A New Face

Posted on 02 Feb 2015 @ 6:33pm by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Ethan Walker M.D., Ph.D
Edited on on 03 Feb 2015 @ 3:50am

1,968 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo: Sickbay
Timeline: MD 40 - 0600

ON:

Allyndra was about to go off duty. As per usual there was little about the gamma shift that had been interesting. She had not started any new experiments and the crew was still in a state of just getting back aboard. As always there were new people coming aboard and that had provided at least a little relief from the routine.

The EBH seemed to be working but time would tell as more feedback came back. The deflector installation was just about finished up and she hoped that that would all work out. Her own thoughts still were on Lamar. She still felt very uncertain about that relationship. It was then that the familiar woosh of the sickbay doors caught her attention. She stood up and went to the office door, "Can I help you?"

"Good morning." Ethan Walker smiled pleasantly at the new face; they all seemed to be new faces anymore. Such was life aboard a new ship. "I'm Ethan Walker, just transferring aboard the Galileo. I thought I'd come by and get my pre-boarding physical and examination out of the way." he explained, offering up a data PaDD with his relevant information.

"Of course, however, if you are not booked too much would you like to have something? I like to have a little tea and conversation right now with it sounds lovely. Please, help yourself to the replicator and have seat?" Allyndra pointed out the replicator and indicated a comfy arm chair in her office.

Ethan smiled gratefully back and engaged the replicator for a tall glass of water with a slice of lemon and then made his way to the chair offered, sitting down, pausing only to adjust the collar of his uniform no doubt drawing one's eyes to the fact that he bore no rank nor any departmental color - just black and white.

Allydnra waited while he got settled and had noted he had not used a rank for which she was grateful. "New aboard, welcome. I am Allyndra."

"Ethan." he nodded, taking a sip of his drink, "And thank you." he smiled, not quite sure what to do; he'd never not been poked and prodding immediately after coming aboard. That wasn't to say he didn't prefer it this way, it was certainly more therapeutic, but still he was uncertain of the expectation.

"I must say you are the first one that I have not had to deal with that always pushed rank and title. It is refreshing. I am curious more than anything as to the lack there of on you? If it is something that I should avoid please forgive me there is no offense intended."

Ethan shrugged, "Nothing offensive at all." he smiled back, "I believe Starfleet classifies me somewhere between Lieutenant Junior Grade and Lieutenant Commander, but its been a long time since I bothered to check what they had progressed me to." he explained, "But as a Priest and Doctor, rank really means nothing." he shrugged, "Starfleet's way of ensuring a hierarchy is in place; which works well, but not for what I do." he smiled. "You don't really look at your Doctor or Priest and think you'll refuse their help because they're a Junior Grade, do you?"

Doctor? Allyndra wondered. She had not gotten any indication that they were getting another doctor already. Still he mentioned priest as well. She went over the word in her mind and nodded. "Doctor? I was unaware of a new one, but I shall make accommodations if you wish to practice. Priest though is something new to me. I have not studied the belief systems of many other species or do you handle just a particular one?"

Ethan waved a hand dismissively, "I'm here as the Ship's Chaplain." he smiled, "I'm happy to assist you in Sick Bay if you're in need of another Physician, but my medical background is more of a refining of my abilities as a Chaplain and Counselor. I do, however, require a certain number of clinical hours to maintain my licensure with Starfleet so there would be some time I needed in Sick Bay, by your leave of course." he clarified, "Are you in need of more regular assistance in Sick Bay?"

"We are fairly covered but of course I will make accommodations for you. I take gamma, Olsam covers mostly alpha and Tuula mostly Beta. Whichever works best on you prefered schedule I will put you down as a rotation in." Allyndra offered but she noted he had skipped the religious part. She was not overly so but still there was that somewhat underlying belief. She knew that others sometimes had some but she was curious still as to what his exact job was.

"Ship's Chaplain," Allydnra said that as a statement, "I am not sure exactly then what that encompasses."

"I think the best explanation is that I'm a specialized counselor, but instead of using medical science or mental health science, I use the teachings of my faith." Ethan explained, very used to having to spell it out for people, especially non-humans. Most didn't understand his faith, or ridiculed him for it. It was a lot of the reason why he had chosen to study medicine and in turn counseling - so that, at the very least, he could say he knew where his naysayers were coming from.

"But, as I said, I am also a Medical Doctor and Psychiatrist." he smirked, "I've been blessed with the opportunities to study a lot of aspects of health and medicine."

"As have I. I was the Chief Counselor for Obsidian Colony then Chief Medical Officer of the same before coming here. I suppose though that I never thought about such things through a metaphysical side." Allyndra thought a moment and then leaned forward slightly.

"I know you are not familiar with our beliefs but there is something that has made me wonder and perhaps you can shed light on it from that perspective." She sighed slightly and quietly related her story. "I was married at one time and on the evening of my first matron flight my husband painted my picture and to distract me pointed to the heavens where the two largest planets which we call the Lock and the Key were merged together. He asked me to relate the tale. I thought it silly at the time but so you know. At one time there were two lovers and their love for one another was so great that gods grew jealous. They took the lovers and fixed them in the sky so they could see one another but never touch. Instead of their love dying it grew and grew until each shown with a brilliance that put shame to the gods. One goddess realizing the mistake they had done decried that when the Lock and Key aligned the two lovers could kiss. We call the lovers the Twins and they are the twin suns in our skies. Indeed on the morning after my matron flight as the Twins rose they were kissing. It was always considered that when that happened it indicated some great change. For me it was, I learned that my husband had died in an accident and a year later none of my Ktareth, my children ever came back from the sea. The whole incident set me on a path that now puts me here, alone among aliens and far from home. I have tried to form relationships and thought perhaps I had one here aboard this ship but instead he now seems to be drifting away. I never really believed in our beliefs but I now sometimes wonder if somehow they are playing with me or have a plan."

"It's easy to believe that sometimes, that He is toying with you and that your decisions have influenced his subtle wrath somehow. Psychologically speaking, it's just your mind trying to rationalize the shock of it all. Spiritually, it's a form of self-penance. In truth, I have no doubt that He would not purposely put trials before you that you were unable to traverse. It is more likely that it's all the result of unfortunate coincidence." he smiled meekly, "He no doubt had a hand, but not everything can be blamed on divine influence."

The answer did not really solve much of her question but she nodded and tried to put it in perspective. "So just a streak of what humans call 'bad luck', then," Allyndra replied. "It would be so much easier to handle if it seemed to have some purpose behind it all. Well then, it is what it is and I will have to deal with that but perhaps keep a small prayer for me. Now then, shall we get the rest of the formality out of the way and get you officially checked in?"

"By all means." Ethan smiled welcomingly, "What do you need from me?" he asked. He was eager to find his station, wherever that was, and get around to meeting the crew and the other support staff (if there was any) for his role aboard the ship.

"Just pick a biobed and let me get a scan. Anything medically I should be aware of that is recent or critical?" Allyndra asked.

"Nope. Pretty mundane life on the Ardeshir." Ethan shrugged, "I tend to keep myself up on all the latest myself - no need to bother medical staff for something that doesn't need their time wasted. They've plenty of other patients. But we'll let the scan be the judge."

"I just ask in case. Mostly Fleet would not assign someone out with any major medical condition unless there was a reason. Best to catch things early then been surprised. Now then," Allyndra patted biobed three which was closest to the office.
"If you please. It will only take a moment."

She got things set up and then began the scan. As she did so she continued to talk, "Of course as I mentioned you are welcome to take some practice here to maintain credentials. Depending on your duties, we can slot you in periodically in either alpha or beta shift. Tuula has alpha, Mott has beta and I take gamma." She smiled at that. "I know odd for the Chief not to have alpha but gamma gives me time to do research." She glanced up, "Ah there done and everything looks quite good so you are..." She made a small flourish on a PaDD, "hereby cleared medical for duty."

"Well. That certainly is a relief." Ethan smiled, "I think it might be best if I just try to schedule in a few days in advance. I'm not entirely sure what my schedule will be or what the Counseling and Priestly situation will be either." he smiled, "I still have some time yet until my credentials are due. Is there a preferred shift?"

Allyndra shook her head in the negative. "No, gamma is quiet. Doctor Mott handles the alpha. Just let us know ahead and we can make arrangements." She cocked her head and then said genuinely, "Perhaps not your own belief but may the Twins bless your time aboard and in return perhaps you can see your way to say a little prayer for me and the department."

"I would be happy to pray for you." Ethan smiled back, "And thank you for your blessing." he added, hopping off the bed. "I look forward to working with you again soon." he said, and with that, left Sick Bay happy to have found a solid connection that hopefully would not be his last aboard the Galileo.

OFF:

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LCMDR Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Gallileo

Ethan Walker, MD, PhD
Ship's Chaplain
USS Gallileo

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