Someone to Talk To

Posted on Tue Apr 6th, 2021 @ 3:02pm by Lieutenant Kaol Ralaa & Major Ashley Rogers & Sublieutenant Renee Hernandez

1,567 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Chapter IV: Unravelling the Mystery
Location: Mess Hall Ourainavassa
Timeline: 238702.14

Kaol was finally able to catch up with his patients and their charts. He was exhausted, both mentally and physically. As he got ready to leave the medbay, his stomach growled and he couldn't remember the last time he ate. Knowing that if he went back to his quarters, he would likely pass out in bed without eating. Kaol decided to head to the Mess Hall, he had heard from the crew that the new chef was good, perhaps this was a good opportunity to sample her fare.

He walked in and heard laughter and banter in the kitchen and was surprised by who was there. He knew there was a Terran version of Major Rogers on board, but he had not had the chance (fortunately) to run into her. This one was... cooking? Perhaps he was too exhausted to he seeing clearly... after all, he had basically lived in the medbay ever since he and Gable had their talk.

Renee noticed someone come in and peeked her head out with a friendly smile, "Dr. Ralaa, what brings you in here? You're not one of the regulars."

Kaol looked up, returning the smile... it had been a while since someone was friendly to him, "No. I'm not. Perhaps this is an opportunity to change that."

"You keep stirring that!" Renee yelled back into the kitchen, "If it burns, you'll have to deal with a ship full of hungry crew!"

The Commander looked out and mock saluted with a wooden spoon, "Yes ma'am," before returning to the kitchen.

Kaol looked at Renee in shock, "You have a Terran in your kitchen..."

Renee smirked, "I know. She's trying to get on my good side, I might as well get some manual labor out of it...."

"But weren't you and Major..." Kaol started.

"Let's not talk about the Major..." Renee interrupted. "What brings you here... you look like hell and you.... smell."

Kaol's eyes widened as he tried to confirm what the chef said, "I... haven't had time..."

Renee chuckled slightly, "It not that bad.... I cook for a living... my sense of smell is pretty sensitive. You're fine. What can I get for you?

"To be honest, I don't even know what day it is, much less what meal it is... just give me something eat so I can go back to my quarters and pass out without too much independent thought?" he asked.

"Sounds like you've had a rough few days, I'm sure the medbay has been busy since the battle."

"That is an understatement," Kaol said dejected.

"Want to tell me about it?" Renee said as she directed Kaol to a seat at the counter within view of the kitchen so they can still talk while she made his food.

"I suppose... but you and Major Rogers are friends with Dr Gable and I don't want to make the situation worse," Kaol explained.

Renee put a friendly hand on Kaol's shoulder, "Nancy and I are friends, yes, but I'm also not going to run and tell her that her subordinate has an issue with her, when I'm sure she is probably aware. Am I wrong about that?"

Kaol was impressed by how perceptive the chef was, "You're not wrong... she and I had encountered an... impasse."

The Terran poked her head put again, "An impasse? There's no one else here but us, just say what you want to say."

Renee turned and glared at the Commander, "Back. To. Stirring!" She turned to Kaol, "She's not wrong... what happened?"

Kaol took a breath and sighed, "I'm not treated with any respect! I'm the best surgeon in the quadrant and I'm constantly ridiculed and I have to work in substandard conditions and Gable is trying every bit of sanity that I have."

"Substandard conditions?" the Commander asked, "This is a top of the line vessel. Quite frankly, one of the best I've seen and I've been to other time periods and universes. You have it good here."

Renee glared back, "I swear if you don't get back in there and keep stirring, I'm going to give you a reason to experience the top of the line medbay."

Kaol furrowed his brow at a chef speaking to a superior officer that way, "Is there no protocol anywhere on this ship?"

The Commander looked over at Renee and smirked, "I do outrank you..."

Renee glared back, "Not in this universe. Not in this kitchen." She sighed and looked over at Kaol, "Protocol isn't everything. Tell me what happened while I make you some banana pancakes. They always used to make me feel better."

"I've never had banana pancakes before... but, I trust you," Kaol said. "I joined this operation to help my people. I couldn't remain on Romulus when everyone out here needs medical help. I could not live with myself if I didn't do my part to help those that need it the most. But yet since I've been here, I have been ridiculed and disrespected. I am the best damn doctor in the quadrant!"

"You sure say that a lot, Doctor," the Terran pointed out, "Where I come from, you show your skills... not tell. Those that talk the most are the ones most likely to be compensating for something."

Renee glared at the Commander.

"It's impossible to work in these conditions! How can I show my skills when I have nothing to work with? We lost Gedak because a replicator was broken and we couldn't replicate more blood for him. Renee, imagine a kitchen with a stove and oven that didn't work and you had no ingredients to work with. How could you show your skills as a chef?" Kaol explained.

"So, what you're telling me is that you can only do your job in a pristine and perfect environment?" Rogers asked. "Remind me to ask for another doctor..."

Kaol's temper flared, "How dare you?!?"

Renee put her mixing bowl down and threateningly waved her whisk at the Commander, "If you don't shut up, I will kick you out of here. And Kaol, you will not get into a fight in my Mess Hall. You and the Commander can go settle your differences elsewhere. Understood? Both of you?"

Both Kaol and the Commander nodded.

"Good," Renee continued whisking the batter. "Kaol, I'm going to say some things that are going to be observations..."

Kaol nodded.

"I'm assuming that this was the first time you've lost a patient... At least like this?" Renee asked.

"I've lost patients before... but because there was simply no way to have saved them. But not many..." he admitted.

"This had to have been rough, to know that the outcome could have been different if only you where working in a more adequate place," Renee said.

"Exactly! I am not in the wrong here!" Kaol said.

"You're not. But... I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you'll likely have more days like these than the ones you remember on Romulus..." Renee pointed out.

Kaol shook his head, "It doesn't have to be like that!"

"It doesn't, but this isn't a planetside hospital. Things happen. Things break. Especially in battle," Rogers piped up, ignoring Renee side eye. "I come from a different universe as well, Doctor. Renee called me a Time Soldier earlier... I travel to different universes and times to preserve the timeline. But I can't go somewhere else and expect it to be like home. I have to change my expectations."

"You mean change my standards of care?" Kaol asked, "Because I will not compromise the lives and welfare of my patients to fit in to a flawed system."

"No one is asking you to change who you are or what you do. But you should be aware of where you are and change your expectations. You may be alone in this... like I am. You just have to do your best knowing you're not going to have backup. There isn't a fleet of starships covering you or a crew to rescue you. My entire career has been built on my ability to thrive like that. Perhaps this is another specialty you can train yourself on to master?" Rogers explained.

"Another specialty?" Kaol asked, slightly confused.

"Yes. You said you're the best doctor in the quadrant. You're a surgeon. This is combat medicine. A totally new field for you. Perhaps you can become the best at this now?" Rogers said still stirring the pot, still in fear of Renee.

Renee slid a plate of pancakes in front of Kaol, "Now try these and let me know what you think."

Kaol pondered the words of the Terran, she seemed less volatile than the Major, and did have a good point. He cut a piece of the pancake and put it in his mouth. What a delightful flavor! It was sweet and fluffy, "These are delicious!"

Renee smiled, "Thank you. And I hate to admit it, but the Commander here is right. I, too, have had my world turned upside down several times in my life. You're not on Romulus anymore. Time to show everyone who you can be, in an environment that is challenging and different. If you want to be considered the best, you have to be able to adapt."

Kaol nodded as he continued eating.

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