Release

Posted on 17 Oct 2014 @ 9:14pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Pieter Van Zyl Ph.D.

874 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3, Sickbay
Timeline: MD: -25, 0800 hours

ON:

Still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, almost an hour after coming on duty, Naois approached the one still isolated patient in main sickbay. With a single flick of a finger, he switched off the forcefield. "How are we feeling this morning Mister Van Zyl?" he asked, his eyes all but glued to the PADD he had in his hand.

Pieter had been laying back on the biobed for the better part of an hour before the doctor approached and it was only the buzzing against his wrist that alerted him to the man's presence, which was further evidence that he really needed to get out of there.

Opening his green eyes, he sat up slowly, feeling a dull ache in his back. "Fine," Pieter simply replied, not wanting to get into a bigger discussion of just how annoyed he was.

"You do not look fine," the half-Vulcan doctor countered, while approaching the bed and opening the tricorder he picked up from a nearby tray. "I will take a quick scan, and determine whether you are cleared to leave sickbay. Please hold still."

Pieter made a face, feeling like a five year old being fussed over by his mother. He tried to keep as still as possible but, with the added anxiety and restlessness adding his bad mood, he knew he was failing.

"You are displaying signs of distress," Naois supplied as he closed the tricorder. Unconsciously, he was slipping into counselor mode which really was a habit he was trying hard to unlearn. "You are quite probably going to be cleared for duty, once the computer compiles the results of my scan. "Are you claustrophobic?"

"No," Pieter said. "I just don't like having nothing to do for long periods of time." It was definitely a relief that he was going to be cleared.

"I believe that can be said for most crewmembers," Naois responded while making a note on his PADD. "You airways are functioning conform Human standards," he continued, "though I strongly suggest you keep taking whatever medication you use for the next day or two just to be safe. If you experience any further issue, you are to return to sickbay immediately, is that understood?"

Pieter nodded in agreement, watching the man tapping away. Fidgeting slightly, he thought to shoot two birds with one stone.

"Doctor? Would you mind taking a more in-depth scan? I'm supposed to report for a six month check-up for my condition in the next few weeks but, if it's possible, maybe we could get it over with now."

It would be his first check-up on the Galileo since he'd arrived. Although he'd lived with it for as long as he could remember, there was always a lingering unease as his check-ups neared. What if the medication isn't working anymore? What if there's more damage? What if it's my eyesight next?

Naois nodded in affirmative. "We can do that," he confirmed, "please lay back down and lay as still as possible while I take my readings. Beyond this current incident, have you had any recent illnesses, or other allergic incidents?"

"I did have a few break outs of urticaria," Pieter admitted, the sensory memory making his arm itch suddenly but he resisted reacting to it. "But that's normal, considering I work in the Botany lab."

"We can adjust your medication so that you won't be troubled by that anymore," Naois offered, his eyes never wavering from the screen. "Just a minute or two more, remain still. Are your medications still working for you?"

"As far as I can tell," Pieter said. He tried to keep himself as healthy as possible, adhering to a strict schedule regarding his sleeping, eating and exercise habits. He checked his eyesight weekly in case another cranial nerve got attacked but he hadn't felt anything off. It was all he could do, besides check in with his physician every six months. Finishing the sentence, he lowered his arms and tried to remain still.

"So far, you seem healthy, in terms of a man of your age and in your condition," Naois spoke carefully. "There is no progression of your illness that I can detect. How do you feel, physically? Current situation aside."

Pieter shrugged (as much as possible, given his lying position), thinking back on the last few weeks. "I feel alright. Having some lower back pain, but I spend a lot of time sitting or on my feet most of the day."

"Then perhaps you should regulate that by sitting down more often," Naois responded, flipping closed his tricorder. "You are cleared for duty, but as I said before, come back if you feel your medications are no longer sufficient or if you feel ill in any fashion."

Pieter nodded, happy to finally be out. Sitting up once the scanner was pulled away, he swung his legs over the side. "I'll do that. Thank you, doctor."

"No need to thank me." Naois waved his hand in dismissal, already busy updating his patient's medical records.

Pieter rolled his eyes to himself. Vulcans.

[OFF]

PO1 Pieter Van Zyl
Botanist
USS Galileo
[PNPC Idris]

Lt j.g. Naois Mercy, PhD
Medical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC T'Vanna]

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