Problematic Positrons

Posted on 13 Dec 2023 @ 1:23am by EMH Mark X-C "Shirley" & Lieutenant JG Zara Ghemora

3,225 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 19 - Tomorrow's Galileo
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 5, Holodeck 2
Timeline: MD 02, 1427 hrs

[ON]

POP!

Ghemora let out a sharp groan as she released her grasp of the holographic opponent, followed quickly by calling out, "Computer! Deactivate Program!" The male opponent she'd been facing blinked away before the rest of the room faded around her, leaving her sitting on the unremarkable floor of the holodeck, clutching her left elbow.

Dressed in a rash guard and shorts emblazoned with the Starfleet insignia, the Cardassian used her teeth to free her right hand from the glove she was wearing with a sharp shake before carefully working on removing the glove on her left hand. Accustomed to minor gashes and bruises, which she usually handled with a dermal regenerator kept in her gym bag, the Security Deputy could feel she'd pushed herself a little too hard this time and done something she couldn't treat herself.

For a moment she considered heading down to sickbay to get treatment from whoever was on duty, but knew she wouldn't have good answers to the questions that would come with such. Ghemora had already been using her duty shifts and responsibilities to excuse herself from the captain's mandated 'Group PT' by fulfilling requirements via private sessions she logged, but was sure Tarin wouldn't appreciate one of her people getting injured as a result of what was supposed to be 'fitness training'.

Sucking in and grunting out a breath as she got herself up to her feet, still holding her left elbow, she looked around at the space she found herself in and was suddenly struck with an idea. Eyes glancing back and forth a moment, Ghemora's voice was uncertain when she requested, "Computer, activate EMH. Non-Emergency Protocols." Waiting for confirmation, the Cardassian was clearly uneasy as she tried to think of how she was going to take a computer program to keep this quiet.

A holographic shimmer manifested within the holodeck no further than several meters from the junior lieutenant. Shirley - the EMH Mark X-C - quickly materialized then glanced around the holodeck bay which only seemingly contained one Starfleet officer. The soft-skinned, ginger-haired emergency medical hologram recited her usual introductory phrase. "Please state the nature of the medical emergency."

"I said..," Ghemora started before just letting out a sigh in defeat, knowing she should have expected the computer to not understand seemingly simple instructions. Turning her attention to the EMH, the Cardassian studied it for a moment in apparent suspicion before commenting, "That's not an appearance I've seen before," instead of answering the A.I.'s question.

Shirley closed the distance between herself and the unfamiliar officer in distress, only having basic understanding of the woman's comment. "I'm Galileo's emergency medical hologram, but you may call me Shirley," she sternly replied to Ghemora with an aura of subdued attitude. "Have you injured yourself participating in unsanctioned security training programs? Or perhaps you're simply bored and wish to speak to me while faking an injury? I have dealt with both scenarios before."

For the briefest of moments, the Cardassian became incredibly still, forgetting completely the pain in her elbow, and just staring through the hologram with her faintly reptilian eyes. Her mouth fell open for a slight moment before she snapped it shut and turned her gaze away to break the moment. She muttered, "...Must not have been programmed with bedside manner," before turning back to address the hologram.

"It is neither of those scenarios. I was participating in an approved Starfleet physical training exercise and injured my left elbow in an undetermined way. I have pain radiating from the joint to my extremities and some mild tingling in my fingertips. I'm sure a scan would be more informative, Shirley, than assuming something improper." If the hologram was going to be cold, Ghemora saw no reason to not respond in kind.

The EMH huffed ever-so-discernibly at the security officer. "Very well. Please hold still," she instructed, reaching to the medical tricorder holstered to her uniform's waist. Shirley unfolded the medical instrument then retrieved the small scanning probe from its receptacle while maneuvering to the Cardassian's affected side. Slowly and methodically, she moved the whirring device up and down across her patient's forearm, elbow, and upper bicep while reviewing the information being displayed on the tricorder's LCARS screen.

Watching the hologram, Ghemora couldn't help her curiosity as she asked, "Shirley, you don't need to actually use that?" in regards to the photonic tricorder while seemingly not expecting an answer. Allowing Shirley to do her scan, the Cardassian was doing her best to not move, both to not interrupt the EMH but also to not wince at the pain that shot down her arm with every small movement.

Shirley didn't respond to the junior lieutenant's comment and instead finished her scans with programmed haste and efficiency. Closing the tricorder, her green eyes snapped to the Cardassian's with a definitive diagnosis. "You've ruptured your ulnar collateral ligament. If this had occurred three-hundred years ago, it would require surgery and an eight-month recovery period." She chuffed then smiled with pride at her knowledge and medical skill set. "Fortunately, I can repair the damage with a non-invasive procedure in approximately one hour. Shall I meet you in sickbay?"

Giving the EMH a curious look, Ghemora pondered a moment before asking, "If the tricorder is just a hologram, yet you were able to facilitate its function in the space thanks to the technology installed within this room, why is it necessary to travel to sickbay to do the repair? Couldn't you do the same here, instead? If I had known your capabilities or inefficiencies would have been an issue, I would have made my way to sickbay instead…" Unsure how Shirley would react to the flippant comments, the Cardassian watched and waited, wondering just how 'real' they had programmed this new model.

'Your inefficiencies', registered the EMH who raised her chin with pride at her original programming and subsequent upgrades. "This tricorder is not a photonic projection, like myself. It is a functioning matter conversion replication, similar to the barbaric swords, firearms and phasers many of this crew create to indulge with in their spare time. Crew like you." A smug and judgemental expression spread across her holographic features. "I am fully capable of performing any emergency medical procedure required within the confines of this holodeck," she then retorted. "However, your injury is not an emergency, therefore sickbay is the preferred destination for your treatment."

"So you would rather me travel to sickbay, potentially causing the injury to become worse, because you prefer to treat me there?" Ghemora asked leadingly. "Since it isn't an emergency, using the transporters would be against protocol. As you said, if the holodeck can handle matter conversion replication, then you should be able to replicate the required instruments here. All such an injury would require is a subdermal regenerator and a photonic clamps, which your form should permit anyway, correct?"

Shirley stared at the Cardassian as her program swiftly analyzed and deduced the plausible reasons for the patient's unamenable behavior. "I can assure you, lieutenant, you will not re-injure your arm simply walking to sickbay," she scolded. "Your injury must be logged within Galileo's medical database for future reference, and sickbay is more equipped to perform administrative functions than the holodeck," the EMH waved a pale hand across the expanse of the empty grid-lined room.

"Why does that make a difference?" the lieutenant asked bluntly. "If you are connected to the ship's computer right now, then there's no reason it couldn't be logged. If the injury isn't considered an 'emergency' then I see no reason to make it a whole 'sickbay' matter."

Offering the EMH a shrug, steeling her face from grimacing at the motion, Ghemora muttered, "If you won't do anything about it here and now, either I can request a previous version or an EMH, who never had any issues dealing with such injuries before, or it must be minor enough I can head back on duty without treatment." She shrugged again, "Thank you for your evaluation, but, Shirley, I don't think you can be of help to me without causing more harm in the process."

The multitude and scattered nature of the junior officer's comments made little initial sense to Shirley. However, her program was methodical and quickly sorted through the queries and declarations in prioritizing order. "I can certainly log your injury through my matrix's interface and have already done so. However, you are displaying an unorthodox aversion to returning to sickbay. Your personal preferences do not supersede starship protocol. I'm a doctor, not a private physician," she huffed with disdain. "There is no previous version of my program accessible to you and I cannot clear you for duty. But I assume you wish to be treated, otherwise you would not have summoned me. So," she gestured to the holodeck's exit, "shall we?"

Ghemora offered only a shake of her head at the hologram, "You don't have the authority to disqualify me from duty, either. If you cannot be of help... Computer, dismiss EMH," the lieutenant ordered, curious if it would actually be that simple.

Several seconds passed and Shirley remained at her present place within the holodeck, unwavering. "The correct order is 'deactivate'," she huffed with annoyance, "or did they not teach you that in the Academy?" Even seven years following her program's creation and after numerous updates, the organics still treated her as a disposable second-class citizen. "And I will remind you that I am a fully-qualified Starfleet medical officer aboard this starship qualified to treat a vari--"

As soon as Shirley had started berating the security officer, Ghemora had lost interest in hearing anything further. The smallest of grins pulled at her lips before she interrupted the hologram to order, "Computer, deactivate EMH," blinking the 'fully qualified medical officer' out of existence. Smirking as she found herself alone once again in the holodeck, the Cardassian mused, "Yeah… I wish everyone was that easy to dismiss."

Regardless, deactivating the EMH didn't solve the issue she had. Thinking about who would be on duty, Ghemora realized there was a better-than-not chance the sickbay was currently empty, with the CMO manning the Bridge and the only other staffer being the Chaplin, who she didn't see hanging around in sickbay. This meant she could access the tools and systems there to treat herself; an option she hadn't previously considered.

Leaving the holodeck and making the short trip to sickbay while holding her arm stiffly in position, while she was getting used to the pain, Ghemora wasn't going to openly admit to anyone that Shirley had been technically correct about seemingly no further injury. The one issue that the Cardassian didn't anticipate was the sudden appearance of the EMH as the sickbay doors closed behind her.

"Shit," Ghemora cursed in Cardassian as she came face to face once again with her apparent nemesis for the day. Regrettably, she already had a feeling it wouldn't be as easy to dismiss the hologram now that she had entered Shirley's home field.

When the lieutenant entered the vacant sickbay, Shirley's program had automatically activated per standard protocol when no other doctors or nurses were present. Her distinctive pale-skinned, red-headed female form quickly shimmered into existence again. "Please state the nature of the..." the EMH locked eyes with Ghemora once again then huffed. "You know, it's considered rude in many humanoid cultures to deactivate a photonic lifeform without its approval."

"In Cardassian culture, holograms aren't considered lifeforms," she bluntly remarked, though knew there was some discussion going on within the Federation, yet a definite determination had yet to be reached.

Regardless of her attitude towards the EMH, Ghemora wasn't going to get out of this situation either easily or painlessly, having to relent with a heavy sigh, "While I assume I don't need to brief you on the nature of my need to be here, I do have to require a confirmation from you that, IF I take you up on your offered aid, you will adhere strictly to Doctor-Patient confidentiality procedures, as my injury occurred while off-duty, and thus is personal in nature. This includes not noting it in my Duty File, nor automatically forwarding any patient data to other crew members without my specific consent."

Shirley curiously observed the security officer, her program not quite understanding the inherent reasoning behind such a request. "Your medical history will remain restricted to only those with access, the same as any other crew member. Whether you injured yourself on- or off-duty is irrelevant. All medical officers are required to update patient medical records to provide accurate care in the future." The EMH gesticulated with a wavy hand, "Requesting me to conceal your injury and subsequent treatment from your duty file is not standard Starfleet protocol." It was then when Shirley came to a late realization then folded her arms across her chest. "You're attempting to hide your injury. Why?"

Ghemora was almost surprised when the hologram finally caught on to what the Cardassian was attempting. She thought it might have taken the artificial intelligence longer, though it was clear it didn't have an understanding of why one would have such a motive. The question that plagued the Security deputy's thoughts was how honest to be with the EMH.

With a shake of her head, "Because disclosure of such an injury, despite its rather simple 'fix', could negatively impact my career," which wasn't technically untrue, though it was certainly a stretch of it. "While this ship may be the only assignment you ever have, I do not expect it to be my final one. My service as the Deputy Security Officer," though she found herself momentarily acting in a higher capacity, "aboard the Galileo will only be one step on my journey towards my goals.

"Having such an injury, or the cause of it, noted in my personnel file could cause unnecessary questions in the future, that I don't see as having any importance concerning the nature or my ability to serve Starfleet faithfully and proficiently," Ghemora concluded, hoping it was enough of an argument to sway the hologram, though she already had her doubts.

The photonic doctor processed the explanation with rapid programming efficiency but her logic subroutines failed to make sense of the junior lieutenant's stated reasoning. "Concealing your medical history will only make it more difficult for future medical officers to treat you in the event of further injury," Shirley countered with a frown. "Considering your profession as a security officer, I predict you have a 93.02-percent chance of sustaining additional injuries within the next five years. Your ambitions to advance in rank and position could be negatively affected by this decision. To put it bluntly, lieutenant, the consequences of your request appear contradictory to your stated career goals. Are honesty and integrity not the core tenants of a Starfleet officer?"

Ghemora grunted a chuckled, "...It would seem not if Commanders Tarin and Blake's recent actions are to be considered." Suppressing her amusement, the DSEC decided to focus on the apparent lack of information the computer-linked hologram had. "You do realize that much of what is currently going on is the result of deception, obfuscation and failing to adhere to primary Starfleet protocols, correct? If I am to look to the ship's captain as an example, then concealing information that could result in future harm seems reasonable if not justifiable."

"Deception and obfuscation? From the captain?" Shirley cocked her head, not quite able to comprehend the details of what the Cardassian officer was insinuating. "Please explain. Does the crew - you - not have confidence in Commander Tarin anymore? Is there a mutiny in progress?" The EMH's program rapidly ran through the gamut of possible scenarios which would have compelled her patient to reveal such information. "Will I be deactivated soon...permanently?"

"Possibly," Ghemora answered frankly, "but only in the same way we all might." From her tone it was clear the DSEC was being glib. "I do find it odd that you seem surprised, given you should have access to the ship's logs. Perhaps the captain or someone has put special measures into place."

Walking over to hop up to take a seat on the biobed, Ghemora turned her gaze back to the hologram. "The reason we are were we are is, supposedly, because the captain made a decision to deceive and obfuscate the details of the ship's prior mission, without making any contact with Starfleet Command about it, to allow them to make it. While he was well within his right, initially, doing so after redeployment at Regula certainly falls outside of standard protocols. As does keeping the two detainees aboard, which is potentially more egregious.

"But I have my doubts," the Cardassian continued. "Not as much about the captain's decision, but about what has transpired since, and what we've been told. It all seems quite circumstantial to me, but I doubt you have anything more or less to concern yourself with than what we all must."

Glancing to and raising the injured elbow with the help of her other arm, "Let's get to fixing me up, shall we? If you refuse to treat me without logging it, then I will have to take it upon myself, and I don't know how well that procedure will go. It could certainly hinder my future in Security if I were to suffer from a lingering issue.., though Ensign Turell seems to be handling arguably much worse well.

"Maybe I don't need the aid of an untrustworthy artificial intelligence if it cannot help me as I require. And, to be clear, physical impairment such as you've described only matters if I continue in Security for the length of my career, which I can assure you won't be the case. I will, hopefully, be moving on to more challenging and engaging duties after my service to the Gal.., if we survive our current situation." While unsure if her ploy would work, Ghemora had not shown any outward signs of deception. If Shirley couldn't do as requested, the DSEC surely seemed motivated to treat herself, after deactivating the EMH once again.

Shirley's distinctive perplexed expression once again manifested across her holographic features. "I do not have access to this crew's personal log files which would inform me of any tension between Galileo's personnel. Such access would be a clear violation of ethical standards. Perhaps on Cardassia, spying on each other is tolerated and encouraged, but not within Starfleet," she explained with stern disapproval in her tonality. "I have not been presented any reason to distrust the captain or any of the command staff. Judging from what you just told me, they have a difficult situation to navigate." Then the EMH narrowed her eyes at the security officer. "If obfuscation and deception is what they're guilt of, then it appears you are following in their footsteps."

Sliding down off the table, Ghemora offered the hologram a shrug, "Guess I'm just behaving like a human, then," before walking around the EMH en route to the door. "Have a nice day," she said as rounded into the hall through the open doors and disappeared from sight.

[OFF]

--

LTJG Zara Ghemora
Deputy Security Officer
USS Galileo-A

EMH Mark X-C "Shirley"
Medical Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Tarin]

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