The Hard Way

[Sendai Riko 0]

The Hard Way

Lt JG Sendai Riko

 

As Riko lay back on his bed in his room at the Academy, intensely studying for his final exam in criminology, his console lit up, and the computer voice announced an incoming transmission. Rising, the lanky Bajoran made his way over to see who was calling. If it were one of his friends, he would let them leave a message and go back to studying. He saw, however, that the comm came from Bajor, and the ident on it was his eldest brother, Loran. Sighing, he settled in at the console and put the communique through.

 

The face of the Bajoran male popped up, and it smiled. "Riko! Good to see you, I hoped I would be able to get through to you," he said.

 

Smiling in return, Riko nodded. "It's good to see you as well, Loran."

 

"I hope I'm not bothering you?" The elder brother asked.

 

"To be honest, yes. Final exams are coming up, so when I'm not in class, I'm studying or doing other classwork. But... I suppose I could use a break, I've been at it for hours," Riko replied.

 

"Of course," Loran said, laughing. "I remember having to use an air-horn to get your attention back home. I guess a subspace call is more effective. So how are things going?"

 

"Well enough," Riko said without much enthusiasm. His last year at the Academy had been brutal, though it was for most of the cadets. Having switched tracks, though, he was taking a heavier courseload than he would have imagined possible two years ago. "It's been pretty hectic."

 

"You push yourself too hard, Riko." Loran stated bluntly. "You didn't have to push to graduate this year, especially after what you went through."

 

Riko emphatically shook his head. "I need this." A frustrated sigh came through the comm. "Don't start, Loran. I've heard this enough times that I could say it all for you."

 

"You never used to be this stubborn."

 

"I'm not the same person I was before, brother." Riko's mouth was set in a grim line. He knew his brother cared, but he also knew, since their previous attempts were unsuccessful, their parents had put the eldest son up to this. "Tell mother and father I am fine. Yes, I'm working very hard. Yes, I'm not exactly having a wonderful time here, but I have to. I want to get somewhere, Loran, and I can't do that if I sit still."

 

"I know, little brother..." Loran sighed again. "Just make sure the place you're going to isn't a grave, all right? You came close once, and your niece would be very disappointed if her favorite uncle couldn't be around. So would I. Not to mention our parents would probably have a breakdown. You were always their little shining star."

 

Riko shrugged. "I can never figure out how you didn't hate me for that, like Weza did... and still does."

 

"Hah, you know me well enough Riko, that I'm not overly concerned about things like that. I was always in my own world anyway. That's why I know where you're at right now. I managed to escape from that, brother. You need to. Maybe..." Loran chuckled grimly. "Maybe you're heading there, you just have to do it the hard way, you always did make your life as hard as it could be."

 

"It'll be worth it," Riko responded with authority. "And I will take care of myself. You'll see"

 

***

 

Riko sat in the uncomfortable chair in the Health and Safety Department office, awaiting the arrival of Sargh. He couldn't help but think back to that conversation with Loran, and for the thousandth time, wonder how his family was coping with his disappearance. As he sat in the quiet room, on the quiet planet, with a fatal disease floating around that may leave him lying in a pool of his own vomit and blood, he couldn't help but wonder if his eldest brother was correct, and that Riko had been working himself into a grave since he had signed the application for the Academy. Either that, or he was still working toward his own goal, and doing it the hardest way possible. Only time would tell, and as far as he knew, the time was very short.