Who, What, When, Where.

Posted on 02 Aug 2026 @ 1:06pm by Ensign Taren Voss & 1st Lieutenant Gavin Ross Dr. & 2nd Lieutenant Elora Rykov

3,421 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 02 The Hackers Backdoor (Incidentals)
Location: Quarters

The quarters were unusually quiet.

For once, there were no duty rosters spread across the dining table, no after-shift reports demanding immediate attention, and no uniforms draped over the backs of chairs awaiting another early morning shift. Instead, the small living space aboard the U.S.S. Tomcat had been transformed into something far more personal.

A wedding planning.

Taren stood in the middle of the room, a PADD tucked beneath one arm while another hovered in front of him, displaying an ever-growing list of tasks. Beside it floated holographic floor plans of several venues aboard the ship, each one suitable for a ceremony should circumstances prevent a planetside celebration. Another list detailed guest accommodations, while a third contained notes on Starfleet traditions, Human customs, and the handful of Betazoid ceremonies he hoped to incorporate without overwhelming either of them.

He smiled to himself.

If anyone had told him years ago that he'd be researching floral arrangements with the same attention he normally devoted to security protocols, he would have questioned their sanity.

Yet here he was.

And he wouldn't have traded it for anything.

Moving to the replicator, he requested two mugs of tea before carrying one over to the coffee table. Elora wasn't due back for a little while yet, but it had become a habit to have something waiting for her after a long day. The mug settled beside a neatly stacked collection of wedding notes, each page marked with colour-coded tabs that only made sense to him.

Elora limped back to her quarters. Douglas was going to pay for that dirty little trick of his. She knew she should go to medical; her pride just wouldn't allow it for the moment. She had won. But just barely. She tested the ankle again and winced as the pain shot clear up her leg. She hissed and let herself rest against the bulkhead a moment before she felt able to make it the rest of the way to her quarters.

The moment the door opened she caught the scent of warm tea, mint her favorite. Taren had been doing so much for her lately and she felt like she wasn't doing enough to recipicate. She tried not to be obvious but knew it was futile he could likely feel her pain more profoundly than she could. "It's just a sprain." She said trying to get ahead of it.

Taren shot up, walked to her and help support her weight while guiding her to the comfortable sofa. "What happened?" A sprain was obvious, but this was serious if she was hobbling that much. Gently, and slowly, he unfastened her boot and pulled the low table closer for her to rest her foot on it.

Elora let him help her. She was grateful for his help even. "it's nothing. Just stepped wrong." The minute he pulled that boot she let out a soft cry and felt her fingers dig into the sofa. It was obvious then even through the stocking that it was not alright. The ankle looked bulbus. Douglas that dirty dog and Carter too she would have them skinned for this. It was borderline cheating. She let out a whimper as the sock was carefully pulled away to reveal deep purple bruising across her foot and up into her calf as well her ankle had a bright pink stripe at the impact point. Her boot had likely saved her from a broken bone. Though she wasn't entirely sure if she had been spared that yet.

"It's something, and this needs to be looked at." Teran spoke, feeling her discomfort radiate off of her. "See if medical can come here, but you cant report for duty tomorrow like this, in a new role and a new boss." He walked to the replicator and gathered a cold press for her ankle and gently placed it there once wrapping it in a towel.

"Do not call medical. I don't need a doctor. I will be fine for work tomorrow." She scooted around as he wrapped it unable to stop herself. "I just need to let it rest a moment that is all." Elora stated stubbornly. The very idea of medical made her blood pressure rise. "I am sure you have had worse. Just a bit of a bruise no biggy."

"You remember I'm a Betazoid right?" Taren spoke as he tended to her, he could feel her discomfort, and when she wasn't being strictly honest with her words.

"I don't want a doctor. I rather die in peace thank you." Elora hissed between gritted teeth. She had revenge to plan, and she couldn't do that if she was stuck at home on a med leave. She would use this pain and those dicks from Alpha team would experience it for themselves before she was done. Sure, she could report them, right them up, she had the authority to do so. Possibly ruin their highly decorated carriers. That however was not her end game. It would only prove what they had said about her to be right. That would hurt worse than the ankle. No. She would make them see exactly why she had been promoted over that arrogant toady Tony. "It's a private matter, I intent to keep it that way if you please. I won't be missing my work shifts." No, she wouldn't give them that. They couldn't bully her out of her position.

"Alright, alright." Taren could see she wasn't going to back down. "So what can I do?" He wanted to help but he didn't need his abilities to tell him it had to be on her terms.

Her eyes found him then. That dangerous gleam slid away. "If I told you what happened you would be obligated to report it. That would set into motion things that I would rather not have happen. What happened to me was done out of fear and ignorance and more than a little hurt pride. I have served with these people for a year. We have fought together and bled together. I don't want a moment of anger to ruin their lives. Once I am calmed down, I think I will speak with my RCO and see what can be done to make sure such things do not reoccur in the future." She felt herself deflate a little as she tried not to feel the pain of the other bruises, she had yet to reveal. They had worked her over well. Had no doubt wanted her to feel helpless and small, and they had. She felt betrayed. Understand the why didn't make the hurt of it any less.

"I just. I just need you to be here if that's alright." She had never felt afraid of her fellow marines before, the new RCO aside. It had been terrifying to be ganged up on. She had held her own rather well. She had grown up scrapping on the colony. One on one was hardly ever a thing. Yet, the more she let herself think about it the more it scared her. These men were trained not punk kids on the streets. When they had nearly lost, they had pulled a weapon on her. She shivered. She reached out her arms to Taren, "Please."

"I'm not going anywhere Imzadi. I'll be right here." He could sense so much from her, and not all of it was good. He sat as close as he could without causing her any discomfort and cuddled her.

Elora rested against him. The pain in her ankle throbbed and she felt her resolve melting a little. There was a fine line between stubborn and stupid, and despite her injuries she knew she was tap dancing on that line. "I, I guess I wouldn't be completely against having Doctor Ross come and just maybe take a look." She finally said. She could trust Doctor Gavin Ross right?

She took a deep breath letting the common sense take the reins she reached up and tapped her comm badge.

=^=2nd Lt. Rykov to Doctor Ross. Could you please report to my quarters at your convenience. =^=

=^= Ross here. 2nd Lt. Rykov... Rykov... I will be there gimme 10 minutes to finish up. Gavin out. =^=

Ten minutes later the door to the quarters slid open and First Lieutenant Gavin Ross stepped inside, medkit slung over one shoulder. The young Marine medic had clearly been off-duty when the call came through; he wore a fitted grey tee-shirt that showed the lean, athletic build of someone who still found time for triathlons and kayaking between shifts, comfortable khaki cargo shorts and a crisp white doctor’s lab coat thrown over the top, sleeves pushed up as though he’d grabbed it on his way out the door.

“2nd Lieutenant Rykov” he greeted warmly, voice carrying that refined, steady cadence that marked him as both surgeon and Marine. “1st Lieutenant Gavin Ross, reporting as requested. I’m the duty Marine medic and CMO this shift” He offered a polite nod to the other officer. “Ensign Voss. Good to see you both.”

Elora wanted to return the sentiment but the circumstances being what they were she couldn't. She did however sit up a bit straighter. "Thank you for coming on such short notice doctor." She said.

Taren watched the Doctor enter, understandably somewhat wary of marines presently in light of what happened.

His blue eyes flicked once more to the drifting holographic venue plans and the color-tabbed PADDs scattered across the coffee table before returning to her. A small, genuine smile touched his mouth... “I hope I’m not interrupting anything too important, but it looks as though the two of you are in the middle off some rather joyful planning. If I’m reading the signs correctly… congratulations are in order? Whens the big day?” Gavin had quipped.

Elora's eyes went to the organized data pads, and she suddenly felt a little guilty. They were supposed to be going over wedding plans today. She was going to look at dresses. Had even downloaded a catalogue to go through after her PT and now this.

"We are getting married soon." Eloras voice was full of pride despite her injuries. "You should see the flowers he has picked out, I didn't know flowers could come in so many colors and shapes and sizes." Her eyes had turned adoringly to Taren, "He's simply amazing."

"Yes, we are." He smiled at Elora. He felt a warmth come back to her amongst this sea of injury. "The flowers took some doing." The 'simply amazing' comment caused his cheeks to redden slightly.

Setting the medkit down beside the low table, Ross knelt with practiced ease and activated his tricorder. The soft chirp filled the quiet quarters as he pased the scanner slowly over the swollen ankle, cross-checking the dramatic bruising that climbed into her calf and the vivid impact line across the joint. His touch was gentle but sure.

"Interesting, Interesting." Ross then sat back, as he cocked his head to the right placing his hand on Elora's purplish bruising, and then gently up her leg as he slowly moved upward her pant leg... "I will gently touch. Let me know where this hurts, ok..."

She grits her teeth, It hurt. Just his soft touch was making her want to kick him hard in the face. She didn't though. It wasn't his fault. She let out a soft hiss, "Okay, okay That is, that hurts." She stated hating to admit it but knowing it was important too.

"Unh hunh..." Gavin responded to Elora, as he let up on the touch, believing his suspicions were indeed correct. "May I ask what caused this rather serious sprain?"

"Steel toed boots." Elora said as if it was the most obvious response in the world. "Big ones." She didn't elaborate instead asking. "So can we like patch it up and put a brace on it? I need to get to work tomorrow."

Taren moved aside to give the Doctor room, but his hand didn't release Elora's. He didn't need to sense her pain and discomfort, he could see it on her face, feel it in her hand as he held it.

Ross began with a full multi spectrum tricorder sweep of her lower leg and calf taking several slow passes. The readings showed deep ligiment strain and internal hematoma. He then pulled out a portable sub dermal tissue integrity scanner and ran it along the impact line noting the pattern.

"Administering 4cc of metazine for pain an swelling..." The hypospray hissed. He followed with the dermal regenerator passing it over the purpling to reduce surface brusing. Only after that did he activate the regenerative field applicator moving it methodically to realign the damaged tissue.

"Structuraly sound. Let me check... any sharp pain here?"

He pressed and she flinched a little her hand squeezed Taren's out of reflex. It wasn't nearly as bad as before though. "It hurts but it's manageable." Elora said the relief obvious in her voice. She wondered if she should let him look at some of the other injuries they had left her with. She decided not too though. This was already going to be tricky enough with the ankle.

Ross smiled faintly clearly happy she was already much better.

He glanced at Taren. "Ensign Voss... Shes stable." His voice tightened with concern as he looked back at her. "From what you said... I cant believe someone did this to you. A fine officer treated that way. It makes me furious." Ross leaned closer his tone constructive but firm. "I need the details. Who exactly inflicted this on you and why. Steel toed boots point to another Marine. Tell me what happened step by step so I can document it properly."

Elora looked at Taren and she hated the fact that she was happy she hadn't told him. He would have been obligated to report it if she had. She glanced over to Doctor Ross.

"Does it need to be documented?" She asked.

Taren paused, waited, then spoke. "Technically, it should, but as the victim that's up to you." It was a reasonable question, but one that could have reaching implications, but the ball was in her court. "If it comes out later then you may have to make a statement about what happened and explain why it wasn't reported right away." That was the security officer in him talking, but that side closed as quickly as it opened, reverting instead to the concerned partner.

Elora chewed at her bottom lip, a guilty flush in her cheeks. Why did she feel guilty though? She hadn't done anything wrong after all. She was the victim here.

She flinched inwardly at that word. Thats what it was. She was a Marine, and Marines were not supposed to be victims.

"Well I mean if you need to put something down. You could say that a few of us were in the gym doing some hand to hand and things got a little carried away." It wasn't altogether a lie. Her cheeks burned though. The guilt churned in her stomach.

Why was she protecting them?

Because it was what she was trained to do... Marines protected each other, or they were supposed to.

Confusion mixed in with the guilt. They hadn't been protecting her when they had hurt her though.

A slight trembling started in her hands. Her mind trying to connect dots that it couldn't.

Gavin sat quietly, listening. He could see the deep concern etched on Elora’s face and had no desire to escalate it. There had been similar situations before—times when Ross had to make the difficult call himself. This was one of them. Accident or not, it needed to be reported.

He softened his approach, careful not to revictimize her. A crease formed on his forehead. “There’s more to this, isn’t there?”

Gavin reached for his kit, attaching a deep-scan attenuator to his medical tricorder. He stood cautiously. “Elora, would you mind removing your outer jacket?”

She made a face but did what he asked moving carefully. She removed only the jacket leavening the inner layers of clothes untouched. A long-sleeved black shirt under a baggy t-shirt of deep olive green.

Once her jacket was aside, he scanned her sportswear beneath the uniform, voice calm and kind. “I need to account for everything. You mentioned a mishap in the gym—that’s understandable. For now, I can flag the report appropriately…” His eyes stayed on the tricorder. “I’m detecting abrasions. What else am I going to find?”

He knew she didn’t want to implicate her colleagues. As a Marine medic himself—though rarely among his regiment these days as Chief Medical Officer—Ross understood the culture.

"It's the gym. People get tossed around all the time. It's not that bad." She had a few bruises. A few scrapes. where she hadn't been able to block the hits coming in. Her abdomen, her stomach. It didn't feel serious though. Her arms got the worst of it after the ankle. They had seemed to try to avoid her face as much as possible. Not out of kindness, she was sure.

“Taren,” he continued, glancing over, “as Security, you know the ship’s sensors automatically flag injuries to Sickbay, especially in high-traffic areas like the gym. This wouldn’t be Elora reporting—it would be the system doing its job.”

"So I am better off just telling the MCO then." Elora sunk back into the sofa. She tried not to pout.

He muttered under his breath, “God, I need to speak to Nurse O’Lura… Damn it, O’Lura, get off that dating app in Sickbay...”

"He's going to find out one way or another, besides, would you really want to keep it from him?" Most knew about the towering feline by now, fewer still wanted to cross him.

Elora sighed, "I will tell him first thing tomorrow. Tonight I just want to be here with you." She said wanting to lean into him, but he had moved and so she settled back into the cushions instead,

Ross felt he had pushed enough. He didn’t want Elora to do anything she did not want to do. “Ok. I will let you be for the time being. I have a dermal regenerator that I will leave with you and another vial of pain medication for the time being. It will take a few more hours to allow your sprain to heal.”

“I will be here for you both. I understand the situation. I won’t report anything until you speak to the fine officer S'earr. I have met him, and I am sure you will be in very good hands regarding the Security component. Please, keep me in the loop.” Ross affirmed his support for the two soon-to-be wed. He smiled. They were such a nice couple. “Taren, it was a pleasure to meet you, as well as Elora.” Ross then stood up with his collected medical kit.

“If there is anything else, I will let you rest.” He gave a comforting smile and a nod.

"Thank you, Doctor." Elora said. She was sure he was right. Between Taren and S'earr she agreed she would be in the best hands in regard to everything.

"Thank you Doctor." Taren spoke as he gently sat next to Elora once more, careful and mindful not to cause any discomfort in his attempt to comfort her.

Elora settled herself against the comfort of Taren's body pressed to hers safe and warm in his presence, in his touch as always.

“I hope I am invited to the Wedding! I want to dress nicely.” Ross thumbed his temple. “I have a +1 as well.” Gav then decided to take his leave.

Taren smiled, mostly now glad that Elora saw someone to get medical attention and that Elora was alright, even if bruised and battered.

With Gavin gone she curled more closely to him. She said nothing for a while as she just enjoyed the soft sound of him breathing, of his heart beating against her cheek. Steady, strong, safe.


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