What We Leave Behind

Posted on 07 Dec 2023 @ 11:37pm by Lieutenant Commander Elodin Devan MD & Captain Bane Plase

1,504 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Outbreak
Location: Antioch - Government Palazzo, Bane's Quarters
Timeline: Following The Path Of the Prophets

Elodin found Captain Bane in the quarters that had been assigned to him by the Tashi. The door was open, and Elodin entered, pausing just long enough to knock on the door. The Captain was putting away his personal effects, preparing to beam back to the ship.

"So we're leaving?" he asked.

Bane looked over at the door and saw Elodin just over the threshold. "Devan, come in. Yeah, we're leaving. I talked to the Tashi this morning, let her know that Starfleet had worked out a way to send additional ships to help out here. She said it seemed like we were invading." He plopped a shirt into his suitcase and stood up, turning to Elodin proper. "Funny enough, I told the Ambassador that this would be her exact response." He breathed in heavy, then let it out. "I surrendered myself to her and the Antiocian authorities, but she declined. She stated that there was nothing we could do now to ease the suffering of the Antiocian people. She also stated that it would be best we were gone as soon as possible, both for our safety, and to ease the anger of the population some. I asked her how it would look with us causing all this mayhem, then up and leaving them to deal with the damage. She said they would manage, thanks to the serum you invented for them."

"It's going to take a bit more than that," said Elodin. "The vaccine can prevent infection - in most cases. But there's also the possibility of a mutation in the virus. We've already seen it - there are five variants out there right now. So far the vaccine is effective against all of them, but I can't say it'll be just as effective against the sixth. And what about those who are already infected? We need to develop a treatment for them, too."

Plase sat down in one of the comically large chairs provided, and motioned for Elodin to follow suit. "I am in agreement with you, Doctor, truly. I made the case with the Tashi, tried to reason with her, but the damage has been done. You can hear the rioting and protesting outside, even now. People are mad, and honestly, rightfully so. Those additional ships I mentioned have far greater medical facilities and hundreds of medical professionals on them, but she doesn't want them, or us, here. I am not sure what more we can do, other than force ourselves on them. We are not like that, no matter how badly we wish to help. The good news is that personally, she doesn't blame me, or us. It was a mistake. And she invited us to come back in about a hundred years, long after everyone involved is gone. But its still an open door, so a minor victory."

Elodin heard Bane's words, and was silent for a moment. His mouth suddenly felt very dry as he spoke. "Plase, I won't be going with you. I'm staying here."

Bane's nose scrunched as he looked at Devan. "Devan, you can't. We've been ordered to leave by the leader of this world. We are not welcome here."

Elodin took a deep breath, nkowing that very few Bajorans shared the depth of his faith in the Prophets. "I received a gift," he said. "A Vision from the Prophets. This is where I'm supposed to be. Where I belong. I'm meant to help these people make it through this. I've already spoken with Elder Thendra. She's a bit more pragmatic than the Tashi. They can provide me with a place to live in the Government Palazzo, and facilities where I can wok. They desperately need my help getting through this. And not just with this pandemic, but with rebuilding their health care network once this is over. I'll be confined to the Palazzo for the time being, but I can move around inside, and they have an enclosed courtyard and a large garden where I can at least take a walk outside, and get a bit of exercise. I'll be fine."

"Far be it from me to question the Will of the Prophets. I have never been given that sort of gift you were given, and I have to admit that I am somewhat jealous of you." The Captain paused, then continued. "You will basically be a prisoner here in this compound. I cannot imagine that it will ever be safe for you to venture far from these walls." Playing devil's advocate, he said, "What happens if and when, because it will be when, it is just a matter of time, that those people out there," he accentuated that with a point towards the wall, "Find out you are in here. Not only will they want your blood, but so will they want the blood of all those that have been giving you safe harbor. That means the family lineage of the Tashi could come to an end." Plase had no choice, when he spoke it out loud. "I am sorry Doctor, but I cannot allow you to stay here. It not only puts you in jeopardy, but will also put all those inside these walls, and their families outside of these walls, at risk."

"Don't do this," pleaded Elodin. "You know this is the right thing to do. Your departure will let things quiet down. I'll be working in the background, here in the Palazzo. There'll be rumors that one of us stayed behind, but the Tashi's staff will be able to spin the story so that I'll be out of harm's way. The Healers' Guild is well respected, they're ready to vouch for me. They've been untainted by these events, and the population still trusts them. If Elder Thendra supports me, I should be fine."

Plase thought for a moment. As a Captain, everything that he knew was screaming at him to order Devan back to the ship, to tuck tail and leave this planet. As a Bajoran, every fiber of his being wanted nothing more than to join Elodin and stay, to follow the path that the Prophets had laid before Elodin, and for him to help lay the groundwork that would heal the people of this planet, and more than just physically. The duality that he was feeling right now was extreme, torn in two. But as he wrestled with that, another feeling came to Bane. His deep friendship with Elodin. Plase respected Devan greatly, as a physician, sure, but as a person and as a man of faith. Plase would not, and could not, stand in his way. That, coupled with his desire as a Bajoran to wish for Devan to follow the path of the Prophets won over his duty and responsibility to those under his command, to Starfleet, and to the Federation. If he had done any less, he would have been a lesser Bajoran because of it. Plase sighed heavy. "I am going to miss you, Devan."

Elodin laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. "So am I," he said. "And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared shitless about staying here all alone. But it's the path the Prophets have laid out for me, and it's the right thing to do. We need to help these people. I just need you to do three things for me before the Cygnus leaves."

Bane patted Elodin's hand. "What would that be," he asked. So many things flashed in his mind, each of them as likely as the previous.

Elodin produced a data PaDD and handed it to Plase. "One, a small list of equipment I need. Nothing too fancy, or too risky if it should fall into the wrong hands, but things that will be extremely helpful nonetheless.

"Two," he continued, "I need somebody to pack up the shrine to the Prophets that I set up in my office and beam it down to me. And three... I doubt the Antiocians have Bajoran-sized toothbrushes on hand, so maybe you could beam me down a couple of decades' worth?"

Bane couldn't help himself, and laughed. "Yes, of course. I will see to it myself," he said. A little bit of mischievousness crept onto his face, a brief sign of a bygone era that was Bane Plase.

Elodin stood and embraced his friend. "Take care of yourself," he said. "Don't let some Admiral get the better of you. They weren't here."

He headed for the door. "And if you wouldn't mind..." he added, turning just before reaching the exit. He pointed to his combadge. "Check up on me, every once in a while. Just to make sure... Say in six months..." he said, as a bit of anxiety crept into his voice.

"I will. In that case, talk to you then, my friend." Bane smiled, grabbed his belongings, tapped his commbadge and requested to be beamed up.


OFF

A post by

Dr Elodin Devan
Chief Medical Officer
USS Cygnus

and

Bane Plase, Captain
USS Cygnus, Commanding

 

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