Check up and check in

Posted on 09 Oct 2023 @ 2:29am by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Montgomery Vala
Edited on on 10 Oct 2023 @ 4:56pm

1,686 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 3, Sickbay
Timeline: MD 18, Time 0830

ON:

The ship was scheduled to head back out on a systems check soon enough, and Allyndra was going through the various logs, making sure everything was ready. One PaDD held a priority, and she picked it up. Reading out loud, "New personnel assigned to USS Galileo. She glanced it over, and it was interesting.

She pressed her communicator. "Lieutenant Vala, Commander Allyndra, when you can, please report to sickbay for medical check-in." She wasn't sure if Commander Blake would get him first or not as the first officer; she was in overall charge of personnel.

Vala was reading in his quarters as the message came through. He tapped his combadge in response as he stood up. "Acknowledged." Medical checks were not his favourite activity. He had spent several large swathes of time in health facilities, and been tended to by enough doctors and nurses for a lifetime. Still, it was protocol, and getting to know the Chief Medical Officer couldn't hurt given his fairly abysmal recent record.

He put the PADD he had been reading from on his desk as he left his quarters - Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. A story of another crew of a different time exploring the abyss, a cautionary tale about the consequences of obsession with vengeance. Something to learn from no doubt.

Vala proceeded towards sickbay, but not before consulting a map or two on the way. He was still used to the utilitarian layout of the Asgard. In the end he only took a few wrong turns on the way. About ten minutes after the original message, he walked into sickbay, "Lieutenant Vala reporting."

Allyndra heard and called out from the office, "Back here in the office, please." She waited. This was her routine when there was a completely new person on board. She wanted to get to know the person, not just a quick do this, scan this and out.

Vala walked though the medbay, his eyes wandering over the tools of the doctors trade. He really had spent enough time in places like this for a lifetime. He entered the office at the back of the room and awkwardly repeated himself. "Lieutenant Vala, ma'am. Reporting in."

"Allyndra. I grew up with enough formality to last a lifetime." She indicated a seat. "We'll get to your scans for official purposes, but it has always been my policy to get to know people both whom I will serve with and who may become my patients." She paused. "That is if you don't mind. It's not mandatory."

His stance immediately relaxed. "That is not a problem at all." Despite being a bit of a stoic individual, Vala did not particularly enjoy standing on ceremony. "I tend to err on the side of caution. You never know..." He trailed off as he sat down in the proferred seat. "I'm Montgomery. It is good to become acquainted with you."

"And you, Montgomery. So let me start, and feel free to ask questions. I'm Allyndra illm Warraquim. Though most use the later as a surname it is actually my Guild affiliation on my world. It means the knowledge keepers. I'm Akkadian, and yes, you may not know them. There is only a handful of us off-world. We are not a part of the Federation, but currently allied with them. As for myself, I'm a widow, my husband perished many decades ago." She stood for a moment and partially opened the four long translucent wings. "We fly, and one of my passions," she retook her seat, "Is something we call water dancing. One uses one's wings to hover such that your feet barely touch the water and then dance. Perhaps, if you are interested, I can demonstrate sometime. I do cooking, specializing in Earth French Haute cuisine. Again, perhaps if you are interested. Now tell me something about yourself."

Vala looked on curiously. He had not met or even heard of Akkadians before. Flying sounded... exhilirating. "Well thank you for the offer. I think I would be fascinated to see water dancing if you are willing to share. It sounds beautiful." He adjusted himself slightly in his seat. "And I confess I know little about Earth food myself, I will happily accept any offer to learn more. I appreciate your hospitality." He gave a small smile.

"Honestly I am often consumed by my work. I am from the Star Empire originally. Romulan I should say. But some... uhm... bad times..." Putting it lightly. "Led to my exile." Vala adjusted his collar a little before continuing. "I have made the Federation my home since. I enjoy playing board games - Khariat in particular, if you have heard of it? It is Romulan. Human chess, Vulcan Kal-toh... many others. I have also come to enjoy Earth literature, which I read and like to experience in the holodeck." He had yet to investigate what sort of facilities the Galilieo had in that regard. "Yes, and my work is also my hobby. I have many small projects that I usually like to work on in the lab. Though I have yet to visit my station."

"Ah well, I won't keep you then. I am happy that you have shared. I like learning new things, and adventures on the holodeck is a passion of mine also. Perhaps at some other time. One last thing," Allyndra stood, "As we go to get your scan you can share with me some of the projects that you hope to work on. Besides, being the medical officer, I'm second in command and I wish to encourage our science part."

"Oh I do not mean to rush you, only that it has been very busy since arriving. I am sure I can visit the labs once we are done here." Vala stood and waited to follow Allyndra. "I am grateful for the offer of support. I understand we will have a mission assignment in the coming days, so hopefully some aspect of that will suit my capabilities." He was looking forward to doing something practical after years immersed in the theoretical. "On the long journey here I completed a paper on the properties of hyper-magnetised Gallicite. My hope is to find some practical applications for the research here." He made a mental note to have a conversation with an engineer in the next few days. "Other than that I will hold out hope we see some interesting or anomolous particles, fields or quantum anomolies as that is my real field of expertise."

"It sounds fascinating. If you don't mind, perhaps later you might wish to share. I could make up some dinner."

"Oh." Vala was a little taken aback by the invitation. People were not normally so clear and direct with him. "Y-yes that would be very pleasant. Very kind of you." He gave a genuine smile. "Just let me know when is most convenient."

"Well you probably have several other stops along the way and most likely will want to check out your station. Shall we say sixty hours from now? It gives me time to prepare something and be ready for my Bridge shift." She laughed lightly in that musical way she had. "I play doctor during alpha, then second officer during gamma. I would guess the first officer might assign you to a bridge shift periodically. I think she likes to rotate people so they get a feel for it."

He did a mental calculation. Two and a half days. "Of course, that would be wonderful. I will look forward to it." Having some plans for the next few days immediately made him feel lighter. The future was a great mystery at the present time as he had yet to recieve any assignments. "I am meeting Commander Blake later today so perhaps I shall have a clearer picture of my schedule after that. I would imagine I will find myself predominately in the labs but I always enjoy the opportunity to be at the heart of things on the bridge."

"Nonetheless, expect to be called to bridge duty periodically. I want all officers to have a chance there. We've been short-handed in the past, and thus there are chances you might find yourself there under trying circumstances." She chuckled in that musical way she had. "I believe for a short time, we also had a Petty Officer in your department not only at science but in the command chair. So expect the unexpected." She pointed with her chin. "The biobed there if you do not mind. Any other questions while we get this done?"

"I have learned to live by that mantra." Expect the unexpected should be the Federation's motto, he mused. He moved to the biobed and sat on it. "Do you have any advice for a new officer coming aboard? Its a small ship, I imagine everyone must know everyone well. I will undoubtably stand out a little."

"Be yourself, be honest and you'll manage to fit in. Like any other group, some have ones they are more friendly with and others they may not know very well. It's the way things go. If you wish you can always come talk to me."

"I appreciate that, and thank you for your insights." Vala gave a small smile as he shifted to lie down on the biobed.

Allyndra got the scan going and looked at the results compared to the record on the PaDD. "I don't see anything new , so I am officially signing off. You're free to go. I'll contact later to see if you have the time for dinner."

Vala sat up and smiled at Allyndra. "Thank you for the welcome." He stood up and gestured to the biobed. "And the checkup. I'm glad I haven't picked up anything unusual on my journey here." Straightening up a little, he gave a respectful nod. "I will look forward to seeing you soon." He made to leave.

"Hopefully."

OFF:

--

Lieutenant (JG) Montgomery Vala
Deputy Science Officer
USS Galileo -A

Cmndr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical and Second Officer
USS Galileo-A

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