Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith - This is Home
Renaie Shortrith
((Sickbay, Deck 10, USS Ronin))
Niac: Well whatever happened she seemed...well, I'm not sure if impressed is the right word but she described your performance during the mission as 'notably adequate.' I get the sense that's high praise coming from her, even if she did keep referring to you as Doctor Shortbread. In her official report.
Renaie's eyebrows raised. oO Dude… my name is in the dossiers… Oo
Shortrith: She did? ::sighing slightly:: I'm not surprised. If memory serves, she's insulted every member of the medical crew.
oO It's not a bad nickname, though… Oo
A small smile crossed Renaie's face as Niac barked out a laugh.
Niac: Well that's...hmmm. Shame Lieutenant Vailani transferred, sounds like exactly the sort of person she would've loved to beat up in a back alley somewhere. Not that I can condone that sort of thing...although you'd be surprised what the dead can get away with.
Shortrith: I don't think I've met her, but with the way people have spoken glowingly about her, she seems very interesting. I would have loved to meet her, I think.
Niac: She reminded me of some of the best officers I've served with...she just needed some experience. Fortunately a tour of duty on this ship provides experience in abundant quantity...something I think you've quickly discovered yourself if I'm not mistaken.
It took a second for Renaie to realise that they were, in a way, being praised.
A small smirk crossed Renaie's face as they realised they were getting distracted. They reached for the medical tricorder in their pocket, starting to scan the Trill Captain for any remaining time stuff - Renaie couldn't remember the specific names, but they were time stuff (after all, they were a Doctor and a Counsellor, not an Engineer).
Shortrith: What else did DLC say about the medical crew?
oO Wasn't DLC an old earth term for deluxe content with video games? Oo
Niac: Lets see...I believe she described Nurse Avae as 'competent,' which again struck me as high praise...I'm sure Wyla can sleep easier with that backhanded compliment in mind. Her feedback about Ms. Queen on the other hand was...colorful. And probably not worth repeating in polite company.
Renaie chuckled, continuing scanning.
Shortrith: ::sighing:: Why am I not surprised?
Niac: So what's the prognosis, Doc? Do I get to haunt the ship for a while longer or do you think the computer can be convinced that I am, in fact, alive and well?
Smiling, Renaie rolled their eyes affectionately before completing their scans.
Shortrith: Your scans come back affirmative, you're the Niac from our timeline - but that also begs the question while you're here - how are you doing?
They didn't intend to turn it into a counselling session, just a check in on the captain.
Niac: Thank you Doctor. Medically it seems like I'm fine. Psychologically...I'll have to get back to you. Seeing evidence of your own demise is...well, disquieting. And this is the second time I've had it happen over the last few years.
Shortrith: If you'd like to talk further about it, my door is always open.
Renaie thought they caught what seemed to be a glimpse of sadness cross Niac's face.
Niac: It's...kind of a long story that involves time travel and a being I don't want to name out loud for fear of drawing their attention towards the Ronin. Suffice it to say it comes after 'P' in the alphabet and my biggest regret is not getting to punch them when I had the chance, god like powers or no.
Ah. That explained everything.
Shortrith: I understand who you're referring to, I'm sorry to hear you had to deal with them.
The captain chuckled as he headed for the door.
Niac: I've had a...unusual career, Doctor. Stick around long enough and I suspect you'll pick up a few stories of your own to fascinate and terrify young officers with. I'll make time for a proper counseling session this leave, you've got my word...if not I suspect Doctor Gott will sense an opportunity for profit and I'll find him parked in our landing bay again.
Renaie chuckled in response.
Shortrith: I'll ensure that the crew gets counselling and doesn't get ripped off. If you're heading out, have a good day, and ::smiling:: don't fall into any more temporal places.
The Trill smiled back at them as he gave a small wave.
Niac: Oh don't worry Doctor, I'll try to avoid any inter-dimensional rifts on my way to Engineering but you know what they say about life in Starfleet...the only easy day was yesterday. Thanks for affirming my mortality...I suspect a new mountain of paddwork now awaits me.
Truth be told, it was good to know the Captain was alive for sure.
Shortrith: See you later, Sir.
Renaie waved as they watched Niac leave, sighing softly as he left their field of view.
oO It's good to have you back. Oo
Smiling, Renaie steered themself to the counselling suites, took a seat on the couch in their office, and began to reflect on the time on the Ronin, slowly sipping the coffee in their hand.
This ship, the one they'd been on for almost eight months since the events of the Astraeus…
This community Renaie felt a part of, like a valued member…
It was feeling like home.
No, it wasn't feeling like home.
It was home.
A place where they felt they truly belonged.
Honestly? Starfleet would have to fight like hell to get them to leave the Ronin. Renaie certainly wasn't leaving any time soon.
[End Scene for Shortrith]
Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith, MD
Counsellor/Medical Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
They/Them (Player and character)
A240204RS3