the video

Posted on Fri May 2nd, 2025 @ 12:27am by Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Price

Mission: Those who are left behind

Toni had not known what to do with the new intel officer. Parts of him rubbed her the wrong way and still ... she knew he had an important job to do. And they needed to get along. She did not want to involve her father, his hatred for intel was so much fiercer and was really one of his few serious flows. But she knew several of the officers who ran her dad's intel and knew that some of them had a much clearer view of starfleet intel. So the day before she had sent a message to Commander Tasin London, Kay's older brother, a man she trusted completely. She hoped he had some intel on Price and that it was something she could build on.

Her PADD beeped as a message from off ship came in. As Toni opened it she saw it was from Tasin.

~Hey Kittycat, ~ it started. His childhood nickname for her. ~I know of Ryan Price's reputation. I think you can trust him. He and I have crossed paths on occasion. He is a touch arrogant but hey aren't all intel officers. :) I have attached a video of him in action only a few weeks ago. Maybe as a shrink it will help you understand if he is on the touchy side right now. So Cat cut him some slack. Hope this means we get Melor back now. Love T~

She had to smile. Tasin was such a character. Very unlike either of his parents. She played the video file next it showed a battle from what seemed to be between a starfleet commando/ground forces getting a group of refugees out and she could make out Price in several of the shots. It was all a bit grainy but it was clear that it had been a very hot op and that not all of them had made it out in one piece.

Toni leaned back in her chair. Maybe a touch of PTSD? Or just fatigue? Also she trusted Tasin, which meant she would have to give Price another chance. So she sent a message to his office asking him for a meeting at his convenience.

Ryan had found himself up near the XO's office, he figured he'd drop off the latest after action reports and hopefully avoid another round of professional disagreements, to be honest he just wanted to do whatever his job was going to be, as he closed in on the office door he paused momentarily, he could just file the reports and grab lunch, maybe even sneak in some firing range time he was dying to get some much needed practice in, he paused looking at the door control, to hell with it...the target practice can wait. he pressed the door chime.

"Come in." Toni said. "That was quick." She continued as she saw who came in and gestured him to sit. "I eh.... I asked someone I trust if they had come across you and if you were an ok guy. He came back to me today and said that you are. So I guess I am asking if we can start over."

Ryan paused, he had his suspicions but spoke "I'm willing to." he said wondering who said what.

"Good." Toni said relieved. "I don't know if you know my friend Tasin London. But he seems to know you and he vouched for you. He runs my dad's intel."

Ryan thought about the name, he just shrugged "I've worked in so many places I can't keep track of people I may have met."

"I thought an intel officer would have a better memory." Toni joked.

Ryan sensing the intent of the joke tried to steer the conversation for one moment "Until now the most sleep I've gotten is in infirmaries or on transport ships so keeping name straight isn't easy, let alone if I've eaten."

"Hold on." She quickly went and found a photo of Tasin that was not too old and showed it to him. "That sounds like medical and counselling are going to have a field day with you."

"Counseling already has..." he paused looking at the photo and shaking his head out of uncertainty "In the span of fourty five days I fought twenty different battles on ten different planets so its not unreal to forget a single face."

"I doubt you guys met as recent as that as Tasin has not been in battles lately. Good to hear you got the counselling done. How are you settling in?"

"I overslept this moring, possibly the first time in months." Ryan said

"Good for you, it means that you needed it." Toni relaxed a little. "Your body is slowly coming out of fight mode."

"I'll feel better when we're out of the system and can transfer all of the wounded we've taken on board to a starbase." Ryan said hoping his point would be made this time.

"Hell yes. They need more stability than we can offer them here. I am 100% with you on that."

"After Calondia four I want to make that happen sooner instead of later." Ryan said with emphasis.

"Was it worse than other missions?" Toni asked knowing he would not be able to share details.

Ryan shook his head, "There ferocity makes the Klingons look tame, there desire for domination makes the borg look weak and one directional, the Jemhidar are a bioengineered nightmare that doesn't stop."

"Did you lose friends?" Toni asked softly.

"A few colleagues from the past, my team got beat up bad too." ryan mused

Toni nodded and waited if he was going to say more about it.

Ryan wasn't sure what else too say, he just kind of felt frozen uncertain what was to be said next.

Toni saw she was making him uncomfortable so backed off. 'I have been lucky that I have not had missions like that. But I talked to many who did, some had a tough time with surviving."

"People will be forced to do things they wouldn't at any other time in their lives." Ryan said coldly

"Yep." Toni agreed. "That does not make the feelings you may have about what you had to do go away. That's why counselling is mandatory after stresful missions. She held up a hand as if to stop him before he could complain. "Not to me. But find someone you can trust."

"that will come in time." Ryan said his gaze shifted a little.

"I get that desire as well. But waiting will not make it easier and you could end with the chief counsellor on your back. Her PADD will flag these things up. At least make her aware of it if you want to wait."

"She's already been down too my office." he paused "She seemed more interested in the behaviour studies of the Jemhidar."

"She came to you?" Toni grinned. "We all have different specialties. I worked at a trauma hospital for a while. That is why I will sometimes advice people to seek help before memories develop into trauma. Not saying it always happens, but it can."

"Some things are more than meets the eye." Ryan said.

"I know. Just something to think about." she leaned back. "I am glad we had a chance to talk today and clear the air."

"Me too." Ryan said politely.

"Anything else I can help you with right now?"

Ryan paused as if he was thinking, "I think we're good for now."

"Good." She came to her feet and held out her hand. "I look forward to working with you.