Will Curiosity Kill the Doctor?

Posted on Sun Jan 17th, 2021 @ 9:15pm by Commander Caressa Melanick

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Melanick Ranch
Timeline: shore leave

The children were eating breakfast when Caressa heard the front door open. She recognized the footsteps and she turned with a huge smile on her face. “Uncle Mikos!” before she could even get a few steps, she was bowled over by what could have been a wild animal. It was however two excited children. “Guys, slow down!” They just about knocked the elderly man over. The giggles and hugs soon subsided. She greeted her uncle with the normal hugs, of course he reached for her left ear. Grasping her ear lobe, his eyes closed, “my child your pagh is strong, but I sense some confusion.”
“Its ok Uncle, just a bad dream. What brings you here?” They walked to the living area, she took a seat on the sofa and her uncle in the oversized recliner. The children piled on her. “I have come to pick up the children to take them to Bajor for the Peldor Festival.” Then he smiled.
“Uncle I don’t have any leave at this time and only a short time for shore leave for a trip to Bajor.” She could see the disappointed look on the small faces staring at her. She looked at them, “and don’t you two start.”
“No one said anything about you coming. I will take the young ones and met you after your next mission is complete.” He motioned for the children to come by him.
“Uncle we just started shore leave and we don’t have a mission as far as I know.” She thought to herself what inside line did he have. He always knew. “Do you guys want to go, or do I even need to ask?” They started bouncing off the walls. “Ok, let us go pack. “ She got up off the sofa and her Uncle waved her down. “There is no need. I have all that they need. The shuttle is outside.”
Her mouth had to be hanging open in surprise. “Well, I guess I will see you guys after the festival. Can I walk you out?” Her uncle nodded in approval. She walked arm in arm with her Uncle reminding him of things to do with the children, so they could soak up all the family culture as much as possible. She gave them a last hug and kiss before the shuttle doors closed. She was a bit jealous. She made a note to herself, that she needed to visit Bajor soon. She watched as the shuttle took off and headed over the horizon. She walked back to the cabin. The smell of the forest called her. The smell of wet leaves, mountain laurel, and cedar filled her head. This was her place of solace.
She sat at the breakfast bar with a padd in hand. She sent out the invitations for the girl’s weekend at the ranch. She munched on an apple and grabbed her backpack. Holding the apple in her mouth she grabbed a couple more and a tricorder and placed them in the back and picked up her hiking boots. She sat the apple down beside her on the porch steps and put on her favorite wool socks and boots. She was headed to the woods to see if she could see what was up about last night.
Walking through the expansive yard she stopped at the area where she woke. She took the tricorder out of the bag and flipped it open. She scanned the area, nothing. She placed it back in her bag and headed to the wood line. It was a nice day to be in the outdoors, but her curiosity was getting the better of her.

Lieutenant Commander Caressa Melanick
Chief Medical Officer, USS Mercutio