Unspoken Truth

Posted on Tue Oct 29th, 2024 @ 12:04am by Lieutenant Commander Harrison Knox & Lieutenant Patrick Ryan M.D.

1,370 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: A Silence of Friends
Location: Sickbay

Lieutenant Commander Knox stood up straight, a bit tense and the expression on his face wavered as he prepared himself for what he was about to say. Formerly the First Officer of the Thunderbird, it was awkward to identify himself as the starships Second Officer. His name, rank, and serial number included. "This is to be played in the event I have been died while in service to Starfleet. Please do not continue if this recording has been found in error the only intended recipient of this holo-recording is my best friend, my Captain, Rylan Gray of the starship Thunderbird." It was as clear of a prelude and disclaimer as Knox could give. If he was lucky, Rylan would never receive it, but Knox wasn't going to take aby chances, not after how the last away mission went. The Bajorans could have likely caused his death or the deaths of several, if not all the away team. The harsh reality of deep space exploration and wearing the uniform of Starfleet. You never did when you would be coming back, or if that was likely.

A flash of his normal smile and Lieutenant Commander Harrison Knox continued. "Hey Ry, I'm sorry for leaving like this. I'm going to assume I did something stupid yet again, and you tried coming to my rescue, but it was just my time to draw the short straw in life. Play roulette with life and sometimes lady luck just isn't on your side."

Knox let out an audible groan and sigh. "Right, circumstances don't really matter much here, Ry. I don't want you to blame yourself for my death. Trust me, I don't care what you tried to do or couldn't do. You did your best under the circumstances, and it was an honor serving under you. Truth be told, I think you are going to be a fine Captain even if I betrayed your trust recently. Well, recent to the time I'm recording this. Oh this is going to be awkward if it's years from now that you get this."

Knox laughed a little. "Sorry, I was just hoping I didn't have a beard in the future. Anyways, I'm sorry if I hurt you. I'm sorry if years passed and you couldn't forgive me because really, that would suck."

Lieutenant Commander Knox paced back and forth not saying anything for a few moments before stopping, crossing his arms and taking a seat in front of the device recording him. "There's something you need to know. You have been my closest friend for some time, been there with me at my worst through Maddie's death, through our Captain's death. I hope we figured out what the hell Josaphine DeVane was up to feeding me information, and I hope I told you about Lieutenant Allgaier. More importantly, if I did not tell you then I should, but this is going to take awhile."

"Let's go back to where it all started back on the USS Ark Royal, the first time we met and Captain..." as Knox went on his several minute recording turned into a pretty lengthy one.

Nearly an hour after starting, Knox ended the recording. He saved the recording into a crimson colored isolinear chip and carried it with him, protecting it like a dog with a bone until his walked into Sickbay. "Doctor Ryan," stated Knox standing at the man's office door. "I need your help."

Patrick looked up from the multiple pads of data he had on his desk. He had been going through most of the medical records for the crew. It had been a long task. Some of the crew he had questions for. Others were good and up to date. "Lieutenant Commander Knox right? You were one of the people I wanted to meet with in regards to missing medical history. However you came to me first. First call me Doc. Second, what can I do for you sir?"

"Doc," Knox corrected himself to fit the man's preference of addressing. "As a physician, I have come to find you all to be the more ethical individuals in any profession or line of work. I want you to hold onto something, nothing nefarious. I suppose you could say it's my last will of sorts. I don't want it getting to the Captain unless I'm deceased, and at the moment that 'certificate of my final chapter' will need your signature."

"As a physician I will gladly hold on to it. However as a new crew member and hopefully an eventual friend, you sir are too young to be thinking of death and dying now. And unless there is something you aren't saying medically, I see no reason for you to worry." Patrick said looking at Knox.

Harrison scratched his head for a moment "Yeah, well," he uttered and looked at the physician, locking eyes. "I know I am relatively young, Doc, but I am experienced enough to know that doing what we do, the end is not always as far off as we'd wish it to be. It is smarter to have affairs in order sooner rather than never."

He handed over the red hued isolinear chip. "You don't need to worry, my psych eval was clean. I am not in a bad place or anything, this is just an insurance policy. If I happen to not make it back one day, I want Captain to know a few things."

Patrick nodded taking the chip. He got up as he spoke and walked over to a safe. "I'm not worried. I've read your file. Like I said the only thing that was missing is a complete medical history, but we can discuss that anotehr time. I will put it in here. I always bring a safe with me to each of my locations. As a doctor, I hold a lot of people's private matters and need a place to put the physical aspects."

Patrick looked back at Knox. "You have my word that if anything were to happen to you that leads to death, I will give this chip to the Captain. However I will also do my damnest to make sure nothing happens as long as I am around."

"Appreciated, Doc. Now, since I am here... get whatever you need. I have two arms, two legs, and decent vision."

Patrick laughed. “That’s a good thing. Just any allergies or prior injuries that we should know about. Any other medical issues?”

"Normal wear and tear of someone like me, a took a few phaser and disruptor shots, a few plama burns, no major operations" stated Knox. "No known medication allergies, I get the sniffles on some alien planets from the flowers, but aside from that, fine."

Patrick nodded and grabbed the padd from his desk and inputted information. "I appreciate the honesty Lt. Commander. If there is anything you need, even a friend to talk to - I may be new, but I'll help anyway I can."

Knox sighed. "Friends and I aren't very good together right now it seems. I don't know if I will be able to mend the one I messed up, but if I don't, I guess that's what that isolinear chip is for."

"Well, if it's a true friendship, nothing gets in the way. You may have your ups and downs, but true friends, real friends always remember who they are. They will always have your back no matter what and always be there for you. Might have a hiccup, but that's the sign of a true friendship." Patrick said thinking of his own true friend.

Harrison Knox thought about his years with Rylan and looked at Patrick. "Right. So, have any tests or anything you need to run? If not, I'll leave you with my uh last will and testament."

"We are good. Just had the few questions which you've answered. So I'll keep everything else and we will go from there." Patrick said.

Lieutenant Commander Harrison Knox extended his hand and took the Doctor's, firmly shaking it. "Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate this and I know its in safe hands." With that, Knox headed out having entrusted the the data chip with the physician.

 

RSS Feed