01-28-2026, 02:00 AM
Hally lifted her arm for examination. "Better than ever Doctor."
Robin chuckled. Never gonna get past that. The Artemis was unique among major starships in having a nurse for a Chief Medical Officer. Usually that position was reserved for an experienced doctor, especially for a premium posting on a legendary ship. The truth was that Robin had been chosen for the job for two reasons: her organizational skills, and the fact that no one else was available. More the latter, she believed.
"I'm a nurse, Hally. And just call me Robin."
"I'll always have a good reminder to strap in when I sit at a console," the Midshipman continued. "Deckplate isn't as forgiving as the movies like to suggest. Yeah, I'd love to get a plate, after you!"
That drew a warm laugh from Robin. As much as the ships got tossed around it was a common enough injury.
"Survive was the goal, and I did thanks to you. To everyone here. I'm just glad I didn't embarrass myself too badly, but it was a good lesson that I still have a lot to learn."
To Robin's surprise Mara stepped down and gave Hally a hug. "I don’t do this… Well, ever. But you look like you need a hug, and right now, I kinda do too." It was kind of like a bear hugging a chipmunk, but it was a sign of just how much the Security Chief had opened up. Mara had been a combination of forthright and shy for as long as the young Augment had known her. There had been a certain social awkwardness to her that she buried behind bravado. Robin just grinned, glad to see it but she said nothing, not wanting to ruin the moment.
"I love this." The words were quiet from Aeryn, obviously feeling the same way, and Robin nodded at her friend.
Hally responded that she was glad Mara was here. "I don’t think any of us came out of that mission totally ok," she added thoughtfully. "But… I don’t think that means we came out worse, either."
"No, that was a rough one. You're right."
They'd all been rough lately. The last few away missions had made Robin feel like she'd been losing a piece of her soul each time. Utopia Planitia, where she'd been forced to kill someone. The Brittany, that tomb ship filled with the dead. The Callisto, where they had failed to rescue anyone. She'd found herself growing more cynical and jaded with each one and had made a real attempt to reconnect with what she felt was the best part of herself.
And then the clones, doomed in a way that resonated with her. They'd never stood a chance, betrayed by their own genetic code. Robin understood that, even if she had no memory of what she'd gone through as a child. But she'd been saved from death by the sheer stubbornness of her parents and some questionable science.
Enough, she thought. This is a celebration of life, of friendship.
Hally broke her introspection. "So, yes, food sounds like a great next step. Before someone passes out or I start hugging everyone here."
She hesitated. "And… thank you. All of you. For letting me part of your crew."
"This crew is a family, Hally. You won't find more support anywhere in the fleet. All of us, we're here for you."
They were joined by Carol Harriman, dressed for a hike. Robin was pleasantly surprised to see her. "I think I need a change in altitude," she said, looking toward the group as she tucked a map into her pocket. "Anyone know which of these trails is the steepest? I think I need to wear myself out a bit."
"Hi Carol!" She considered for a moment. All she could go on was what she'd read about the area when Aeryn had proposed the idea. "Hmm, Aeryn knows this area the best out of all of us, but I did read that Fairfield Peak was a good trail. That's a few kilometers to the north. Or Pike O' Stickle to the west for a bit more of a challenge." She gave a brief laugh. "I love British names."
She motioned the group over to the food table. Steaks had just come off of one of the grills, along with corn on the cob wrapped in aluminum foil. New York strip! Robin's sensitive nose smelled garlic butter as well. Gimmee!
"Do you want to grab something for the trail? It's seriously good. But I think we'll be here for a while."
== Tags ==
Robin chuckled. Never gonna get past that. The Artemis was unique among major starships in having a nurse for a Chief Medical Officer. Usually that position was reserved for an experienced doctor, especially for a premium posting on a legendary ship. The truth was that Robin had been chosen for the job for two reasons: her organizational skills, and the fact that no one else was available. More the latter, she believed.
"I'm a nurse, Hally. And just call me Robin."
"I'll always have a good reminder to strap in when I sit at a console," the Midshipman continued. "Deckplate isn't as forgiving as the movies like to suggest. Yeah, I'd love to get a plate, after you!"
That drew a warm laugh from Robin. As much as the ships got tossed around it was a common enough injury.
"Survive was the goal, and I did thanks to you. To everyone here. I'm just glad I didn't embarrass myself too badly, but it was a good lesson that I still have a lot to learn."
To Robin's surprise Mara stepped down and gave Hally a hug. "I don’t do this… Well, ever. But you look like you need a hug, and right now, I kinda do too." It was kind of like a bear hugging a chipmunk, but it was a sign of just how much the Security Chief had opened up. Mara had been a combination of forthright and shy for as long as the young Augment had known her. There had been a certain social awkwardness to her that she buried behind bravado. Robin just grinned, glad to see it but she said nothing, not wanting to ruin the moment.
"I love this." The words were quiet from Aeryn, obviously feeling the same way, and Robin nodded at her friend.
Hally responded that she was glad Mara was here. "I don’t think any of us came out of that mission totally ok," she added thoughtfully. "But… I don’t think that means we came out worse, either."
"No, that was a rough one. You're right."
They'd all been rough lately. The last few away missions had made Robin feel like she'd been losing a piece of her soul each time. Utopia Planitia, where she'd been forced to kill someone. The Brittany, that tomb ship filled with the dead. The Callisto, where they had failed to rescue anyone. She'd found herself growing more cynical and jaded with each one and had made a real attempt to reconnect with what she felt was the best part of herself.
And then the clones, doomed in a way that resonated with her. They'd never stood a chance, betrayed by their own genetic code. Robin understood that, even if she had no memory of what she'd gone through as a child. But she'd been saved from death by the sheer stubbornness of her parents and some questionable science.
Enough, she thought. This is a celebration of life, of friendship.
Hally broke her introspection. "So, yes, food sounds like a great next step. Before someone passes out or I start hugging everyone here."
She hesitated. "And… thank you. All of you. For letting me part of your crew."
"This crew is a family, Hally. You won't find more support anywhere in the fleet. All of us, we're here for you."
They were joined by Carol Harriman, dressed for a hike. Robin was pleasantly surprised to see her. "I think I need a change in altitude," she said, looking toward the group as she tucked a map into her pocket. "Anyone know which of these trails is the steepest? I think I need to wear myself out a bit."
"Hi Carol!" She considered for a moment. All she could go on was what she'd read about the area when Aeryn had proposed the idea. "Hmm, Aeryn knows this area the best out of all of us, but I did read that Fairfield Peak was a good trail. That's a few kilometers to the north. Or Pike O' Stickle to the west for a bit more of a challenge." She gave a brief laugh. "I love British names."
She motioned the group over to the food table. Steaks had just come off of one of the grills, along with corn on the cob wrapped in aluminum foil. New York strip! Robin's sensitive nose smelled garlic butter as well. Gimmee!
"Do you want to grab something for the trail? It's seriously good. But I think we'll be here for a while."
== Tags ==