No one answered, which at least spared him another argument.

The simulation continued for another thirty-seven minutes. By the time the environment froze around him, Pembroke was still kneeling beside the final casualty with simulated blood across both hands, most of his usable supplies exhausted, one patient evacuated from the contaminated area, another stabilized long enough to complete the objective, and Harker already back under medical supervision after using nearly every minute Adrian had given him.

The damaged compartment disappeared, leaving bare holodeck walls behind.

Pembroke remained where he was for a few seconds before standing and retrieving his jacket. Wade Samstone was waiting near the entrance, watching him with the irritating composure of someone who had not spent the previous hour working by emergency lighting.

"If this organization possesses an actual Sickbay" Pembroke said as he brushed imaginary debris from one sleeve, "I would appreciate being permitted to see it eventually."

Wade ignored the complaint and went directly to what mattered. "You refused the order." Pembroke corrected him without becoming defensive, explaining that he had requested enough information to determine whether complying was medically defensible. Wade pointed out that until he received it, he had still refused. Adrian met his eyes and made no attempt to soften the answer.

"If you're looking for a physician who interprets rank as a substitute for judgment, Captain, you've selected the wrong candidate."

Wade studied him for a moment before asking what changed once Pembroke received the additional information. Adrian answered that his decision changed because the circumstances had changed. Wade pressed further, pointing out that Sustain could still have worsened Harker's injuries, and asked why he had accepted the risk anyway.

Pembroke took a moment before answering. There was no sarcasm in him now, nor any of the polished irritation he'd carried through most of the simulation. "Because keeping someone alive is not the same thing as keeping them untouched. My responsibility is to preserve life and capability where I can. It is not to pretend every medical decision exists independently of the reason these people are in the field."

Something in Wade's expression suggested that answer mattered more than the clinical decisions that had preceded it. He stepped aside from the entrance and told Pembroke the evaluation was complete.

Adrian started through the doorway before stopping and looking back. He reminded Wade that the field team's medical packing remained unacceptable, and this time Wade allowed himself the beginning of a smile as he promised to make a note of it.

"See that you do" Pembroke replied before continuing into the corridor, leaving Wade alone in the holodeck.