Flt. Capt. Karrod Niac - Polishing the Fishbowl
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Karrod Niac
Apr 15, 2026, 11:35:26 PM (5 days ago) Apr 15
to USS Ronin – StarBase 118 Star Trek PBEM RPG
((The Fishbowl, Celestial Tide Sanctuary, Logali IV))
Niac: Best part is I know for a fact Major Singh hates a mustache. She'll have you running laps up and down the flight deck until you shave it off or your legs are worn down to nubs. She'll make that odious women currently haunting Sickbay seem like your favorite eccentric aunt.
There were moments in his life that he was begrudgingly glad that Niac was around to chronicle, to add to its essence and hopefully carry far far into the future.
The expression on Quentin Beck's face in that moment was worthy of such immortality. Karrod suspected he'd be laughing about it several lifetimes down the road even as he tried to keep the smirk on his own face somewhat contained.
Kel: I can think of a Doctor and a Nurse who would be 100% on board with this plan, even if I'm skeptical.
Quentin tried to backpedal desperately and looked like a man who realized he'd vaulted gymnastically into a trap.
Beck: Okay, forget it. Stupid idea, let's forget I said anything.
Kel: I think you should try to sell the Major on mustaches. You're a pretty smooth operator.
Beck: I think you should try to sell–
V'Len's laughter rang off the observation dome and Karrod was feeling every bit as good about the idea as Quentin suddenly wasn't.
Niac: Come now Doctor, where's your sense of adventure? According to those new letters after your name you've mastered the surgical domain...consider this a new mountain to climb. And climb you will! Up and down, up and down...I understand the Major has her people train with fifty kilo packs on with the gravity turned up. Just think, by this time next year you could be in the running for one of those physical fitness awards Admiral Ransom likes to give out.
Kel: Ok. In all seriousness I think this idea has merit, but how does this rearrangement look. Is Quentin now a Mission Specialist. Do we need to speak to Reniae about taking the CMO role permanently?
Quentin's expression turned from defensive to serious...if still a bit sulkie at the thought of unending physical exertion.
Beck: No. Hell no. Like I said earlier, they have potential, but they're not ready yet. They need more time serving with the rest of the Medical staff first, and eventually need to undertake another mission as Acting CMO. I had been hoping my former assistant would have been around to take the job, but unfortunately, she decided to move on. Such is life.
He shook his head.
Beck: No, this would be strictly in the planning-and-maybe-training phase for right now. If I'm going to be expected to handle combat in any form, it's going to take some work.
Karrod chuckled, remembering all too well a phrase the Major had uttered man times. Usually at the top of her lungs while jogging laps around the flight deck with her people.
Niac: 'Every Marine a Rifleman' - a turn of phrase the Major taught me. It means anyone in her division is, first and foremost, capable of defending themselves and others. Comprehensively. If you want the team...and you don't want to up-end three departments to get it...I think you're going to be spending your off hours at the phaser range.
Kel: Well we all know that sooner or later Starfleet is going to send us back out and I don't think it would be wise to be "changing on the fly" as it were.
Quentin nodded.
Beck: I agree. This is not me floating my CV for a new position - hell, I'm not ready for that kind of thing yet. But I wanted to see if the idea had any merit and if we could afford to start working that direction.
Karrod finished off his drink and leaned forward, nodding agreeably.
Niac: I understand Quentin and, truly, I do think it's worth exploring. Like most good ideas, though, the trick is in the 'how.' So lets develop this. I agree that Doctor Shortrith needs a bit more experience before they'll be able to lead a department on their own...fortunately I know someone who has demonstrated a knack for training up promising junior officers. You can work with them while you're not doing push-ups.
Kel: Response
Beck: I will not step down until I'm certain we have a suitable replacement. I owe the Ronin a lot, and I won't make a hasty decision just because I'm feeling a little boxed in. Make sense?
Karrod watched the man finish his drink, then refilled both their glasses before raising it in a toast.
Niac: Of course, and nobody is asking you to. You need to....
V'Len's adorable canine companion chose that moment to let out a yawn before shifting contentedly and flatulating with the force of a medium supernova. Karrod's eyes began to water almost immediately.
Niac: By the Koala V'Len, what are you feeling this guy...what's his name again? Bork? Torx?
Kel: Response
He indicated the pup on the floor.
Beck: Mork… from Ork?
Karrod shrugged, wondering how much extra the resort would charge him if he just burned down the Fishbowl to get rid of the smell.
Niac: Oh I knew a Mork in the Academy...never made it to Ork though. Is that in the Alpha quadrant somewhere?
Kel: Response
Beck: I am just always flummoxed when someone who shouldn't have much knowledge for historical references from Earth displays them so vividly. Where did you get the name?
Karrod raised an eyebrow as he headed for the nearest open window.
Niac: There was a human named Ork? Hmmm...I wonder if this is how Toryn feels all the time. I think Al-leyans are allergic to idioms. Or maybe it's just him.
Kel: Response
Sticking his head through a lovely decorative window and taking in a breath of clean sea air, Karrod smiled and shook his head.
Niac: Alright Quentin...I think you've got some ideas to polish. But when you're ready to get started you'll have my support...I might even join you for a few laps, would be nice to get out of the ready room once in a while.
Kel/Beck: Response
He offered the two men a chuckle as he looked up towards the night sky, one dot among the cosmos shining just a bit brighter than the others.
Niac: Now if you'll excuse me I've got a duty shift in about six hours and if I don't get some sleep I may come up with a few more ideas for how Quentin can lose his soup catcher. Thanks for bringing me in on the idea, Quentin. Hope you don't regret it too much.
Kel/Beck: Response
He nodded towards both men and the snoring canine before heading towards the door.
Niac: I'll see you two...you three back on the ship. And I'll make sure to alert Engineering that the air quality is likely to plummet.
The dog let out a contented little yip in its sleep and Karrod smiled as he headed back towards the transport platform and, ultimately, his bed.
He didn't bother taking his uniform off this time.
[Tags/End Scene for Niac!]
===============================
Fleet Captain Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0
Niac: Best part is I know for a fact Major Singh hates a mustache. She'll have you running laps up and down the flight deck until you shave it off or your legs are worn down to nubs. She'll make that odious women currently haunting Sickbay seem like your favorite eccentric aunt.
There were moments in his life that he was begrudgingly glad that Niac was around to chronicle, to add to its essence and hopefully carry far far into the future.
The expression on Quentin Beck's face in that moment was worthy of such immortality. Karrod suspected he'd be laughing about it several lifetimes down the road even as he tried to keep the smirk on his own face somewhat contained.
Kel: I can think of a Doctor and a Nurse who would be 100% on board with this plan, even if I'm skeptical.
Quentin tried to backpedal desperately and looked like a man who realized he'd vaulted gymnastically into a trap.
Beck: Okay, forget it. Stupid idea, let's forget I said anything.
Kel: I think you should try to sell the Major on mustaches. You're a pretty smooth operator.
Beck: I think you should try to sell–
V'Len's laughter rang off the observation dome and Karrod was feeling every bit as good about the idea as Quentin suddenly wasn't.
Niac: Come now Doctor, where's your sense of adventure? According to those new letters after your name you've mastered the surgical domain...consider this a new mountain to climb. And climb you will! Up and down, up and down...I understand the Major has her people train with fifty kilo packs on with the gravity turned up. Just think, by this time next year you could be in the running for one of those physical fitness awards Admiral Ransom likes to give out.
Kel: Ok. In all seriousness I think this idea has merit, but how does this rearrangement look. Is Quentin now a Mission Specialist. Do we need to speak to Reniae about taking the CMO role permanently?
Quentin's expression turned from defensive to serious...if still a bit sulkie at the thought of unending physical exertion.
Beck: No. Hell no. Like I said earlier, they have potential, but they're not ready yet. They need more time serving with the rest of the Medical staff first, and eventually need to undertake another mission as Acting CMO. I had been hoping my former assistant would have been around to take the job, but unfortunately, she decided to move on. Such is life.
He shook his head.
Beck: No, this would be strictly in the planning-and-maybe-training phase for right now. If I'm going to be expected to handle combat in any form, it's going to take some work.
Karrod chuckled, remembering all too well a phrase the Major had uttered man times. Usually at the top of her lungs while jogging laps around the flight deck with her people.
Niac: 'Every Marine a Rifleman' - a turn of phrase the Major taught me. It means anyone in her division is, first and foremost, capable of defending themselves and others. Comprehensively. If you want the team...and you don't want to up-end three departments to get it...I think you're going to be spending your off hours at the phaser range.
Kel: Well we all know that sooner or later Starfleet is going to send us back out and I don't think it would be wise to be "changing on the fly" as it were.
Quentin nodded.
Beck: I agree. This is not me floating my CV for a new position - hell, I'm not ready for that kind of thing yet. But I wanted to see if the idea had any merit and if we could afford to start working that direction.
Karrod finished off his drink and leaned forward, nodding agreeably.
Niac: I understand Quentin and, truly, I do think it's worth exploring. Like most good ideas, though, the trick is in the 'how.' So lets develop this. I agree that Doctor Shortrith needs a bit more experience before they'll be able to lead a department on their own...fortunately I know someone who has demonstrated a knack for training up promising junior officers. You can work with them while you're not doing push-ups.
Kel: Response
Beck: I will not step down until I'm certain we have a suitable replacement. I owe the Ronin a lot, and I won't make a hasty decision just because I'm feeling a little boxed in. Make sense?
Karrod watched the man finish his drink, then refilled both their glasses before raising it in a toast.
Niac: Of course, and nobody is asking you to. You need to....
V'Len's adorable canine companion chose that moment to let out a yawn before shifting contentedly and flatulating with the force of a medium supernova. Karrod's eyes began to water almost immediately.
Niac: By the Koala V'Len, what are you feeling this guy...what's his name again? Bork? Torx?
Kel: Response
He indicated the pup on the floor.
Beck: Mork… from Ork?
Karrod shrugged, wondering how much extra the resort would charge him if he just burned down the Fishbowl to get rid of the smell.
Niac: Oh I knew a Mork in the Academy...never made it to Ork though. Is that in the Alpha quadrant somewhere?
Kel: Response
Beck: I am just always flummoxed when someone who shouldn't have much knowledge for historical references from Earth displays them so vividly. Where did you get the name?
Karrod raised an eyebrow as he headed for the nearest open window.
Niac: There was a human named Ork? Hmmm...I wonder if this is how Toryn feels all the time. I think Al-leyans are allergic to idioms. Or maybe it's just him.
Kel: Response
Sticking his head through a lovely decorative window and taking in a breath of clean sea air, Karrod smiled and shook his head.
Niac: Alright Quentin...I think you've got some ideas to polish. But when you're ready to get started you'll have my support...I might even join you for a few laps, would be nice to get out of the ready room once in a while.
Kel/Beck: Response
He offered the two men a chuckle as he looked up towards the night sky, one dot among the cosmos shining just a bit brighter than the others.
Niac: Now if you'll excuse me I've got a duty shift in about six hours and if I don't get some sleep I may come up with a few more ideas for how Quentin can lose his soup catcher. Thanks for bringing me in on the idea, Quentin. Hope you don't regret it too much.
Kel/Beck: Response
He nodded towards both men and the snoring canine before heading towards the door.
Niac: I'll see you two...you three back on the ship. And I'll make sure to alert Engineering that the air quality is likely to plummet.
The dog let out a contented little yip in its sleep and Karrod smiled as he headed back towards the transport platform and, ultimately, his bed.
He didn't bother taking his uniform off this time.
[Tags/End Scene for Niac!]
===============================
Fleet Captain Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0
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