Visit with an Old Friend

Posted on Sun Jul 5th, 2020 @ 2:11pm by Lieutenant Ronan St. Cyr M.D.

574 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: To catch a thief
Location: Personal Quarters, Starbase 54

The door slid back and he entered, knowing immediately where he was. Ephraim had always been one to collect mementos. A mug not returned to the replicator on any ship he visited or served upon. Towels from resort planets. The hand-woven rug he'd felt guilty about getting so cheaply and ended up going back to pay the old woman twice its value. Throw pillows made by girlfriends past. An impressive collection of whiskey that, he was certain, be hiding in a cabinet somewhere and of course, the hand-carved chess set that went everywhere he did. Ronan found himself smiling as he looked about the room.

When Ephraim came out of the bedroom, Ronan felt his smile falter momentarily as he took in the lattice work of age lines worn into the sharp planes of his face. When had that shock of short white hair replaced the chestnut he'd always known. And if the voice quavered slightly, the smile in his blue eyes was as bright as ever and full of welcome.

"You haven't changed a bit," Ephraim said as he approached at a slow, almost halting pace. Ronan remember the way he had charged about, always on the move, always one step ahead of every new ensign coming out of the Academy. "It's been what? Thirty years?"

"About that, I suppose," Ronan said as he offered the bottle of Pappy Van Winkle whiskey he'd brought along. "You're on a starbase now? When did that happen?"

"Oh, five years back, I guess," Ephraim said as he set about finding a set of glasses, taken from a club on Risa, and poured them each a finger's worth. "Turned eighty last month and Starfleet thought it was time I took a less active role." He offered the glass and smiled at the surprise the younger man couldn't quite hide. "You know, you could have at least one gray hair."

Ronan chuckled as he followed Ephraim to the chess set and took a seat. He picked black and the two began setting up the sides. "At fifty, I'd be barely considered mature on the home world." His hand faltered for barely a split second before continuing placement.

Ephraim nodded. "I don't envy you that," he said as he advanced a pawn and settled back in his chair. "Your longevity. My Annie died nearly ten years ago and I'm ready to join her when my time comes." He shook his head slightly before taking a sip of the whiskey. "Nearly did." He thumped his chest over his heart. "Artificial now."

Ephraim saw the change in expression and laughed, saluting his old friend with his glass. "Some things never change. I'm fine but I know you'll check."

"Of course," Ronan aid as he took a sip himself, studying Ephraim over the rim of the glass. "You look good but I'd feel better if I could check you out myself. Make sure everything is as right as you think it is. You always did like to gloss over the important stuff, medically speaking."

"Maybe," Ephraim said as nodded toward the chessboard and then grinned cheerfully. "But first you have to beat me and you haven't done that in ..."

".... ten years at least," Ronan grumbled and settled in to play. It was always better when he had motivation and now he had some. Check Ephraim out for his own peace of mind.

Lieutenant Ronan St. Cyr, M.D.
In Between Assignments
Starbase 54

 

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