his mother’s surname. Tarus. With an
“a.” Not a zodiac sign. Not a bull. Just… his mom. He imagined Foster
picturing his entire lineage charging through sickbay, horns gleaming,
ready to headbutt anyone who questioned discipline. Perfect. Exactly
how I wanted to start shore leave.

Kel: oOTaurus? Really? I’m not a bull, Foster. I’m not charging into
sickbay waving a flag. Tah-rəs, like my mother’s name, not the
stars.Oo I… I was just checking the med logs. Ensuring everything’s in
order before the weekend.

Foster didn’t let him off the hook.

Foster: It’s not just five o’clock somewhere, it’s 1734 right here,
right now and you should be out enjoying yourself.

Kel glanced at his chronometer. Five o’clock and change. He had to
admit, Foster was right.

Kel: I could take a few minutes...

Foster: A Friday night on StarBase 118? There’s a festival in Little
Risa, A relaxation spa retreat in the Laikan district, a production of
K’Mothra and the Seven Spirits in the Q’onoS district, fireworks in
the Hong Kong district, a parrises square tournament in San Fran, and
a darts tournament in Keals… and that’s just what I could pick up with
a five minute search. You should pick one!

Kel: That’s… a lot of options. I’m not sure I can decide that quickly.
Fireworks are always fun. Care to join?

Foster’s insistence left no room for argument. Kel knew it... and,
strangely, found himself relieved by it.

Foster: Of course I’ll join. I’d be a hypocrite to order you to relax
and then do the opposite.

Kel: Well… in that case, I suppose I should make the most of it. Lead
the way, Commander.

Kel followed Foster out of sickbay, adjusting the sleeve of his
uniform as they stepped into the corridor. The hum of the station
seemed lighter somehow, the usual clinical edge of the med deck
replaced by the quiet excitement of shore leave.

Kel: You really do plan to see everything tonight, don’t you?

Foster: ?

Kel let a small smile slip. Someone has to keep the executive officer
from becoming a workaholic. Apparently, that someone is him.

They reached the turbolift, and Kel pressed the call button.

Kel: Fireworks, huh? I’ll admit… I’ve never seen them from the Hong
Kong district side. Always stuck in lectures or logs.

Foster: ?

Kel: I’ll hold you to that. And if I start analyzing the trajectory or
chemical composition, remind me this is supposed to be fun.

Foster: ?

Kel: Good. Because I have a feeling this is going to be… spectacular.

The turbolift doors slid closed, and the station seemed to shift
around them, leaving sickbay behind and opening the night for
something lighter and brighter.

Foster?


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Lieutenant JG Ryden TARUS Kel
Medical Officer
StarBase 118 Ops
O240109RK1