Stepping into Bigger Shoes (Part 1 of 2)

Posted on 16 Aug 2016 @ 7:11pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen M.D.

1,788 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 12 - Recluse
Location: USS Galileo - CMO Office, Holodeck 2
Timeline: MD -05 Time 1100

ON:

Allyndra had just arrived in sickbay and headed toward the office. Another day, another shift and thankfully no one seriously injured from wrapping up getting the colonists settled.

Sickbay was quiet and she hoped Mott had enjoyed the time off from having to work so much. It was a funny thing that she did gamma and he did beta but the Bolian just never was much of a morning person. She did not see him in sickbay but figured he was in the office. As she popped into the office she was puzzled that he was not there. Well there was always the lab in the back and she headed there. The lab was empty as well, just the various analyzers going about a few routine tests.

"Computer where is Doctor Mott?"

[Doctor Mott is not on board the Galileo] came the familiar computer voice.

"Did he go to the colony"

[Location of Doctor Mott is not currently available] came the response.

That was odd but then he did odd things at times. Allyndra made a bit of face but headed back into the office and took a seat intending to catch up on medical files. There in the middle of desk was a PaDD and a rose. She was puzzled but picked up the PaDD.

"I know I should have said something," she read and could see his face and tone of voice as she read the words. "But I have been given an oppourtunity to head a research lab section back in Paris France! A golden oppourtunity but the shuttle schedule is such that I had to take the first one available. I have been honoured to be your colleague over this past years and wish you and the rest well.

Yours Olsam."

Allyndra reread the message several more times before setting it down. There was a bit of pit in her stomach but then her mind remembered that left a position open. She thought and thought and finally made up her mind but she would not be able to make the decision on her own.

=^=Allyndra to Captain Holiday=^=

[Captain Holiday is not on board] came the reply.

Allyndra puzzled that one as well. What the heck was going on, it seemed almost a conspiracy if they had both taken the same shuttle but then again maybe she was just being paranoid and he was off doing something else.

"Is the Admiral on board?" Allyndra querried. She was braced for hearing the not on board figuring that she had entered into some odd part of time and space and no one had told her.

[The Admiral is in her quarters]

Allyndra let out a breath she had not realized she was holding and then called =^=Admiral Saalm, Allyndra here. Could I bother you ma'am to discuss a personnel matter? Captain Holiday is not available.=^=

Lirha had retreated back to her private room for a quick meal and a change of clothes in light of her recent EVA expedition. She had just come out of the sonic shower when she heard her commadge chirping.

Dropping her towel down to the floor, she quickly walked over to the small device and gave it a tap. "This is Saalm," she answered. "I will be at my terminal in a short moment," she added before closing the channel.

The next couple minutes were spent drying herself off and changing into a fresh, crisp uniform, after which she sat down at her personal desk and tapped a key on her computer to bring the screen to life. She quickly initiated a comm-link to sickbay and waited for the doctor to appear in front of the screen.

Allyndra figeted which was not usual for her but she felt that odd loss, not romantic, for they had never been that, but close friends and to suddenly have to leave.

When Allyndra's familiar face appeared, Lirha politely nodded then proceeded to answer the previous questions as best she could answer. "What would you like to speak about, commander? I am afraid Captain Holliday is currently occupied."

"Not a problem Admiral," Allyndra replied being a bit more formal with the flag officer. "I have a note here from Olsam Mott which I am forwarding on." She sent a copy of the note. "It would appear that the research lab that he was working in France has the head of a lab position open and guess it took awhile to catch up with us. He took it but had to depart suddenly before it closed. Thus ma'am, I appear to be have an opening for Assistant Chief Medical Officer."

Lirha nodded unseen to the doctor over the audio-only channel. "Yes, I received the same note. It was a rather urgent matter, as best I could tell, and he left the vessel within hours of receiving his new assignment." The details still hadn't been made 100% clear to the rear admiral as to why his presence back on Earth had needed to be so immediate, but part of her got the impression that it was of a semi-personal nature.

"I would like to request someone that I already know Admiral but it is a bit unusual given that the experience is not fully there. I would like to nominate Tuula to be my new ACMO."

"Lieutenant Voutilainen?" came Lirha's reply with a bit of surprise in her light voice. "I...well..." Thoughts of the woman's unorthodox personal appearance and strange fixation with archaic medical instruments swirled through her mind.

"Yes," Allyndra knew it was unusual request. "I know she is a bit unusual and unorthodox but overall very good at what she can do. Also, it is important for continuity of care that we have established a good working relationship. A new person we have to find our footing."

A short silence ensued while Lirha thought more about the proposition in her head. "It is your staff, Miss Warraquim," she began. "I trust you feel she is capable of performing the duties of the job required of her?" If there were any concerns or things to bring up about the possible position promotion, now would be a good time, Lirha thought.

"I think a test is in order first. It is something that will be hard to deal with but if she can handle that then she should not have a problem. Call it a sort of Kobayashi maru for doctors. You are welcome to observe if you wish."

A test, Lirha thought to herself with initial approval. Not a bad idea, especially given the current circumstances. "I would," she confirmed, then began to ask more about what the doctor had in mind. "Is this a medical evaluation exam that I am familiar with, or is this more...unorthodox?"

"Oh definitely a bit more unorthodox but we are seeing what Tuula is made of. I will get things set up and inform you when we are ready Admiral."

"Very well, then," Lirha responded through the channel. "I hope it will be as inquisitive a test as you like. I look forward to your summons. Saalm out," the rear admiral said, then closed the comm link.


Day 39 Time 1600

Allyndra had sent out an invitation to the Admiral to come to Deck five and holodeck two. For Tuula there this was not an invite but a command request.

This was going to be a hard test but she was confident of the outcome.

She waited for the two to show.

The large holodeck doors swished open and Lirha stepped into the room where she took sight of the winged Akkadian amidst the black and yellow checkered pattern of the walls, floor, and ceiling. "Hello, commander. I am excited to see what you have prepared."

Allyndra nodded and then said, "Sickbay, ACMO test, Allyndra." The room changed and became a replica of the Galileo sickbay. There was only one bed occupied and it was obvious who the occupant was. She had pulled this from an earlier incident, but on the biobed was Jaana Voutilainen.

Outside the door, Tuula took a deep breath before rolling into the holodeck. She was wearing her uniform, but her hair and makeup were her usual style. The dark makeup around the eyes helped hide the fact that she had stayed up late the night before studying for this test.

This was a make or break moment for her. It was the final test before she completes her residency and became a full doctor. The rumours among her classmates at medical school were that this test was a hard one and that even the most talented doctors had to retake it multiple times.

For Tuula, she had been working so hard for so long to become a full doctor, and if she were to pass this test, her lifelong ambition would finally be realized. If she failed... well, she didn't want to think about that.

As she entered, though, she was surprised to see Lirha there, however the presence of the Orion admiral made her only more determined to pass this test with flying colours.

"Admiral," she said, nodding towards Lirha before turning to Allyndra. "I'm ready."

Lirha gave a small smile accompanied with a nod of acknowledgement to the wheeled woman who'd just rolled into the room. "I am just an observer, lieutenant. Pretend I am not here."

"The patient is all yours Doctor Voutilainen," Allyndra indicated.

"All right," replied Tuula as she confidently pushed herself towards the patient, sure that whatever exotic disease or life-threatening medical condition afflicted her, she could easily diagnose it. But as she got closer, she was shocked at who she had seen on the biobed in front of her.

"Jaana..." she whispered, looking down at the holographic representation of her sister, bruised and bloodied and gasping for air on the biobed. Even a holographic representation of her sister in pain was enough to provoke a torrent of emotions in Tuula. Sympathy, anger, frustration... For a moment, her eyes darted towards Allyndra. "But--"

[Patient has an aneurysm located on the descending aorta in the abdominal area........EMERGENCY!] The computer voice changed. [Aneurysm has burst].

"Get me a vascular regenerator!" shouted Tuula, towards her holographic nurse. "And 5 cc's of lectrazine, now!"

"Tuula..." gasped Jaana, reaching up with towards her sister and looking her in the eyes. "I..."

"It's all right, I'll take care of you, sis," replied Tuula, glancing over at the holographic nurse. "Where's that vascular regenerator!"

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

RADM Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

LCmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Lt. Tuula Voutilainen
Medical Officer
USS Galileo

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