What's shoreleave?

Posted on 24 Jan 2014 @ 7:43am by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Ensign K'os Beaumont
Edited on on 24 Jan 2014 @ 7:53am

1,466 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 05 - Solstice
Location: Medical Offices San Francisco
Timeline: MD18 0600

ON:

Allyndra stopped into the medical offices back in San Francisco. She was not scheduled to do anything today but she wanted to check to see if there was anything from her patients and also find out updates on the others of her fellow crew members that had been taken by the Borg and now were on recovery.

The receptionist handed her a PADD with the updates but then added, "By the way doctor there is a crew member here for a Fleet medical. If you have the time you could get that done and also accomplish his check in medical all at the same time."

Allyndra looked up at the receptionist. "It seems we are getting a lot of new people on the Galileo lately. Well, your suggestion sounds like a good one. Very well, let me get his medical file." She took the PADD and found out he was in exam room fifteen.

The place was already busy this early but this was Fleet's headquarters thus it was to be expected. She knew her way fairly well and only made one small wrong turn but found the exam room. She tapped on the door and looked at the PADD to get the name. "Petty Officer Beaumont?" she called out slightly opening the door.

K'os had just finished replacing the last cotton ball from the dish he'd accidentally bumped when examining the anatomy poster on the wall. It had started with just a few popping out of the dish, just to be replaced with a dozen more when he tried to put those ones back. Why anyone would stuff that many cotton balls into one little dish was beyond him but it was an incredible test of patience to put them all back. As he placed the last one back with careful precision the doctor's voice called out.

"Yes." He said maybe a little quickly. "That's me."

Allyndra cracked the door open a little more. These were old-fashioned ones but then the building was old and many parts were kept as it was just updated with the newer electronics.

"Hello," she said as she observed a male humanoid standing near one wall. "I am Allyndra." She did not use title of doctor very often for herself. "I am the..." she quickly amended figuring not to use too many titles today. "...a medical officer aboard the Galileo. The receptionist mentioned you would be serving aboard so I thought if you did not mind I could get your Fleet medical out of the way and also call it your check in. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes of course, Allyndra, thank you." He used the name she gave. He sensed it was what she preferred. "I'm K'os," he said pronouncing it like coast with out the 't'. His eyes widened slightly when she entered. He had never seen anyone quite like her before. "Very nice to meet you." He said a little distracted. He blinked, and dashed the feelings of intense curiosity from his mind to focus on the task at hand. He straightened his posture before adding, "I hope now isn't inconvenient? Being on shoreleave, I wasn't sure if anyone would be available but she told me to wait here." He smiled warmly at her.

"No, no fine. I was just getting an update before preparing for a trip home. So K'os," she imitated the sound. Akkadians were good at doing that. "Let me see what we have here..." She looked over the PADD and then looked up.

"Mind taking your top off and hoping on the bed please?"

He nodded and pulled his blue t-shirt off before she got to 'please'. He crossed his arms across his chest self consciously after hoping on the bed, but then chastised himself mentally for it and they dropped to his lap instead.

"Human and Vulcan but raised in a human environment correct?"

"Correct." He confirmed simply. He avoided eye contact to reduce the chances of staring at her sapphire eyes.

"You know," she said as she prepared the scanner after putting the PADD aside. "That can lead to some interesting neurotransmitter problems. Also some interesting problems in heme/cupric interactions. Have you noted any particular problems?"

He smiled at her question. "Yes. I have been under the direct care of Starfleet medical since I was a child. As a result of my hybrid physiology I have abnormalities in my limbic system, specifically the amygdala and other deeper subcoritcal regions. I have great difficulty regulating my emotions. I don't respond to traditional Vulcan methods and medications had unacceptable side effects. I'm currently working with SF therapists on other coping methods which are looking more hopeful."

"The amygdala? That is interesting. If you do not mind, I would like to take a further look during the scan. I would like to check on your PRKCE levels." Allyndra realized that he may not know the acronym might stand for. "That is your protein kinase C epsilon. It is an important regulator of some ion channels."

The amygdala was a very interesting area of the brain in most humanoids having areas dealing with orientation, sexuality, response to stimuli and more.
The fact he mentioned that he had certain problems already was a heads up.
She figured he would be working with the Counselor or counselors on board a lot more.

"What side effects have you had before from some of the drugs?"

"Weight gain, auditory hallucinations, lethargy, and sexual impotence." He said that last one quietly, as if someone else would overhear. "There were also signs that closely mimicked Intermittent Explosive Disorder. My doctors at the time said they could try and find other medical alternatives, I choose at the time to find alternative therapies and nothing has been explored since."

Allyndra made notes. She was sure there was all that information in there but she wanted to get things straight in her own mind. "Your serotonin levels, one of the main neruotransmitters associated with that area seem to be in the normal range. However..." she looked up. "Here let me show you this.."

She motioned for Beaumont to sit up and then pointed to a particular area of the scan display. It was her philosophy that patients would like to be more involved and educated rather than just be told.

"These are your kinase levels, specially the PRKC level. They seem to be lower then I would suspect. If you do not mind, I would like to keep an eye on those levels with a periodic check up and especially if you experience anything off, if you would agree."

"I agree."

"Thank you. Now do you have any questions for me?"

"There is a technique I've been using more of recently. A Vulcan technique called Wh'ltri. Have you heard of it?"

"Sorry no. There are many techniques and I must admit to being ignorant of many."

Nodding, he continued. "I've been told it uses a structure of the brain unique to Vulcans that allows the mind to disconnect the part that controls thoughts and the part that controls emotion. I gather it's what allows our thoughts to control emotions rather than emotions control our thoughts. It's difficult to explain exactly how I do it, but while I'm out of practice it seems to be like training any other reflex such as holding my breath. Are there any potential risks to doing this with my hybrid physiology? Vulcans have remarkably little information on it that is available for off planet access."

Allyndra simply shrugged. "I would have to research it. Right off hand, I would urge caution. You yourself have already noted that hybrid is just that and what might work for a pure Vulcan may not or even cause harm. I am afraid that is all I can offer right now..."

Her mind thought for a moment, "Perhaps later, when I can afford more time, I could and would like to monitor brain activity and neurotransmitter levels while you practice this technique. Would that be acceptable to you?"

He raised his rounded eyebrows in interest. "I would be very happy to do that!" Clearing his throat quietly at the excitement in his tone, he smiled warmly in apology. "I mean, when ever you have the time would be fine."

"Probably will have to be back when the ship is ready to go again," Allyndra shook her head, "why is it that when shore leave hits it always seems to be busier than when one duty? No, don't answer that. Anyway, good to go and look forward to working with you on board."


K'os beamed a goofy grin in reply.

[END]

Lt Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

&

PO3 K'os Beaumont
Matter / Energy Systems Specialist
USS Galileo

RSS Feed