War Never Changes

Posted on 27 Apr 2022 @ 3:32pm by Commander Scarlet Blake & Petty Officer 2nd Class Leon Inaros

4,010 words; about a 20 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: Blake's Quarters
Timeline: MD-09: 2100

[ON]

Leon Inaros rang the chime of Blake's quarters, glancing around the corridor of the Senior Officers' quarters. He had been invited to catch up, since they hadn't seen each other for years, excluding yesterday's meeting. He had always liked Blake. She had been a good officer, someone with a good head on her shoulders. He respected her. He liked her. They had even had some friendly banter and she had seen him angry and upset and managed to calm him. So, in other words, Leon saw her as a friend. The years didn't really matter when it came to friendship, or that his hair was now greying.

"Come in," Scarlet called out, moving to put the last of the books away. Lily was in bed after much complaining and it was her first chance to tidy, even if she knew she had a guest on the way. He would have to take her as he found her with the way things had been recently.

Leon walked in, smiling weakly as he looked at her. He didn't even notice the quarters in that sense, except the size of them. "Thanks for inviting me," he said instead, the smile growing as he watched her. "It's...really good to see you, Blake."

"And you," she smiled to him as she straightened, dusting her hands off, but more in the 'done' kind of way. "I didn't want to let it stretch. That's when things end up not happening. What can I get you?"

"Coffee, if you don't mind," he said, moving to the sofa but he didn't sit down uninvited. "How is Lily feeling?" He hoped that by today, she'd feel better after the hypo.

Blake nodded with a soft smile, moving to get them both coffee, but it was just replicated, she didn't have any of the real stuff. "She's getting there, thanks, just a bit less energetic than her normal self. To be honest, it hasn't helped that I've been in and out of here like a yo-yo," she offered a cup to him. "She literally doesn't know if I'm coming or going."

He took the cup, holding her eyes at that. "Must be difficult," he said, giving her a weak smile. "To balance being the XO and a mother...but damn, Blake, you've done good." And she had. He had known her through bits of her Marine career, from the young Lieutenant, through to when she was a Captain. He had heard when she went MIA and sent her a message when she was recovering. But since then, nothing. And now he understood why. She had been busy.

Scarlet chuckled softly, smiling gently with appreciation at the words, but shaking her head lightly as she sat with him. "You know me. I never was good at sitting around with nothing to do. Much like a young medic I used to know."

"Not that young," he said and shook his head, sipping the coffee as he watched her. "Although I was always restless, you're right in that. Needed to keep busy. The therapy groups helped though, as I suppose getting older did too."

She nodded, sipping her coffee carefully as she watched him. He had seemed young. He might talk about being older, but he didn't seem all that much different. She knew that she must. "What was it like?" she suddenly asked. "I know I asked already, but staying until the end of the Marines, watching it shut down, what was that really like?"

He looked at her before he made a face. "They stopped...using us, after awhile," he said, thinking about it for a long moment. "So for six months before the announcement, we were just...passengers. I heard it was worse for Mars, they just sent the recruits home one day. No graduation, nothing. So you had the staff there just...waiting. And then the announcement came," he met her eyes, holding them. "At that point, it felt like we were being pulled off life support. So the Corps went with a quiet sigh in the darkness, not...anything else. We got offered re-training, or were told we weren't needed anymore. Not everyone could handle it. I...knew of a few who just..." he stopped himself, giving a weak smile. He had known a colonel who had killed herself. Wanting to die a Marine rather than anything else. In full dress blues. But he didn't say it aloud.

Scarlet nodded quietly all the same, frowning as she leant back with a heavy sigh. "It was hard leaving," she admitted quietly. "I can't imagine what it was like to be pushed like that. I'm glad you opted for the for blue shirt though."

"Well..." he watched her, with clear consideration at how to word it. "Mustard never looked good on me, and what would I do as a civilian? No. This was the only logical option," he smiled, almost playfully.

She nodded with understanding; she'd made a similar choice after all. "For me, security felt like it would be close enough to constantly remind me of how far away it was from marine life. If that makes any sense," she chuckled, not sure that it did, but she couldn't find another way to put it. "Counselling felt like more of a break. A new start."

"I understand," Leon said and looked thoughtful for a long moment, a slight frown coming to him. "And it is a choice you make. Deciding to become a nurse was me taking some control back, from a situation I couldn't control. Wasn't easy, but I did it and here I am. It..." he stopped and looked at her, suddenly smiling. "I am going to have to learn how to think differently."

"But that's not a bad thing," she promised with a soft chuckle, shaking her head as she watched him with knowing eyes. "I can't say that it will always be a slower pace around here though. We've had a few near misses. I think it's the travel time you have to get used to, that's when it becomes an endless routine."

"I am...used to travel time. Just not the travel time alone," he admitted, holding her eyes before he shook his head. He had spent his career surrounded by people. Sleeping in barracks or shared rooms, the same people around you all the time, on and off duty. It created a bit of a co-dependency. He missed it. "I'll find ways to occupy myself. Had some practice waiting for this ship."

"You don't have to be alone here," Scarlet said firmly, meeting his eyes with a slight shake of her head. "Don't get me wrong, I understand where you're coming from. But this is a small ship...we're almost on top of each other in some places. You can find comradery here too. Different, but present."

Leon nodded, holding her eyes for a long moment. "And it is something I would want. Comradery. A sense of belonging," he said, and it was almost a question he wanted to ask. If she felt that. Instead, he decided to go on safer grounds. "Your daughter is delightful."

Scarlet laughed softly at that, shaking her head gently as she looked to a picture of her on the shelf. "She's certainly full of life. Well, when she doesn't have an earache that is. Be careful, before you know it, she'll have you fighting space pirates and hunting dragons with her."

Leon smiled, thinking about it for a long moment. "I don't see anything bad with that, Blake," he finally admitted and shook his head. "And it's not a bad thing if we get on. In case she ever has another earache."

"Or in case you have a sudden urge to play knights," she chuckled at the idea. It would suit him well enough. "Maybe not shiny white knights. I think both of us would be more...murky grey knights."

"The universe is murky grey," Leon said, and his voice was gentle, even patient. "Even somewhere like Starfleet, we have had our share of spilled blood, and not always for the right cause, or the right reasons. Maybe that is what they are trying to...amend. Getting rid of what was officially Starfleet's way of going to war."

She watched him quietly, considering it for a long moment. It made sense in a way. In a public, symbolic way. "Reassurance. New era. We fought a war to live in peace..."

Leon nodded, holding her eyes for a long moment. "Of course, we will still have phasers and torpedoes..." he said lightly before he gave her a quick smile. "And it's not like we are stopping phaser and combat training for Starfleet personnel. But primary...a peaceful mission."

"Until the next crisis," Scarlet said quietly, but with a small, wry smile to soften the prediction. "I mean, not to sound like a pessimist or anything," she chuckled, shaking her head at herself as she looked down.

Leon watched her before he smiled, a gentle smile as he shrugged. "They'll get something like the Marines back in, eventually. Call it something else, but...you know...it will be same, eventually. And it'll happen after the shit has hit the fan and a lot of people have died." He gave a small shrug, his eyes oddly warm despite the subject.

"Hm, I'm glad that I will no longer be the most cynical member of this crew," she chuckled softly, lifting her coffee cup to him in a mock toast. "So what are your ambitions, Leon?"

Leon thought about it before he smiled, giving a small shrug. "Charge nurse," he finally said. "Because I would love to be bossing around the other nurses and have the doctors bow down to my organisational skills."

Blake grinned at that, nodding thoughtfully as she imagined him in the role. "It would also be something you'd be good at, more importantly," she pointed out with a soft chuckle. "It would suit both of your skillsets."

"I like keeping an overview of booked beds and injuries," he admitted, giving a shrug. "No worse than a triage tent on a battlefield. But I know that there's more to that job than that, so I need to give myself time to learn it. Running an efficient sickbay is a whole different kettle of gormagander."

"True, but the building blocks don't change," she assured, shaking her head firmly. "If it's something you'd like to pursue, I'd like to help. When you're ready of course."

"Let's...get me settled in first, Blake," Leon said, this time with a warm chuckle. "Make sure that I am cut out for being a nurse on a ship. If not, I might have to consider a career change."

"Why do you think you might not be cut out for it?" she asked with surprise, shaking her head as she sat back and crossed her legs, sipping her coffee with a soft sigh of appreciation.

He gave a small shrug before he sipped his coffee. "Well, between us two, I am used to dumping the wounded onto the doctors and then getting myself into the next battlefield. Now I have to follow the whole...circle of patient care. It's a different mindset. At Starfleet Medical, I spent most my time with the Trauma team, so...once they went to intensive care they were off my hands."

"Well, it is different, yes," Scarlet said softly, but she was shaking her head with a thoughtful frown, clearly not agreeing despite her opening gambit. "But different doesn't mean you aren't cut out for it. You had to adapt to an incredible range of duties in your old career. You'll adapt again."

"I am glad you've got faith in me," Leon laughed, his eyes narrowing slightly with it. "I don't know. Maybe deep space will agree with me for a bit, get myself into whatever is going on with this ship...." he paused, considering it. "Although I suspect we will be busy a lot. You more than me, of course...Commander..."

"We certainly don't end up with the easy missions, that's for certain," she shook his head with a half smile, her eyes giving him a warning despite the easiness of her reaction. "I think that much will work well for you."

Leon nodded, watching her closely at the way she was looking at him. "I believe the point is, I should work well for this ship," he said, almost playfully. "I...don't take this the wrong way, Blake..." he paused, considering how to ask. "How are you doing? With everything going on?"

"Mostly...tired," Blake shook her head with a half smile, finding it easier to be honest with him. Not only did they go back together, but he wasn't an officer. He was part of the more independent running of Sickbay, and didn't have to worry about the rank politics. "Since we got recalled, it's been non stop. This Captain runs to her own timetable, and regardless of shift rotations, we have to jump to the rhythm of her drum. Between bridge duty, administrative duty and overseeing the crew, it doesn't leave much time for Lily. Who takes up whatever time is left. That's why we're here now, rather than having a drink against a better backdrop."

Leon watched her with sympathy. He couldn't imagine what a strain it would be on her role as a mother, being the XO under a new and therefore unpredictable Captain. "You...are getting enough sleep though?" he asked, because he wanted to make sure she was taking care of herself as well.

"Define 'enough'," Blake laughed softly all the same, shaking her head lightly. "It's fine. Hopefully it won't be forever either. The sooner we get on with our mission, the sooner we can continue the R&R. The crew...we've just come off the back of a rather...strained mission, followed by a slog of clockwork shifts to get to the spacestation. I'm more worried about the crew."

Leon looked at her before he nodded. "You know, when I was in training in the Marines...this old medic used to say 'patch yourself up first, then the others, because if you bleed out they'll all bleed out'," he said, and gave her a small smile. "Just...food for thought, for you. And I am sure it won't be forever. Just a bit of change of command shakeup."

She nodded, allowing a slight chuckle to what he said, nodding sagely. "And that makes perfect sense," she assured, lifting her cup of coffee to him. "And this is a good start."

He smiled, and lifted his own cup to her. "I suspect we will need it. But if you need me to get a doctor to tell someone to back down from you...let me know," he winked before taking a sip.

Blake gave a small smile of appreciation mixed with amusement, nodding gently to him. She was silent for a long moment, just enjoying the easy company. "I meant what I said," she finally assured him. "When this mission is over, I'd very much like to help your career development plan. It's my favourite part of this role."

Leon chuckled, smiling at the way she had put it. "Alright. If only to give you some pleasure in your work, Blake..." his voice was teasing, but his eyes were grateful. "Lucky to be serving under you. I was a bit worried I'd be shoved to the corner because of my years as a Marine. Not all 'Fleeters are as welcoming, as I am sure you know...someone's always scowling at your service record, or past."

Blake's jaw tightened a little at that, reminded of the way Tarin had brought her own past up to shake at her. "Let them look at your record. Let them see how many times you put your own life at risk to protect others."

"Oh, I wouldn't take any real notice," Leon said, shaking his head as he watched her. He saw how she had tensed up a little. "I mean, I would, and would most likely be angry and hurt over it. Eventually, I would like to think I'd dismiss it in my head, telling myself I was too old to care anymore what people thought of me. A horrid lie, obviously, I am vain."

"Vain?" she laughed softly at that idea, shaking her head lightly. It didn't match what she knew or remembered of him. "I somehow doubt that. Aware of your worth? Yes."

"You know, some could argue that those are the same thing," Leon said, with a teasing tone in his voice. "But yes, I...know my worth. Know what I am. Who I am. Good and bad."

"Vanity would be having to show it and prove it to everyone else," she shook her head with a small, knowing smile. "That was never you. And I'm glad for it. There's enough of those around."

"I always liked you," Leon said, serious as he watched her. "Steady head, and you understood people. You have a natural ability of knowing what a person needs. It's...invaluable. I would have liked to have served under you in the Marines, when I was younger. But I am older than you, so I know that is a fantasy."

She watched with surprise, shaking her head with a soft breath. She wasn't used to hearing anything quite like that. The two worlds were so separate. "You don't have to say that just because I'm your First Officer now," she teased, but her smile had gratitude.

"Well, it never hurts being on the side of the Command staff," Leon teased back, but it was with genuine warmth. "Besides...you may need a nurse now and then."

"And Lily certainly will," she conceded with a slight shake of her head, but she was smiling with it. "Trust me, if you can deal with her questions with a good bedside manner, you're going to be just fine."

"She's...wonderful," Leon said after a moment, meeting her eyes. "She's a good kid, takes after her mother. And if she ever has questions, she can ask me. Or if you need an hour to do something, I don't mind trying to entertain her."

"I may very well take you up on that, if it's a real offer," she half warned, but adding to it with a small smile. "And you might regret it, after an hour of dragon, knight and pirate stories..." she tsked playfully.

He looked at her with a small smile, considering it. "Once upon a time, there was a great knight called Avalon..." he said, in his best story-time voice. He then gave a small shrug, looking down. "I like kids. Just...not really had the chance to have any of my own."

Scarlet could relate to that part of the job well enough. "Well, never say never. Starfleet offers more options for personnel with families. That's one perk of the move."

He nodded, holding her eyes. He was going to say it took two to tango, but he didn't how she had ended up with Lily. So he didn't comment. "I suppose one can never say never. For now, I think I have another...focus."

"And it's a worthwhile one," Scarlet gave him a small smile at that, fully understanding and appreciating where he was coming from with that.

"But...you have been good?" he asked, searching her eyes for a moment. "Since we served together?" He remembered she had been MIA. He had been relieved when she had been recovered, the lone survivor.

Blake nodded, resting her head in her hand as she settled against the sofa, pulling her feet up onto it. "Yes, I can say that," she chuckled softly as she thought on it properly. "Lily was...a surprise, but we've muddled through it together. I'm lucky. She's a child that loves the idea of adventure. It goes a long way out here."

Leon nodded, smiling as he finished his coffee. "It does," he said, with an easy grin. "I remember when I was a kid...once, I played forts in the Jeffreys tube..." he made a face. "Chief Engineer gave me such a bollocking. My father was not impressed."

Scarlet laughed at that, shaking her head quickly as she leant forward to him. "I think that's the best use of Jefferies tubes that I've heard. I used to try and con my way into the holodecks as much as possible when I was a kid. I'd makebelieve in there that I was anywhere else in the galaxy. Now, I can't imagine having grown up anywhere else than a ship."

"I feel the same way. There's a certain...magic you get, when you grow up on ships," he said, meeting her eyes with a smile. "I know a lot of people planetside would say we lack...bonds to the ground. But that is another word for shackles in my opinion. What we are good at, is making a home wherever our boots touch."

"And, just as importantly, being able to fall asleep wherever our head rests," she added with a chuckle, shaking her head, knowing all too well that he'd also have had his share of sleeping rough.

"It's a talent only the best of the Marine Corps have," Leon said with a grin, shaking his head. "Going to sleep anywhere, waking up in your gear and just...running with it. Get up and wait."

"It will serve you well here, when the red alert blares in the middle of your sleep," she half warned, but with a small smile. She knew he could handle anything Fleet life could throw at him.

"I have...noticed a lot of people are walking around tired," he admitted, frowning slightly. "I got a vitamin cocktail in a hypo that might help, but it's a bit...unorthodox to offer. Offering means acknowledging there is a problem with people's...patterns. And I am a bit too new and a bit too lowly to start bringing that up with my Chief, for her to take it further."

"I would say now would be a good time to bring it up," she advised with a slight smile, trying to keep it balanced. "Even if it's just when a patient mentions they're tired. I think a lot of people could do with a little pick me up at the moment."

He nodded, watching her for a long moment before he smiled. "Do you need on, Blake?" she asked, his voice gentle as he watched the woman.

She chuckled at that, shaking her head for a long moment as she looked down. "That was very nicely played, Leon," she admitted with a slight tsk at herself. "It might be a good idea."

"Alright. Come and see me on shift," he said, finishing the coffee. "And you should get some rest now, while you can." He didn't want to keep her awake, even if he was enjoying the conversation.

Scarlet nodded, standing with him as she let out a long breath to gain some energy back. "Very true. I enjoyed this though, let's make it a regular thing. And have a think about what areas you might like to learn more about once you're settled in. I'll help if I can."

"I'd appreciate it. And we need to make this...regular," he said and stood, holding her eyes. "If you need me, at any time...let me know, Blake."

"Same," she assured, shaking her head with a small smile of amusement at the offer. "Not that you will need me. You're going to take like duck to water around here."

He laughed softly, watching her for a long moment. "Just going to hope I can swim in this lake," he said, with an easy wink.

OFF:

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo-A

&

Nurse Leon Inaros
Medical
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Rice]

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