Lt. Cmdr. V'Len Kel - 4D chess
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Don K
Apr 10, 2026, 9:10:11 AMApr 10
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((The Fishbowl, Celestial Tide Sanctuary, Logali IV))
V'Len poured the bottle of water into a foldable bowl he'd brought and Mork soon had his snout, ears and tongue in the bowl lapping happily. Once finished he began to sniff his way around the room dragging his ears along on the ground.
Kel: Oh career advice. That's an easier puzzle to solve than our nurse friend.
Beck: I'll let Marty try to figure out that puzzle. As for why I asked you here - I wanted to run an idea by you guys, see what you thought about it. After the time I've spent at Division 14, I got a little experience leading more than just a small team of Doctors and nurses, and I found it quite satisfying.
Niac: It's a common problem with good officers, Quentin. Once they get a taste of the bigger challenges that are out there it's suddenly difficult to be content with what you've always known.
V'Len glanced over to watch Mork scurry around the room, sucking air into his large nostrils. The view was lost on him completely. Mork seemed to experience the world mostly through his nose and tongue.
Niac: It's a problem I've got some familiarity with myself. And something I suspect V'Len here has recently gotten acquainted with.
Kel: While I envy the number of letters you have behind your name I can't say I've had that as a personal goal. Half the time I feel like I'd be happy in a small infirmary on K-7 or DS9. Just a simple "country doctor" if you will.
Beck: Oh, I've considered that, too, but I'm pretty sure if I showed up on DS9 again and tried to take a shift at the Infirmary, they'd shove me out the nearest airlock. I may have overdone it there, just a little bit.
Karrod seemed to have some problems with his liquor.
Niac: Could be worse, I'm fairly sure if I show up there again they'll activate the stations defense grid. Apparently my 'we're sorry we blacked out your station' fruit basket on behalf of the Ronin didn't quite smooth things over with the Bajorans.
V'Len smiled at the pair.
Kel: The other half of the time I have other goals in mind, but we're not here to talk about me. So what are your options Quentin?
Beck: Well… that's why I wanted advice from the both of you. I know last time we had a pow wow like this one, I ended up leaving the Ronin for an indeterminate amount of time, but that's not my intention this time around. I'm just… rolling some ideas around in my head and wanted to see if they were crazy or not.
Chuckling he finished his drink and looked for a refill, certain it wouldn't be his only one based on how this conversation was going.
Niac: Speaking as you Captain I'm all ears. As your friend I can say, with all confidence, that any idea in your head is crazy...but that doesn't mean it's a bad one. So, what've you got so far? Going to try being the first male doctor on Angel One? I think you could pull off that half-shirt they strongly encourage their men to wear.
Kel: Have you tried making a pros and cons list?
Beck: Not yet, but that's mostly because I only just started thinking about this. The idea kinda came to me overnight, while I was still sleeping in my quarters on the Ronin before coming down here. Sort of a flash of inspiration, y'know?
Niac: Oh absolutely...the problem is occasionally those flashes in the middle of the night are Rostil's, or Armo's, or Sencha's...and I end up putting together weird ingredients at 0330 or scaring the blue shirts in one of the science labs. Speaking of V'Len, I'll replace the meso-spectrometer in science lab two tomorrow...long story. Go on Quentin.
V'Len narrowed his eyes at Karrod. He'd been ready to haul Poagie into his office to discuss the meso-spectrometer. He was glad he hadn't as the guilty party was not Ferengi or Antedian, but Trill.
Kel: ::mumbling to Karrod:: Let me guess Tuesday?
The topic was dropped for the moment as Quentin continued.
Beck: You guys are familiar with Hazard Teams, right? And Search and Rescue?
The name rang a bell and Niac filled in some blanks from a briefing he'd been in years before.
Niac: Experimental tactical response team right? Specialized training and equipment, meant to be the tip of the spear in a variety of situations? I remember reading about a few ships that tried them with mixed results. Why? Think the Ronin needs one? Search & Rescue falls under Major Singh's scope of responsibility and those folks haven't let us down.
Kel: We also have Captain Winters and Lieutenant Frost who specialize in such things.
Beck: Well, considering how many times we've had shuttles go missing or someone needing emergency extraction since the ship's launch, I have been wondering if maybe we've got a gap in our support tree. Singh and her team do a great job when they're needed, but often they have to divert away from defending the ship to try to perform something a little more specialized, like extracting a prisoner or injured patients, or some such.
Karrod let out a hurmph. V'Len cocked his head to one side. What Quentin was saying was accurate and V'Len had always been reluctant to throw his medical team into risky situations. They were great healers, but no necessarily trained for combat related operations.
Niac: That's fair...I never wanted the Ronin to be a warship...I always wanted to keep our footing flexible...but the reality of our missions and our time in the Alpha Isles has been demanding. Keep talking. You've got me interested.
V'Len had never wanted to serve on a warship. He had joined Starfleet to discover and explore and while he knew he could probably transfer to any number of science vessels, he had developed a particular concern for the Alpha Isles.
Kel: Mork stop licking yourself.
V'Len waved a finger at the dog who had paused his journey around the room to lick on of his paws. He was no doubt trying to taste the ground he'd been walking on.
Beck: I was thinking we could put together a team to handle that kind of specialized mission. Not exactly a Medical Hazard Team, but not really the traditional kind, either. We would retrofit one of the shuttles to serve as our home base when we wouldn't be on the Ronin, and make it modular enough it could function as anything from an ambulance to a mobile operating room to a high security transport. Which means we would need to involve Security at the very least, but I kinda see this as a team that would pull from all departments.
Niac: I can see the value of something like that...take one of the larger runabouts, pull it apart, setup some modules we could swap in quickly depending on the needs of the day...putting the team together is a bit trickier though. You'd need medical, security, pilots...frankly, it sounds like work the Marines are already doing for us, just...larger.
Kel: You forgot science sir. Never forget the old saying "Science will win."
Beck: I… would kinda want to run the team, actually. I'm not sure I could manage it while also handling the CMO job, since I'd need to be in Sickbay, but I would like to at least start putting together the infrastructure for this kind of team. Thoughts?
V'Len took a sip of his drink and sat down. That meant quite a few things.
Niac: Well Doctor...my first thought is...how do you feel about the color green?
Kel: ::raising an open palm:: But that leaves a vacancy in sickbay. Are you suggesting Dr. Shortrith continue as CMO permanently?
V'Len wasn't sure they even wanted that. Renaie had done well, very well, as acting CMO during the last mission. They'd even managed to handle De La Croix effectively. V'Len could go back to medical of course, but that would leave the science department understaffed and potentially without a leader.
Beck: Response
It seemed Karrod was interested in the idea, if his hand rubbing was any indication.
Niac: See, we could reorganize our security and medical teams, and step on a lot of toes in those departments and with our Marine contingent all at once...or...you go to work for Major Singh. Starfleet Medical graciously loans you to the Starfleet Marine Corp, where you can share your field medical expertise and surgical prowess...you know, all those new letters after your name...while learning from the best in the business at rapid response, high risk tactical operations.
Kel: I hate to be that guy, but I'd really like to understand how this would look. It sounds like a completely different organization that what we traditionally have on starships.
Beck: Response
Karrod rapped a knuckle on the table and V'Len knew the Captain was beyond enticed. He wondered how Toryn would appraise the new situation.
Niac: You'd work with them along with all our other teams to expand our existing S&R capabilities...both equipment and tactics...and if after a few months it seems to be working, you write the whole thing up so we can introduce the idea to the fleet for broader adoption. But I haven't even told you the best part yet!
Kel: Do tell.
Beck: Response
Karrod chuckled and stroked at his beard.
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.
V'Len burst into laughter.
Kel: I can think of a Doctor and a Nurse who would be 100% on board with this plan, even if I'm skeptical.
Beck: Response
V'Len tried to stop laughing.
Kel: I think you should try to sell the Major on mustaches. You're a pretty smooth operator.
Niac/Beck: Response
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?
Niac/Beck: Response
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.
Niac/Beck: Response
Tags/TBC
--
V'Len poured the bottle of water into a foldable bowl he'd brought and Mork soon had his snout, ears and tongue in the bowl lapping happily. Once finished he began to sniff his way around the room dragging his ears along on the ground.
Kel: Oh career advice. That's an easier puzzle to solve than our nurse friend.
Beck: I'll let Marty try to figure out that puzzle. As for why I asked you here - I wanted to run an idea by you guys, see what you thought about it. After the time I've spent at Division 14, I got a little experience leading more than just a small team of Doctors and nurses, and I found it quite satisfying.
Niac: It's a common problem with good officers, Quentin. Once they get a taste of the bigger challenges that are out there it's suddenly difficult to be content with what you've always known.
V'Len glanced over to watch Mork scurry around the room, sucking air into his large nostrils. The view was lost on him completely. Mork seemed to experience the world mostly through his nose and tongue.
Niac: It's a problem I've got some familiarity with myself. And something I suspect V'Len here has recently gotten acquainted with.
Kel: While I envy the number of letters you have behind your name I can't say I've had that as a personal goal. Half the time I feel like I'd be happy in a small infirmary on K-7 or DS9. Just a simple "country doctor" if you will.
Beck: Oh, I've considered that, too, but I'm pretty sure if I showed up on DS9 again and tried to take a shift at the Infirmary, they'd shove me out the nearest airlock. I may have overdone it there, just a little bit.
Karrod seemed to have some problems with his liquor.
Niac: Could be worse, I'm fairly sure if I show up there again they'll activate the stations defense grid. Apparently my 'we're sorry we blacked out your station' fruit basket on behalf of the Ronin didn't quite smooth things over with the Bajorans.
V'Len smiled at the pair.
Kel: The other half of the time I have other goals in mind, but we're not here to talk about me. So what are your options Quentin?
Beck: Well… that's why I wanted advice from the both of you. I know last time we had a pow wow like this one, I ended up leaving the Ronin for an indeterminate amount of time, but that's not my intention this time around. I'm just… rolling some ideas around in my head and wanted to see if they were crazy or not.
Chuckling he finished his drink and looked for a refill, certain it wouldn't be his only one based on how this conversation was going.
Niac: Speaking as you Captain I'm all ears. As your friend I can say, with all confidence, that any idea in your head is crazy...but that doesn't mean it's a bad one. So, what've you got so far? Going to try being the first male doctor on Angel One? I think you could pull off that half-shirt they strongly encourage their men to wear.
Kel: Have you tried making a pros and cons list?
Beck: Not yet, but that's mostly because I only just started thinking about this. The idea kinda came to me overnight, while I was still sleeping in my quarters on the Ronin before coming down here. Sort of a flash of inspiration, y'know?
Niac: Oh absolutely...the problem is occasionally those flashes in the middle of the night are Rostil's, or Armo's, or Sencha's...and I end up putting together weird ingredients at 0330 or scaring the blue shirts in one of the science labs. Speaking of V'Len, I'll replace the meso-spectrometer in science lab two tomorrow...long story. Go on Quentin.
V'Len narrowed his eyes at Karrod. He'd been ready to haul Poagie into his office to discuss the meso-spectrometer. He was glad he hadn't as the guilty party was not Ferengi or Antedian, but Trill.
Kel: ::mumbling to Karrod:: Let me guess Tuesday?
The topic was dropped for the moment as Quentin continued.
Beck: You guys are familiar with Hazard Teams, right? And Search and Rescue?
The name rang a bell and Niac filled in some blanks from a briefing he'd been in years before.
Niac: Experimental tactical response team right? Specialized training and equipment, meant to be the tip of the spear in a variety of situations? I remember reading about a few ships that tried them with mixed results. Why? Think the Ronin needs one? Search & Rescue falls under Major Singh's scope of responsibility and those folks haven't let us down.
Kel: We also have Captain Winters and Lieutenant Frost who specialize in such things.
Beck: Well, considering how many times we've had shuttles go missing or someone needing emergency extraction since the ship's launch, I have been wondering if maybe we've got a gap in our support tree. Singh and her team do a great job when they're needed, but often they have to divert away from defending the ship to try to perform something a little more specialized, like extracting a prisoner or injured patients, or some such.
Karrod let out a hurmph. V'Len cocked his head to one side. What Quentin was saying was accurate and V'Len had always been reluctant to throw his medical team into risky situations. They were great healers, but no necessarily trained for combat related operations.
Niac: That's fair...I never wanted the Ronin to be a warship...I always wanted to keep our footing flexible...but the reality of our missions and our time in the Alpha Isles has been demanding. Keep talking. You've got me interested.
V'Len had never wanted to serve on a warship. He had joined Starfleet to discover and explore and while he knew he could probably transfer to any number of science vessels, he had developed a particular concern for the Alpha Isles.
Kel: Mork stop licking yourself.
V'Len waved a finger at the dog who had paused his journey around the room to lick on of his paws. He was no doubt trying to taste the ground he'd been walking on.
Beck: I was thinking we could put together a team to handle that kind of specialized mission. Not exactly a Medical Hazard Team, but not really the traditional kind, either. We would retrofit one of the shuttles to serve as our home base when we wouldn't be on the Ronin, and make it modular enough it could function as anything from an ambulance to a mobile operating room to a high security transport. Which means we would need to involve Security at the very least, but I kinda see this as a team that would pull from all departments.
Niac: I can see the value of something like that...take one of the larger runabouts, pull it apart, setup some modules we could swap in quickly depending on the needs of the day...putting the team together is a bit trickier though. You'd need medical, security, pilots...frankly, it sounds like work the Marines are already doing for us, just...larger.
Kel: You forgot science sir. Never forget the old saying "Science will win."
Beck: I… would kinda want to run the team, actually. I'm not sure I could manage it while also handling the CMO job, since I'd need to be in Sickbay, but I would like to at least start putting together the infrastructure for this kind of team. Thoughts?
V'Len took a sip of his drink and sat down. That meant quite a few things.
Niac: Well Doctor...my first thought is...how do you feel about the color green?
Kel: ::raising an open palm:: But that leaves a vacancy in sickbay. Are you suggesting Dr. Shortrith continue as CMO permanently?
V'Len wasn't sure they even wanted that. Renaie had done well, very well, as acting CMO during the last mission. They'd even managed to handle De La Croix effectively. V'Len could go back to medical of course, but that would leave the science department understaffed and potentially without a leader.
Beck: Response
It seemed Karrod was interested in the idea, if his hand rubbing was any indication.
Niac: See, we could reorganize our security and medical teams, and step on a lot of toes in those departments and with our Marine contingent all at once...or...you go to work for Major Singh. Starfleet Medical graciously loans you to the Starfleet Marine Corp, where you can share your field medical expertise and surgical prowess...you know, all those new letters after your name...while learning from the best in the business at rapid response, high risk tactical operations.
Kel: I hate to be that guy, but I'd really like to understand how this would look. It sounds like a completely different organization that what we traditionally have on starships.
Beck: Response
Karrod rapped a knuckle on the table and V'Len knew the Captain was beyond enticed. He wondered how Toryn would appraise the new situation.
Niac: You'd work with them along with all our other teams to expand our existing S&R capabilities...both equipment and tactics...and if after a few months it seems to be working, you write the whole thing up so we can introduce the idea to the fleet for broader adoption. But I haven't even told you the best part yet!
Kel: Do tell.
Beck: Response
Karrod chuckled and stroked at his beard.
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.
V'Len burst into laughter.
Kel: I can think of a Doctor and a Nurse who would be 100% on board with this plan, even if I'm skeptical.
Beck: Response
V'Len tried to stop laughing.
Kel: I think you should try to sell the Major on mustaches. You're a pretty smooth operator.
Niac/Beck: Response
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?
Niac/Beck: Response
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.
Niac/Beck: Response
Tags/TBC
Lieutenant Commander V'Len Kel
Chief Science Officer/Second Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2
He/Him (player/character)
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