Checking in

Posted on 30 Dec 2023 @ 5:12pm by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Serran
Edited on on 30 Dec 2023 @ 5:47pm

1,268 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 19 - Tomorrow's Galileo
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 3, Sickbay
Timeline: MD 01, 2200

[ON]

Aside from his cadet cruise Serran had only been on two other postings in his young career. He hoped for both he and his teenage son, he would be on the Galileo for a good long time. They both needed some stability.

Once more he was sitting in the waiting room alone. It was just a different type of waiting room. Just as he'd done the day before Theo had insisted on having his own appointment time. He'd been meeting the ship's doctor a good two hours after the Vulcan would be finished.

If he were human, he might have felt insulted Some emotions were difficult to keep under wraps being insulted or frustrated, were easy ones to deal with on the other hand.

"The doctor will be right here," a harried nurse said as he walked to the nurses' station

Allyndra checked on PaDD as it notified her that there was an appointment waiting. She got up and went to the door of the small office and smiled. The Galileo's sickbay was not very big, three biobeds comprised its main area. "Ah, Lieutenant Serran? I'm Allyndra the chief medical officer. Please come in if you would be so kind."

"That would be acceptable," he said as he followed her. He moved to a biobed but did not climb on waiting to hear from her before he moved further, "I am in good health," he told her.

"I imagine you are. They seldom send someone to serve on a ship that isn't. Before we get to the scan, please come to my office first." She indicated the small office that one could see through a window. "It is my policy to get to know new personnel that have come on board, answer any questions that might not have made it to the First Officer." She turned and started toward the office. "I am Allyndra illm Warraquim. I am Akkadian." Though he could see her back, she partially spread the long translucent wings. "Yes. I can fly. One rule I have here in sickbay is no ranks. The only time you might hear rank means something very serious is going on." She entered and took a seat behind the desk.

"Fascinating. I haven't encountered someone of your species before," the operations manager replied as he unconsciously ran a hand through his hair.

"Forgive me, I did not mean to stare, but as I said, I have not seen anyone like you before."

By the time they were through with the preliminary introductions, they were in her office.

"From my admittedly limited experience in such things, you're the only doctor I have encountered that starts their onboarding examinations like this. I'm not objecting, I'm just observing. When did you start this practice?"

"This is completely optional. Why do I do this? We are a small ship, I will see a lot of you either here, on the bridge, or elsewhere. It is inevitable that we will learn more about each other, but it can be difficult to integrate when one is new. Thus, drawing on one former profession as a counselor, I want to start bringing that barrier down as soon as possible. Hopefully, that answers your question. As for the former, stare and ask all you want." Allyndra chuckled.

"I am a pretty private person, I always have been, but am amenable to a little discussion, as long as it doesn't go too deep. I can tell you this much, I am a medic. You may be fully staffed, but if there is ever an emergency, I thought you'd like to know."

"Good to know. I will make note of that." Allyndra decided to open up a little. "As for me, one of my favourite things to do is water dancing. One uses one's wings to just stand on a body of water and dance. We call it the balance of wind and wave. A gust or a wave can overbalance you. If you are interested, I would be happy to show you sometime."

"Since I have never seen someone with wings before, I find the concept a fascinating one. Where would you perform this exercise? I am assuming the holodeck."

"Sometimes, mostly. There is a small arboretum that has a small body of water. Of course, there are no waves or breeze so not as much challenge. Anything you would like to share, or would you just like to check in? As I said, this is completely optional."

"Nothing medical," he replied. "On a personal note, I have a son I'm proud of, I have an aquarium, and I probably spend more time working than I should. Oh, and I'm single. Not sure if I'm looking for someone or not."

"Ah, I wouldn't mind seeing that aquarium. Things in the sea in my home world are mostly dangerous, besides we don't swim well. The wings absorb water. I am sure I will meet your son sooner or later. I think I have him down as needing a check-in also." Allyndra didn't want to push further. "Very well, I appreciate having this talk, unless there is something more you wish to ask?"

"I would be agreeable to you seeing my aquarium. It has eighteen different species from various planets. None of them are dangerous by the way."

"I have no doubt you will meet Theo, he is a good person most of the time, though he is something of a risk-taker. He's not a Vulcan and I adopted him, but I love him as if he were my biological child."

"I have no children myself. I've always wondered, but it is most likely never to be at this point."

"It can be a challenge and a stretch not to react emotionally. Sometimes, it is even a frustrating experience when you and your child are so different. At the same time, it can be quite rewarding."

"There is always a possibility. I certainly was not planning on having children. Then circumstance intervened and I didn't really have a choice, because it was in Theo's best interests that I adopt him."

"I am happy for you." She didn't want to go further. It reminded her of her long-lost husband and children. "Shall we get you scanned in?"

Serran had been about to say something more but picked up the doctor's reluctance, so he decided not to push any further.
"Yes, please I would like this completed. I believe our time together has been valuable, but I do have duties I need to do and a supper that will no doubt be waiting for me."

"If you would pick one of the beds. We will get started. Is there anything medically that might be new before the last update on your record?"

"None that I am aware of," the Vulcan said as he picked the closest bed to him and sat on it. Would you like me to lay down?" he asked.

"If you would. I prefer a deeper scan than a simple handheld can provide." She waited and then got things going. "There we go. You are all finished. I will officially sign you off as fit for duty. When there is more time, I'll contact you and show you some water dancing."

"I knew there were no issues," Serran said as he sat up, "and your invitation is a welcome one."

"Very good I look forward to meeting your son also."

[OFF]

--

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

LTJG Serran
Operations Manager
USS Galileo-A

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