Lt Cmdr Quentin Beck - A Parting So Sweet

[Quentin Beck]

((‘Disco Inferno’ Roller Arena, The Farm, Endochronimas V))

Quentin stood by himself, mouth agape, just inside the entrance to the roller arena, his eyes wide. He was transported instantly to his youth, a birthday party for one of his classmates in elementary school way back when in Riverside - though he suddenly recalled they had made the trek to Los Angeles to get to the large roller rink. The same roller rink where he took a summer job a few years in a row to get out of the house when he was a teenager. 

The layout was almost exactly the same, down to the arcade machines dotting the walls with an old change machine that spat out quarters, not too far away from any machine. And the smell - it wasn't quite right, he couldn't quite place the type of oil they were using in the fryers, but he recognized the smell of mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, potato skins, and onion rings anywhere. He could see there were other foods, too, already laid out on the tables lining the rink, but the smell of boiling oil this close to the kitchen was enough to overwhelm anything else.

He stepped slowly forward, eyes drawn to the disco ball hanging above the rink, a smile slowly creeping across his features. Who in the hell had decided to install a freaking roller rink, of all things, on the Farm? Shaking his head slowly, he paused for a moment, watching as the majority of the crew were winding down their current skates to gather in front of the podium that had been set up for the awards ceremony. It looked like they were getting ready to start.

The Doctor made his way over to the check-in counter, greeting the liberated Borg Gorn (wow that was a mouthful), who provided him a pair of slick rollerblades with lightning bolts stitched into the leather on the sides. He made his way to the lockers, sitting so he could unstrap his shoes and slip on the 'blades, then stood with ease and glided over to drop off the shoes.

Folding his hands behind his back, he turned and skated over the soft carpeting to the nearest entrance to the rink. The tail of his blue labcoat flittered about his calves as he pumped his legs effortlessly, his wheels gliding soundlessly onto it just as the Captain started the ceremony.

Niac:  It’s a pleasure to see you all together once again.  I believe we owe the staff of The Farm our compliments, it certainly seems to have lived up to its restorative reputation.  Up until I put these ridiculous roller-wheels on, I was the most relaxed I’d been in months.  

Quentin grinned to himself as Karrod was forced to prop himself awkwardly against the podium and Toryn posted himself where he could catch the falling Trill if need be. That was, thankfully, unnecessary, and Niac had no trouble presenting the entire crew with both the Silver Lifesaving Ribbon and the Scientific Discovery Ribbon. Well, at least until he gestured at the awards table and almost ended up on his keister.

Stifling a laugh, the Doctor instead smiled warmly as the Captain continued and called out the first set of names.

Niac:  While everyone contributed greatly to the outcome of our mission, there are a few officers among us who distinguished themselves in the performance of their duties under extraordinary duress.  Lt. Commanders Quentin Beck and V’Len Kel, Lieutenant Alyndra Syrex and Lieutenant Junior Grade Roxanne Queen, please step…or roll…forward.

Hands still folded behind his back, Quentin rolled himself forward, allowing himself to coast the majority of the way, chuckling as he overheard Rox, on skates, whispering at Kel, on foot.

Rox: ::whispering:: Coward!

Kel: ::hissing back:: Better safe than sorry.

Syrex rolled up beside them just as Quentin came to a stop. He offered her a warm smile and a soft nod before watching as Kel hoofed it.

Syrex: You rang.

Kel:  Here sir.

Rox spun around before Niac throwing up her hands.  

Rox:  Ta Da!

Beck: ::muttering:: Athos, Porthos, Aramis, D'Artagnan.

Niac smiled as he continued.

Niac:  For your extraordinary work in developing a treatment for this illness and protecting all of us…and the larger Federation…from the threat it represented, it is my sincere pleasure to award you the Medical Science Ribbon.  Congratulations and, on behalf of everyone here, thank you.  We would not be here today without your efforts. 

His shoulders tensed a little as the applause started, if only because he had been so tired by the end of it all. They'd managed it by the skin of their teeth. Even so, he was proud of his team.  

Syrex: Thank you sir.

Kel: Thank you sir.

Rox:  Good call Cap'n.  As ever you are the best.

Beck:  ::softly:: Brown noser. ::louder:: I couldn't have done it without these three and the considerable efforts taken by the rest of our Medical staff. As far as I'm concerned, this Ribbon belongs to all of them, too.

Niac:  While our medical personnel were distinguishing themselves, let us remember that they did not crack this problem alone.  Lieutenant Commander Marty Tucker, Lieutenant Junior Grade Tess Evinrude…front and center. 

(Timeskip)

Niac:  With our business concluded I’ve been told to inform you that something called ‘free skate’ begins in a few minutes and…

Quentin had to slap a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing as the Captain ended up in a heap on the ground, and for a moment, the Doctor was sure he saw stars rotating around the Captain's head. 

Niac:....dismissed.  

Grinning slightly, he turned to roll toward one of the exits from the floor, unfolding his hands and sliding one along the wall until he reached it. Most of the crew took part in either a giant game of tag - or what looked like a rapidly forming konga line. Tempting as it was to join either, he made his way back to collect his shoes.

He was not in the best of moods - somber was a good word for it, as he unlaced the rollerblades. The Ronin would be shipping off again soon, but he would be staying behind. He'd already transferred the majority of his belongings, and he had to make sure Alice had arrived safely in the bungalow he'd been assigned. It was only temporary housing until the transfer orders were finalized. He would hitch a ride on the Blackheart back to Earth once that was done.

Quentin snuck quietly to the door, dropping off the rollerblades with Borgorn (a palindrome! . . . well, almost) on the way and pausing to look back at those he would be leaving behind.

Beck: ::softly:: Ronin strong.

[End scene for Beck!]

Lieutenant Commander Quentin Beck, MD, FASFS

Chief Medical Officer Lead Researcher, Division 14, Starfleet Medical

USS Ronin NCC-34523

A238810SA0

Quentin Beck will return!