Ghosts Of War

Posted on Sun Mar 31st, 2024 @ 9:33am by Lieutenant Commander Sotra & Lieutenant Commander Melanie D'BrooNi- Haistro & Lieutenant Zhi'rev

1,513 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: The Dream
Location: Sickbay

ON

It had been some time since the events of Frontier day and Sotra and Doctor D'BrooNi's escape from the USS Excelsior before she had been destroyed and the horrific scene that unfolded as Earth Spacedock was set upon by the assimilated masses that now controlled the bulk of the Starfleet. During the escape Sotra had been broadsided by a rather burly Benzite drone, a deep cut had opened in her hairline just above her ear and since then an intermittent high pitch buzz had developed, something akin to tinnitus. Today was a bad day and it was distracting and making her ability to focus somewhat laxed.

She entered sickbay, her hands clasped behind her back as she started to search for the Doctor. Only a few seemed to be in the room and non of the bio beds were occupied.

"Doctor D'BrooNi, it is agreeable to see you again!"

"Commander Sotra, or should I say "Ace". Commander Sotra did some very fancy flying getting us safe during Frontier day," she explained to the other Vulcan officer. "Myself and my daughter are still immensely grateful," she said honestly and directly to her.

"It is agreeable to see you too. Now what can I do for you?" she asked.

"It appears as if the Tinnitus has returned due to the injury I sustained on the Excelsior" she said flatly

Zhi studied the two. "If she saved you then you are fortunate she could fly," he commented, "I've just arrived here with my family. My mate is probably here.in sickbay, somewhere." He offered a PADD containing his medical record, and that of his mate and their children. "I'm Lieutenant Zhi'rev, chief of science."

"Lieutenant" the Executive officer greeted the younger man. Her curiosity about the younger man was once again sparked as she watched his mannerisms and bearing. Despite his Vulcanoid exterior he seemed more human or possibly closer infact to their sundered brethren, the Romulans.

Aware of the scrutiny, Zhi just politely smiled back at the first officer. "Ma'am," he answered in return while waiting for the CMO to take the offered PADD. If he was uncomfortable with the scrutiny, he failed to show it. However, he knew he would never get used to being judged by his non-emotional peers.

Mel took the PADD and smiled. "Thank you. I wish all of my patients came so prepared. So Dr Sethan is your husband. Hes proving quite the right hand man around here," she smiled. She had a feeling she would like Sethan as odd as it was he embraced emotions.

"Right you Commander on this biobed. Lieutenant here. Nurse I need 50 cc of Rezihedren. Specifically the Vulcan friendly mix. How are you both settling in?" she asked as she looked through the PADD.

Obediently, the younger Vulcan settled himself on the indicated bed. "Has he now?" Zhi arched a single eyebrow at the Trill woman. "I suppose he has. He does bury himself in work if he's worried. As for settling, we've found our quarters but we need to sort something for the baby, they gave us two small beds and Saeihr is still too small for that." A happy twinkle touched his pale eyes. "Our youngest child, she's ten months. Our oldest, Mnheia, is four."

Sotra followed suit and slipped up onto the indicated biobed but she remained silent, observing the exchange between Doctor D'BrooNi and the other Vulcan.

The mention of the word baby made Mel freeze suddenly and before she knew it the PADD had dropped out of her hands. "Oh so clumsy, I'm sorry," she said bending down and facing away for a moment to pull herself back together. She had not been expecting that. Why had it hit so hard she wondered.
Her son if he had lived would be just over 6 months now. Hell if Keiben had of survived and gone back to his normal self they would hopefully of been planning a Trill naming ceremony round about now.

Forcing a smile on her face, she turned back. "How lovely. There's a pattern in the bigger replicators down in engineering for a proper cot. I'm sure one of them down there can sort that for you. So your youngest she will be starting school soon?"

Sensing the shift in emotions, Zhi sat up just as she picked up her PADD. "Are you alright doctor?" He enquired softly when she turned and showed a fake smile. Surely she'd know a Vulcan would see through that? "My youngest is ten months old, it'll be a while before she goes to school. My oldest will probably be soon but we're still allowing some time for her to settle. They've only been with us for four months and bonding takes time."

"I recently lost my husband and unborn child," Mel said. His husband would probably tell him any way and she had come clean to Sethan earlier. "That and my reaction to it just took me by surprise. Bonding does take time but its worth it. Being a parent is one of the best experiences you will ever have."

The nurse appeared and handed her a hypo. "Thank you. Commander your neck if you would please?"

Sotra leaned her head to one side away from the nurse giving her space to do her work. She again remained silent however in favour of observing the other Vulcan. She couldn't say that she distrusted him because she did not give sway to her emotions but she certainly couldn't say she understood the younger man.

"I'm very sorry to hear that doctor," Zhi offered mournfully, "I imagine it may be a parent's worst fear, and yours came true. I've only been a parent for four months and I no longer can imagine life without my girls. They were orphans, like I am myself. Sethan too, though he was adopted where I was not. I have no recollection of my parents." He didn't seem mournful about being an orphan, he had nothing to compare himself to. He knew no better, but that also meant he had nothing to draw on for comparison. "I do fear losing them, or my mate," he admitted.

Mel nodded. There wasn't much more she could say on things. She wished no one would ever lose a child.

"Right Commander that should start to ease off the ringing. I can prescribe you some additional doses. Good sleep and less stress will help …. yes I know your going to say something like your Vulcan and have no stress but everyone has stress. Reduce the stress. Better sleep, and some exercise. Klingon Mok'Bara or Human Tai Chi I think would help immensely as its all about balancing the body in slow movement as well as stilling the mind.

"I will increase my meditation efforts and Suus Mahna training, I trust that would suffice?" Stretching her neck slightly, already feeling the relief from the Doctors ministrations.

"Excellent," Mel nodded.

"Right Lieutenant," she activated the biobed scanner. "Anything I need to know?"

The younger Vulcan shook his head. "No doctor, not to my knowledge. As far as I am aware, I am in good health." He smiled ruefully. "A little tired perhaps, as we are having broken nights, but that will settle with time. I am....quite excited to have a shipbound assignment again. Rather, technically my first formal shipbound assignment since academy graduation." Another rueful smile as he clasped his hands together as if to give himself some kind of composure. "Perhaps too excited," he mumbled.

Mel smiled. "I'm sure you are not alone in that score. I'm sure you will settle into a sleep routine soon with your children. If it gets too much though do think on a holonanny on occasion." Mel had been there. She always tried to do everything but the life of a starship parent was never straightforward. Especially if a medical emergency flew in.

"If it's too much then it's on us to deal with it. We are merely still settling into it as this is all new to us. We'll be fine just give us some time." Zhi smiled at her. "I wouldn't trade this experience with anyone, and it gives us much needed time to bond with them. I promise our duty won't suffer for it."

"I'm a parent too. Believe me I understand," Mel said softly. She operated the biobed one last time and scanned the Vulcan. "Well you will be happy to know you are in picture perfect health!"

Zhi frowned. "I don't understand, what have pictures got to do with my health?" He seemed genuinely confused as he glanced up at her.

"It is a figure of human speech," Mel informed him. "You have no health issues and Im happy to sign you off for your medical."

"I see." The younger Vulcan smiles brightly now. "Thank you doctor." He sat up and slid off of the bed. "I'll see you on the bridge ma'am?" He directed towards the XO.

"On occasion," Mel smiled knowing the CMO didn't get as much bridge time.

OFF

 

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