Ensign Alyndra Syrex - Into the Thick of It

[Freya Harrison]

(Sickbay Complex, Deck 10, USS Ronin))

 

Syrex: I am sorry for that, it was unprofessional and it will not happen again. I don’t want to come across that way, I’d rather you think of me as the bubbly ensign who brings you coffee, rather than, well… You know… I am aware that my opinion may be uninformed, I am new to the region and low enough in rank to not receive key pieces of information. I do know that the captain has the best interests of the crew and the wider federation at heart.

 

Beck: You don't need to apologize. I asked you to speak freely because I wanted to hear what you were thinking, so thank you for sharing. One thing I can confirm - Niac has our best interests in mind here.

 

As the doctor slowly made his way down the length of the sickbay’s work surface, Alyndra watched with anticipation. His deliberate movements and deep breath before speaking heightened the sense of importance of the impending conversation. Alyndra, not accustomed to receiving affirmation from senior officers, felt a swell of appreciation, recognising the significance of sharing her opinion at this moment.

 

Beck: What's going on out here is not so cut and dry. In multiple instances, we've tried extending an olive branch to the Lattice Alliance so we could have a discussion rather than a firefight, but they don't care to listen. Neither does the Tholian Assembly at large, nor the Sheliak Corporation. We have tried.

 

The doctor started tapping the end of the hook against his shoulder, and Alyndra couldn't help but worry that it might snag his uniform.

 

Beck: You also have to remember, we're not in Federation space. We're just on the outskirts, just outside, so our authority only extends so far. This is wild space, for lack of a better term, which means the rules of war are a lot different out here. No one up there –

 

Alyndra saw as the doctor raised his hand, extending his pointer finger upwards, to gesture through the ceiling and towards the bridge.

 

Beck: –is bloodthirsty or actively seeking to start a fight, but all indications right now point to the Alliance launching an attack instead. This is our way of preparing and maybe drawing them out before they can do it properly. I don't particularly like it either, in part because I'm not the biggest fan of serving as the bait, but I've served with Niac, Raga, and Alieth long enough to understand they have a pretty good idea what they're doing. The crews of the Khitomer and Excalibur are also highly regarded.

 

Syrex: Yeah, that’s true. Sorr-

 

When Alyndra was about to apologize, she remembered that Quentin had told her there was no need to apologize. So, she quickly stopped herself. In trying to avoid the awkwardness of being told not to apologize or being asked to continue what she was saying, the ensign sighed in a way that turned into a laugh, ending with a small but clear smile.

 

Syrex: I think that because this is my first mission, it’s also my first impression of the crew at work. Whatever happens here today, will affect the rest of my career. Perhaps I am just overthinking these things…

 

Quentin, with a smooth motion, inched closer to Alyndra before gently resting his non-hooked hand on her shoulder.

 

Beck: Don't stop questioning things. Don't be afraid to try to study things a little more closely. That's the sort of spunky attitude that I think is sometimes lacking in some officers. This is how you show you're competent - by showing you know how to think and not just blindly follow orders.

 

Syrex: Thank you, I will try to keep it up, but not to the extent that I come up with conspiracy theories ::Laughs quietly::

 

Quentin slowly released his hand from Alyndra's shoulder, leaving her with a mix of emotions. Even though their conversation had come to an end, she found herself yearning for more moments like this in the future. She wasn't sure if she wanted to have similar discussions with Beck or on the same topic, but she cherished the thought of connecting with the senior staff on a more personal level.

 

Beck: Here - let's get a crewman to take this over, I know there are a few that can handle it. I'd like you to join me in Sickbay and help me start putting together the teams to start dispensing the inoculations.

 

Syrex: Aye, let’s get to work

 

As Alyndra and Beck make their way out of the lab and into the main compartment of the sickbay, beginning to prepare to disperse the teams for dispensing the S-Radiation inoculations throughout the ship, a communications channel opened in sickbay.

 

Niac: =/\= Standby for action, Doctor.  Bridge out. =/\=  

Beck: Response

 

Syrex: Aye, I’ll be ready.

 

After the brief warning was given, the ship went on red alert status, making Alyndra jump slightly.

 

Beck: Response

 

Syrex: I agree, let’s get those teams out as quickly as we can, we may still be able to inoculate enough of the crew to make it worthwhile, I’d recommend we both get to Ward C as soon as possible after that, who knows how busy we will be.

 

Beck: Response

 

Tag/TBC

 

Ensign Alyndra Syrex

Medical Officer

USS Ronin (NCC-34523)

R240107AS3