Locked Doors

Posted on Sat Aug 31st, 2024 @ 4:24am by Lieutenant Ame Solis M.D. & NVeid tr'Rehu

Mission: Character Development
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Pre party
2843 words - 5.7 OF Standard Post Measure

NVeid looked up on occasion, just to verify whether the door to his tiny lab was still closed. He didn't like sudden intrusions as the working environment was delicate. His research was delicate, so he preferred to keep the door closed during set times and he had informed present staff of the condition of his research too. Currently, he was trying to identify the markers in the Metiz virus that had rendered the telepathic skills in hybrids to non-existent.

The Romulan hybrid was clad in a full hazmat suit, fhe lab kept at an under-pressure just to be safe even though he no longer had an active virus to work with. Those were put safely in storage as working with a recombinant was much safer. But he wasn't getting anywhere just yet especially as he was working on something to keep the poor Metiz safe from future Cardassian tampering as well, something he was collaborating on with other Starfleet doctors who had taken over from them when he Athena left.

She had seen her first patient and reported in already, things were going well for the Bajoran and this was celebrated with a beverage and breakfast as disembarking was much sooner than anticipated. Ame brushed down her uniform hoping not to have missed any evidence of her indulgence. That Orion from the Mess Hall had an assortment of pastries that couldn’t be sniffed at.

The doors to Sickbay slid open with a swoosh and hiss, leading into the office. She stopped as she noticed the lab was in use and locked. Her eyes narrowed and she pinched her lips in thought, “Introductions are needed but not barging in.” Her murmur followed her into the office and she took a seat to scroll through her department roster and that of the lab sign-in.

NVeid tr'Rehu, surgeon and apparently, another researcher. This did perk her interest and she looked at what was logged under the sign-in. The Metiz virus and its impact on telepathic skills. It wasn’t in her top five subjects of interest but she loved a challenge, especially when it impacted her colleagues. From her console she tapped into the com for the lab not wanting to startle any work in progress.

Seeing the indicator from the corner of his eye, NVeid reached out with a gloved hand. "tr'Rehu here," he answered, his accented voice muffled a little by the mask he wore, "is it important?" If yes he had to leave his little lab, if not he would need a few minutes to safeguard his work.

“No, if you can come and see me in my office when you’re finished.” Ame responded, ”I thought an introduction might be apt as the new Chief Medical Officer. There’s no hurry.” Her lips pressed together. Though technically he wasn’t an officer, but, they would be working in the same space under her leadership. That was perhaps too strong a word.

There was no confirmation, but thirty minutes later, a slightly flushed Romulan walked into the office. "I apologize doctor, but this research is delicate, one wrong move and I have to start over. I already lost much time as it is." He ran his hands through his hair as if to ruffle it up a little. "I don't like hazmat suits," he added, "they make me feel claustrophobic." Another pause, in which he seemed to gather himself. "I am doctor NVeid tr'Rehu," he finally introduced himself, "surgeon and immunologist."

And that was just fine, the Bajoran had much to work through. Scheduling follow-ups and reviewing any upcoming assessments and inoculations. It most certainly passed the time whilst NVeid finished up in the lab. It was the doors again that alerted her to the incoming presence, she lifted her eyes from the PADD in her hand and rested it on the desk.

“There’s no need to apologise, I know how delicate projects can be especially in your areas of interest.” Ame answered him quietly, “No they aren’t the most pleasant environment but much more spacious than an EVA suit.” She smiled faintly. “Lieutenant Solis Ame, I prefer Doctor and I usually go by Ame. I am a cyberneticist and also a surgeon.”

There was a pause, “You’ll know more about this ship and her crew than I will. Is there anything pressing outside of what’s already on the roster that you know of? I’m used to civilian practitioners helping with the general rotation, is that something you usually do? Or do you stick to speciality?”

The Romulan hybrid nodded at her assessment. "No I am not aware of anything pressing, if there was, your predecessor kept that to himself. He wasn't exactly... social or chatty. And yes, I do help where necessary and I should be part of the general rotation." There was something she had said that had piqued his interest. "Cyberneticist?" He added in query, "you have expertise with non-organic replacements?" That was useful information.

“That’s good, I think. If everything to go by is up to date, we should be fine. I’ve already handled Lieutenant Commander Savin when I arrived.” Ame answered with a satisfied pinch of her lips. “I’m glad to hear you’re on a general rotation, if we keep on top of the everyday things that gives more time to continue with R&D, I’m a big supporter of independent research.”

His interest was most apparent, given his surgery and heavy accent she deduced this was down to his voice. “I do, that is my speciality, my aim is to make it more seamless, reduce nerve damage and the strain of dealing with for lack of a better word, ‘new parts’.”

"What about occular implants?" He asked, "in particular, biometric implants?" It would save him a great deal of hassle every time his implant acted up. "I have a biometric occular implant," he explained, gesturing at his right eye. Though at first glance there was no apparent difference in his very dark blue green, bordering on obsidian eyes, but closer inspection would show one was in fact, not real

“And ocular implants.” Ame answered with a nod, “I can indeed assist with that. Maintenance, installation and diagnostics.” She was aware of his implants and those on the remaining crew even those who were reluctant to undergo restorative surgery, much to her dismay.

“That looks to have been quite the virus you were dealing with.” The Bajoran probed curious about his experience and what more support he may need.

"It was tough," NVeid agreed, "some are still dealing with the after effects. I was...fortunate. I will make all my research available for you to read up on as it is too elaborate to explain in a few minutes. Mainly however I am a surgeon, I just have an interest in immunology." He seemed to smirk, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement. "I have to do something with my time when I am not needed in the surgical wards, yes?"

She nodded in agreement. She couldn’t begin to imagine the impact telepaths felt losing something like that, just as much as if she’d been granted it without warning. “If you’d like some support I’d love to have a look at things when you get them sent over.” Ame offered, “Mhmmm. I do recall that time, there’s only so many times you can rearrange equipment and review files. You don’t wish an injury on someone.”

She sat back in her seat and tapped her chin. “Do we have any repeat offenders? Hypocondriacts or clutzs?” Every vessel had one or two if you were that unlucky. She had a distaste for timewasters.

Slowly, NVeid nodded. "Chief Warrant Mason Malone is one, combat injury." He listed a few others as well. "Some are just plain stubborn, most of those belong to the medical department though..."

Her fingers moved against the controls on her desk to bring up the name in question - multiple shoulder injuries, recent treatment for lacerations from combat. Ame’s lips moved as she read, finishing with a head tilt and raising her eyebrows. “Is this guy a pitcher? Sports or something?” She shrugged it off, “Well I’m sure I’ll meet him soon enough.”

"I believe so, but as far as I know he has not engaged in such an activity since his assignment here." Of course, Savin spoke with the security officer frequently and knew of his hobbies, but their conversations were confidential. "He is a former marine, according to his file, and someone who has trouble sitting idle." Savin smiled. "How do you deduct that he is a pitcher? I pitch too, but have never endured such injury."

The Bajoran’s eyes widened slightly at the recollection as to how she would recognise the pattern of injuries. “I kno- knew someone who was prone to similar injuries, rotator cuff because he thought he was big league. ‘Go big or go home’ was the phrase he would use.”Ame couldn’t help but laugh at the stupidity of it, even the use of tense gave her a pang of sadness. The chuckle trailed off.

“I’ll be sure to have a chat with Mason, anyone else I should be on the lookout for?” She asked getting back on track.

"You'll see soon enough," NVeid grinned, sobering as he senses the sadness. "Did you lose someone close to you?" He asked gently, "I can sense the shift in your mood."

Ame’s lips pressed together again in search of the right words to explain her loss. “In a way, I guess so. Yes. I no longer have a relationship with that person.” It was vague enough to explain the feelings and the situation. “Sometimes you have to cut things off that are unhealthy, even if it hurts and it’s a bit scary. A surgical analogy works well in this instance.”

"I see .." he didn't enquire further, respecting her privacy in the matter. "I understand as well... the letting go part. I had to let my fiancée go because binding her to me would have impaired her career. She was half my age, and still had so much opportunity ahead of her. I couldn't let her ruin her career for my sake. She stuck with me when I needed her the most but she had to go when a promotion opportunity came up." He still felt the pain he endured when they had broken up, he had been barely recovered from life threatening injury which had also cost him his eye. She had reminded him of his son, and how she and the boy needed him to live. "When I was her age, I lost my wife and child," he added slowly, the pain of the memory unmistakable this time. "My child was stillborn, and she died soon after." He failed to mention that both had been murdered, what good would that do?

“That is … tragic.” She answered frankly it put her feelings and situation into context. It may have been tragic to her but in the long run, they were both still alive despite a knock to the ego and weeks of legal documents and futile attempts at reconciliation. From listening to his explanation she had a moment of doubt, had she given up too quickly? Should she have tried again?

“You’ve been through a lot. Makes things seem trivial, but, I know we all deal with things differently.” Ame exhaled slowly, “Memories pop up in the most unexpected places.”

She closed the file on Mason, “I can certainly help with any work on your eye or your voice, whenever you’re ready and have the time.”

"My voice is fine..." NVeid smiled, "but my eye occasionally acts up. When my vision is out of alignment I get dizzy spells. It doesn't happen that often, fortunately. But it does need... Upkeep?"

“It will do if it's getting out of alignment, it shouldn’t really be doing that.” Ame leaned forward with a curious squint, her hands clasping under her chin. “When we get some time a little later we can run some diagnostics and I can fine-tune things. Get rid of those dizzy spells, that last thing we want is for you to hit the deck or be a hazard.”

"Indeed, though there are a few that consider me a hazard anyway." Prejudice was always a thing, wherever he went. Fortunately, here on the ship he was accepted by most, but there were always a handful that were adamant about not being treated by him, and he knew the counselor had encountered the same problem a few times. Added to that the fact he made no secret of his past as a Tal Shiar operative, if it came up in a conversation... He always professed to be transparent and having no secrets, even though he was still reluctant about his telepathy. But even that was getting better....

NVeid gave her a sad smile. "Don't worry about that, I'm used to it and I don't want to add to their drama so I tend to activate the EMH in such rare instances. If we have time, I'm probably due a physical anyway, even civilians can't escape those when working on a starship."

Prejudice was definitely a thing, anyone with even a subtle hint of a Cardassian appearance made her frosty. If they had been vetted by Starfleet and were serving under a Commodore; she was confident there would be no issue. She’d support her staff until they showed reason not to be trusted.

“Don’t remind me. The crew list on a Starbase is … vast. We’ll get you sorted and give that eye a review. No more headaches.” Ame smiled.

"Whenever you have time," NVeid offered, leaving the when entirely up to her. "Barring exercise and sending a message to my son, I have nowhere else to be."

“I’ll have to corner the crewman and we can play some ball. I’ll maybe put up a player request in the mess hall or lounge.” Ame smiled a little wider, “I’ll not disturb your research any more today and I’ll have a look at that research when you send it over.”

"Play ball? Player request for what?" Confusion spread across the surgeon's face. "My research can wait until test results come in, but I am happy to share them."

Confusion also spread across the Bajoran’s face. “Like a team roster? See if anyone else wants to play. You know, I’m new, more real players means I get to meet more crew.” Ame tried to better explain her reasoning and perhaps more suitable wording. “A holodeck session is always a good way to bring people together right?”

"I'm all for team building but I don't know what you mean with play ball. What kind of ball? What for?" He still looked confused. "I don't think I've engaged in any game concerning a ball... I swim...I like swimming, and running..."

It took a moment for Ame to realise that it wasn’t Nveid she’d had the conversation about baseball with. It just so happened to also include a passing comment on the illusive Crewman Mason Malone. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve been speaking to so many people I’ve merged conversations into one. I was talking to someone about perhaps starting up a Baseball game on the holodeck. I thought it would be a good way to meet the crew and get some exercise.”

The Bajoran ran a hand over her face, “My mistake, you’re welcome to join in if that’s something you’d like to try.” She did like swimming, but running not so much, usually because the kind of running she did was running away from something or toward the traumatic disaster.

"One is never too old to learn something new, right?" NVeid smiled, lightly touching her arm. "Don't worry about the mixup doctor, but perhaps you should get some rest, if conversations are starting to bleed over? My check up can surely wait..."

Ame half smiled, eyes falling to the hand on her arm instinctively moving it away. “I’m okay, just lots of faces, names and conversations. I’ve got some vaccination schedules to review and a few reports to check off from minor injuries and I’ll most certainly be calling it a day.”

“I’ll get you in after the party to go through a calibration with you.” She propped her chin up on her hand. “That way to can let me know through the day if you’re experiencing anything out of the ordinary so I can make further adjustments. Does that sound good?”

The Romulan hybrid nodded, pulling his hand back. "First days can be daunting," he supplied helpfully, "go and have some rest, you'll no doubt be facing more people at the party. As I said, I can wait."