A Quiet Truce

Posted on Sat Jun 11th, 2016 @ 1:18pm by Lieutenant JG Élan Val & Lieutenant JG Miko Sato

795 words; about a 4 minute read

Even though her shift in sickbay had ended nearly an hour before, Miko had yet to take those few steps to the door and the freedom beyond of being off duty. If the truth had to be told, she had been putting off tracking down a certain science officer and making good on her promise to the former executive officer. Being Japanese, Miko took her promises very seriously, and she was a traditionalist, even more so than most. She still used a stethoscope and the basic techniques that were required for any entry level medical student. She was more than just a little ashamed for letting such a petty grudge become such a major embarrassment, and Miko wasn't exactly the best when it came to expressing her emotions.

Finally deciding that she simply couldn't put it off any longer, Miko unwrapped her stethoscope from around her neck and carefully folded it and set it into its case before she finished up her paperwork and signed off. The extra hour or so she had stayed over mostly to worry and figure out what to do had earned her a smaller stack of paperwork that would have to be taken care of the next time she came on duty, so as she set her belongings in her locker and keyed the lock Miko sighed and quietly headed out of sickbay.

Following her recent encounter with Daniel, Élan had requested some time off to try to think and clear her head. She could feel Val's comforting presence through their link, and not for the first time she wished that she could communicate with the symbiont in more than just feelings, memories, and complex emotional surges and the occasional clear thought. Some Trills had managed to connect with their symbiont on a higher level, but it took years, at least a decade, and Élan hadn't been joined to Val that long. Sitting alone in the forward observation lounge in the middle of the night, she was curled up on one of the couches on one of the raised sections near the wall, just watching the stars streak past and trying not to think too much. The doors to the lounge hissed softly, drawing Élan’s gaze away from the view port and towards whoever had entered the lounge. Much to her surprise, it was none other than Miko Sato, the very last person Élan wanted to see.

"What do you want?" Élan asked, trying to put some form of aggression into her voice and failing.

"I wanted to talk," Miko said as she approached the couch where Lieutenant Val was curled up on. She adopted a parade rest stance and studied the science officer's demeanor for a moment before she spoke again.

"I can come back later if this is a bad time."

"It wouldn't matter when you come back, you're just going to make some snide comment and I'll snap back at you with some witty sarcastic retort and we'll both end up being reported for unprofessionalism and conduct unbecoming," Élan said with a sigh.

"I take it you're not in the mood to talk?" Miko asked.

"I'm not in the mood to talk, and I'm definitely not in the mood for you," Élan said.

"I will be short, then. Before she was reassigned, Commander Grey asked me to try to make amends with you. Even though she is gone, my promise to her remains. I must admit that we both acted improperly, and I admit that I acted perhaps a little too unprofessionally towards you. I wish to apologize and offer a truce to our disagreement. We are both officers, and we should at least attempt to act as such," Miko said.

"I agree, and I accept your apology and offer my own for the way I acted towards you," Élan said after a long moment of quiet thought. Turning towards Miko, she smiled and held out her hand. Miko hesitated briefly before she accepted and shook hands with her brief rival.

"So, may I offer you my company and perhaps someone to talk to about what is bothering you?" Miko asked, uncertain of what to do or say next.

"Thank you, but I really would rather be alone for now. I may take you up on that offer later," Élan replied with a thankful smile.

Miko nodded in understanding and understanding the conversation to pretty much be at its end, she turned and stepped towards the door. She had barely taken a step before she turned back towards Élan.

"My door is always open, should you feel the need to talk to someone," Miko said before she turned and walked out of the lounge.

Lieutenant JG Élan Val
Science Officer

Lieutenant JG Miko Sato
Medical Officer

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