Post Number: 233 *Return to the Fold*
Posted on Tue Mar 4th, 2025 @ 4:31am by Captain Marius Pontmercy & Lieutenant Thomas Ryan MD
1,105 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission: Secrets
On:
Tom finished meeting with Chris and located where the Captain was. For some reason he wasn't that surprised it was his ready room. The man always worked. he admired that.
He stood at the door and pushed the chime to be let in. Marius looked up from his computer screen, surprised to hear someone at his door.
"Come in," he called.
Tom stepped into the ready room, his posture casual but with a hint of purpose in his step. He gave a small nod as he approached the Captain’s desk, his gaze briefly flickering over the pile of reports and the steady hum of the ship’s operations. Marius always did seem to be glued to that desk.
"Captain," Tom began, giving the man a respectful nod.
"Doctor Ryan," the Captain said in greeting. "This is a surprise! Please have a seat. What can I do for you?"
Tom lowered himself into the chair across from Marius, resting his hands on the armrests as he took a moment to gather his thoughts. He hadn't entirely decided how to word this yet, but there was no sense in dancing around it.
"I wanted to talk to you about my next steps," Tom said finally, meeting the Captain's gaze. "My work with Admiral Bradley has been... valuable. And it’s not done. But I’ve also been considering a more official role here on Obsidian, something more structured. I think it’s time I had one foot in the open instead of both in the shadows." Marius nodded, thinking.
"What are you looking for," Marius asked?
Tom exhaled, rubbing his palms together. "I’m not asking to leave Intelligence behind—Chris and I agreed I’ll still be involved. But I also want to do more with my medical expertise. I trained as a doctor before I became an analyst. Feels like it’s time I actually used that again."
"So you want to work with Doctor Dale," Marius said. "I'm sure that can be arranged," he said after a moment. "You'll need to speak with her about where she can use you best, but especially with what we have ahead of us, having another doctor will be helpful."
"Possibly," Tom admitted. "I’m not looking to step on toes. I understand you just asked Dr Stokes to step up as CMO and Dale is ACMO. I worked well with Dale helping Admiral Bradley, and I have no intention of undermining either one of them. But if there's a place where I can be useful—whether as a physician, a researcher, or an advisor—I’d like to explore it."
"Well we have need in both Medical and Science," Marius said frankly. "Both departments are woefully understaffed. Which would you prefer?"
"I think Medical would be a better fit for me. Science is ok. Medical is probably what I would be better at. I think I could be a doctor there and maybe help with research. There has been a lot of information I've worked on in years so that could be good." Tom said.
"Medical it is then," the Captain said. "I know that you do not want to step on any toes, and I appreciate that. I am proud of Doctor Dale. She stepped up and helped us when we needed it the most." Marius shifted in his seat and started to speak again. "Unless you would like me to talk to her for you, I'd set up a meeting with her and see where you can be of the most help."
Tom gave a small nod, appreciating Marius’s straightforwardness. “I can handle that,” he said. “I’ve worked with Dale before, and I respect her. I don’t want to be seen as someone swooping in and disrupting things. If there’s a role for me, I want to earn it, not have it handed to me.”
Tom leaned forward slightly. “I also want to make sure that my experience in research doesn’t go to waste. There’s a lot I’ve uncovered over the years—classified, sensitive information that could still be useful, especially with everything happening in the quadrant. I don’t expect to be spending all my time in a lab, but if there’s a need for specialized medical research, I’d like to contribute.”
Marius waves a hand, not dismissively but in agreement.
"There are several free labs in the Medical Department. I'm sure Doctor Stokes will be happy for the help. Are you wishing to return to Starfleet, or stay as a Civilian?"
Tom considered the question carefully. It wasn’t a decision to be made lightly.
“I’ve been outside the formal structure of Starfleet for a while now,” he admitted. “It’s given me a lot of freedom, especially with the kind of work I’ve been doing. But at the same time…” He exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “I miss being part of something structured, something with purpose beyond just chasing down the next piece of classified information.”
He met Marius’s gaze. “If I’m going to do this, I think I should do it the right way. Put the uniform back on. Make it official.”
"I think that's a good idea," Marius said. "We don't have much to keep us holding it together, formality aids us in this I think. You were what, a Lieutenant," he asked as he looked over the doctor's file.
Tom gave a small nod. "Yes, Lieutenant. Though given how long I've been away, I imagine there'll be some catching up to do."
He glanced at the file Marius was reviewing. "I don’t expect to just slide back in without proving I still belong." A wry smile touched his lips. "Medicine hasn’t changed much, but the way Starfleet runs things… well, I’m sure there’s been adjustments since I last wore the uniform."
He folded his arms. "If you're willing to have me, I'm ready to make it official." Marius took a moment to look everything over, and then nodded.
"I am officially reinstating you as Lieutenant Thomas Ryan, and although it is moot at this point, I am adding that I am transferring you under my command." He typed a few things, and stood up. "Alright Lieutenant, welcome, officially, to the Starbase Obsidian. Report to Doctor Stokes and see where she will put you to work."
"Will do. And thank you Captain." Tom said saluting the Captain as he headed out to find Dr Stokes.
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Captain Marius G. Pontmercy
Commanding Officer
Starbase Obsidian
Lt Thomas Ryan
Intelligence/Medical
Starbase Obsidian
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