Open Wide And Say Ah

Posted on Tue Apr 19th, 2022 @ 4:31am by Lieutenant Commander Michael Ki & Lieutenant Didrea Zade

Mission: Character Development
Location: USS Athena, Sickbay
Timeline: Two Days After "The Cure"
1797 words - 3.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Zade found herself falling into a habit as she returned from her stroll around the ship. The walk helped her think while allowing her to get familiar with the ship, and it was a nice break from sitting. A small part of it was also to avoid being in the chief's office so much. That feeling of intimidation at the idea of the office being her office lingered, though not as intensely as the day before. Accepting a PADD from a security officer, she made her way back to her office. She set the PADD gently on the desk before making her way around it, and the computer beeped as she settled into the chair. Tapping the computer, she read the message before sighing.

"That had to come in right as I sat down," she muttered, her hands flat on the desk as she pushed herself back to her feet. Leaving the PADD on the desk, she exited her office to head to sickbay to get the physical out of the way. Since the security offices were on the same deck as the main sickbay, it didn't take long for her to get there. The doors to sickbay parted and Zade entered enough for the doors to close behind her, putting herself to the side of the main doors and close enough to be out of the way of any activity. She looked around for the medical chief, vaguely remembering his face from their brief encounter on the surface. Not immediately seeing him, she decided to peek her head into the office, and as she got closer she could see someone inside the room. "Doctor Ki?" she asked, wanting to make sure it was him.

Michael sat at his desk as he basked in the after glow of creating a medical miracle. He always felt a small amount of smug satisfaction when he beat back the threat of a viral pandemic, and this was no different. His green tea with just the right amount of sake sat on his desk and the relaxation had taken him. He was unsure how long he had been like that but a voice, one that sounded much like the computer had forced him to open his eyes and return to the here and now. Lieutenant Zade stood there and Michael was internally annoyed, he wanted some peace and quiet to enjoy his victory. But, a doctor's work is never done. "Lieutenant... What can I do for you?"

"Apologies for the intrusion," Zade began, noting that he looked pretty relaxed. At least, until she arrived and broke the silence. "I got a notification that my physical was due and I'd like to get it done... that is, if now is a good time?" She didn't really want to come back later, but she also knew that she'd have to work with his schedule, not the other way around.

"Absolutely have a seat on any of the bio beds." Ki said as he indicated the beds. He prepared a work cart with the tools that he would need and joined her. With a smile he ordered the computer to begin recording. "Physical of Lieutenant Didrea Zade Chief Security and Tactical Officer. Now Lieutenant are there any medical issues that I should be aware of?

Zade went to the bed that was nearest the door and took a seat as requested, her hands resting in her lap. "I have a subdermal vocal implant that allows me to speak," she replied, lifting one hand to point at her throat. Where she pointed was a bump that, to the passing gaze, could pass for an Adam's apple. She didn't really consider it an 'issue' in the more literal sense, but she knew by now that it made everyone's lives easier to just point it out to the doctor from the start. Plus, it dampened the surprise at the inevitable beep a medical tricorder tended to give at the presence of what it considered a 'foreign object.' To elaborate a little for the record, Zade added, "it can malfunction from a power disruptor, in which case it would have to be temporarily removed for maintenance, but aside from that it hasn't given me issues." Obviously, this information would be in her medical file, but she didn't mind sharing it for redundancy, especially since her transfer to the Athena wasn't exactly a normal one.

Michael ran his tricorder over her throat and studied the readings for a moment. "Hmmmm, it seems that this is a pretty ingenious way to solve a loss of vocal chords. However, I am not sure if you are aware that medical research has progressed passed this. One minor surgery and I can have this removed and your own vocal chords working again." Ki realized that he may have been a little too presumptuous for a moment. "I am sorry, I just felt the need to point it out to you. In case it is something that you would be interested in."

"No need for apologies, Doctor, you're not the first one to have made that offer," Zade replied. Despite having the 'I can fix this' conversation with doctors before, she didn't really want to get it removed. "After having it for twelve years, it feels like a part of me. It's developed personal importance, and I can't just get rid of that." The implant held memories, both of her family and of her long time friend Nayisa, but it also held her promise to find her family's killer. In a way, there was a small, yet irrational fear that if she opted for the fix, she'd be breaking that promise. "Also, I've been through speech therapy once already and I'd rather not do it again," she added after a brief pause, giving him a small smile. The smile, however, didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I understand... At the very least if you wish we can make the vocoder sound more... shall we say realistic and less like a computer. It seems that you are in good health and more than ready willing and able to serve." Michael tried to put a little more sympathy into his voice. To have a little better of a bedside manner. However, he did not fully understand why someone would want to keep a prosthetic when their original body could be restored. It just did not make sense to the doctor. However, he knew that it did not have to make sense. It was not his decision to make.

At first, Zade gave him a confused look, but then she remembered that people have pointed out her 'accent' before. She didn't really give it much thought because to her, her voice sounded completely normal. "Also not the first time I've heard that," Zade said lightheartedly. "If it can sound more realistic, I'm not opposed. The implant's machine learning can only do so much." Tilting her head slightly, Zade added, "though that seems more like an engineering thing than a medical thing."

Michael smiled... "If you wanted to do it, it would be both. Engineering would have to design the vocal program. However, I would have to perform the minor surgery to access your implant and upload the new program. Of course this would be an elective surgery so it would be something for you to think about. I am sorry to pry but I also feel it is my duty to ask. Are the design specifications for the device in your medical file. I mean if something should happen say on an away mission I would want to be able to replace the device."

Zade nodded, a silent indication that she would think about it. It would probably be something to consider the next time the Athena went to a starbase. Since it didn't impact her ability to communicate, however, it wasn't high on her list of priorities. Her nod slightly increased in intensity when Ki 'pried,' as he put it. "Oh, absolutely, I made sure of that last time I did a physical," she replied. "I also have a copy of the specs and file backups in my quarters as well, since my transfer here wasn't really a normal one. I can send those to you as soon as we're done, if you like." Giving him a reassuring smile, the Trill added, "also, I don't consider it prying, Doctor. You need to know this stuff so you can do your job, so please, ask away."

"Excellent... Excellent! At the moment it seems that all is in working order, and you are as healthy as anyone that I have ever seen. I know that you are not joined, however, do you have any plans for joining in the future?" Michael asked because to the best of his knowledge Zade approached the age limit for joining. But Ki was confident that he could help her physically remain up to the standards of for a Trill joining.

"I've yet to hear about a symbiont needing a host, so I have no immediate plans for joining. If I had the opportunity to join with a symbiont, however, I would take it," Zade replied. The lack of hesitation in her response conveyed her desire to be joined and also hinted at a source of inspiration. "At least, if I'm still able to. I know that it's ideal to join when a Trill is in their prime, because the physical and mental changes can be rough on the body."

"Hmmm" Ki made the sound while looking over the scans and nodding. Then he looked up at Zade with a smile. "You know I think you have a great number of years yet before you are past your prime as it were. These scans show that you are in perfect health and tip top condition. Nothing less than I would expect form a Security Chief. Have you any questions for me?"

The idea of her not being able to accept a symbiont did make her heartbeat speed up a little, which surely the doctor saw when he ran his scans, but Ki's words relieved any concern she had. Zade matched his smile, "that's good to hear. I don't have any questions at the moment. If that's all you need from me, I will go send a copy of those specs to you."

"Sounds good Lieutenant. I hope to see you outside of sick bay. Perhaps for a nice cup of saki." Michael said as he placed the tools on the cart. He took a sip of his saki as Zade left. Ki had found that more and more the crew of this ship were an interesting lot, and he was happy to be counted among them.