The Next Chapter

Posted on 10 Jul 2024 @ 8:39pm by Lieutenant JG Nusien & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim

1,802 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 19 - Tomorrow's Galileo
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 3, Sick Bay
Timeline: May 15, 2392

After meeting with the Captain Nusien thought that there would be plenty of time to settle into his quarters. So, he made his way to Sick Bay to meet his superior officer. Ever the multi tasker he knew that he could get his physical done with as well.

Nusien ducked as his three legs strode through the door. He searched the room quickly and found the Chief Medical Officer working on an experiment. "Morning Dr Warraquim. I am Lieutenant Junior Grade Nusien, your new Assistant."

Allyndra turned and looked up at the rather tall being slightly hunched over. "Allyndra, please, I am not one much for formality as I grew up with way too much." She pointed toward the small office that was wedged between main sickbay overlooking the biobeds and the this small lab. "Let us talk in the office. As I understand, most chairs do not work well for Edosians. There is a stool out in the sickbay that might work better if you wish. While the office is small, hopefully not too small."

Nusien smiled he appreciated someone who did their homework and it seemed that Allyndra did just that. "Thank you Allyndra..." He said and then made his way to retrieve the stool. When he arrived back in the office he placed the stool in front of the desk and sat down. Nusien rather liked the lax on formality, he was a social creature and that made things more social. "Allyndra it seems that this Sick Bay may be small, but it is homely and welcoming. I would appreciate it if you could perform my physical while we chatted."

"We will get to that in a moment. It has been my policy since becoming the chief medical officer to get to know the people that I will be serving and who may end up in this facility." She made a slight shrug. "It is not compulsory, as I understand that there are things in a background or cultural practices that some find they do not wish to share. Call it my days as a counselor. For example, my favorite hobby is cooking, especially Terran French haute cuisine; even though I can't eat any of it, I am always looking for people to be tasters. My other favourite is water dancing."

"Yes, I would agree that knowing the people you tend to as a doctor is the best way to treat them. As a Diagnostician it is best to know how someone lives, this way you can ascertain how they may have contracted the unknown illness." Nusien was filled with joy that he and his new boss had a similar approach to medicine. His large mouth stretched to a smile which showed some jagged teeth. He was smiling but it was a tad disconcerting. "I love to eat so if you are looking for a taster you need to look no further. As for myself I am a musician. I play a few instruments, but prefer to play the Edosian tri flute the most. Earth style fencing is another hobby of mine. I feel that is one of the rare sports from Earth that suits non bipedal people. It is also a beautiful event to watch."

"Interesting. I would not mind listening to your playing, and perhaps when there is time, you can introduce me to this fencing sport. I must admit that I avoid any heavy physical contact sports. Being built for flight, we Akkadians are hollow-boned and built lightly."

"We Edosians avoid physical sports as well, at least the sports of most species. We have found that we are simply not built for it. However, fencing is a give and take and relies on dexterity more than strength. Dexterity is something we are exceptional at. The Edosian brain has three lobes and so we literally do three things at once. I have been known to treat two patients at once, or read a book and prepare a meal. Things of that nature." The more they chatted the more Nusien felt at ease, and the nervousness fell to the wayside.

"It is remarkable, but hopefully, with an injured patient, I would hope you would attempt to focus your mind. Anyway, you would not be here and in this position if you hadn't already demonstrated considerable skill." Allyndra smiled. "For incoming doctors, I do have a little extra task I ask for. Before we get to your official medical scan. I would ask that you are the doctor in charge and that I am the one incoming. I always like to see in person how you handle a patient." She stood and pointed out the office window to sickbay. "Shall we?"

"Lets." Nusien replied as he followed her out of the office. The exercise that she outlined was an interesting way to get to know someone. He know found himself wondering how he will do.

Allyndra went almost to the sickbay door before she turned. "Excuse me," she said. "I need to have a medical physical for duty clearance."

Nusien was not sure how this exercise would begin. Now he could see that they would simply jump right into it. "Right this way Commander. Please have a seat on the bio bed and this should not take too long." He said with a smile and retrieved a medical tricorder. "To begin is there anything in your medical history that I should be aware of? That we should have record of?"

She held up her left hand and wiggled the fingers. "I lost these three several years back. They have fully regenerated. My wings were damaged, but they too have regenerated. My biggest complaint is that the synthetic blood is rather tasteless, and though I am allowed a certain amount of stores or replicated, we have been in the thick of things that I have avoided utilizing any of those. Technically, I should be getting proper nutrition, but I never feel completely satisfied."

Nusien took the scans as she spoke. He nodded that he understood although he regretted not reading as much into the Commander's species. Nonetheless an idea occurred to him. "Have you ever asked for volunteers? I mean suppose a member or members of the crew were willing to donate blood for you you feed on. I believe that should do the trick, should it not?" He spoke with the lack of emotion of a detached doctor. "It is remarkable your ability to heal and regenerate. Simply remarkable." He added as he looked at the scans.

"It has come in handy more than once. As you your other suggestion. That would be a hard no. While there might be some, I believe that as a senior person even asking such a thing would be improper. There may be some that would feel coerced. My last scan indicated that things were within normal parameters, so maybe it is all psychological."

Nusien began to stroke his chin with his third hand while he continued the scan. "Hmmmmm... Perhaps the imitation works, but your body misses the real thing. Sort of the way that actual alcohol is missed by those who consume synthahol. The request could come from me if that would make you feel more comfortable. Also, I could get you the blood of some living animals. Perhaps that would assuage your nostalgia." Nusien did not mean to push the issue, it was that Edosians lived to be helpful. At the moment he saw a problem and tried to fix it as best as he could.

"Not the same. It is fine. I appreciate your effort. So, other than my minor complaint am i fit for duty, medical officer?"

"According to what I am looking at here you are as human's would say fit as a fiddle. I would clear you for duty. However, I would also like to chat more about your species perhaps at another time. You are of course the first of your kind that I have come in contact with." Xenobiology was a hobby of sorts for Nusien and he did not want to let an opportunity like this go without at least trying.

"We can do that, chat, that is. There are probably a total of five of us off-planet. Perhaps we can also do a duet where you play, and I water dance. That would be lovely." She got up and sighed. "Very well, your turn here. I so miss simply being able to have a conversation rather than let's get you signed in."

Nusien smiled as he took a seat on the biobed. "A duet would be delightful." He looked a tad awkward as he sat there. His third leg draped between the other two legs. It jutted out slightly from the bed as that was the most comfortable position for it.

Allyndra waited while the lieutenant got arranged the best he could on the biobed. "Very good. I realize not the most comfortable for you. Is there anything new or I should be aware of since your last check up?"

"No, to the best of my knowledge I am in peak physical condition. Although in about another ten years I will reach my second rebirth and enter a coma. The rebirth happens every twenty five or so years and it is when a Edosian sheds their skin." Nusien informed the Chief Medical Officer of his race's unique timing. Although it was some time off he felt that the doctor should know.

"Interesting and good to know. Now, I know it is uncomfortable for you, but please relax as best as possible and get a full scan for records here." Allyndra got the scan going and compared the readings to the last one that she had been provided. "Very good, you can get comfortable now. Comparisons are the same as your last. Thus," she tapped the PaDD she had. "You are certified for duty. Welcome aboard, Lieutenant Nusien."

"Thank you Commander. I have been looking forward to beginning this tour of duty. It is always interesting to start something new and learn." Nusien said, glad that he was cleared for duty.

"Finish up the rest of your check in and then, for now, I am assigning you to the Beta shift. I take Alpha, and then it is bridge time for me at Delta. That means I only get Beta for downtime. Once more welcome aboard."

"That would be great. Thank you Commander." Nusien said and then turned toward the door. He wasn't exactly sure but he had a feeling, a hunch that this tour of duty was going to be the defining moment of his career.

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Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical and Second Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Junior Grade Nusien
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

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