Capt. Shayne: Cellular Peptalk

[+ Talia Ohnari]

LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTORS OR WE WILL FIND YOU!!!!!

Well written introspective from the gruffly grumpy captain we all know and love, and know he's secretly a softie. 

((Deck 1, Captain’s Ready Room, USS Khitomer)) 

The first he knew of the storm of wrath swirling towards him was the unceremonious parting of doors. 

Surprise at the swift arrival eluded his reasoning, and the recognition that only three people aboard the ship could just decide to have his ear. Was it an emergency? Some kind of debacle below decks? Oh no… were the SCE guys screwing with the door protocol sensors again? 

Surprise struck again as Dr. Ohnari, of all people, marched in. The bag she slammed on his desk nearly jolted him out of his chair. 

Ohnari: Oh Captain, my Captain. 

Wide eyes traced her unusually stern features, and the surprise began to give way to a potent concentration of indignation and confidence. Though it spoke ill of him as a CO, on those occasions where officers really, truly, deliberately and unwisely screwed him, he relished the opportunity to tear them a new one. So vicious were his excoriations that a man had simply left the fleet; though, considering said man had tried to “carbonate” the warp core, the captain was confident his commission wasn’t lasting long anyway. 

Shayne: My, who pissed in your synthale? 

But she didn’t respond, didn’t even look up. She dug through her bag, and it was at this instant that Shayne began to understand he didn’t have quite the power he expected here. 

And Talia was scary.

Ohnari: I am not going to ask why you thought it was pertinent to go behind my back for this, but it ends now. Whatever your reasons, they are your own. However, the next time you decide to self medicate, it is imperative I am "in the loop". 

Shayne nearly flinched at the hypospray that was stuck against his throat, but the pain he’d gotten used to didn’t materialize. Almost immediately, the sensation of… suffusion spread throughout his body. The barrier in his mind became less steely and rough, but it eased the paranoia he’d worked hard to keep in check. It felt more… right. 

But with that came a clarity that he hadn’t known he’d been missing. Even if Talia wasn’t going to let him consider that in the moment. 

Shayne: Do the words “none of your goddamn business” mean anything to you? 

The look that particular question earned him was outright withering, if brief. Aside from everything else, it was her business- he could keep it from being hers, but he’d have to do a much better job of hiding it. He hadn’t, and the consequences were a very snarling visit from the CMO. 

Which was all fine and good until she began rummaging through his desk. Slender hands were too quick for even Shayne’s reflexes, and the hypo was withdrawn in short order. 

Shayne: Oy! 

Ohnari: If you had consulted me, I would have told you this gauge was far too large for the serum you've been injecting. ::raising an eyebrow:: Felt like a hole punch to the neck, didn't it? ::returning to her administration, she laid out two vials and a new set of hypos:: I would also have informed you the dosage was off. And you had been neglecting the necessary stabilization peptides. You've probably been experiencing some unpleasant side effects of the partial and incomplete treatment, which, in fairness, you brought upon yourself. And, I won't stand for it a moment longer. 

He grunted dismissively. Peptides. He didn’t need no stinkin’ peptides. Sure they  were important to healthy operating, and… and… 

…oh. 

Shayne: It’s not something you need to stand for! I am a grown ass man! And I will make my own decisions regarding my health. 

Even to him, the words sounded hollow. A few years ago, wasn’t he an extremist towards knowing all medical details of the crew? And now, was he so feeble of conviction that he changed his mind just to fit the circumstances, and his place within them? 

That stung.

Ohnari: The red cap is the serum, with the correct gauge, and the blue cap is the peptide cocktail that will help negate the side effects for you, and any unfortunate telepath you encounter. 

Unfortunate telepath… 

Oh god, no. 

That was why Ohnari was here. Not simply because he was being an obstinate fool and damaging his health, but because what he was injecting was causing harm to others. He remembered his meeting with Semara- that glazed, almost disturbed expression she’d fought so hard to suppress. 

How could he have been so stupid? 

By the time he asked that question to himself, she had already thrown her gear- stolen and otherwise- into the bag she’d carried in with her, and was strutting to the door, quietly livid. 

Shayne: ::softly:: I understand your anger. 

The doors slid open, and from beyond the threshold, the intrigued bridge crew pretended to not be listening in. 

Ohnari: ::turning slowly:: Oh Captain. I'm not angry, ::she turned fully, crossing her arms and spearing him with her steely grey eyes:: I am just deeply disappointed. 

Some lieutenant at the Ops station, eyes still cast downward, made an “ooh” shape with his lips. 

Shayne: …oh. 

He had nothing else to add. He was speechless. It certainly wasn’t that Ohnari’s words brought a stinging thickness to his throat. It certainly wasn’t that his sense of personal pride lay shattered on the ground. It certainly wasn’t that he’d just been profoundly told off before the entire bridge- a bridge that would fuel the rumour mill for weeks to come. 

Certainly not. 

As Ohnari marched off and the doors shut, Shayne sat. 

And sat. 

And stared. 

And sat some more. 

He didn’t realize his duty shift ended. He didn’t realize the lights dimming to begin night mode. He didn’t take heed of the illumination returning to normal levels. 

Two words, roiling over and over and over in his mind. 

Deeply disappointed. 

Boiling anger stirred in him, but it just gave way to more dismay. He’d never been told by one of his people that they were disappointed in him. 

He eyed the hypo and the accompanying peptides. 

He placed the spray close to his neck, and allowed the peptides into his bloodstream. 

And then he shoveled the blocking compound itself into the nearby trash, and summoned as much dignity as he could before stepping out for a new uniform. 

TBC…

 

Captain Randal Shayne
Commanding Officer
USS Khitomer
NCC 62400
G239202RS0