Personal Time

Posted on Sun Jul 27th, 2025 @ 9:18am by Commander Naois Mercy MD & Captain Lukas Fredricks

1,694 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: R&R
Location: Ready room

Lukas walked into the...his ready room. He gave it a quick visual once over to see everything as it should be. Of course, he had only been gone a short time but it was nice to see a fellow Captain had respected his private space.

He was followed in by Naois. "Would you like a drink?" He asked as the ready room door slid shut behind his first officer.

"Tea," the Vulcan prompted as the door closed behind him. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he studied his commanding officer. The last time he'd seen him, the man had been severely injured and kept unconscious in sickbay before being moved to a more suitable medical facility.

"Better." He simply replied as be programmed the replicator to produce a tea and a coffee. Once both materialised, he took them back to his desk and placed both on the desk before taking a seat. "You know something, Naois, I really considered not coming back. After this injury and the injuries I sustained by the Jem'Hadar..." He paused and sighed. "Retirement was starting to look appealing."

"You would only get bored," Naois answered knowingly, "and what would you tell your children? There is one who very much looks up to you... It is not about injuries, I know all about those remember. I did take a break after losing Valeia, but we cannot deny who we are. Explorers in heart and soul. We need to be out there, and make a difference."

"Its getting boring looking at hospital ceilings, my friend, but I did come to the same conclusion. We're making a difference every day we're out here." Lukas replied before picking up his coffee and taking a sip.

"That we are, and again I remind you that I am well aware of what having to stare at a ceiling does to your sanity." Naois smiled knowingly. "Word has it you reunited with your warden, did your children not travel with you? Delon has noticed that you returned but Oliver has not."

"I know you do." Lukas smiled before taking another sip of his coffee. "Yeah, it was good to see Zirvell again. I'm thankful to everyone who looked out for him while I was gone. I finally got written conformation that my application to officially adopt him was approved by the Cardassian provisional council and by the Federation council. Zirvell is officially my son." Lukas smiled, he didn't realise how happy that made him until that moment.

"Oliver and Adele have remained on Earth with my parents. They will be back but they wanted to spent time with their grandparents."

Sensing the happiness, the Vulcan smiled in understanding. "Adoption can be a nerve wracking procedure," he acknowledged, "we encountered similar issues when Valeia and I adopted Delon when he was four. He came to us together with Laura, who was a baby. We already had Revan. I am certain Zirvell will be overjoyed at the news. That poor child deserves happiness."

"He does." Lukas replied placing his cup on his desk. "His father can't be located, so has been declared missing presumed dead, but I cant help but think he will try and grab Zirvell again."

"He seemed to think he has a right to the child but that is over now. Even the Cardassian government has now removed his right to him." Naois cast his friend a reassuring smile. "The child will be safe here, we will make sure of that. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss?"

"Won't stop him trying though." Lukas replied thoughtfully, he paused for a moment before continuing. "How are you? Everything ok?"

"The boy will be safe," Naois emphasised as he leaned back. "Yes all is well. I am taking the children to the station as I promised Laura she could visit some shops. Delon wishes to explore the station and I am not certain what Revan is after this time."

"If its anything like my two, it'll be tatt to clutter your quarters with." Lukas laughed. "What about you? Going to get some down time for yourself?"

"With three children, as a single parent that remains somewhat difficult," the Vulcan answered, "but who knows. I consider being off ship with my family sufficient. What about you, any plans?"

"I'm planning on attending one of service's at the Bajoran temple on the promenade. My sister converted to the Bajoran faith as she found peace with it. I wanted to pay my respects as I've done so since the end of the war." Lukas explained.

"That is a very grand gesture," Naois observed, "are you going to introduce the boy to it? It may be a good idea to broaden his horizons, and surely the temple would not turn away an underage Cardassian visitor?"

"This is more of a personal thing for me. I'm happy to take him while we're here but I want to do the service by myself." Lukas replied, as he picked up the lone padd on the desk and started to log into his private messages.

"Of course. I merely meant to suggest the child is introduced to the other cultures. He barely seems to know his own, he is not what we know about Cardassians. A boy his age usually is already grilled for the military."

"One of the reasons why I want to keep him here is to experience as much as possible. He has had a sheltered and deprived childhood with his people. This is a fresh start for him." Lukas replied.

"I would agree. He is very fortunate to have you Lukas. The boy clearly looks up to you and he was very deprived when you were not aboard. He refused to leave your side before you were transferred to the medical facility aboard the starbase." Naois rested his hand on Lukas' shoulder. "You are aware he spends most of his time in sickbay? He is almost a shadow to the medical staff."

"Of course, he seems at home in sickbay shadowing the medical staff. I've advised the doctor that if anything major comes in then he should be sent to our quarters but he seems to thoroughly enjoy his time in sickbay. A healer of the future." Lukas smiled.

Naois nodded in agreement. "I can sense a great need of that in the boy. He wants to be different than his family, his birth family that is. But I do believe he has thrived under your care. I will team Revan up with him more often, My son wishes to follow into the footsteps of his mother and myself...he has expressed his desire to be a counsellor."

"Both Oliver and Adele have expressed career's outside of Starfleet. I can't blame them really, its not the best place to raise a family being pulled piler to post and the potential danger. I'll be proud in whatever career they choose."

"As you should be," the Vulcan agreed with a nod, "but a parent's occupation does often influence the choices a child makes. Both my parents are career medical officers, I pretty much grew up in a medical facility, always surrounded by doctors and patients. Small wonder that I too chose the medical field. My late wife was a counselor and it heavily influenced Revans decision. Delon has expressed interest in security, while Laura has not yet given me any area of interest. She may well become an artist as she does like to draw."

"As long as they're happy, thats all we can ask for." Lukas smiled briefly. "I know it's getting late but I wanted to show this as I'm sure no one on board has been informed yet." The Captain said as passed the padd he was holding over to Naois. It detailed Britannic's transfer from direct Starfleet operations to Starfleet medical.

"I thought we were already assigned to the medical division," Naois answered thoughtfully, pointing up towards the dorsal side of the ship. "We have been carrying a medical pod for quite some time now."

"We were technically on loan to aid after the war but we have been officially been downgraded by Starfleet. Seems newer and better ships are coming so we're being shipped off to less important duties." Lukas replied, unable to hide his frustration.

"I see, so now we are no longer on loan." Naois gave a quiet nod in agreement. "I would not consider it a downgrade," he added, "but then, I am a doctor and I do not consider a medical assignment to be a lesser duty. Is our first duty not to assist however we can? How is medical aid less than assistance through weapons or science?"

"Don't get me wrong, number one, our work out here is of grave importance to the Cardassian people but I feel like Britannic is no longer a ship of the line and being downgraded like the old Miranda Class ships were. I didn't join Starfleet to ferry Admiral's to conferences or medical supplies from one starbase to the next." Lukas replied, airing his frustration.

"I think you should look at it on the bright side. We will see action but as we carry a few families it will be safer for them."

"Of course, never want to put people in unnecessary danger." Lukas replied with a deep breath. "I suppose its my ego thats taken a hit. I'll inform the crew at our next staff meeting."

Naois smiled gently, easily slipping into counselor mode as it was almost second nature to him. As easy as it was to go into doctor mode. "Your ego will recover once we get out there to save lives," he promised. "You have teenage children to show the universe out there, it will help shape their futures and turn them into fine young adults."

"Very true, number one. Well, I should let you get to your well earned shore leave so you can have some time with your children." Lukas finally said after a pause of reflection.

"Aa should you," Naois reminded him. "Enjoy your leave Lukas." He offered a small but genuine smile as he walked out.

 

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