The Doc Is In (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 16 Jul 2024 @ 2:42am by Lieutenant JG Nusien
Edited on 29 Jul 2024 @ 3:40pm

2,079 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 2, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: May 15, 2392

Previously, on The Doc Is In (Part 1)...

While the new deputy medical officer spoke at length, Tarin intently listened and typed personal notations into her console regarding these new details of his prior deployment service. The incident involving Captain Jenkins was quite fascinating and was - in a morbid sense - the very definition of discovery...whether that be a microscopic organism hell-bent on killing humanoid life or a benign sentient life form. She glanced back up to him while he continued and delineated information regarding his unorthodox encounter with Iridian Flu. Once again she returned her eyes to her LCARS terminal while typing, yet her fingers slowed then stopped their tappings when he concluded his story.

Her sharp hazel eyes now stared at him with incredulity, her brow creased with perturbation. "You...infected yourself?" she repeated. "Under whose orders?"

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

"It was under no one's orders. I saw what was going on from the files that were sent to the ship. I also knew that the immune system of an Edosian is somewhat heartier than most other species. So, I made the request of the Captain and was granted. I knew going in that there may have been a chance that I would not come back. But as a Vulcan would say the good of the many and all that." Nusien smiled at his quotation of Vulcan logic.

Tarin leaned back in her chair and pushed her fingers up through her loosely-curled hair to tuck several stray strands back behind her ears. She exhaled firmly through her nose while studying the man with her discerning gaze. Evaluating. Watching. Judging. "Yes, of course. The needs of the many," she repeated with a casual wave of her hand. "How easy our duties would become if we evaluated our decisions solely by Vulcan axioms." The sarcasm in her voice was perceptible and she lightly shook her head before her tonality changed to a more serious inflection. "Look, I admire your bravery during what was no doubt a difficult situation. I wasn't there - your captain was, and it's not my place to second-guess your decision which no doubt saved countless lives."

She then tented her fingers in front of her chest. "But there is a thin line between heroism and foolishness. Dance with fire for too long and one is bound to get burned. Here on Galileo, you're more valuable to me alive than dead. At least until an impossible circumstance comes around which changes my mind."

Nusien's mouth curled into a toothy grin. "Then I will have to try my best to make sure a circumstance such as that never occurs, Captain." Thus far he learned that the Captain was not without her sarcastic, and dare he think funny streak. He understood the point that she tried to make here but the method she used was also not lost on him.

A simple curt nod from Tarin acknowledged her acceptance of the Edosian's understanding. She didn't want to hold back hard-chargers or suppress ambition and talent aboard her command, but there was a balance to be maintained and a responsibility to duty which she felt was paramount to every crew member's core integrity. "I assume this is your first posting aboard a Nova-class? And one so far away from 'home'?" came her next set of exploratory questions.

"Nova Class yes. I have served on a few different ships, most larger than the Nova Class. I look forward to the more intimate setting of the smaller ships. I was on a Nebula Class for one of my postings and it just seemed like a city in space. Way too large for my liking. As to home I have been far from home for many years now. My partner takes care of all our children and I make sure to check in on them at least once a day, duty permitting of course. It is tough but neither myself nor Piret would have it any other way." Nusien rather enjoyed the conversation, as he rarely had someone ask so many questions. He got the distinct feeling he was being interviewed, and this was the Captain's way of making sure he was worthy of this assignment. If he was correct he would make sure she thought he was worthy.

"'Intimate' is an interesting word for small and cramped," Tarin casually remarked, "especially for such a..." she gestured to his robust physical frame, "large individual like yourself. Our Operations department will be able to tend to any necessary accommodations should you need them, but make no mistake, we'll be operating in very close quarters for extended periods of time. I hope you're not claustrophobic?" The reality of daily life and long-term assignments aboard a Nova-class often proved much different than the expectation for those coming from larger ships of the line. Yet if the medical officer truly felt a Nebula-class was akin to a small city, perhaps Galileo might be just the remedy he needed.

"Close quarters never bothered me much. A crew is one big family and if anyone knows about big families it is an Edosian. As to my needs I will make sure Ops has my specs for an Edosian chair. It would be nice to have a couple in my quarters and office. Our chairs look more like what you would call a stool. Nevertheless they are comfortable" Nusien was gladdened to be on a smaller ship. He truly meant what he said about those larger ships. They were just to large and people never really interacted, at least that was the way he saw it.

Tarin gave the dark orange-skinned man a nod of approval. "Lieutenant Serran and Ensign Mimi will process all of your needs. They run our Ops department so seek them out as soon as you can. And should you require any accommodations from myself or the command staff, don't hesitate to contact me." Her thoughts now traveled back to his mention of family; a foreign concept to her, for she'd dedicated her life to Starfleet and had shunned any romantic relationship along the way which she felt would have hindered her career advancement. "You mentioned your family. Your home, partner and children," she then continued after a short pause for reflection. "I'm interested to know more. I've read Edosians maintain large familial groups compared to most other Humanoid races."

"Yes that is correct Captain. We tend to live by the adage that it takes a village. We are a monogamous species very often finding our mates before puberty. However, in a family unit you can find great grandparents and sometimes even great great grandparents helping to raise the children. In my home, my partner lives with all of our children, her brothers and sisters, my brothers and sisters, all of their spouses and children etc. We call them hex-zones, you may call them neighborhoods." Nusien spoke with gusto he was overjoyed that the Captain had an interest in his family and his culture. This was something that every Edosian loved to do. That is to spread their ideas and culture to the galaxy.

Hex-zones? Neighborhoods? For a single familial unit? Tarin's facial expression had turned peculiar and she looked at the new medical officer searching for clarification. "How...many individuals live in these family cooperatives of your people?" The mental math she attempted to use to account for such a large breeding population was barely sufficient.

"It depends upon the family. However, having hex zones with a population that numbers in the hundreds is not unheard of. On Earth most families spread out with immediate family staying together. On Edos we simply don't spread out. The idea of leaving the nest is unheard of." Nusien replied with a smile. He knew that the way his people lived was peculiar to most other species. So, he enjoyed explaining how it worked.

Tarin's hazel eyes slowly widened at the thought of hundreds of family members all living in an interconnected borough. If Edosians were anything like Humans, she wondered how any of them could possibly manage the inevitable familial drama which would ensure and consume entire blocks of people. Like ancient Earth's New York City gang wars, perhaps there was an underside to this alien culture she wasn't aware of. Or not. The intrigue was certainly present within her mind.

"Well Mister Nusien, you're about to have a new family. Galileo is a small starship with a small crew, and we'll all become intimately familiar to each other in short time. Out here in the Pleiades Cluster over a hundred light years from Sol? We're all we have to rely on for the next several years. I trust you're up to the task otherwise you wouldn't have accepted this assignment."

"Yes Captain I am. The Galileo is simply put my new hex zone." That may have sounded like a joke. But, the fact was Nusien meant it. This far away from home and his family meant that he had to find what he needed on the ship. "Perhaps one day if our duty allows the Galileo can put in to Edos and I can show you around my home."

A light shrug from Tarin conveyed her acceptance of the proposal should it ever come to fruition. "I wouldn't mind. Assuming operational parameters afford us the luxury." Duty somehow always called, which meant Galileo would often be on the move being the sole dedicated instrument of scientific investigation within the sector. "In the meantime - before we depart for our systems test - check in Commander Warraquim if you haven't already. She's a...unique individual, much like yourself; the doctor is the only one of her species serving in Starfleet and I think the two of you may have much in common."

"Yes I read the Doctor's file on my way over here. She certainly seems like an interesting individual. As soon as we are finished I will make sure to go meet the Doctor and get my boarding physical taken care of." Nusien enjoyed the conversation and would not dare leave without the Captain's consent. However, the pressing matters of boarding a vessel did come to mind and he wanted to get them done as soon as time allowed.

"Good." Another pause of silence developed while Tarin glanced back to the man's transfer PADD before picking it up and inputting her thumb print into the small signature panel. It softly chirped in confirmation, then she reached out with a long arm to hand the device back to the doctor. "Before I dismiss you, do you have any questions?" she asked, affording the man an opportunity to inquire about anything on his mind pertaining to Galileo.

Nusien took the PADD with his third arm, the one that protruded from his chest. "No Captain. I believe you have given me everything I need to start my journey aboard this vessel. Suffice to say I thank you for the opportunity to serve here."

A rare smirk tugged at the corner of her lip while she tilted her head to the side and raised her eyebrows with an amused expression. "Don't thank me yet, doctor. We have many long and hard days ahead of us. Everyone earns their place here...despite what the young Orion in the mess hall might otherwise believe." That was a story for another time, for Nesh's continued presence meant Tarin had somehow now 'adopted' Saalm's younger sister. A source of much private frustration for the new Human captain. "That's all. Dismissed, Mister Nusien. And welcome to Galileo."

Nusien returned the smile although he was not sure why. Suffice that he rather enjoyed the social interaction. He raised a finger as if he was going to ask a question about the aforementioned Orion. However, he thought the better of it. So, he simply nodded and turned and left. Nusien had enjoyed every posting that he had in the fleet. But somehow this felt different, better and he could not wait to see why.

[OFF]

--

CMDR Morgan Tarin
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo-A

LTJG Nusien
Deputy Medical Officer
USS Galileo-A

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