Trials

Posted on 13 Oct 2016 @ 4:40am by Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen M.D. & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim

873 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 12 - Recluse
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3 - Sickbay
Timeline: MD -02, 05:17 hours

[ON]

Rolling into sickbay almost two hours earlier than usual, Tuula made a beeline for Allyndra's office. "Allyndra," she called out, her voice filled with anticipation and excitement, "I'm ready to retake the test."

Allyndra looked up at the sound of Tuula's voice. She seemed more cheerful then normal and especially about a test that she had left crying and frustrated about.

"Really? You were quite emotionally and nearly physically exhausted after the last ones. I would anticipate that you needed time to recover from the ordeal."

"I'm ready," she replied, staring Allyndra in the eyes, the seriousness evident in her voice.

Allyndra did not argue further. She got up and waved a hand toward the window overlooking the sickbay. "Biobed one then, the holoemitters for the EMH will suffice for the simulation and we have not patients at the moment."

Tuula clenched the wheels on her chair and followed, mentally preparing herself for the test that had caused her so much anxiety.

Allyndra headed toward biobed one, the most equipped diagnostic one they had just off to the left of the main sickbay doors. She put in the parameters and then put the privacy curtain in place.

In a moment there was a shimmer and the image of Tuula's sister lay on the the bed.

"Ready?" Allyndra asked.

"I'm ready," replied Tuula.

[Patient has aneurysim on the descending aorta..........EMERGENCY!!! Aneuryism had burst!]

"Five cc's of morphenolog," called out Tuula, her voice urgent yet calm. "Activate life support."

"But doctor--" started one of the holographic nurses.

"Just do it." Tuula pushed herself closer to Jaana and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Jaana," she started. Even though she had mentally prepared herself for this, and she knew that it was just a hologram, she had a tear in her eye. "You... you're hurt real bad."

"I..." The holographic Jaana winced in pain.

"It's okay. Don't strain yourself," replied Tuula, gently brushing the hologram's hair.

"It hurts so bad..."

"It will all be over soon." With her other hand, Tuula grasped the hologram's hand. "It's all right. I'm here."

"I'm cold..." With that, Jaana began to cough and spasm.

Tuula glanced up at the holographic nurse and gave her a serious look. "Fifty cc's of morphenolog."

Knowing that that was enough painkillers to knock out a large targ, the holographic nurse opened her mouth to protest, before realizing Tuula's intentions and going for the hypospray.

Tuula leaned closer to the holographic representation of her sister. "Relax..." she whispered as the nurse readied the morphenolog. "I'm here..."

Seeing out of the corner of her eye the nurse apply the hypospray to Jaana's arm, Tuula looked her sister in the eye and tried to muster a smile. "Hyvää yötä (good night)," she whispered as Jaana's eyes closed for the last time. A few seconds later, all of the readings flatlined. "Nurse, record time of death at 05:24 hours, stardate 68734.2."

With a bit of gauze, Tuula wiped away the tears from her eyes. "Computer, end program," she called out, before turning to face Allyndra. As she stared her boss down, her anger and frustration at not just being put through this, but the use of Jaana in this test, showed through. "The whole test is a trick," she said, her voice deadly serious. "No matter what I do, it is impossible to save the patient."

Allyndra watched. She noted that Tuula had not tried to do surgery which would have precipitated another problem. "That is correct," Allyndra remarked. She kept a cool disposition, "We try our best, as you have done countless time before this, but sometimes we have to learn to let go." She waved a hand at the now empty bed. "It has been designed to use a loved one, to make it even more difficult to accept to push at the feelings and emotions. Even though I knew my Gerrin was already dead, it was so realistic, and programmed in such a way that it tugged at me as well."

Tuula nodded and looked up into Allyndra's eyes. She was starting to understand what was going on. The test was all about how she would react to a no-win situation. It was the same as the Kobayashi Maru test where she served as helm for Allyndra. "Tell me... if you don't mind... how many tries did it take you?"

"Four," Allyndra said. "I realized as you did where the test was going, made the leap of understanding just like you did. Anyway......" Allyndra moved and hugged Tuula, "Congratulations, you are now officially the new assistant Chief, may the heartaches be small and the joys be large."

Tuula hugged Allyndra back tightly. "Thank you," she said, tears of joy running down her face. She had finally done it -- she had finally completed her residency and was a full doctor.

"This is so awesome... I'm going to get a tattoo to celebrate!"

Allyndra laughed with Tuula, "you know maybe I just might get one as well. Perhaps a dragonfly."

Tuula smiled. "Well, next time we're on earth..."

[OFF]

Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical and Second Officer
USS Galileo

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