[INTERLUDE] Commodore Taybrim - Report Card

[Alcyone Brennan]

 

 

 

I really enjoy how @Sal Taybrim's writer allows us a peek into Sal's family dynamics, and it was great to see Commodore Taybrim in the role of a younger sibling. Those little things are what makes the character so alive and I can't wait to read more. 

Because there is more... 

right? 

 

 

Quote

 

((VIP quarters – USS Della Nova))
(Time index: several days ago, one day before the peace talks were officially moved)

Kirin Taybrim was trying very hard to look imperious.

He was also trying very hard not to laugh.

He wasn’t quite sure how the goddesses had blessed his baby brother with the ability to look imperious, and him the eldest of the brothers with merely the ability to look like a lovable teddy bear; but that look wasn’t serving the Chief Medical Officer of the USS Della Nova very well.  

So lovable teddy bear it was.

Kirin: I never thought I would have to come down here and scold my baby brother about trying to access classified news feeds in his down time.

Lt Commander McLaren, Doctor Trovek and Doctor Nijil has all given Kirin explicit information that let them know his brother would absolutely put his nose into things while he was off duty for this procedure unless he was completely barred from doing so.

And since Kirin was a Chief Medical Officer recognized on a Starfleet vessel, he had authority to protect his brother from himself.

So he had barred several lines of communication and put it on a medical alert should Sal attempt.

Now to Sal’s credit he had been good for three and a half days.  But as they neared Betazed Sal Taybrim had become restless.  As if he had read something from Captain Ansa during their morning breakfast.

Terra Prime, making waves on the Romulan borders.

And suddenly his system of alarms flared.  And Kirin went doubletime to tend to this personally.

Because his baby brother was a Commodore with clearances beyond what Kirin could dream of – and he had a background in high level computer programming and systems design.  It was nearly impossible to keep information out of Sal’s hands if he was intent of getting it.

Sal: It’s really not classified for me…

Kirin lifted a finger and used his ‘Dad’ voice.

Kirin: Sal, you are not a Commodore for the next eighteen days.  You are my patient and you are off duty.

Sal thrust his chin in the air with a hint of indignance.  There was the baby brother Kirin knew.  Stubborn to the end.

He was so much more like their mother than either of them ever wanted to admit.

Sal: And what if there’s a crisis out there?  

He gestured towards the window where the stars were streaking by.  

Kirin shook his head and sighed, slowly.

Kirin: Sal, there’s always some crisis out there.  You’re a flag officer, you know that!  That’s why there are hundreds of Starfleet vessels and installations.  We eat crises for breakfast.

Sal: ::Impish, with a smirk.:: No you don’t.  You like toffa cakes for breakfast.

Kirin shook a finger at him and shook his head.

Kirin: ~not falling for it.~ I do like toffa cakes.

He was chuckling inwardly.  Sal, the hyperactive empath, had to know it.

There was the little brother he knew.  Charming, humorous, manipulative.  As a child he was skilled at using distraction to steer the conversation in a direction of his choosing – usually to get what he wanted.

Kirin was sure he had honed this skill to something mature and dangerous as an adult.  Which probably served him well as a negotiator.

But it did not work against Kirin.

Sal: ~falling for what?~. ::oh he was the picture of innocence.:: We should eat some toffa cakes.

Kirin: ~not going to get distracted and leave you with computer access~ We’ll have Myrtos’ toffa cakes when you’re up and about.  My treat.  Deal?

What was it about the baby of the family that gave them the blessed grace to have the most innocent expressions?

Kirin still wasn’t buying it.

Sal: ~you think I would do that?~  ::a smile:: Sounds like a deal.

Kirin: ~I know you would.~

There was a momentary stare down and both brothers laughed.  Kirin’s laugh was fond, empathetic.  Sal’s laugh was warm and yet stressed.  

And for a moment Kirin felt a wave of the concern, the anxiety, the monumental weight that a flag officer carried on their shoulders.

He sighed and crossed the room to sit down by Sal’s side, resting a hand on his shoulder.

Kirin: You know, if you go looking for bad news, you will find it.  That’s how the galaxy works.  

Sal leaned back and sighed, letting his shoulders slump.

Sal: Sometimes I feel like I live in a constant stream of bad news.  I try to wade through it and pick up the pieces.  Make as much good as I can from the bad.

Kirin: ::Gentle:: Maybe you have earned this little bit of time to turn that off.

Sal: ::He gave a dry chuckle:: That doesn’t make me stop worrying.

Kirin: I know.  ::He smiled, opting to lean into that big lovable teddy bear aspect:: ~but for once – little brother – will you let me worry about you and let yourself relax?~

Sal tinged slightly pink for a moment and then leaned on the supportive shoulder.

Sal: ~Oh fine. I suppose you have earned it.~

Kirin: ::with humor:: ~You had to just go and get yourself promoted.  Over and over again.  It was bad enough when I was just a medical officer and you were just a counselor.~

Sal: ~I didn’t exactly intend on it.  I just wanted to do right by each mission.  And that meant stepping forward and getting stuff done.~

Kirin: ~Funny how that works.~

There was a soft, comfortable silence between the two.  Kirin was glad that Sal had requested the Della Nova.  He wanted to be here.  And he was glad Sal wanted him here.

Kirin: But I am ensuring you don’t have computer access.

Sal: I can be good…

Oh there was that innocent expression again. 

Kirin: ::he chuckled:: You had better be.  I’m writing up a report card for Doctor Trovek and Commander DeVeau so they can sass you if you’re not.  ::his dark eyes sparkled.::

Sal: ::With melodramatic mock-hurt:: That’s blackmail!

Kirin: I love you -little brother-  ::he chuckled.::

Sal shook his head and this time he gave a true laugh, one that released stress instead of carrying it.

Sal: I am glad you’re here, Kirin.

They were in agreement there.

Four hours left to Betazed. 

Kirin would stay steady and hope for the best.

~*~
tbc…
~*~

Commodore Sal Taybrim
Commanding Officer
StarBase 118 Ops
~and~
Lt. Commander Kirin Taybrim
Chief Medical Officer

USS Della Nova