[Backlog] "Getting Back to Duty"

Posted on 11 Feb 2026 @ 3:16pm by Lieutenant Commander Riah Amberlyn XMD & Lieutenant Aev Flammia

1,785 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Silent Inheritance
Location: Sickbay :: Amberlyn's Office
Timeline: Prior to Staff Briefing

// USS Arawyn :: Sickbay :: Amberlyn's Office //

It took Dr Samantha Dawes a few hours to settle into her temporary quarters. After the long trip, a sonic shower and a short nap felt less like indulgences and more like necessity. Once she was functional again, she gathered her materials: medical notes, scans, and copies of her reports from the Charon. Then she scheduled a joint meeting with the Arawyn’s doctor. She made sure Aev was included.

The situation with Aev still sat uneasily with her. It had been a shock, professionally and personally, and she could only imagine how disorienting it must have been for him. He’d always been quiet, a little withdrawn at times, but what she’d seen since Corvanis was something else entirely. There wasn’t much she could do about that part. She knew better than to force conversations. If he wanted to talk, she’d listen. If not, she’d stand nearby and make sure he didn’t implode in the meantime. Which, considering everything, was a real possibility that worried her.

When they arrived for the appointment, a young nurse escorted them into the doctor’s office. Sam took the seat opposite the desk and leaned forward, already shifting into professional mode.

“Doctor,” she said with an easy smile, extending a hand, “Lieutenant Commander Samantha Dawes. Medical officer and surgeon assigned to the Charon.”

"A pleasure to meet you, Doctor. I'm Riah Amberlyn, CMO. Welcome to Arawyn. Hello again, Lt Flammia."

Aev inclined his head slightly. “Doctor.” They had crossed paths a handful of times before, but he didn’t know her well, certainly not well enough to be comfortable with the knowledge that his immediate future rested in her hands.

"I looked over the initial material you sent me, Doctor. I understand, Lieutenant, you've been given quite a shock to adjust to. Please know you have a lot of support here. We will work this through together," Amberlyn assured him.

“I appreciate it, Doctor. I’m confident I’ll be in good hands.” Aev offered a smile, but the tension at its edges betrayed how practiced it was. The uncertainty unsettled him, he didn’t question Doctor Amberlyn’s professionalism. If anything, that was what troubled him. Sam was a known quantity; he understood her instincts, her limits. This decision, however, wouldn’t be hers to make. And if it were, based on what she’d said in passing aboard the Loire, he suspected she wouldn’t support an abrupt return to duty either.

“I’ve forwarded all the data on the implant and its operating parameters,” Sam said, gesturing toward the device on Aev’s arm. “It continuously monitors Lieutenant Flammia’s mental and psionic state and administers Lexorin alongside a psylosynine inhibitor as needed.”

She leaned forward slightly, slipping fully into briefing mode. “The dosage can be adjusted with a standard medical tricorder, and all readings are automatically uploaded to the ship’s computer so you can monitor him remotely.”

"I see," said Amberlyn, shifting her gaze from Dr Dawes to Flammia's face. She made a mental note to ask Flammia how he felt about such constant surveillance. She nodded with a supportive smile before returning her attention to Dr Dawes. "How permanent are these methods?"

Sam’s expression sobered. “Ideally, we’ll want to taper him off the medication gradually. Long-term Lexorin use carries documented risks, and while psylosynine inhibitors are less damaging, they’re not benign. The goal is eventual independence from both, when it’s safe."

Sam glanced at Aev, a flicker of concern crossing her face, as if suddenly aware of how much of his life she was outlining in clinical terms. talking past him and regretting it “and the Lieutenant has been briefed about all of that.”

"Lieutenant, what's your feeling about all this? It's a lot to try to acclimate to. What are your concerns?" asked Amberlyn.

“Everything,” Aev said. He frowned, realizing he no longer had the energy to lie convincingly. “It’s a lot to absorb, if I’m being honest. Even with the inhibitors and medication, it feels like I’m walking through a fishbowl suspended in water. The emotions are distant, muted, but I can still feel the ripples. Like tiny pebbles striking the surface.”

He glanced at Sam, then at Riah. “I’m going to need a way to control that. I’ve been told, repeatedly, that the inhibitor is only a short-term solution.” He hesitated, the thought unraveling as he spoke. “It’s something I’m working on…” The words rang hollow even to him. Working on implied a plan, a starting point, and he had neither. For a fleeting, bitter moment, his mind went to his grandfather. No, he thought. Not him.

Amberlyn nodded, slowly before speaking. "Lieutenant, I've consistently found it's to everyone's advantage to have patients participate as much as possible in their treatment and plan for recovery. You are an equal partner with me in that process, but we both need information. I will give you as much data about your condition as I can possibly round up. That's a promise. I hear you saying you feel on the edge, just maintaining control. We want control, but also progressive healing. You say you are working on something. Not pharmaceuticals or inhibitors, that's my job. She paused before adding, "What do you need, or need to know, to help you feel more in control of your life, your future?"

Aev opened his mouth to respond, then stopped, weighing the doctor’s words more carefully. “Of course,” he said at last. “I need to train myself to manage this… ability. For my own sake, and for the people around me.” He exhaled quietly. “I don’t think it needs to be said how dangerous, or frightening, it can be. I had some Vulcan training as a child, and I intend to continue building on that foundation.” He met her gaze steadily. “If you have any recommendations, I’d appreciate them.”

“We have a new counselor joining our staff and I believe he may have some suggestions. His name is Lt Nicolas Miller. I suggest making an appointment with him at your and his earliest convenience. I am very open to continuing your current med structure and the inhibitor. We will monitor your bloodwork regularly, and if and when you feel ready to change the device setting, we can do that. In the meantime, now that I know of your condition and needs, I will do some deep research in your current treatment plan and what other options are available. I’ll also tell Dr Miller to expect you and he and I will work together — with you — to manage the psychological therapy program. In the meantime, I know Cmdr Batenburg has been open to sharing Vulcan mind training techniques as they apply to humans, as she is half human. Dr Jorik may also be a resource from a fully Vulcan perspective. I will inquire of both today, to see if they might be willing and able to help. Then you can meet with each of them and see if you feel there is any promise to a connection there. I’ll message you with their contact information. How does that sound?” asked Amberlyn.

“Perhaps,” Aev said, considering the doctor’s suggestions. He was familiar with Batenburg; the others were names only, still unknown quantities. He agreed to counseling in principle, though he wasn’t convinced how effective it would be in helping him control this new ability. With her new role, Batenburg might struggle to find the time, and Jorik was an unknown entirely. He’d need to do some research of his own when time allowed.

Aev inclined his head slightly. “I’ll trust your judgment.”

Riah nodded. "I know you have probably been poked and prodded by plenty of people lately, mentally and physically, but I’d like to do a standard new arrival exam and pull a blood panel of our own as a baseline for your move back aboard Arawyn. We can do that now, or if you have other obligations, you can make a subsequent appointment for the exam. And if that’s the case, my PA can handle the blood draw before you leave the clinic today. That’s won’t take but a minute or two."

Sam glanced between Aev and the doctor, then gave a small nod. “Well,” she said lightly, pushing her chair back, “my part is done. You’ve got everything you need from me.” She met Aev’s eyes for a moment. “You know where to find me if you need me but I think Dr. Amberlyn here is your best bet. I’m going to take a nap and then get ready to head back to the Charon.”

Then she turned to the doctor with a polite smile. “I’ll leave you to it.” With that, Sam slipped out of the office, the door sliding shut behind her.

Aev watched Sam depart before turning his attention back to Riah. “Well, Doctor,” he said evenly, “we may as well proceed with the diagnostics.” He rose from his chair, squaring his shoulders. “I’ll assume this is a tentative clearance to return to duty provided I adhere to the treatment plan?”

"You know your limitations. And I don't think Starfleet would have cleared you to return to this ship if they expected you were a liability. You hold a very important position on this ship and you know not to put this ship in danger by standing on your pride ... or shame, and become a liability. While we never know when we may be called into critical action, let's give this a try for a couple weeks while we are in what is expected to be calm waters. Let's do a check-in every three days for a quick evaluation of the inhibitor settings and a med check . Can I trust you to make the conservative decision, on duty and off, and come to me or Dr Miller if you feel at all uncertain about your ability to function at 100%? Your answer goes on your record," Amberlyn cautioned.

“No doubt,” Aev replied evenly. “Of course you can trust me, Doctor.” He delivered it as a simple fact, though the certainty didn’t sit as firmly beneath the surface. “If there’s nothing further, I’ll go ahead and see the PA.”

"I'll walk you to an exam room."
~~~
LtCmdr Riah Amberlyn, XMD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Arawyn
&
Lt Aev Flammia
Chief Security Officer
USS Arawyn
&
LtCmdr Samantha Dawes, MD
Medical Officer
USS Charon
(npc apb Thomas/Aev)

 

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