All Hands on Deck (Part 4 of 9)

Posted on 03 Mar 2015 @ 7:41pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen M.D. & EMH Mark X-C "Shirley" & EBH Mark I "Raven" & Lieutenant Olsam Mott & Lieutenant Prudence Devin Ph.D. & Lieutenant JG Drusilla McCarthy & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alexion Wylde

3,489 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3, Sickbay
Timeline: MD 44 - 0923 hrs

Previously, on All Hands on Deck (Part 3)...

"Yes, she is. With a unique crew, as well." Of course, there were varying interpretations of the term 'unique', but for all intents and purposes, Lirha was paying the ship's dedicated workforce a compliment of sorts. "Very well, lieutenant. Carry on," she said before giving Rice a grin and turning on her heels to march towards sickbay with Holliday, Blake, Quinn, and the new yeoman in tow.

Aria breathed a sigh of relief when the inspection group left before turning to look at Wyatt. "Next time, can we gag like every single one of us? Might cause us less heat," she said before moving to the desk, sitting down and bringing up the reports. She might as well get some work done, even if she was wearing the finest uniform that Starfleet could issue.

And Now, the Continuation...

[ON]

Deck 3 - Sickbay

Returning to sickbay with the rest of the medical staff, Tuula took a quick look around. Everything seemed to be in order, but there were two staff members missing, and the orders were very clear -- that all staff were to be present. "Computer, activate Shir-- the EMH."

A few moments later the holographic physican emerged with her usual activation routine - the hum of the holoemitters followed by the fizzle of her photonic matrix forming, and the usually chirpy EMH greeting.

"Please state the nature of the medical emergency."

"No emergency, just some dumb inspection," replied Tuula in a not-so-serious tone. "The Admiral -- yes, they actually promoted her -- wants to see the whole ship for some reason. I don't know why, it's not like we did any major renovations in here since the last time she was down here. Probably just one of those traditions that stuffy flag officers uphold. But she wants all crew at our stations, and that includes you, Shirley."

The hologram winced at the name the organics had given her program. Taking a moment to gather her thoughts the hologram turned to see the rest of the medical team gathering.

"Very well. Honestly one sex change upgrade and everyone thinks they can give ME a name."

With the EMH active, Tuula turned to the next member of the department who needed to be activated. While it may have been a stretch to consider a babysitter part of the medical department, she didn't exactly fit in anywhere else, and the powers that be thought that it would be best for her to stay close to Tuula for the time being, while she gets used to her program so her personality matrix can be tested. "Computer, activate Emergency Babysitting Hologram."

Again, a photonic matrix formed in the holodeck, but this time of a young woman whose style was distinctly influenced by Tuula's off-duty wear. Tuula smiled a bit; she loved how the black and purple of her hair and makeup matched her outfit, and the piercings just accentuated the metal studs on her collar perfectly.

"Please state the nature of the babysitting..." Raven paused and brought a finger to her chin. "We still need to change that, huh?"

Allyndra nodded to Tuula glad she had gotten the non-biological staff activated. However, though strictly speaking, the EBH named Raven was not exactly medical probably err on the cautious side however her attire would not do for a formal inspection.

"Raven," Allyndra was still getting used to the name. "Please reformulate attire to match civilian formal please. While this," she waved a hand at the outfit, "might be alright for attending younglings, unfortunately we have a formal inspection. I hope you will understand."

Allyndra figured to try to reason with the programme and she had long given up on the hair and piercings. As Tuula had pointed out there were a myrid of different races and types and heck....she had finally decided that Raven's piercings were to her the same as the earrings of a Bajoran.

Raven sighed. She liked her default outfit. "Awwww, do I have to?"

"Why don't you try out one of your other avatars?" replied Tuula, sympathetic to Raven's plight, but not wanting to do anything to incur the wrath of the admiral again. "I know, it's silly, but we have a big inspection right away. How about the Orion one?"

"Oooooh, I haven't tried that one yet," replied the EBH in a playful tone. She closed her eyes for a moment as he matrix shimmered and reformulated itself into that of a dark-haired, green-skinned Orion woman.

"Hehe, I'm green," she said, giggling as she looked down at her arms.

Allydnra felt like she was in quicksand working with these two. They were going to suck her down. "Tuula are you trying to deliberately stick the Admiral in the eye? Alright, I give up, just make sure your in formal civilian please. I think after this is over I am going to let all medical staff have at the replicators with real alcohol. I know I could use a good strong drink."

"What, I think she'll like it," replied Tuula, surprised at Allyndra's reaction. "It shows off the diversity of her various avatars, including species from around the quadrant. And, it shows that we were thinking ahead about any possible childcare needs that she might have."

"Yeah, and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," chimed in Raven.

"Though, I suppose I could go for some Bolian rum..." added Tuula.

Prudence watched the exchange with a slight frown. Like children. They were actually acting like children. How was the hologram supposed to take care of children when it reacted like a child? That was the worst idea she had yet come across on this ship. She had to physically turn away and move to a more quiet spot of the small sickbay before she said anything. She knew that the CMO was there; the woman's appearance was quite striking, so she had remembered her from the file. So really, not Prudence's problem. But standing there, in the same space, it was difficult for her. She glanced over at Dru and West, giving them both a small smile, forcing the frown off her face. Neutral. She had to remain neutral.

As Dru watching her chief, she wondered if everything was ok. She didn't seem as relaxed as normal...But who was she kidding, she was standing there analyzing others when she herself was hiding secrets. Instead, she moved over to stand shoulder to shoulder with Prudence, safety in numbers is how it was suppose to go anyway.

"Raven." The EMH interjected - looking across at what could be identified as her daughter program

"If you are going to be based on my matrix at least behave with a little decorum, hmm?"

The hologram's piercing eyes looked across at her counterpart. The capabilities of the doctor's holo matrix were well understood and documented widely within Starfleet medical - the fact that she was attempting to embarrass her holographic mother of sorts was something wholly unexpected by the EMH

"You don't see me fiddling with my matrix and visual subroutines now do you?"

Raven opened her mouth to say something, but before any sound could come out, she was interrupted. "Don't listen to her, Raven!" exclaimed Tuula. She shot the EMH a dirty look. "I think you're great just as you are. And if people don't like it," she said, pausing to glare at the EMH once more, "that's their problem. Right, Shirley?"

"Hmph." The hologram replied - thoroughly unimpressed with the response from the organics. Her subroutines contained specific datafiles on the correct uniform and behavioural requirements for a hologram in service to a Federation starship. Knowing that another program was using her matrix in such an unexpected way gave the hologram a moment of indignation.

"If people don't like it, perhaps there is a good reason why. Impersonating an Admiral even by flattery isn't exactly how I would think to behave."

"Well, I think she'll like it," shot back Tuula, coming to the defence of Raven yet again. "Besides, if she was using her Bolian avatar, would we be accusing her of impersonating Dr. Mott?"

Had the EMH the same nervous system as her orgnaic counterparts she surely would have shuddered at the idea of having more than one blue demon on board - just having the one Mott was enough to cause a fatal memory cascade issue withi her program.

"Fine. The decision is all yours. I just thought having the most advanced piece of holoengineering in Starfleet aboard the ship would mean a little wisdom would be heeded! Now if you'll excuse me I have some bacterial cultures to examine."

With a 'hmph' of indignation the hologram turned on her heels and marched into the laboratory space at the rear of the ship's Sickbay, intent on either brooding into a petri dish, or sulking in the holoemitters.

Allyndra needed to double check that all the records were up to date though she had gone over everything at least three times. She left well enough alone for now between the exchange but an idea crept into her head.

"Actually," she intercepted the EMH and looked over the the EBH. "I have a thought. "Raven, perhaps we can demonstrate your different avatars to show how we have tried to fit you to the situation at hand. Doctor," she placed a hand on the EMH's shoulder and refrained from the nickname. "We can demonstrate the medical knowledge by having you ask certain questions of Raven and her responding. I think it would make a most impressive display of the work we have done."

The holographic doctor shrugged her shoulders for a moment before turning back around to face the gathered group.

"Very well. I agree. But please don't call me Shirley in front of the Admiral."

Allydnra nodded "Agreed doctor," and then looked pointedly at Raven and Tuula. It was the kind of look the Guild Mother would give which meant that there was only one acceptable answer.

"Yes, Shirley," replied both Tuula and Raven in unison.

That was it Allyndra decided. She mostly let things be nice but this was important this time around. She rounded on the two and in a tone that said do not argue. "You will from now and until I give permission refer to our EMH as Doctor or The EMH. That is an order, do you get me?"

"Yes, ma'am," they both replied in a tone that was not disrespectful, but less than enthusiastic. Who ever heard of a doctor without a name?

Clearing her throat, Dru looked over at the Doctor's whom she was starting to worry about. The behavior being shown really wasn't been shown at an appropriate time. She could understand that people needed to unwind and have some fun but there was a time and a place and appropriate people to do it infront of. None of those requirements were being met right now. "Word has just filtered through that they are with security now which means medical is next..."

Prudence nodded in acknowledgement of Dru's words. "So best behaviour," she said and looked at the other counsellors. She was lucky. Her team were...focused. Professional in the moment, understanding the importance of this inspection. But at least the Chief Medical Officer had put her foot down, because the back and forth between the two holograms and the female doctor truly could have gone on for another half an hour.

The EMH looked across at her counterparts in the department before catching a glimpse of herself in the reflection from a nearby console, it seemed that her recent photonic tantrum had left a few of her usually pristine red hairs out of place. Quickly she refreshed her holomatrix and flickered for a moment before her original appearance restored itself, much better suited to a meeting with an Admiral.

"Do I look...acceptable...to organic standards?"

"Yes doctor," Allyndra replied. "Now let's get lined up please everyone." She said that in a tone that was meant to be nice but just as much with a bit of bite to it. She was surprised that Mott had not gotten into the fray. The friction between her Assistant Chief and the EMH was already legendary around the ship.

Dr. Alexion Wylde moved up at the instruction to get in line, having held back and sorted through the files of borg reversal cases he'd been working on, and in some cases still was, in case it came up. He'd left the others to playing with the EBH, concentrating on his files rather than getting involved. Instead, he walked silently to his place in the line at Allyndra's word, standing straight and ready.

Olsam shot through the doors of Sickbay, wheezing heavily and covered in crumbs. He'd only eaten an early breakfast, so he'd been starving through the entire ordeal in the corridor waiting for the admiral to come on board. His stomach had even started growling, drawing stares from the crewman standing around him. He'd guessed he had enough time to run to his quarters, replicate something to eat, inhale it, and then get to Sickbay ahead of the admiral and her entourage. It had been the first time he'd run since 2376, but he made it. Barely.

Naois had held himself to the side, and had stayed out of the EBH appearance discussion. He didn't really care how the hologram looked, as long as she functioned according to her programmed parameters. As instructed, he too moved into line. Casually, he flicked a few remaining crumbs from Olsam's uniform and arched a single eyebrow at him in silent question.

Finally it appeared everyone was in order and Allyndra hoped that the whole thing would stay calm. All they needed now was for the incubator to go down in the lab or some glitch in the holomatrix emitters scrambling the two entities currently sharing them or some other thing. A discreet beep on her badge indicated the party was on their way here.

She waited until the sickbay doors opened and then called, "Attention!"

With a soft swish of the sickbay double-doors, Lirha and her command group entered Galileo's medical bay and came to a halt several steps inside the room. The rear-admiral squinted slightly and looked around the compact room, her eyes darting from biobed to biobed, to the surgical table, to the office, and finally to the assembled line of blue-collared medical personnel. The room itself seemed brighter than she remembered, but it had its same distinctive sterile smell which she supposed was a good sign.

Lirha's attention then turned towards the sickbay staff, of which there were many. More than she had remembered since the ship had been put into port over a month ago. She slowly walked down the line, first nodding politely to Allyndra and then suddenly stopping in front of the large Bolian who stood next to the commander and was breathing heavily.

"Lieutenant Mott...why are you sweating?" she asked with a frown and an inquisitive tilt of her head. She reached out with a green hand and dusted off what appeared to be food particles from the shoulder pad of his dress jacket.

Olsam had never really done well under the direct questioning of flag officers; in fact, he'd once burst into tears during a court martial where he was called upon as an expert witness on behalf of the prosecution. It was a very clear, direct case of cold-blooded murder, but it was the way the defense's representation asked him the questions that unnerved him so much. So, his first instinct was not a correct one, to shoot back a question of his own and ask her why she was sweating so much. But she wasn't sweating, so he had to go with a different tactic and just answer the question:

"Well, sir, my autonomic nervous system is trying to achieve homeostasis through temperature regulation, prompting eccrine sweat glands to produce a primary secretion from interstitial spaces in the dermis. That secretion is moving up through a tubule into the subdermis and appearing on the skin, where it evaporates and helps cool the body. Although in all fairness, since I'm under questioning now, this could be a reaction to the increased levels of epinephrine and activity in the sympathetic nervous system, sometimes called-"

"Lieutenant," Lirha said forcefully while holding up a hand to attempt to cease his literal explanation of the sweat process. "I understand the biological process behind it." She began to rephrase the question in her head, but then paused and finally shook her head while letting out an exasperated sigh. "Forget it. I trust, in the future, you will be more composed in front of your patients than you are in front of me?" He wasn't exactly inspiring a lot of confidence in her at the moment.

Olsam cut his eyes to look at Allyndra. It seemed like there was a right and wrong response, but he wasn't sure about either of them. He didn't think he was uncomposed. Since when did naturally occurring biological processes interfere with one's dress uniform? More importantly, it didn't even matter. He was a doctor, not a doorman. His value and expertise to the ship lay in saving lives, not looking pretty when someone demanded it.

"A disheveled uniform or a little sweat has never interfered with my ability to competently treat patients, here or elsewhere. I rely on my skill, training, and devotion to the principles of the Federation and Starfleet Medical," Olsam replied. His voice was even, reflective, free of defiance, as if he was just recalling fact. Being a doctor in Starfleet was a fine line between the rigors of being an officer and focusing on your work; they were often at cross purposes in one way or another, and you were faced with a choice. In such instances, he generally sided with the less formal choice, not out of disrespect for discipline but more out of efficiently serving a higher calling. Eventually, he smiled a little. "But I will work to be more presentable for official inspections, of course, Admiral."

"Yes, that would be prudent. Not only for inspections, of course, but for daily duties. Hopefully I do not need to remind you, as a Starfleet officer, of the importance of professional appearance while wearing the uniform?" she replied with searching green eyes. The Bolian's somewhat casual initial dismissal of her concerns didn't sit too well with her, and she hoped it was not a sign of potential duty neglect.

Olsam looked down at his uniform, beginning to wonder just exactly what the problem was, and spotted a bread crumb clinging tenaciously to the piping on his jacket. He pursed his lips and directed a puff of air toward it, sending it falling to the floor. He opened his mouth to explain but heard someone down the line clear their throat, probably Tuula. Something about the sound of it made him rethink the explanation; after all, the longer he stood there trying to explain himself the more opportunity it gave Shirley to say something really dumb and embarrass all of them. "Of course not, Admiral. I remember. I will endeavor to better uphold and represent the high standards of the Galileo in both appearance and duty, sir."

Pleased with Mott's answer, Lirha smiled and nodded in agreement. "Very good, Mister Mott. Carry on, then," she replied rather simply.

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

RADM Lirha Saalm
Mission Advisor
USS Galileo

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant JG Wakeham Paul Alasia
Diplomatic Officer
USS Galileo

Petty Officer 2nd Class Rebecca Williams
Commanding Officer's Yeoman
USS Galileo

Lieutenant JG Drusilla McCarthy
Assistant Chief Counsellor
USS Galileo

Ensign Jaana Voutilainen
Stellar Cartographer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (J.G.) Tuula Voutilainen M.D.
Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Asahi Kita
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

Chief Petty Officer Lyras Ueda
Diplomatic Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC - Kita]

Chief Petty Officer Pax-Inyo
Masyer-at-Arms
USS Galileo

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo

CN Ash Rowe
Support Craft Pilot
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

Father Ethan Walker
Ship's Chaplain
USS Galileo

LCMDR Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Oren Idris, Ph.D.
Archaeologist/Anthropologist
USS Galileo

PO1 Pieter Van Zyl
Botanist
USS Galileo
[PNPC by Idris]

Lieutenant Commander Andreus Kohl
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

CMCPO Markum Quinn
Chief of the Boat
USS Gallileo

Lt. Jared Nicholas
Language Specialist
USS Galileo

Jonah Chaparral
Epidemiologist
PNPC Jared Nicholas
USS Galileo

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