Opportune Moments

Posted on Saturday 13 June 2026 @ 22:05 by Commander Caroline Miller & Lieutenant Commander Ras th'Zaanaq & Lieutenant Deon Nyx

Mission: Intermission
Location: Crew Lounge
1625 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

The hour was late but Deon was still without his possessions. He was starting to fear the worst and that Starfleet had lost them in transit. It was no matter really because most everything he was bringing with him had been replicated. The only thing of real value would be images of friends and family that he would not easily be able to replace. Still, it was early days to be worrying about that instead he found himself in need of food and entered the lounge smiling warmly at those as he went.

As he entered the lounge he found it was almost empty, possibly due to the late hour, and found only a few people still around. His eye was drawn to one individual sat at a table looking out of the starbase through the immense windows. He had seen her rank pips to be that of a Commander and surmised she must be Commander Miller, the ships counselor. He could tackle two things at once by ordering his food and taking a seat across from her to introduce himself.

"Bajoran hasparat, mild. Add a glass of Uttaberry Juice, no pulp".

The items materialised within seconds, the familiar hum and glow of the replicator doing its duty before he picked up the tray with both hands and turned to approach Commander Miller.
"Would you care for some company?"

"Hmmmm," Caroline said. She had been lost in her thoughts looking out the windows. "Sure Lieutenant ..... " she didn't know his name nor recognise him. The coffee she had been nursing had long since cooled so she caught the attention of a server. They had built up that silent communication now where they knew she wanted her drink refreshing. The server grinned and headed to grab her another mug.

"It never gets old does it?" she indicated the view.

"Doctor Nyx or Deon to my friends which I don't have here yet" the Deltan said with a warm smile. "And no, it puts things in perspective and makes you realise just how solitary existence is and to cherish those moments you can spend in the company of someone as a friend or with loved ones... But that could also be my Deltan sensibilities coming through" he chuckled.

The Merlin's first officer poured himself a cup of filter coffee, something he tried and came accustom too since his time at the academy. He noticed the ship's Doctor and Counsellor sitting together and decided to wander over. "May I?" He said pointing at the spare seat at the table with the PADD he held in his left hand.

"Commander th'Zaanaq is it?" Deon responded, having reviewed his direct superior officers files before transferring on board. "This crew seems intent to beat me to the punch. First the Captain and now the first officer meeting me before I had chance to formally report in"

Again Deon extended his open hand, shaking the first officers firmly but briefly given his species unique set of challenges when it came to most other species.

"Sir," Caroline said with a smile, she indicated the chair, "By all means."

"Thank you" the medical officer slipped into a chair to the left of the counsellor taking a sip of the bitter sweet fruit juice, savouring the flavours. "So... I had a meeting with the Captain when I got here and forgive me if this is a sensitive topic for you both but, what the hell happened on this ship... I could sense from Captain Jones a sensation of great loss, guilt... I've felt it mirrored all across the ship since I arrived!"

"Thank you." The Andorian replied before taking a sip of his coffee and sitting down. "It was a rough ride, I believe the humans call it. It's taken a lot of hard work and long hours getting the ship back to being operational again."

"It certainly wasn't smooth sailing," the blond doctor agreed. "Where do you join us from doctor?" she asked the new comer.

"I am from Delta IV, and for your knowledge as ships Counsellor, my oath of celibacy is on file"

It was a matter of fact statement for him but he had noticed over the years the number of species that found it to be something of a taboo subject. He was curious how the two people on the ship that he would be dealing with the most beyond the Captain would respond. Would they be uncomfortable, would they take note of his origins with more than just curiosity or would they just accept it like some few would.

Ras couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the Deltan's openness of being celibate. 'Can't be an easy decision to make.' The first officer thought to himself.

"Thank you doctor. That's reassuring to hear," she said. Deltans had to make the oath or they couldn't join Starfleet, she was fully aware. Unfortunately their heightened sexual presence could drive many species insane. Here was a man truly dedicated to Starfleet and medicine to make that sacrifice, she thought to herself.

Nyx took a sip of his drink, noting that the pair had answered without actually answering his question about what had happened recently on board. Perhaps this was something more traumatic than the cursory glance at the reports would have lead him to believe.

"Have the crew been afforded much shore leave while the ship was refit and repaired?"

"Most have been rotated to have some R & R. There's a few that have been lucky enough to have the whole time off or take a temporary assignment on a nearby asset." Ras replied, his tone slightly weary as he had given up his chance of shore leave to stay on board to make sure things stayed on schedule. "We are starting to recall the crew though as we are expecting orders imminently."

"That is heartening to know... What about the mental wellbeing of the crew... Has counselling been afforded to those in need. Including yourself Commander Miller!" Deon went right in knowing this could be something of a sensitive topic but as Chief Medical Officer this would fall as much in his domain as it would hers.

"Myself and Lieutenant Bumble have had plenty of appointments with staff. In fact I want to take on a further counselor next time we dock if that's possible. I intend to speak to the XO about it. Failing that I have a couple of people that might be possible candidates to look at a dual role and skill up on some star fleet courses for certain things. In an ideal world we would also have our own holodeck for therapy but I realise that's a lofty goal and pushing things," she smiled as the waiter brought her her coffee. "Thank you." Sipping it she closed her eyes allowing herself to enjoy the flavour. Opening them again, she looked at him. "I have to have my counselling from someone on a different ship. My mentor Liam Reynolds currently stationed at deep space 21 checks in with me fortnightly so don't worry we cover all bases."

"I'll make a note of it now but do remind me when we are next in dock and I'll see what I can do." Ras replied making a mental note.

"Looking over the ships Medical facilities I have seen that we have a number of sickbays... I'm sure one of them could be converted into a psychiatric and counselling centre, the attached ward could then easily be converted into a small holodeck" Deon offered, casting a look to the first officer to check he wasn't over stepping. "And in truth I would encourage command to post another three Counselling staff to the ship given the size of her crew".

"You have just made me very happy Commander," Caroline said giving him a wide smile.

"I can pose it to the Captain as a required update to the medical capabilities of a ship this size... And looking over the data for shipboard facility usage, the small facility on Deck fourteen is not productive. I can reassign a medical Nurse with a background in psychology and mental health therapies also" Deon again looking at the ships first officer, hoping he wasn't over stepping.

Well that had been a lot easier than she had anticipated Caroline mused as the two men waded through that together. "Will you be wanting myself and my staff at your medical briefings? The last CMO used too but I know how all doctors are different," she asked. Of course she knew. She was also a trained doctor.

"I generally only require the department heads, so just yourself... Although you are my senior officer so in reality you should probably be leading the briefings" Deon added with a smile hoping he could find a way to not be the centre of attention, something he was not a fan of.

"How about we alternative and I bring Ron as he needs the experience," Caroline suggested.

"That would be acceptable. I will write up the asset transfer order and submit it before the end of the day Commander" the medical officer now addressed the first officer who had remained silent for most of the interaction.

Caroline raised her mug, "I will drink to that doctor, so what else shall we talk about?" she asked.

"Well I actually need to be making my way to Sickbay... I have a series of minor procedures booked in for early tomorrow and I want to make sure everything is set up ready for the morning" he started to rise, pushing aside the remains of the drink and food.

"If you would both excuse me".

Caroline nodded. "Enjoy the rest of your day Doctor."

OFF:

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