Friend, or foe?

Posted on Sun Jan 21st, 2024 @ 9:22am by Captain Michael Intermeezo

Mission: Deep Space Nine
Location: Deep Space Nine
Timeline: Present

:ON:

{Main Promenade, DS9}

Michael had finished his drink with Julian Bashir, and had then moved together to the Bolian restaurant on the upper level for dinner. The food was nothing too special, but the company had been pleasant enough. The two men had been discussing times gone by, the state of the Federation as it stood now, and their future hopes and dreams. It had been a pleasant way to spend the evening, but the day was now drawing to a close.

Julian leaned back in his chair and brushed his hair across his forehead with his hand. “That was probably the most bland meal I’ve ever had here.” He joked, pointing at the empty plates on the table. “The chef is a friend of mine, so please don’t tell him I said that.”

Michael laughed. “Don’t worry. I share your feelings towards whatever we just ate. It’s our own fault for thinking Bolian food could be exciting I guess!”

“Thank you for a nice evening, Captain.” Bashir nodded, putting the jokes aside for a moment. “I haven’t really had any friends around these parts for a long while. Well, not since Miles left anyway.”

“O’Brien?” Michael questioned. “How is he these days?”

Julian smiled, “He’s doing really well. Still enjoying his time teaching. He and Keiko are coming to visit next month. Molly will be sixteen soon.” He suddenly looked very melancholic. “Time is certainly running away from me.”

As a half El-Aurian, Michael didn’t need to worry about time or growing older as much as the next person. People often forgot that he was almost in his mid-seventies, despite his outward appearance. But he could sympathise with Julian. “You could always transfer to the Chuck Norris if you wanted some fresh adventures?”

The doctor quickly looked up at his friend, the temptation evident in his eyes. “Thank you, but I’m where I belong.” He said simply.

“How about we call it a night then?” The Captain suggested. “I need to oversee the resupply of the Norris in the morning, and I should probably try and get some sleep.”

Bashir nodded, “Yes, too true. I have a shipment of Angorian medical supplies arriving in the morning. It will take me at least six hours to sort through them and put them away.” The man suddenly looked like he had a lightbulb moment. “Why don’t you stop by the infirmary now, on your way back to the Norris? I’ve made some great changes there since your last visit.”

Despite being incredibly tired, Michael agreed to accompany the doctor to the infirmary. He knew his old friend needed company right now, and didn’t mind putting his own fatigue aside to try and lift Bashir’s spirits. “Let’s go.”

{Infirmary, DS9}

Michael looked around the medical complex in awe. “There’s certainly been a lot of changes around here.” He said, taking in all the new equipment and bio beds. He wasn’t sure what half of the new equipment did, but he was still very impressed nonetheless.

Before he could react, Michael felt a hypospray being pressed against his neck. As he turned around, he felt himself getting increasingly dizzy and the room was becoming rapidly dark. Before he passed out completely, he heard Bashir’s soft voice apologise, “I’m sorry, Captain.”


:OFF:

Captain Michael Intermeezo
Commanding Officer
USS Chuck Norris, NCC-4005