Cue the M.A.S.H. theme

Posted on Sat Aug 8th, 2020 @ 11:51am by Captain Ka'Tock & Lieutenant Zuub

2,237 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Caverns of the mind
Location: Shuttlebay
Timeline: MD 03 Alpha SHift

ON

The communications from the approaching shuttle had alerted Ka'Tock that his scheduled Chief Medical Officer was on the final glide path to the ship; being the new Captain he decided that it was his duty to meet the Senior Officer. Also it was an excuse to get out of his Ready Room and his mind off the team down on the surface.

It was not often that he had the shuttle bay door open; an exception being this mission where the Away Team had to use Transporter Boosters and a shuttle had landed near the outpost with the heavy equipment.

The trip over to Aurora had been decidedly uninteresting. Zuub found that she had gotten bored very quickly and just wanted the trip over. A deep space assignment where there were new sensations to experience and new battles to be fought was just what that medical officer needed. Perhaps out here she might also find the cure to her mother's condition. Her family's life depended upon it and the fact that in all these years, she could not find a cure frustrated her.

Once the ship had docked, Zuub gathered her belongings and left the shuttle. Zuub was a walking beanpole as most Pink Skins saw her. At 6'5" and weighing a mere 170 pounds, Zuub looked extremely fragile. Yet, she knew that she could compete with Vulcans and Klingons with ease.

She was a bit surprised to see that the Captain was waiting for her at the shuttlebay doors. Her antennae stood up straight and rigid with the shock. After a few seconds passed, they cautiously leaned forward slightly, paying attention to the Captain.

Contrary to Zuub's height, her voice was soft and wispy. If one was not careful, a person might not hear her. Like all Andorians, facial expressions were rare as their physiology did not allow for much. In that soft, wispy voice, Zuub told the Captain, "Lieutenant Zuub reporting for duty as your new Chief Medical Officer, Captain."

"Welcome aboard Lt. Zuub." He offered a nod of the head. "Your timing is excellent, we have something going on down there and any extra Medical expertise will be welcome." It was a new experience to have to look up slightly to most of the population and this woman had Ka'Tock by an inch and he would not check the strength as she had her belongings well in hand. "If you will follow me I will take you by your Quarters or..." He motioned a OPS worker over. "We can have your things placed and you can see your Sickbay?"

Curiously, Zuub's antennae circled and wobbled, wondering what the Captain meant that something was going on "down there." Her wispy voice asked, "Perhaps it would be best if you caught me up to speed regarding what is happening on the planet? I can leave my belongings in Sickbay and pick them up later. Besides, it would be nice to know what this ship has and what I would most likely need on the planet."

"Walk with me." Ka'Tock said as he lead the way towards sick bay. "First is our mission; we came to investigate lost contact with a Science Team." They progressed to the nearest turbolift. "When we arrived on site the Atmosphere had discharges and transporters did not work well. The shuttle ride down is also not without bumps."

He set for the deck in the lift.

"On site the scientists abandoned the lab where they were observing a Primal Tribe of Cave Dwellers." The trip was not long. "Found the missing scientists have mingled with the Cave dwellers as part of tribe according to initial investigation." They moved towards the Sick Bay. "Your Deputy Chief is down there now and Chief of Science is leading the investigation." He went to Sick Bay. "The scans and other reports are logged and Transporter Boosters allow us communications and Transporter Function."

"So, the scientists violated the Prime Directive?" Zuub asked, her antennae lashing about, showing her confusion. "Why would they do that? Does anyone know? And why abandon the lab?"

"From what we gathered; their Primal Brain has taken over; do not ask me how as I was a Counselor not a doctor." Ka'Tock chuckled. "They have been taken in as part of the Cave Dwelling Tribe on their terms; no tech what so ever taken with them, they just abandoned the station and joined the tribe. The Away Team is using level one Hazard suits to go through the Caves as we do not know what affected the brains. Cloaked monitors are being put in place last I check an hour ago."

"You were a counselor?" Zuub asked, her antennae twittering rapidly to show excitement and surprise. She tried to keep her antennae from writhing with her own primal interest. "So, their personalities have changed. Do we have any logs to indicate a change in their personalities over time or to show if it was sudden?"

"The XO is checking that angle through the records we have only been on station a day so things are still being collated." Ka'Tock replied. "I still am a Counselor; all my credentials in place, I just also command this ship."

"Well, I have never met a counselor who became a Captain. Has there been any other analysis of the medical records of the scientists? Are there any matching genes with the tribe?"

"The XO is on surface with the records if you have specific questions she is your source." Ka'Tock replied. "I just spoke with her not long ago and they are going through the records so she can relay what you need."

"Very well," Zuub answered. "So, are the away team's vitals stored on the ship before they went down to the surface? I would suspect that it might be wise to scan them and see if there has been a change."

"To my understanding yes." Ka'Tock told her. "We had them scanned and there are also the transporter buffer."

"Of course there is, unless there is some corruption in the buffer, however unlikely it may be," Zuub countered.

"They are staying in suits or the station; so we can hope nothing happens. They have returned once and all scans were as they should be, Doctor Nicoles took baselines scans before departure and when back on ship. SO everyone so far is unaffected."

"Theoretically, the transporters should filter out contaminants but there are records where it missed things new to it. We will have to keep an eye on it, but if something new is on board, it is likely too late to do much about it now." Her antennae drooped worriedly.

"Nothing so far; the team seem unaffected as I checked with the XO." Ka'Tock told her. "Is there anything you need of me aside from time to review the records?" He grinned. "I am still authorized to clear you for duty from a Counselor point of view, should I write you in?"

"If you wish," Zuub answered. "But a little time with the medical records would be appropriate."

Remember you have to do it soon..." He winked. "Per procedures and all." He bow slightly. "Your Medical will have to wait the return of Dr. Nicoles I am afraid."

"We could always make a date of it and you can do my psychological while I review the records." Zuub's antennae writhed slightly in anticipation.

Ka'Tock raised an eyebrow. "By regulations we should not mix business and pleasure so how do you define a Date and evaluation?" he had to consider this as he had not encountered such a forward suggestion.

"This is what I get when I try to use Pink Skin language. Although it would be very enjoyable to play with you, I just meant to do two things at once."

"You are referring to what is often called 'a working lunch' where I have a yeoman bring food and I do my inquiry as you do your work?" He gave a sly grin. "And I am not Pink of skin, I am Klingon; much heartier stock and honorable." He nodded to her. I can have refreshments brought and we can do your Psychological evaluation as you work. It helps if you are comfortable during the process?"

"Indeed, you are Klingon. An honorable warrior. However, the Pink Skin language is all over Federation Standard," Zuub admitted, her antennae drooping from embarrassment. "Yes, a working lunch would be a fine idea. I can assure you that I'm rarely uncomfortable."

"Then I see no problem with some food and your Clearances for duty from a Counselor point of view?" He nod to her. "It is good to have someone not easily put off by circumstances."

"Put off?" Zuub asked, her antennae starting to twirl asymmetrically and confused. "Why would I be?"

"I find that most are not as impulsive, that is an asset in many cases." He chuckled. "Would you like the food first or should I start?"

"Life is an adventure, Commander. I should like to experience as much of it as I can before my second puberty hits and bores my current self to tears." Her antennae twitched. "Feel free to start your exam."

"Tell me something you would not want a counselor to know?" He asked simply.

Zuub tilted her head and she simply answered, "I don't think that there is anything that I would not want a counselor to know. I have nothing to hide. Though, I am hoping that I can remain a neuter for the remainder of my life. It would be too boring to be locked into playing only with one other Andorian and I do not know that I want children. I understand that it was biologically necessary on Andor but we're amongst the stars now."

"Interesting point." Ka'Tock replied. "I have found that being away from one's culture does allow a degree of ... growth." He thought of how his own 'Culture' deemed him 'The Ghost who walks' and he has nothing to do with the Empire today. "To continue along that venue. Aside from your professional skills what do you bring to the ship and crew?"

"I bring a dichotomy of interests. I am particularly skilled at sports and being a team player. Perhaps what you might consider opposed to those skills I have a deep and abiding love for music. I particularly enjoy playing my lute and the ermine violin. Essentially, I think you could say that I am a passionate person and put my all into any task as long as I find it desirable or interesting."

"Passion in play and profession." Ka'Tock noted. "How do you look forward to using your Command Style?"

"I'm sorry," Zuub replied, her antennae thrashing about wildly, demonstrating her confusion. "I do not understand what you are asking."

"What style of leading the Sick Bay do you see yourself doing?" Ka'Tock rephrased.

"Sickbay exists to serve, Commander. We are there to heal. Certainly, there must be a research portion to continue to advance medicine and in fact, I am continuing my work on Hlasha's Curse. But first and foremost is the health of the crew. I also intend on creating some health regiments, including vigorous exercise for the crew, so there is less possibility of major injuries."

"I am keeping my Bat'Leth skills to my usual standards." He joked. "What kind of regiment are you thinking?"

"Bat'Leth training would not be a horrible consideration," Zuub replied, her antennae stiffening thoughtfully. They then leaned forward again and said, "Unfortunately, I do not believe that every crew member would be well suited for it. A healthy dose of weight and cardio training should suffice, at least three times a week."

Ka'Tock would not mention his -over exuberance in his training.

"How are you with making the Command decisions; any remorse or doubting of your instructions during... say a Triage situation?"

"No," Zuub replied promptly. "Andorians are famed warriors, as I'm certain that you are aware. Medicine is just another variety of warfare. Decisions must be made and quickly. There is no room for doubt in the moment. Doing so would lead to one's own downfall."

"How do you deal when a patient dies and you are questioned 'if you did all that you could and still lose the patient?" He asked.

"I am a doctor, not an omnipotent being. Patients sometimes die. Nobody desires that, but it happens."

"And how does that make you feel?"

"Andorian?" Zuub responded, her antennae thrashing slightly, showing her confusion.

"Making it easier: how do you deal with the pressure of being the Chief Medical Officer?"

"I play," she replied simply and if it was obvious. "After all, this is the time in my life that I should experience all there is to experience because once that second puberty comes, I am locked in for life." Her antennae drooped wearily at being locked in for life.

"Humans believe when you cease to play and have fun things then go badly." Ka'Tock said. "I think I can certify you are being ready for duty." He typed a few notes on his padd. "I should probably let you continue your work." Turning to depart. "Welcome Aboard Doctor."

"Thank you, Captain. I will get myself settled in and then make contact with the away team."

End

Lieutenant Zuub
Chief Medical Officer
USS Aurora

Commander Ka'Tock
Commanding Officer
USS Aurora

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