300 seconds

Posted on Mon Jul 14th, 2025 @ 8:56pm by

522 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: A Silence of Friends
Location: Sickbay

“Why did you decide to be a psychiatrist?”

The question was one Ayryn Trynn had been asked many times. Usually by those trying to deflect attention from themselves than a genuine curiosity. Often, the response was a patient smile and an abridged version of the truth.

Today the question came not from a patient but from one of the nurses who was assisting. Emma Drysdale, an ensign with that unending enthusiasm fresh faced graduates seemed to possess in abundance - even in the face of a plague. In a close second to said enthusiasm was the young woman’s curiosity.

From the mundane to the deeply personal and everything in between. If there was a lull in conversation, a question would soon fill the void. Fascinating…

Doing another round of the most critical patients - a growing list the longer time went on - Trynn had found herself alongside the ensign as she checked on Dr Ryan. And then, amongst the queries on the treatments they were giving, came the most personal question anyone on the staff aboard had asked.

Partially raising an eyebrow, Ayryn paused before answering. Noting how the younger woman seemed almost anxious in the brief moment it took Ayryn to speak up and break the small silence. Sedatephobia? Perhaps. Mild symptoms, if true. When this was over, she made a mental note to delve into this little mystery further.

“I imagined myself a surgeon before I started my training, with a clear plan laid out,” she confided while she worked. “But by the time I did a surgical rotation, I had already decided I was more interested in the mind than the body.”

“So what was it?” Drysdale pressed as she adjusted the blanket around their ill patient and CMO. “That changed your mind I mean.”

“Another medical student,” Ayryn said simply, making a slight amendment to the medication buying the doctor some time.

Emma grinned, “was he cute?”

Ayryn took a calming breath. Neither the time or place for this conversation she was also reminded of why she usually went with the rehearsed version. Was he cute…?

Lots of people had thought so. The poster boy for their year. Academically brilliant, a track and field star. Until it had all fallen apart with tragic consequences….shaking off that dark and painful train of thought she pointed to the vital signs.

.“Constant vitals. Any change, good or bad, your eyes are glued to that display, understood?”

“Absolutely,” Emma nodded, her eyes locked on the display as she added. “Can I sing to him? I’m pretty good.”

“As long as you can sing and watch,” Ayryn replied, “then go right ahead.”

Yep, the nurse definitely had an appointment with Ayryn happening on the near future… for now, they had the small task of keeping the rest of the sick alive.

Oh, and stop the ship from making any wrong moves that may set off an advanced Artificial Intelligence. Yes, just another day in the office. She just hoped Knox and Knight were making progress on a cure because time was running short.

OFF

Lieutenant Ayryn Trynn
Chief Counselor

 

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