"A List, A Decision"
Posted on 01 Aug 2026 @ 3:25pm by Lieutenant Commander Riah Amberlyn XMD & Captain Sabrina Corbin
1,115 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
The Doldrums
Location: Corbin's Ready Room
// Captain Corbin's Ready Room //
Riah Amberlyn accepted the glass of iced tea, with mint today, and sat down on the small sofa. She set a small stack of papers on the seat beside her and leaned back. She waited for the Captain to be seated comfortably across from her.
"What do you think about that gambling ring among the lab techs in Science. I would hardly call that a coincidence, but I think it's hilarious that they ran that many credits up on who would succeed in feeding that crazy snake while Cmdr Remington was on the away team mission. And then to keep up the game when he got back by pretending to like feeding it. I realize it's not a crime to bet on feeding a snake, but I guess that's Starfleet ingenuity for you."
Sabrina settled into the chair opposite her, curling one hand around her own glass.
“I think it says something rather worrying about Science that feeding a snake has become a competitive sport.”
Her mouth curved around a restrained smile.
“Though I will admit, continuing the wager after Commander Remington returned shows a certain commitment to the enterprise. Either that, or none of them wanted to admit how much they had already lost.”
She took a sip of tea, considering it.
“I suppose I should be relieved they are gambling on reptile care rather than experimental outcomes. I would prefer not to receive a report entitled ‘unauthorized wagering on subspace anomalies.’”
The amusement in her expression lingered.
Riah laughed. "Okay. Don't wanna waste your time. I've made three sets of lists. It was a very fruitful exercise. Thank you so much for the suggestion. Basic pros and cons to making any change at all. Pros and Cons of being a CMO, and pros and cons of being the ship's DxVM." As she spoke of each category, she held up a sheet of paper. "To me, if based upon the number of pros and cons, I need to stay where I am. I just don't think there's enough passion backing up the move 100% to Science. But here, you take a look." She handed the surprisingly neatly printed lists to the Captain.
Sabrina accepted the pages with visible interest, aligning their edges before beginning to read.
She did not rush through them. Her eyes moved steadily down the first page, pausing over several entries before settling on one in particular.
“The Remington factor has earned a star,” she observed, glancing up at Riah over the top of the paper. “That seems rather more significant than simply having to share laboratory space.”
She rested the list against her knee, waiting for Riah to explain.
“Mmmm.” Riah leaned back. “Well, that did catch my attention too. I don’t want to change the relationship to one of being subordinate to him. I like him too much to risk that friction. Right now, we are equal in rank and that is something I like about our relationship. There’s no superiority putting pressure on either of us. And whether we ever become lovers or not is not the issue, but I like him as a good friend. He’s one of the few officers I feel a connection with, for whatever reason. He’s a good listener and he’s not offended, or discouraged, when I keep saying no,” she laughed.
Sabrina gave a small nod, then lowered her gaze to the lists again. Her eyes paused over the starred notes beside losing her command role and her daily connection to Medical.
“I think you’ve already made your decision,” she said, looking back up. “You don’t really want to stop being CMO. You want a way to make the veterinary work less haphazard without doubling your workload.”
She tapped the final page lightly.
“Could Doctor Dunross take on more of the day-to-day responsibilities in Medical? Enough to give you limited clinic hours and let you test whether a hybrid arrangement actually works?”
"I was wondering the same thing. Just for vet clinic hours, maybe twice a week, once in Alpha shift, once in Beta. That gives those on either shift a chance to bring in their pet, or if there's some Science need for a vet, that could be worked in as needed, as well as any ER vet work. Of course, Medical issues would be priority in the event I was needed there. I take it since it occurred to you too that you would be amenable to that arrangement?" asked Riah.
Sabrina’s mouth curved into a small smile.
“I would not usually recommend an arrangement merely to tease you with the possibility.”
She settled the lists back onto her knee.
“Yes, Riah. I would be amenable to it. Twice a week, split between Alpha and Beta shifts, with Medical retaining priority and emergency veterinary needs handled as they arise. We would need to define Doctor Dunross’s responsibilities clearly, but the structure itself is reasonable.”
Riah took a deep, relieved breath. "I will get with Claire and first ask if she's agreeable, then if so, she and I can work out the responsibilities thing and set a start date. I'll also check in with Cmdr Batenburg at that point for her feedback, and if all goes smoothly, I'll provide a report to you in short order.
"I feel so much better. Just getting something down on paper in those lists made it very clear where I really wanted to be. I was seeing it as so black and white, do or don't, and that was not the case. And perhaps a little guilty about even considering my pipe dream at this point. Thank you, Sabrina. I'm so glad I came to talk to you. Your friendship, your command experience, and your guidance skills are evident and appreciated."
Sabrina’s expression softened at the praise, and she gave Riah a small, appreciative smile.
“I’m glad you came to me too. And yes, please do loop in Commander Batenburg. I do not imagine she will have any objection, but she should be part of the arrangement before anything is finalized.”
She handed the lists back across the space between them.
“You did the difficult part yourself, Riah. You stopped treating it as a choice between two absolutes and worked out what you actually wanted. I merely suggested paper.”
Her smile warmed.
“Speak with Claire, then the XO, and bring me what the three of you settle on. We’ll make it work.”
"Thank you. Thank you for everything."
~~~
Captain Sabrina Corbin
Commanding Officer
USS Arawyn
&
LtCmdr Riah Amberlyn, XMD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Arawyn
RSS Feed