JP: Lt. Cmdr. V'Len Kel & Capt. Karrod Niac - Decision Points - Part 2

[Don K]

((Sickbay, Deck 10, USS Ronin))

Karrod could feel his heart beating faster as he remembered the moments before the explosion, Niac’s perfect recall supplementing the fragmented parts of his own memory.  

Niac:  The thing I hope for…really hope for…isn’t my survival.  It's theirs.  ::Karrod gestured with his hands, encompassing the whole of the Ronin…and all those souls aboard her::  This ship is bigger than me, V’Len.  That world was bigger than me.  If the cost of either was my life…well, it’s one of the few things Niac and I entirely agreed on.  It was a cost worth paying.  So while I sympathize for the emotional burden it must have been to put me back together, to force you to confront that choice…I won’t apologize for it.  If I did…I’d either be a liar or a hypocrite.  

Kel:  ::slightly dejected:: I see.

V’Len planted once more at his padd.  He wasn’t really reading any of the data on it. He was more mulling over in his mind what Karrod’s description of things might need for his future.

Karrod could feel the mans mood shift as his antenna drooped and he looked away, shoulders dropping.  With an effort he suspected V’Len wouldn’t entirely appreciate he levered his way up out of bed and wobbled his way across the floor, leaning on a nearby console for support.  

Niac:  I can tell you’re disappointed…would an apology really help?  

Kel:  Well no, I’m… it’s not about an apology. Maybe I’m more disappointed in myself I suppose.

That caught Karrod entirely by surprise and he was certain it showed on his face.

Niac:  In yourself?  What do you have to be disappointed in?  Putting your CO back together, preserving Niac in a temporary host…I wouldn’t be surprised if the Carrington Award committee comes calling.  

V’Len let out a small chuckle.  He was silent for a moment considering how to best explain himself to the Captain.  

Kel: I’ve been helping out with the cadet training at the academy. Facilitating the cadets final challenges on the holodeck.  ::smiling with satisfaction ::  I’ve even served his commanding officer a few times.

Karrod thought back to his last few Academy trainer rotations, at how the Cadets kept seeming younger and younger each class.  It gave him a small smile but his expression remained curious, questioning.  

Niac:  I always enjoyed those rotations at the Academy, even when I was…considering the end of my own career.  Helping to steward along that next generation…trying to prepare them…it always felt meaningful, even when some of the rest of it didn’t.  

Kel: Yes, it is very satisfying seeing a new crop of cadets enter the fleet. ::pausing:: Sitting in the big chair on the bridge of the Centis… I suppose I started thinking why not Captain Kel?

Karrod chuckled and nodded thoughtfully.

Niac: Well, why not Captain Kel?  You’ve got the experience, you clearly have the ability.  You’ve grown enormously as an officer just in the time I’ve known you.  

V’Len chuckled again.  His antenna warmed at the Captain’s praise.  He always appreciated a vote of confidence from a senior officer and he had worked hard to accept praise.  He was a good doctor,  he knew that, but a captain…that was another matter.  

Kel: It’s a bit different from what you do though isn’t it. I mean it’s like solving a puzzle or playing a game. There are no real consequences because it’s all a simulation.  It’s kid stuff.

For Karrod, that was the moment the other piece of footwear hit the decking and understanding dawned.  

Niac: And suddenly you’re wondering about the decisions you’d make in the moment…when it’s not a game.  When it’s about your mission…or your crew…or…::He shook his head and sighed::...so much more.  

Kel:  ::nodding::  Yeah. ::beat::  I’ve found myself in situations, but I’ve always been sent.  I’ve never been the one sending.  I’ve found myself in a pickle, but I’ve never run toward death on purpose.  Could I do that?  Run toward death?

Finally acknowledging that his body was howling for relief, Karrod pulled over a low stool and sat heavily, bones aching in new and interesting ways.  

Karrod had been standing, but now sat heavily down on a stool.  V’Len hurried closer to open his tricorder.  He’d only just gotten Karrod back together and while he trusted his work and the work of Beck and Wyla, there was always a chance they’d missed something.  

Niac:  I won’t pretend to know the future, Doc…nobody can be certain how they’ll react when the moment comes.  I heard Major Singh describe it once during a flight training session I sat in on…she called it your ‘Decision Point.’  That split second in a crisis where you have to decide, one way or another, on a definitive course of action.  Do I land or go around?  Do I eject or ride it out?  Do I accomplish the mission…or do I go home?  Everyone faces it in our line of work sooner or later.  The higher you climb…the more often you’ll have to.  

V’Len reached into his pocket to produce a hypo. He pressed it to the Captain’s neck.  

Karrod grunted appreciatively as the medicine did its work, his small surge of adrenaline ebbing along with the remains of his still recovering stamina.  

Kel:  At this decision point, we need to get you back in the Biobed.  You’re going to have to recover fully if you’re going to be able to get blown up again.  

V’Len helped Karrod back onto the biobed.  

Chuckle transmuting to a grunt as he gingerly made his way back into bed, Karrod found the Doctor’s eyes once again and offered him a tired smile.  

Niac: That seems fair to me but I don’t want you getting bored.  Next time I’ll try to get shot or stabbed…just to keep you guessing.  

Laughter gave way to a deep groan and Karrod shook his head, painfully conscious that his litany of injuries over the last few years were getting harder and harder to shake off.  

Niac:  So, Captain Kel.  I wouldn’t mind meeting him one of these days.  

Kel:  I’m not sure what to do about Captain Kel.   I got some experience as second officer on the Chin’toka, but I  think I have a ways to go before I’m in a big chair that isn’t made of photons.

Karrod could only offer the man a slight shrug, a sense of gentle drowsiness pressing in on him.  He suspected whatever had been in that hypo was more than a mild analgesic.  

Niac:  The road to that Chair isn’t a straight one, V’Len.  I had one spotted foot out the door when Niac came into my life and messed up my very long considered and probably unfulfilling retirement plans.  

V’Len looked over Karrod who was now settled on the biobed.  

Kel:  I’ll continue to give it some thought.  If an opportunity comes up I’ll give it serious consideration. If you have any suggestions I’m always happy to hear them.  ::beat::  when you’re not recovering.  

Karrod’s smile was genuine, if a little lopsided.  Apparently V’Len really intended for him to get some sleep and for once, he had no plan to argue with his Doctor.  

Niac:  See, you’re already giving orders like a Captain.  For what it’s worth…I think you’d make a great one.  Ultimately it’s not my opinion that matters…it’s yours.  

V’Len smiled.

Kel: I appreciate the vote of confidence.   Let’s speak again when we can do it in your office.  

Karrod’s head felt very heavy as the sickbay lights lowered and he pulled a blanket over his torso.  

Niac: That’s the best plan I’ve heard all week.  

V’Len headed out of the ward and turned as he left.  

Kel:  Eleven and a half hours Captain.  Then we’ll give you the royal send off.  

Karrod chuckled as the Doctor walked away.  

Niac: Yes sir.  

He was asleep and snoring, a wry smile on his lips, less than a minute later.  

[End]

–

Lt.Cmdr. V’Len Kel

Chief Surgeon

USS Ronin NCC-34523

T239811VK2

&

Captain Karrod Niac

Commanding Officer

USS Ronin - NCC-34523

V239509GT0