A Call Home

Posted on Thursday, 4 June 2020 - 11:22pm by Lieutenant Ryan Rose MD

Mission: Operation: Iktomi
Timeline: After Mission Return

Ryan had been very quiet on the trip home, only speaking when needed. He spent his time caring for their Orion passenger. Once the man was secured, Ryan felt obligated to check on sickbay, but then quickly headed to his quarters.

It was late, but Ryan had reached his limit with holding himself together. He pulled off his uniform top and boots while putting through a subspace video call. Jack appeared, clearly pulling the door closed to his office. Jack sat down. He had a severe case of bed head, and had obviously been woken up.

“Sorry to call so late.” Ryan immediately apologized.

“Shh. Stop that. You know better son.” Jack smiled, looked over Ryan, then asked. “What’s wrong?”

Ryan flopped onto his couch and let out a long shaky breath. It felt so good to hear Jack’s voice, he almost wanted to just cry in relief.

“Ryan? Jack asked, clearly starting to get a bit worried.

“I don’t even know where to start.” Ryan sat up and met Jack’s gaze. So much of what was going on, he couldn’t even tell the man. But he could more or less start at the beginning. “We ended up on this Romulan colony. Sam decided to stay.”

“Well that’s good.?” Jack half asked and half stated. “That’s what you wanted for her all along, to find a place for herself.”

“Yeah yeah. I know. It just happened quickly. We’d been separated for a few weeks, then I just got a brief note saying she was gone. I guess I need to figure out what to do about a divorce.”

Jack let out a little chuckle. “Well aren’t you glad you know a good lawyer.”

“Jack, you’re a technology claims dispute lawyer.” Ryan quipped back.

“Who knows people.” Jack defended with a smile. “I’ll see what the next steps should be ok. I know her colony doesn’t allow divorce, but as a Federation Colony they can legally speaking do that. Anyway, take that off your plate. Next.” Jack knew his adopted son well. There was more weighing on Ryan’s mind.

Ryan put a hand over his face. This was going to be a bit harder. “There are huge parts of this I can’t tell you. But I was on a mission with another crew member. The mission was morally very very grey. We ran into an Orion slave, and this other crew member had absolutely no regard for him. Kept calling him it, and saying we should just kill him. I wish I could explain better. But Starfleet authorized this mission, with some frankly illegal things being authorized for the good of the mission. That’s not what Starfleet is supposed to be. That’s not why I joined. I’m feeling very disconnected from everything I spent so long working towards.” Ryan finally took a breath. “It’s clear Starfleet is not what it once was, and right now I’m not sure I want to be a part of it. I’m thinking of resigning.” He paused, waiting for Jack’s input.

Jack nodded. “Well I know you wouldn’t take that lightly. It must have been pretty horrific.
Are you looking for my advice?” He asked.

Ryan smiled. “Yes! that’s why I called.”

Jack chuckled. “Just checking. Ok, write the resignation letter. Lay it all out. Then, leave it alone. Wait a week or two, try to put it to the back of your mind, and go about business as usual. Then come back to it and see how you feel. You know better than to make a big decision in the heat of the moment.”

Ryan nodded. That sounded like an excellent plan.

“And son, you know your mother and I support you, whatever you decide to do. If you need to come home and just exist for awhile, we’re happy to have you.”

“Thanks Jack.”

“You’re very welcome. And have some fun! I know you are trying to save the universe one person at a time, but remember you are one of those people.”

Ryan rolled his eyes playfully. “Yes yes. I promise. Don’t tell Beverly I called, she’ll only worry."

“You really think she’s not outside my office door knowing a call came in from Starfleet?”

“Do you want me to talk to her?” Ryan asked. He didn’t want to talk to his adopted mother right now, but only because he couldn’t put on a happy face for her right now, and he hated to make her worry, but he would try.

“No no, it’s ok Ryan. Don’t worry about Beverly. Go write your letter and get some sleep.”

Ryan nodded. “Thanks Jack.”

“Of course son. I love you.”

“I love you too. “ Ryan replied, closing the call.

 

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