Special Delivery - The Pickup

Posted on Fri Oct 23rd, 2026 @ 5:17am by Rear Admiral Nevin Enor & Lieutenant Kally Kellerman

3,032 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Chimera and Deep Space 16
Location: Deep Space 16 — USS Chimera, Sickbay

Lieutenant Commander Cassandra Vale led the medical team aboard the USS Chimera, accompanied by Lieutenants Elara Venn, Marcus Bell, and T'Varek, Chief Petty Officer Tessa Morgan, and Crewman Noah Ellis. Each carried their assigned medical equipment, while Morgan guided an antigrav trolley containing additional supplies.

After confirming their authorization to board, the team proceeded directly to Sickbay. Vale reviewed the transfer orders on her PADD as they approached their destination.

“Alright, everyone. Let's meet with the attending physician and get an update on our patient before we make any decisions.”

The Sickbay doors parted, and Vale stepped inside, followed by her team.

Erika looked up as the doors opened, closed her current project and pulled up her calendar and the admitting system. "Good afternoon; how can we help you?" she said professionally.

“Good afternoon. Lieutenant Commander Cassandra Vale, USS Fleming, Mobile Crisis Response Team. We're here regarding Senior Chief Petty Officer Jadizon Enor. May we speak with his attending physician?”

Erika nodded, tapping her communications panel. "Yang to Kellerman," she said.

"Go ahead," Kally's voice said.

"There's a MCRT from the USS Fleming here to see you," she said.

There was a brief pause, and then, "I'll be right there."

The channel closed and Erika sat back. "Just a moment," she said.

Kally appeared a moment later, padd in hand and nodded to the group. "Welcome to the Chimera," she said. "I'm Doctor Kellerman. I presume you're here for Chief Enor?"

Lieutenant Commander Cassandra Vale offered a warm smile as she stepped forward, extending her hand. “Doctor Kellerman, a pleasure to meet you. And yes, we're here regarding Senior Chief Enor.” She turned slightly toward her team. “Allow me to introduce Lieutenant Dr. Elara Venn, our Betazoid neuropsychiatric specialist and my deputy; Lieutenant Dr. Marcus Bell, emergency medicine; Lieutenant T'Varek, neurological diagnostics; Chief Petty Officer Tessa Morgan, our senior medical technician; and Crewman Noah Ellis, our EMT trainee.”

Kally shook her hand and nodded to the others, smiling politely. "Welcome, and thank you all for coming," she said.

Vale glanced back at her colleagues. "Team If you'll excuse, I want to talk with Doctor Kellerman and get more of an update; Doctor Venn, you may stay.” She waited for the team to disperse before returning her attention to Kellerman.

"My office, if you please," Kally said, gesturing behind her. She led them across Sickbay to her office door, letting them enter ahead of her and then following them in, gesturing for them to sit in the chairs in front of her desk before sitting behind it and crossing her legs.

“First, Doctor, thank you for taking the time to meet with us. I know your crew has been through quite a bit recently, and the last thing I want is for you to feel we're here to interfere with your work.” Vale held her PADD at her side. “Before we discuss any transfer arrangements, I'd appreciate hearing directly from you about the Senior Chief's condition, the treatment he's received, and any concerns you have. You've been caring for him, and I value your assessment.”

"Unfortunately, I have nothing but concerns," Kally sighed. "He has been undergoing a nearly constant psionic attack for several years now. It was buried deep within his subconscious but began to metastasize, and spread to his paracortex, affecting his conscious mind and his telepathic abilities, despite his attempts to restrain them. In recent months, much like a virus, or degenerative disease, it rapidly strengthened as he weakened. It seems to have been the result of contact with a psionic lifeform that feeds on the mental energies of telepaths, and when he'd had a near-death experience, it latched on, and was growing ever since. Thanks to a telepathic intervention from myself and another individual close to him, aided in no small part by Captain Skyie, we were able to exorcise the lifeform from his paracortex. All scans show he's now free of it, but it's left his mind a bit scarred, with parts of his paracortex and his frontal lobe, specifically the Broca area, showing signs of strain. While his frontal lobe shows no physical damage, I believe it's akin to straining a muscle. It's simply too burnt out to operate, but with time and rest and telepathic therapy, he can make a full recovery." She took a breath. "Needless to say, he's frustrated by his current situation, and that stress is not doing him any favors."

Vale listened closely as Kellerman explained the extent of Enor's condition. Years of sustained psionic interference were troubling enough, but the fact that the entity had gradually worked its way into his paracortex made the situation considerably more serious. Beside her, Lieutenant Venn had gone unusually quiet, her attention fixed on the medical information displayed on her PADD.

“Several years?” Vale repeated, shaking her head. “That's an extraordinary amount of time to endure something like this. The fact that you were able to remove the entity without permanent structural damage is remarkable, Doctor. But I imagine the psychological recovery will be considerably more complicated.”

"I've no doubt," Kally said. "It's been a strain on all of us who were involved."

Venn lowered her PADD. “Complicated is putting it mildly, Commander.” She turned toward Kellerman, her expression guarded. “Doctor, I don't think we're fully appreciating what this means. This wasn't simply a prolonged psychic attack. Something was living inside his mind, feeding on him, influencing his thoughts, and apparently doing so for years. For a Betazoid, that's an invasion of the most intimate part of our existence.” Her voice grew sharper. “Has anyone established whether he's capable of distinguishing his own thoughts from those the entity may have introduced? Has he demonstrated any signs of telepathic withdrawal, dissociation, or fear of mental contact? And what about additional stressors? Relationships, recent losses, emotional attachments? Was there anything that accelerated his deterioration?”

She barely paused before continuing. “More importantly, has anyone attempted another telepathic connection since the intervention? Because if somebody has been reaching into his mind under the assumption they're helping him, we could be reinforcing the very trauma we're trying to treat. I would strongly advise against further contact until we've established a proper neurological and psychological baseline. Frankly, I wouldn't even recommend moving him until we've determined whether the presence of other telepaths is causing him additional distress.”

“Elara.” Vale's voice was calm but firm.

Venn glanced toward her. “Commander, with respect, this man has effectively had his mental autonomy stripped away for years. If we approach this incorrectly, we could set his recovery back months, possibly longer.”

“Doctor Venn.” Vale raised a hand slightly, stopping her before she could continue. “I understand your concerns, and they're valid. But Doctor Kellerman has already explained that her team successfully removed the entity. We're here to build on their work, not interrogate them about it.” She gave Venn a pointed look. “One question at a time.”

Venn drew a slow breath, visibly collecting herself. “Of course, Commander.” She turned back toward Kellerman. “My apologies, Doctor. I didn't mean to question your judgment. It's just... the implications of what he's endured are rather disturbing, particularly to someone who understands how deeply telepathy is woven into Betazoid life.”

Vale offered Kellerman an apologetic smile. “You'll have to forgive my colleague. She's understandably passionate about this particular case.” She glanced briefly at Venn before continuing. “Perhaps we could begin with his current mental state and whether you've observed any additional emotional stressors that might complicate his recovery. Then we can work through the neurological findings together.”

Kally had been biting her lip so hard she feared it would cut clean through. "Jadizon has always been guarded," she said, slowly. "Emotionally, telepathically, he rarely let others in. I had very limited success receiving his thoughts and feelings," Kally said, "even during our time together. Katie was far more successful than I was."

“Katie?” Venn interrupted, looking up from her PADD. “Who is Katie, exactly?” The Betazoid physician exchanged a glance with Vale. “And when you say she was more successful, do you mean he actually allowed her into his thoughts, or that she was simply better at reading his emotions? There's a rather significant difference, especially considering what we now know about his condition.”

"She is...was..." she sighed. "They were in a relationship. He was guarded there too, but she would talk about how they did establish a connection. It was always a bit much for her to handle, but she loved when he'd finally open up to her. Unfortunately, she didn't feel they were maintaining that connection, as time went on, and she had to have him in the moment, in an intense, emotionally vulnerable state in order to get him to connect with her properly. She then, stupidly, mentioned that to him after the incident. He didn't take it well, and they have not spoken since."

Venn's expression tightened. “That's... unfortunate timing, to say the least. After having his mind violated for years, the last thing he needed was to feel that opening himself up still wasn't enough.” She paused, considering the implications. “I wouldn't be surprised if he's now associating emotional vulnerability with being hurt, whether that association is entirely fair or not.”

Kally groaned and rubbed her eyes. "Her timing wasn't great, admittedly, but she also wasn't doing it to hurt him, and his reaction was...severe. Then again, given how understandably upset he was to begin with, it wasn't unexpected."

Vale glanced toward Venn before addressing Kellerman. “It sounds like he's lost someone he trusted at the very moment he needed that connection most.” She lowered her PADD. “What about you, Doctor? Have you been able to reach him at all since this happened?”

"Well, given our history, I was essentially told I could fuck off as well," Kally said. "Unfortunately, his feelings for me weren't peaches and cream either, but I don't blame him. He knows she and I care about him, but he's hurt and he's scared and he's more closed off than I've ever seen him. There are very few telepaths on board, and they usually maintain their mental shields at all
times as well, so he shouldn't be receiving any errant thoughts from any of them."

Kally swallowed and sat back in her chair. "Can you help him? That is the bottom line for me. Regardless of his relationship status, his stubborn attitude or his general ability to be a pain in my ass, he is important to me, and I need to know I'm letting him into good hands."

Vale listened to Kellerman, her expression softening. "Doctor, I can't promise you a miracle, but I can promise we'll do everything possible to help him. His scans are encouraging, and with the right treatment, there's every reason to believe he can recover."

Beside her, Venn had been quietly reviewing Enor's medical records on her PADD. The further she read, the more troubled she became. Finally, she lowered it. "Doctor Kellerman, I'm having a difficult time understanding something. This man endured years of psionic interference, his mental defenses were deteriorating, and yet we're discussing how difficult he was emotionally? Did anyone consider that he might have been withdrawing because he was fighting to maintain control of his own mind?"

"It's hard to consider something we had no idea existed up until recently," Kally said, a bit more heatedly than she'd intended. She didn't appreciate the implication, nor the hindsight.

"Elara," Vale cautioned.

"The Enors are the Ninth House of Betazed. His mother, Professor Katrina Enor, heads Planetary Medical. I've never met her, but her work influenced me to become a physician. That family is practically royalty back home." Venn gestured toward the PADD, her frustration becoming more apparent. "And now I'm reading what happened to her son. Years of suffering, and after finally freeing himself from that thing, someone he trusted tells him he wasn't emotionally available enough? He's a Betazoid, Doctor. His mind was being violated, and somehow he's the one being made to feel inadequate!"

"Lieutenant Venn, that's enough." Vale rose from her chair as Kally leaped out of hers, slapping her palms on her desk and looking ready to yell. "You haven't examined the patient, and you're making assumptions about people and circumstances you don't fully understand."

"Commander, with respect—"

"No. You're allowing your personal feelings to interfere with your judgment. You're relieved from this consultation. Return to the Juneau. We'll discuss this later."

Venn stood rigid for a moment before retrieving her PADD. "Understood, Commander." She turned toward the door, then stopped and looked back. "And for the record, my next recommendation would be that we pack up every last one of his belongings and make damn sure he never gets transferred back to this floating monument to emotional negligence."

"I beg your finest fucking pardon--!" Kally half-shouted, her ire rising exponentially.

"Lieutenant! Dismissed!

Venn turned sharply and exited Sickbay.

Vale watched the doors close, then slowly sat back down. "Well, that was unprofessional, and you have my apologies, Doctor. I'll deal with her." She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Venn's a good physician, but she's clearly let this become personal. I recognize the work you've done for Enor, and I have no intention of questioning that without cause."

She looked back toward Kellerman. "Now, before we discuss moving him, Do you have anything else to add? or you want to ask?"

Kally sank back into her chair and put her face in her hands, resting her elbows on her desk, rubbing the heel of her palms into her eyes, wiping tears away. "I don't even know where to begin," she said. "I think the worst thing is...she was more right than I want to admit. I should've found this sooner. I should've realized he was hiding the effects of this and taken him off duty sooner. I hate that I failed him." She glared at the door to her office. "That still does not give her the right to speak like that. He isn't royalty. He's never cared about that. He's always wanted to be just a good man." She took a breath, pulling her emotions back in check as she'd been taught. She closed her eyes and centered herself, and when she opened them again, she was back under control. "I don't claim to have been perfect in my handling of this, but I will not accept an accusation of negligence....on anyone's part." She took another breath. "All I ask is that you keep me updated on his progress."

Vale rose from her chair and walked around the desk, stopping beside Kellerman. She lowered herself onto one knee, resting a hand gently on the doctor's forearm.

"Kally, I'm not going to pretend I know exactly how you're feeling, but I can certainly see how much you care about this man. And I want to assure you that Doctor Venn's behavior was unacceptable. She'll be formally counseled and face appropriate disciplinary action. You deserved better than that."

Vale gave her arm a reassuring squeeze before standing. "Our responsibility is to stabilize Jadizon and get him safely to Betazed, where the specialists will take over his long-term treatment. But I'll be following his recovery, and as his primary care provider and CMO aboard the Chimera, I'll make sure you receive whatever updates I'm authorized to share."

She collected her PADD. "I've taken up enough of your time, and we still have a patient to assess and prepare for departure. Anything else you'd like us to know, additional records, observations, recommendations, send it over through a secure medical file transfer. I'll personally review it."

Vale started toward the door before stopping. "Oh, one more thing. It's been a few years since I had to sit through those required counseling courses at the Academy, but apparently some of it stuck." She gave a small chuckle. "The counselor in me thinks it might do Jadizon some good to see familiar faces when we depart for the shuttle bay. You, perhaps Katie if she's willing and he's comfortable with it, and any other crew members who've made a difference in his life. Nothing overwhelming, just people who care."

She glanced back toward Kellerman. "I'd like him to leave knowing he's not being forgotten, that there are people here who want him to get better and hopefully welcome him back someday. Sometimes having something to come home to is just as important as the treatment itself."

Vale reached the doorway but stopped short of leaving, turning back toward Kellerman with a slight smile.

"Anyway, Doctor, that's just a thought. Is there anything else you'd like to discuss before I get my team moving?"

Kally stared at her desk and shook her head. "Nothing medical," she said. "Although, I might suggest no one refer to him as 'royalty' in his presence." She cocked an eye at Vale. "It's 'Jadizon' or 'Senior Chief' or he'll have plenty to say on the matter. He's earned that position, and he's rightly proud of it." She let out a long sigh. "Whoever he wishes to see him off, send word to me and we'll be there. I'll see to it."
Vale gave a knowing smile. "Fair enough. I've dealt with enough senior enlisted personnel to know they take their rank seriously, and rightfully so. If the man wanted to be treated like royalty, I imagine he would've stayed on Betazed instead of making a career out of Starfleet. Senior Chief it is."

She adjusted the PADD beneath her arm. "And I appreciate that, Doctor. We'll speak with Jadizon, find out who he'd like present, and coordinate with you once we've established our departure arrangements. The last thing I want is to turn his departure into some grand ceremony he never asked for."

Vale stepped toward the door, pausing briefly to look back at Kellerman. "You've given me a much better understanding of the man we're here to help. Now it's time I met him for myself."

With a respectful nod, she departed the office to rejoin her team.

 

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