The Next Chapter

Posted on Fri Mar 20th, 2026 @ 3:05am by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant Commander Michael Ki

1,246 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Lost Horizons
Location: Captain's Ready Room - Deck 1 - USS Calypso
Timeline: TBD

Michael had travelled for what seemed like an eternity. He was retrieved from Earth aboard the Delta Flyer Class shuttle Wallace. The course they took brought them halfway across the galaxy. In that time Michael Ki got to know the Bolian pilot exceptionally well. So, the journey was not all bad, at least he had his sake. Finally, the pilot informed him that they had arrived just off the port side of the USS Calypso, Michael Ki's new home.

His belongings were transported over and he followed. Without any ceremony or anything of that nature Michael was informed that the captain had expected him and wanted to see him upon his arrival aboard the ship. So, he was immediately escorted to the Ready Room. This was rather unorthodox and caused Michael to watch the Ensign leave the Bridge with his head tilted and a puzzled look upon his face. Nevertheless, the Doctor rang the door chime.

"Come in." Sam stood and walked around her desk to greet the new arrival. The information sent over by Admiral Burke didn't give her much to go on, but it would help them identify the ship if they came across it.

Michael stepped into the Ready Room. "Commodore York, I am Doctor Michael Ki reporting as ordered." When he finished speaking he bowed in deference to the senior officer.

Sam gave him a respectful half-bow in return. "Welcome, doctor." She indicated the chair opposite her desk. "Please, have a seat. Can I get you something from the replicator?" Her first impression was that he seemed to be a better fit than the last two doctors. At least she hoped so.

Michael longed for a warm cup of sake. However, he knew better than to ask for that as this was not the time nor was it the place. "A nice cup of hojicha would not be rejected. It has been a long trip, and that tea is a welcoming flavor." He sat in the chair indicated. Michael was a rather rigid man, at least when he was on duty. It was for this reason that he sat straight in the chair, with his arms placed on the arm rests.

Sam replicated the hojicha and another cup of canela tea for herself and went back to her desk. She set the doctor's cup in front of him before taking her own seat. "Tell me about your last assignment," she began.

Before he spoke, Michael leaned forward and sniffed the tea. He allowed the vapor to fill his nostrils and enjoyed every minute of this reminder of his beloved Japan. Even the replicated tea was comforting. He took one sip and closed his eyes as he swallowed. His movements were ritualistic, as if this was the way to honor some ancient deity. When he opened his eyes he answered Samantha's question. "As you are no doubt aware prior to this assignment I was assigned to Starfleet Medical. There I was responsible for creating and running the first Diagnostic Medicine Department. It was a rewarding experience and something that Starfleet surely needed. However, even us Doctors long for the exploration of space and so here I am."

Sam took a sip of her herb tea while she watched the doctor and listened to him talk about his previous job. "Yes. Sometimes it's nice to work in your field, or to set up something you're passionate about, but exploring..." She smiled. "There is little that compares to discovering something new. Or, in my case, old."

"And in my case something lethal. New diseases, new cures this is something that I live for. Diagnostic Medicine is so often overlooked. It is the final frontier of medicine. That was why when I chose to come back into space I chose the Calypso for my assignment. A science vessel would lend itself to the kind of medicine that I enjoy doing." Michael smiled as he spoke there was something about this Commodore that put him at ease.

She leaned forward and smiled. "Yes. This is a good ship for that. I'm a scientist myself. My focus is history and ancient civilizations, but I find it often ties in with exploring. Man has made inroads into space that can't be explained. Yet." He was a much better fit for the Caly than either of the previous doctors and she was looking forward to his contributions as both a doctor and as a diagnostician. "Please let me know if there's anything you need for sickbay and for your research."

"At the moment everything seems to be in working order. Sick Bay is empty which is the way we like to keep it. So, do all the exploring you want but do not get hurt. I would rather enjoy spending my days playing fiddle than treating anyone." Michael said with a broad smile and then sipped his tea. "It seems that my predecessor kept everything in readiness. The crew's medical files are in order. If I may ask what the current mission of the vessel is?"

She sat back and took a sip of her tea. "Your predecessor didn't stay around long enough to use sickbay. She was a good doctor, but not a good fit for the Calypso." He'd find that out soon enough, so Sam had no reason not to tell him. "Right now, we're heading to the Pellana system to investigate a planet that may have ancient ruins on the surface. In addition, the merchant who reported the ruins failed to arrive at his next destination. So, while we're in the system, we are to look for any indication that the ship either crashed or landed on one of the planets."

"It is safe to assume that at least at the moment there is no knowledge of a crash let alone survivors." Michael said with a tone of finality. There was a moment where it seemed that he was somewhere else, as if he lost his train of thought. Then almost as if he forgot that he sat across from his commanding officer he snapped back into a smile. "Let us hope that you will have no use for my services on this trip."

"At least, not as a medical practitioner. But there might be something on the planet of interest from a medical perspective. I always hope to find something, even though the odds are generally against it."

"Very well. I will make sure that myself and the Sick Bay staff are ready for anything." Michael said as the wheels turned in his head. He was a specialist in emergency medicine. At the moment he hoped that he would not need much of that knowledge. But, something told him that he probably would.

"Is there anything you need from me?" Sam asked. She was satisfied with the doctor and pleased that, at first meeting, he seemed to be a better fit than the last two.

"No, Commodore. I believe I have everything I need. Thank you." Michael took the last sip of his tea. He stood and bowed with respect. When he rose from the bow he stood and waited to be dismissed.

"You're welcome," she said, standing again as the conversation was at an end. "Take the time you need to settle in and meet your staff. I'm sure we'll need you before long."

A Post by

Lieutenant Commander Michael Ki
Chief Medical Officer
USS Calypso

Commodore Samantha York
Commander
USS Calypso


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