Returning the Favor
Posted on Wed Sep 10, 2025 @ 2:13am by Lieutenant Annora Tessaro & Colonel Nicholas Means III
1,553 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: Sickbay Deck 56
Timeline: MD 3 1600 hrs
On:
WAR
Among the various items on her list was to visit those still laid up in sickbay following the attack. She had purposely waited a few days to give the medical staff time to work their magic. On her way down the corridor, Annora ran into Colonel Means coming the opposite direction.
"Afternoon Colonel."
"Afternoon, Lieutenant. Checking up on your people as well I see."
She paused just shy of the door sensor.
"I am. Wanted to give the staff time to treat the acute cases before dropping by. Three days seemed long enough time to wait. I've been the patient in the medical facility, I know how a visit from leadership can boost morale. Although it was under different circumstances, the War was still raging so it was higher leadership, not my direct superiors. Still, it was a nice gesture and it's my time to return the favor."
Tapping his eye patch, "I know what you mean."
Annora was thankful sickbay was spared from the Cardassian assault.
"We're fortunate the casualty list isn't longer."
"Very true."
She was briefly reminded of the station blowing up in the original timeline.
"Compared to past conflicts the number of condolence letters is small, but that doesn't make the task much easier. Speaking of which, I added the names of fallen Marines to the memorial plaque at the Dusty Dragon."
This being his first conflict here on the station he assumed that to be a local tradition. "Much appreciated. Hopefully it'll be some time before we have to add anyone else."
"Agreed. I think we bloodied the Cardassian's nose enough they won't try again, let's just hope no other major threats rise up. The official opening for the Dragon is later tonight, I'll make sure you get the official invite when I get back to the office."
He nodded, "Thank you. We'll be there."
She motioned towards the entrance.
"Any advice before we head in?"
Visiting the wounded under his command had been something he had always done. "Never done this before?"
Not really waiting for answer. "It's simple enough, though sometime it can get more....involved. Basically just encouragement & reassurance. They always have to know you have their back and will make sure needs are addressed. They also need to know that, whatever they had to do, they did the right thing. You might have some kid in their that never took a life before or survived when their friend didn't. That kind of thing."
His words were reassuring to Annora.
"Thanks. This is the first large scale attack since I've been in charge. I will certainly provide what reassurance I can. I'm thankful I had some combat experience under my belt before being sent to the front lines. Can't say that for a lot of those under my command, supposed that's a double edged sword of serving in a time of relative peace."
She took a deep breath, pressing the door switch.
"Let's go brighten the day of some wounded soldiers."
"Marines." He corrected her as they entered. "Don't worry though. It's been a recurring error for centuries."
Petty Officer Travis looked up from the reception desk.
"Afternoon Colonel, Lieutenant. I presume you're here to check in on your troops. Most are in Bay 3, you can go right in."
She pointed off to the right where the hallway curved around.
"We are. Thank you."
He nodded appreciatively, turning towards their destination.
The two officers walked down the hallway to the indicated med-bay. As the doors opened, a group gathered around a card table started to stand up.
"As you were." Annora said, anticipating their reaction. While she hadn't cleared that with the Colonel, it was doubtful he'd disagree.
"Don't let me interrupt. We're stopping by to see how the recovery is going and if there's anything we can do for you."
Petty Officer Xelan stood up anyway.
"Much appreciated. Some of us have clearance to go home tomorrow, some are stuck here a bit longer."
Annora gave a genuine smile at the news.
"Good to hear. We're anticipating your return, but there's no rush to come back on duty."
Means kept moving as the Lieutenant talked to her people. Stopping in the midst of several Marines, "How you all doin?"
"Ready to get back to it sir."
"Rather be having field rations than the food here."
Means shook his head. "Why am I not surprised to hear that from you Thompson," as he reached into his cargo pocket and tossed him a ration bar."
"Thank you Sir!"
Turning to the biobed behind him. "How's the arm Valentine?"
"Replaced sir. Still getting used to it but I'll be back at it in no time."
Means bumped the edge of her bed with his fist twice. "That's what I wanna hear."
Means moved further down the row and stopped by a biobed. The man was still unconscious and had lost both legs and a nurse was checking the readings on his monitor. Seeing that the Colonel was back she put a reassuring hand on his arm. "He's still in a coma Colonel, but his body is getting better. We just have to hope his mind is as well."
"Thank you."
Annora mingled with several others, getting a feel for their recovery and mental well-being. While not a counselor, it should allow her to get a general idea of how they were coping. She watched with amusement as Means tossed a ration bar to one of the Marines.
"How's the food?" she asked Ensign Omond.
"It's a bit repetitive, but no major complaints about the quality. Better than field rations." He said with an eye towards the cluster of Marines before turning his attention to a nearby biobed.
"Maybe we'll have a feast once everyone leaves the med-bay. Find one of the civilian restaurants on base to host it."
Following his gaze towards the bed, Annora read the name on the footboard. Ensign Harnos, Omond's patrol partner. While the ambush of the Cardassians was successful, it came at a price.
"I have full faith in the medical staff. They assure me that everyone here will pull through."
Whether or not they would all return to duty was a separate question she didn't have an answer to. Aside from just returning to duty, she wanted to give them something else to work towards.
"Hey Colonel." she raised her voice a little to catch his attention. "When we've cleared out the med-bay, what do you say to a little competition?"
Patting the comatose Marine's hand as he turned walking back towards the other. "What kind of competition did you have in mind?"
As this was a new idea, she hadn't yet considered what it might look like other than just the basics.
"Not sure yet. Maybe spread it across a few different events.
From across the room one of the Marines remedied her dilemma.
"What about an obstacle course?"
This was followed by several cheers of agreement from both sides. Petty Officer Ferric then added their opinion to the matter.
"Add in a hostage rescue."
Glad to see the mood shifting a bit, Annora considered what a 3rd event might look like.
"Both good options. We'll end in a head to head competition, both teams working towards the same objective. Details to follow. A friendly wager will be decided in time."
Means grinned as he looked to the other Marines in the bay quietly nodding. "I think something can be arranged. What are you willing to lose?" Adding a wink to his grin.
As this was all spur of the moment, she didn't have time to consider an answer. Annora considered the various victory celebrations she'd been a part of in one fashion or another. One common thread was food and drinks.
"How about this? Losing side prepares dinner for the winners. Ingredients can be replicated if needed, but not the actual dishes. CO provides the drinks. If you want to make this an annual occurrence we can commission a small trophy as well."
Means looked to his Marines, going from bed to bed. "Deal. ...and I like the annual trophy idea."
There were a lot of nodding heads in agreement from the security personnel. Annora strolled across the room to where the Colonel was standing, stretching her hand out.
"Let's shake on that. As for everyone here. I expect you to attend. Either as a participant or spectator."
The Marines in the area were confident, and smiling, but he wasn't going to just let them walk into anything cold. Even if obstacle, confidence, combat assault, reaction, and infiltration courses were a part of their basic and regular training.
Means took a few steps and their hands met as they reached each other. "Let me know when you'd like to get together and plan out the details."
"Will do. Might have a neutral 3rd party create the actual challenges, but we can work that out later."
Annora took one more look around the room.
"On that note, I once again leave you in the capable hands of the medical staff. See you around the shop."
Satisfied with their visit the two headed back out into the corridor, going their separate ways.
Colonel Nicholas Means III
Marine CO - 21st MEU
&
Lt. Annora Tessaro
Chief Security Officer- DS5
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