Revalidation

Posted on Fri Dec 22nd, 2023 @ 9:43am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Mason Malone & Lieutenant Commander Michael Ki

Mission: The Trojan Horse
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: After leave
1288 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

The past days were among what Mason counted as the more difficult ones in his life. Meeting George's desire for space, Mason had taken it very literally and had returned to his ancestral home without his partner. He had spent the past few days just resting for the most part and helping his much older sisters around the house and watching his nieces. He felt something was missing and he avoided the questions from his sisters and the pondering gazes from his inlaws wherever possible. Space meant space, however difficult it was.

Now however, with the ship getting ready to depart again, Mason knew there was another difficult hurdle to cross. He hadn't seen the chief medical officer when he'd been injured in the pirate attack, having been treated and released by the EMH instead. Part of him wondered how annoyed the CMO would be with him, for not checking in sooner. Still, he wanted nothing more than return to full duty, having met all the requirements the EMH had set him with 'rest' being the most crucial of orders.

"Doc?" He called as he walked into the medical bay, carrying the air of a security officer but none of the bravado. "Do you have a moment?"

After Michael's stroll through the ship of introspection he decided to rededicate himself to the work. To that end he had busied himself preparing Sick Bay for the impending mission. When the doors opened Ki saw Senior Chief Malone as he walked in. Michael recognized the other man from his file. "Yes Senior Chief. Are you alright?"

"In time, I will be," Mason replied, turning to face the medical chief. "I was injured in the pirate attack on alpha, and was released to quarters to recover. I've been on limited duty, and I'd like to get certified fit for full duty sir." He paused. "Or instructions on how to get there sooner rather than later," he added as afterthought.

"Right, have a seat on a bio bed and I will give you an exam. If all looks well then you should be fit for duty. What was the nature of the injury?" Michael asked as he retrieved a medical tricorder. He could have looked at Mason's medical file for the answer. However, he rather liked to hear things like this straight from the horse's mouth as it were. In the patient's own words.

"Disruptor burns and knife wounds," the young man answered, "I got into a close quarters fight with a couple of pirates as I was sent down to engineering to help guard the place. Suffice to say, I made it down there but was in no condition to help anything anymore." He touched his arms and torso where he'd been hurt. "Doc didn't leave any scars thankfully but..." he hesitated. "I'd prefer if you checked up on me sir. EMH is great, but I do prefer a real person to be the judge of things."

"That makes two of us... I rather hate having to activate the damned thing. Alright then if you wouldn't mind taking off your uniform shirt so I can have a look. I like to see the injury as well as scan it. Has there been any severe pain since initial treatment? Any loss of movement?" Ki replied as he began to scan the injury. Michael realized that this was an opportunity to try to open up more to the crew. So, he decided to take a stab as it were. "So other than save the ship from pirates what do you enjoy?"

Mason couldn't help but blink at this sudden interest from the usually distant doctor. "Uhh... I love baseball but I haven't really done any since you fixed my shoulder sir. Other than that I like mud obstacle courses to keep in shape. And I sort of got a buddy, well had I guess, because I don't know if Fin- I mean commander Keating is still willing. She seems changed." He held still as he was being scanned. "I've not done anything strenuous, or anything at all really... But I just can't sit idle for much longer sir, I need to get back active."

Ki was not one for small talk and yet he tried. It had been brought to his attention recently that he should become more approachable and improve his bedside manner. The mention of Commander Keating changing piqued Michael's interest. When he first came aboard the woman had struck him and he was interested. He just was not sure how to tell her. Ki continued to evaluate the injury. "There is minimal scar tissue which is good. Would you mind rotating your arm on your shoulder so that I can see the movement." As his patient did as asked Michael returned to the small talk. "You mention that Commander Keating has changed. May I ask how?"

"Umm..." Mason wasn't sure how to explain this. "More reserved I suppose? Not as confident as she seemed before." He rotated his shoulder as he was told to do, wincing slightly as he reached a certain point. "Some movements are still a little tender," he confessed, "I'm being careful with uhm... Stretching and all, I stop at discomfort."

After everything that she went through Michael would understand that she would be a little reserved. He decided that he would have to approach her and see where things went. "Slight tenderness is expected. Do you have the full range of motion? You mentioned baseball and other physical activities. Do you do anything to exercise the mind? I have found that a lot of people forget that the mind needs a work out as well."

"I paint, does that count? And I practice hand-eye coordination on the range? Oh and I love linguistic puzzles, that does count, right?" The younger man smiled at him. "Yeah I got full range of motion now, it's just very tender."

"Painting, now that is fascinating. I like to practice the art of bonzai. I would love to see some of your work sometime if you would not mind." Michael took one final scan and snapped the tricorder closed. "Well everything looks good and I see no reason that you cannot return to full duty. Just keep an eye on the tenderness as it should get better in a week or so. If it does not and or it gets worse contact me right away."

"No I don't mind," Mason answered, feeling a little flustered at the sudden interest in his hobbies. "If you like...I could make something for your office? I did for my ex-husband...years ago." The good news seemed to brighten his spirits a little. "Thank you doctor, I'll let Lieutenant Zade know shortly. Can I return to normal training routines as well?"

"I would start slowly and return to normal by the end of the week. Give your muscles a chance to reacquaint themselves with the strain. I think a painting would do great in here. So yes please something for the office." Michael smiled genially. It was getting quite difficult to maintain this pleasant disposition. However, it may be something he would have to do to survive on this assignment. "I will make sure to put a note in your file that you are clear."

Mason could tell the doctor was trying to be friendly, and from a personal perspective he considered the change a positive one. "Thank you doctor," he said politely, then pointed towards a bare office wall. "I'll think of something suitable and run it by you first for approval." He hopped off the bed and pulled his uniform top back on. "I'll take it easy," he promised as he walked out.