The sickbay was quiet, relaxing, and comfortable for the moment. It was a different story a few weeks ago when Captain Kobahl dived into the Dominion battle group. The sickbay was full, too full, as it extended the wounded into the hallways, and due to the mutiny, Kossaal had to deal with most of the wounded himself being low-staffed. He rubbed his template as he looked at the information on the PADD.

“Need any help, doctor?” 

A friendly and soft voice came from Kossaal's side. He did recognize the voice and let out a sigh. “Not really, Nurse Kwaigno. The list of things that need to be done before the Mariner can ship out is just insane” He placed the PADD onto the desk and leaned back, letting out another sigh. “Starfleet Medical has been breathing down my neck also” 

“Hmm” Theetika had some supplies in her hands and placed them down at the storage cabin. “Starfleet is being very demanding lately on various levels, it seems" She concluded, placing some equipment into the storage. “But do we receive any new personnel?” 

He shook his head. “I am just happy that I get some support from you and L'iera…but I keep pestering Commander Ruslanovna about the additional medical personnel. She waves it off at the moment, saying that it is impossible to get any request through with Frontier Day approaching…” Kossaal had rather new personnel on the go. Maybe there was a can that could be popped that would give him what he needed.

“Wishful thinking there, Doctor” She didn't look at him but continued her job. “We managed to get things rolling in the last conflict, and we minimized the wounded. I heard Serenity, and Valhalla were not that lucky and had to deal with wounded, which weights on Captain Kobahl for some reason" Theetika couldn't figure out why her Captain felt guilty about such results. Starfleet came to their aid in the Battle of Ciara. It was a natural course of events. “That reminds me did you talk to L'iera?” 

Tapping on his desk, the Andorian narrowed his eyes and looked out the office window into the sickbay. “Captain Kobahl is a caring person. Not many understand her reasoning, her actions, or what she is thinking. But at the event of Delta Quadrant, she showed her willpower was stronger to take care of her crew at any cost.” He shrugged. “Even at the cost of her health”

Rolling her eyes, hearing Kossaal avoiding her question, and looked over her shoulder in her direction. “I might have joined the crew during that conflict of the Lost Fleet, but it doesn't mean you can avoid my question. She needs guidance from you” 

He was troubled about it and tried to avoid the subject. “I know, but while I agree with Commander Ruslanovna to keep her here, I feel slightly conflicted with where her loyalty lies” Kossaal looked in Theetika's direction. “She did end up joining the mutiny, and it is now a black spot on her record even if she didn't wound or kill anyone. She lost something greater….the trust to be a Starfleet Officer” 

“The girl is very you. It is not like you never made a mistake in your life” Defending L'iera, she looked back at the cabin and shrugged. “Look, just talk to her, as she feels hated by the whole crew because of her actions” The nurse looked back at him. “Chop chop, get to work doctor” She moved her head slightly back and forth toward the door and then looked back at her work to continue. 

Pushing himself off the chair and walking to exit his office, “Fine, fine” He muttered, entering his work area and looking around to see the young Ensign was there. His eyes stopped and saw at his side L'iera sitting there sorting out some tubes. “Mmm” He gave Theetika a glance who was working at the cabin, and then back at L'iera before approaching her “Ensign” 

She jolts up from her chair surprised by suddenly being called out, and looks at Kossaal. “Doctor Th'shirithel, what can I do for you?” L'iera tried to stay formal as best as possible. 

Scratching his beard a bit, he tried to figure out the best approach for this conversation. “How….are you holding up?” He tried to make a direct approach. “I mean, with everything that has happened. You would be having a lot of things to deal with?” 

L'iera blinked and slowly sat back down, looking a bit troubled by the question. “I am ….processing what has happened and letting sink in what has been told to me” She looked at the test tubes and shrugged. “I know that I should be lucky still being able to serve and not be shipped off to a penal colony for my betrayal to Starfleet” She took a deep breath.

“But…?” Kossaal looked at her and understood what she was feeling right now, a feeling he rather not experienced for himself. 

“But….I feel conflicted if a penal colony is not better for me. The weight of guilt is getting heavier by the days I walk through this ship's hallways. Anyone that I knew feels like I am ….alienated by what I had done to the Captain and them” 

Now Kossaal understood why Ruslanovna had kept her, a heavy price for the actions you perform to be the venture of lesson for future choices that one makes. Kossaal nodded slightly and looked back into the sickbay. “You are here because you have the potential to better yourself, Ensign. Yes, you have done something stupid, selfish and didn't consider the aftermath of your actions. But” He stopped for a second and noticed Theetika glaring from his office at him and rolled his eyes. “You are young, everyone makes a mistake, and it is good to be forgiven for it. So that you might learn from it and make better choices in the future”

Theetika smiled at Kossaal and looked back at her work again, not saying a word.

“I….thank you, Doctor. I have never considered that I have been given a grace of a second chance to better myself” L'iera blinked her eyes. “I will do my best. I apologize for making you worry” 

Giving a nod “Learn from it kiddo, you will be able to improve yourself and become a fine doctor yourself one day” He walked back to his office and sat down in his chair, letting out another sigh. “Happy?”

“It is a start…”  Theetika smirked a bit.