"Clarifications"

Posted on 01 Feb 2026 @ 3:46pm by Lieutenant Commander Riah Amberlyn XMD

1,019 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Lathira Shoreleave
Location: CMO's Office - Sickbay - Awawyn

// CMO’s Office //

Riah Amberlyn maintained a fairly literal open door office policy. Unless privacy were needed for a conversation or comm call, access to the CMO was not difficult. Riah liked to have a clear sense of the energy in the Department, the comings and goings, the rise and fall of ambient conversation and activity. Like white noise, it was not a distraction, but saved her from being isolated, untouchable, and out of touch with her people, for the people who served under her were as much of a concern to her as those who sought their medical help.

The doctor looked up immediately when the shadow filled the doorway. “Doctor Amberlyn, may I speak with you, please?” A large man, PO Terrence Oscar, 3-D imaging specialist, spoke with a decidedly nervous voice.

“Certainly. Come in. Would you like to sit down?” Riah activated the noise compensator in the door frame that effectively blurred any conversation, providing privacy. She stood at the same time, ready to move to the seating arrangement to the right of her desk.

Oscar seemed undecided. Finally he conceded and sat on the front edge of the chair.

Riah sat as well. “What’s on your mind, Petty Officer?”

“The meeting this morning,” he replied, clearly summoning his nerve. “I think… I want you to know the Department wasn't entirely empty. “Petty Officer Gabriel and I were in the back, stocking some equipment for Crewman Rodriguez, who left early because she was sick and Dr McDavid had said she could leave,” he explained. “We were in the stock room and didn’t realize everyone else had left. I just … I just didn’t want you to think everyone was gone. I wasn’t sure I should say anything, because you’re right, it shouldn’t have happened,” he rushed on. “But Gabriel and I, we didn’t want you to think we left, because we didn’t, but still, we didn’t check on the Department either.”

Amberlyn nodded. She was aware that Oscar and Gabriel were not well integrated into the rest of the Department. They were both quiet and the more outgoing members of the Department tended to ignore them or ride right over the top of them. They were often on the outside of the jokes and the general camaraderie. It didn’t surprise her that they had not been included in the rush to take a quick look at the Championship. “I understand,” she said with empathy. “Thank you for letting me know.” She paused and then continued.

“It was an unofficial reprimand, and my memory of the event is the only official record, so there will be nothing on your file. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Ok. Thank you. Ma’am. May I go now?” asked Oscar.

“Certainly.”

About 10 minutes later, Dr Len McDavid appeared in the doorway. “Doctor? Got a moment?”

“Of course,” Riah said, wondering if she would get the report she was working on ready before noon.

“I saw Oscar came to see you.”

Riah nodded.

“Did he say he and Gabriel were still in the back when everyone else left?”

Again, Riah nodded.

"I wanted to confirm that. Those two don’t exactly run with the crowd.”

“I realize that. I’m glad he told me. I’m not making any official reprimands to files. It’s the first time anything like this has happened. These are good people. Young people. They just forgot themselves for a few minutes. But that can’t happen in a crisis. They’ve got to know that. And grow up ... fast.”

“Oh I hear you,” replied McDavid. “No question about that. I guess if others are telling you their confession, I should explain where I was.”

Riah shrugged. “I’m listening.”

“I was supposed to be in Sickbay, but right before I was to leave my quarters, I got a vid-com from my daughter. She’s 24 and been at the Academy for 3 years, fast-track to Bio-Physical Engineering. Her mother died when she was 14 and she’s been living with my parents in San Francisco until going to Academy. She failed her mid-term. Serving Starfleet means the world to her and she was inconsolable, afraid they will kick her out of the program. She wanted her grandfather to do something he wouldn’t do: apply some professional influence. She hoped I might. I won’t.

"I had no idea the Department was left without staff for the 30 minutes I spent talking her off the ledge, so to speak. By the time I got here, Dr Jorik had taken care of the plasma arcing injury, and I went looking for the staff, two of whom were in the stock room. I found the others by the sound of cheers from the conference room. I came in there and the room froze. I just told them to get back to their business. I was hoping it would go unnoticed and I could just tell you about it, but others came by Sickbay when it was empty, and the word was waiting for you when you got back up here. I apologize and accept responsibility.”

“I’m sorry about your daughter. I hope they let her retake the exam,” said Riah. “As far as what happened here, it’s water under the bridge. A perfect storm. Let’s just move on.”

McDavid was relieved, but aware of the generosity of the Chief Medical Officer. Perhaps generosity to a fault. But he felt better having gotten that off his chest. “Thanks.”

Riah just smiled and nodded. McDavid left and her smile faded before he was out the door. In ten years, Her daughter, Crystal could be that 24 year old, heartbroken about a critical mid-term exam. Would Riah be there for her to call? Would Crystal even want to call her biological mother in a pinch?

She took a sip of bitter, lukewarm coffee and with a deep sigh, forced her attention back to the report she was writing.
~~~
LtCmdr Riah Amberlyn, XMD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Arawyn

 

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