Ensign Alyndra Syrex - An English Literature Lesson for an Alien

[Freya Harrison]

(Sickbay Complex, Deck 10, USS Ronin))

 

Beck: I like action as much as the next guy but that usually means we're gonna be stupid busy.

 

The doctor spoke as Alyndra prepared the next batch of the inoculations.

 

Syrex: Doctor, I would recommend we distribute these inoculations out to any telepathic species on board as soon as we can, they are more vulnerable to S-radiation, it may save us some time in the long run.

 

Beck: Good call. ::thoughtful:: I wonder if it would be smarter to send the medics out in small waves rather than loading them to bear to get a whole section done at once… I think we have the manpower that might work better in the long run.

 

Syrex: I know it takes more of our time, which we may not have, but it could reduce our workload when we are stretched thin and every second counts.

 

Beck: Very good, Grasshopper. That's the kind of support I need in a good minion, so keep it up.

 

oO Minion? Hmm…Oo

 

Syrex: Yes, Doctor

 

Alyndra was able to hear the doctor move a hover cart loaded with vials next to the table. Coming back into her field of vision, he appeared to grab a hook from the pocket of his lab coat, fitting it over the stump where his hand would be.

 

Beck: ::under his breath as he looks through the hook::  For reasons of good form, I have decided that the so-called 'Pan' will return in three days to commit the arbitrament of the sword.

 

Syrex: Did you say something, doctor ::Turns to face his general direction::?

 

The doctor glanced in Alyndra’s direction, she couldn’t be sure but his face appeared to change slightly in hue.

 

Beck: You, uh… weren't 'sposed to hear that.

 

Syrex: Oh, I didn’t really :: Turns back to her work:: I only really heard muttering.

 

Stealing a glance, Alyndra saw the doctor wave the hook dismissively, shaking his head. He looked like he wanted to just forget the entire situation.

 

Beck: Just me being an idiot. Are you almost done with that batch?

 

Syrex: Yes, it shouldn’t be mu-

 

The machine helping Alyndra started beeping in a way that seemed insistent, even though she knew it was just a machine and wasn’t sentient, unlike the synthetic lifeforms that appeared as machinery.

 

Syrex: Urgh :: Slaps the top of the machine lightly :: I have an appreciation for this ship, but sometimes it just doesn’t work. Hang on…

 

Alyndra reached around the back of the machine, pressing a few buttons, until a green light begun to flash on the interface.

 

Syrex: There we go, as I said, different interface, sometimes they lock up, is all. I’d suggest running a diagnostic when we are out of this situation, doctor.

 

Beck: ::eyes sparkling:: Log it with the maintenance team and they'll take care of it. Feel free to copy me on that one.

 

Syrex: Right, that’s that batch done, should hopefully do us for now, whats next on your checklist?

 

Beck: Start prepping the next set of vials. You'll want to double-check the replication date and that they've all been sterilized before we can put them through the machine. Any that are out of date, put in one pile. Any that need sterilization, put in a different pile. Any ready to go, put in a different pile.  

 

Syrex: Ok, that doesn’t sound too complicated, I’ll get right on that.

 

Alyndra moved to the other side of the lab to fulfil the doctor’s request. She was slightly annoyed at the machine breaking down, but it was a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things. She was sure it wasn’t the machine she was mad at; she was angry with the stress of her first mission. It was dangerous, but that is what she had signed up for. She just needed time to put things into perspective and get used to her new life aboard the Ronin. Just as the doctor would have to get used to living with a single hand, Alyndra would have to get used to the sound of her heartbeat and her sweaty palms.

As Alyndra began to separate the vials into separate piles with the assistance of her tricorder, she noticed, out of the corner of her eye, that Beck was watching her.

 

Beck: You okay, Alyndra?

 

Syrex: I am fine thank you doct-

 

He raised his good hand slightly to interrupt her.

 

Before Alyndra had a chance to complete her sentence, she was interrupted by her senior officer, as he slowly raised his hand to speak to her.

 

Beck: Please - it's Quentin right now.

 

Syrex: Ok, Quentin…

 

Alyndra was sure that this arrangement was temporary, a command structure still had to exist in certain situations, at least until she ranked up. She knew it was unlikely she would overtake him in rank, it may be a while before they were even equals, so she took advantage of this opportunity to share some of her feelings, person to person rather than Lieutenant to Ensign.

 

Syrex: I will be honest, I am quite nervous, we are going to be dead in the water, so to speak with the jettisoned escape pods, which would be scary enough… To make this situation even more terrifying, this is my first mission, my first proper mission. I feel there’s not only pressure on me as a medic, but on myself as a Trill to make a good first impression:: Straightens her back:: I need to show I am competent.

 

Alyndra spoke quickly, as she wanted to withhold certain pieces of information, although they were on the tip of her tongue, she felt that her posting on the Ronin was a blessing. The moment she found out the captain was a joined Trill, she desired to request he would act as her field docent so that she could receive a symbiont. It was something she had wanted ever since she was a girl; being so remote in this region, she didn’t know when or even if the Symbiosis Commission would be willing to send someone out to review her. So, she, as the Ferengi say wanted to “seize the opportunity”.

 

Beck: ::almost under his breath:: Oh, the places you'll go…

 

Syrex: Doct-… ::small chuckle:: Quentin, did you say something?

 

Beck: Heh - sorry. I'll uh… have to start working on the muttering thing. It's a quote from a book on Earth. It's a children's book, but I think it has some of the best life advice I've ever come across.

 

Syrex: Oh, the places, you’ll go. Was that the quote?

 

Beck: There's a section where it talks about how you'll find yourself alone, more often than not, and when you're alone you'll meet things that scare your pants off, so scary you won't want to go on. But you will go on, because you should and you must, and you'll find ways to overcome whatever it is that's scaring you. ::raising a finger:: I do want to point out, though - you're not alone here. I'm right here with you.

 

Syrex: Thank you, Quentin. I appreciate that. I’ll admit I’ve not read much Earth literature before, aside from a few recommendations I had at the academy. May I ask the author of that quote?

 

Beck: Response

 

Syrex: Dr Suess… I have heard that name in passing. I admit I did read some books that I thought were for children in my time at the hospital on Earth. I tried to find some on my own, unfortunately, Animal Farm isn’t quite as child friendly as the title may seem. Although it had some great quotes, “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which” is one of my favourites.

 

Beck: Response

 

Syrex: I mention it as in a way, its how I see this situation. I mean… ::Puts her instruments down slowly and turns to Quentin:: Appearing dead in the water to then strike… Granted I know little about this region, but it seems wrong, it’s putting low-hanging fruit close to starving mouths. Out there they may yearn for combat, but that doesn’t need to be the way.

 

Beck: Response

 

Syrex: The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which. Will there come a point where we cannot distinguish ourselves from pig or man? We're healers and explorers, but now as a ship, we're seeking combat. It may be our last resort, but we shouldn't descend to the level of our enemies. What if they approached us diplomatically? Would we listen, or unleash a prepared surprise attack? Do we desire this at the expense of a potential peace?

 

Alyndra let out a sigh of relief, she had been bottling that for a while, and although she was glad to let her brain breathe, now that she’d done it though, she felt terrible in a different way. She knew from the academy that sometimes there were situations where nobody could win, but for her first mission and with little experience or perspective of the situation, she couldn’t help but think this was all rather rash.

 

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: Response

 

Tag/TBC

 

Ensign Alyndra Syrex

Medical Officer

USS Ronin (NCC-34523)

R240107AS3