What's Up Doc?

Posted on Tue Feb 25th, 2020 @ 10:07am by Lieutenant Noah Reed M.D. & Lieutenant Dessame Sar

Mission: Character Development
Location: Deck 7 - Main Sickbay
Timeline: MD-02 1030 Hours
1055 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

As comes with a new ship, comes a new doctor. Dessame always hated the usual physical that she had to go through when coming on board a new vessel, or taking a new assignment. In her file, there was always a marker about the scars on her back, on her legs and on her mind but the latter was more a counselor's job than medical.

Dessame took a deep breath and walked into Sickbay. "I am here for my physical." She said as a nurse approached her and was then guided to a biobed. Now she waited for whoever was to arrive to poke and prod her a bit.

Doctor Reed swung out of his office and smiled at the new patient. "Welcome to sickbay, Miss..." He quickly glanced at the medical PADD containing her information. "... Sar. Just a routine checkup today?" Taking the initiative, he put down the PADD and picked up a medical tricorder and began a scan with the handheld sensor.

"Yes, Doctor. I am more than fit for duty but I need you to clear me before I can begin." She replied shifting slightly as he buzzed the sensor around her head.

He smiled at the woman and continued his scan around her body. His brow knit faintly at what the readings showed. "Scar tissue on your back and legs... You never wanted dermal regeneration for that, lieutenant?" He had met several people over the years who kept scars for various reasons, like reminders of the battles they had fought in or a personal trauma that was hard to get over. He didn't want to press the issue of how they were obtained and kept it to just the medical facts.

"Eh... I..." His comment had caught her off guard. He certainly wasn't lacking in the bluntness of his delivery but truth be told he didn't know how she came to have them. One could guess due to their position but guessing was a dangerous game. "No," Dessame finally replied. "They are still healing," she added. Physically they had healed just fine, it had been a long time since the event that caused them occurred but she wasn't ready to remove them just yet. Not until she had caught up with the man that gave her them.

He gave her a reassuring smile. "That's not a problem at all. No pressure in this sickbay, except for blood, of course." He let out a light chuckle at his own joke. "If you ever change your mind, just let me know. I'm always happy to help." He finished up the medical scan and tapped the tricorder, going over the results. "You look to be in good health, lieutenant. I can't find anything to complain about except for a slightly elevated heart rate."

"I think we can attribute that to the fact that I'm a little apprehensive around doctors, and the mentioning of my scars," Dessame replied. There was a slightly awkward pause before she spoke again to try and break the tension hanging in the air." But thank you, for the offer. If I ever find those responsible then I believe that will help in me being able to remove them." She admitted. "How are you finding the Athena?" She asked.

Keeping scars as a reminder or an oath to oneself about the importance of righting a wrong wasn't lost on him. He had known several people that chose to keep their scars and he didn't begrudge anyone for that. After all, it was their lives and in the end, he could help them with removal if and when they were ready. He didn't push people in certain directions if there wasn't a dire need. "So far, so good. My quarters are slightly larger than I had anticipated, so that's nice," he said. "Do you enjoy your post as well?"

"Yeah mine was as well but I don't really use a lot of space up. It's my first posting as a senior officer so I am enjoying the challenge of having something that is my own." Dessame replied. "I imagine this will be quite different from your posting on D-S-Five."

"Each post has unique requirements and challenges." He starred off in thought for a moment. "A starbase has a constant flow of traffic and challenges associated with non-Federation medical injuries and ailments to treat. However, a starship offers exploration." He resumed studying the tricorder. "And sometimes a nice change of pace since the crew complement is way smaller. It allows for more one-on-one medicine." He smiled and walked over to a table, picking up a hypo and a vial. Popping it into place, he pressed it against her neck while it gave out a small hiss. "You didn't receive your last vaccination, according to your records. Now you're fit for duty."

Dessame smiled. "Yes I suppose a more intimate style of care is nicer for some people," she replied before shooting him a look of concern. "What vaccination did I miss? Surely this would have been something that should have been brought to my attention sooner?" she asked.

Noah blinked once and then smiled. "Oh, it's just a regional one. Your last doctor probably just overlooked it when you were out-processing. It's for Tivolian pox. There was a minor flare-up with a local colony but nothing to be concerned about."

"I will be having words with that doctor, thank you for informing me," Dessame replied, a little annoyed regardless of the fact the illness/disease was nothing to worry about. She began to rise but then realised the doctor had not yet said he was finished. "Sorry, I get fidgety around medical personnel." she offered a small smile.

"I trust that this exam and any future interactions will help to change your disposition, lieutenant." Doctor Reed smiled and picked up his PADD and nodded at her. "You're all set and fit for duty. Have a good day, Miss Sar." As he headed back to his office, he couldn't help but feel confident that she would feel more comfortable around sickbay.

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Doctor Noah Reed
Chief Medical Officer, USS Athena


Lieutenant Dessame Sar
Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Athena