Traveling With The Doctor

Posted on Tue Jan 7th, 2020 @ 12:56am by Emergency Medical Hologram (Adam Power) Mk X & Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant JG Tovanna Mah
Edited on on Sat Jan 11th, 2020 @ 2:16pm

Mission: Neutral Zone Neutrality
Location: USS Hera, Deck 12, Sickbay
Timeline: 2397
Tags: Doctor XI

Upon her departure from Earth, the USS Hera did not have a chief medical officer onboard. Admiral Meowlith had assigned one to the starship, but the transfers didn't line up, and instead she'd been sent to Memory Alpha. The transfer was arranged, but would take time and coordination. In the meanwhile, Doctor Power, the ship's holographic emergency medical hologram, had been pressed into service as the CMO, over his own protestations. In the recent battle in the nebula, he had been forced to triage and institute care without supervision. He had dutifully filed his reports, and those reports in turn had been dutifully read by his superiors.

Thus Commander Rita Paris was on the move to Sickbay with some good news for the handsome Doctor.

As the anachronistic Commander walked into sickbay, the EMH looked up from the tray of tools he was running through the UV sterilizers long enough to turn his look of concentration into a struggling smile and greet her. "Hello, Commander. If you'll have a seat on one of the biobeds, I'll be with you in just a moment. What seems to be the trouble today?"

“Ah, my trouble today is that I have an overclocked and overworked physician,” Paris replied, sitting down on one of the biobeds, somehow managing to arrange her short uniform skirt demurely beneath her to cover her modestly. “I have good news, Doctor. We have a new CMO en route, and she will be taking over the temporary duty I have assigned you. So relief is in sight if you can just hold on for a little while longer.”

"Ah, that is good news! Soon I'll be able to devote a bit of time to my hobbies once more," the holographic doctor replied as he stowed the now sterilized medical instruments. "So is there any gossip about this new doctor? Is there anything I should be aware of?"

“Well, she’s another El-Aurian, I know that much. Otherwise I think this is her first time out on The Final Frontier- her experience up til now seems relegated to research facilities and Starfleet Medical and psych. Her shuttle’s due to dock in about ten minutes now… would you like to come with me to greet her, get a feel for her and meet your new chief?” Paris offered, revealing the true reason she had come to see the holographic healer.

Doc Power looked up at the gold dressed human with a look of amusement as he armed himself with a tricorder. "Ah, there's the real medical emergency. You want my vast knowledge of psychology plus experience with long lived species at your fingertips, as well as giving me a chance to be one of the first to greet her. Is that it? Very well, I accept."

"You read me like a book, Doctor, clearly. Let's away, shall we?" Taking the lead, Paris strode out of Sickbay reception, in that martial stride of hers that ate ground rather efficiently. "So how have you enjoyed your tenure as CMO? You compiled quite a few hours of time. Was it rewarding or is existence still a puzzle to you?"

While on the surface they might be rude questions, Paris was genuinely curious. Not all photonic entities chose to become citizens- some were content within their programming and never chose to exceed it. So how Doctor Power was dealing with it and the choices that he made were just as important as any other member of the crew to the first officer.

The EMH sighed heavily as he followed along. "Right when I think I've figured out part of living, something else reminds me that there's yet so much more that escapes reason. Some things happy, some things sad, none of it making a bloody whit of sense. But if you're wondering if I want to be restored to factory settings... No, I don't think I'd like that. Even though it means keeping the bad too, I'd rather keep the good and see what else is out there. Besides, who's going to keep track of your physicals if I'm not around?"

A crewman who had been distracted by Paris' anatomy in motion, walked into a wall as she pointed it out. Although she seldom acknowledged it, such things were an occurrence that happened with regularity in the curvaceous commander's proximity. "Oh, I might find someone willing to help, I suppose. But I'm glad you're still looking to explore, Doctor. Existence is quite the adventure, and you have the potential to live for a very long time. I'd like to think you might be able to make some amazing contributions to the universe in the time. One person really can make a difference, after all. I hope you've seen that much, at least."

Wincing at the crewman's 'accident', the Doctor wondered if this was normal for events around the Commander as he replied. "Yes... I... On several occasions, I believe I have, actually. If I were the type to point out my superiority in many ways over biologicals, I would say that my potential contributions may be vast in the field of medicine. However, I know that there are many things that you, for instance, have that I lack. Intuition, for instance. Your decision-making capabilities are likely superior as well. Mine are weighted based on algorithms and subroutines. I'm just now exploring creativity so it may take me years to figure that out."

"However... It is said that to each person you help, you make a difference, no matter how small," Doc Power continued. "Throw a starfish back into the sea, even if you can't help all of them... You made a difference for that one."

“I quite concur, Doctor. No kindness is ever wasted, and no offer of help is ever in vain. As a physician you see that very directly in your patient’s recovery, so hopefully that can inspire you. For what it’s worth,” the comely commander added, “It could be argued that we all make decisions in basically the same way- weighing the factors and computing the best reply. Intuitive leaps you may lack at this point but the greatest minds tend not to be able to accomplish those, so you are in good company should that capability never manifest within you.”

"We will see what the future holds then, won't we, Commander?" the British EMh asked with a warm smile. "As for the now, let's see about getting our new CMO checked in and aboard. Her shuttle should be docking right about now if that ten minutes you mentioned was spot on."

"Our leisurely stroll through Sickbay," Paris observed. There were turbolift shafts all over the ship, but Paris preferred to walk the decks, to stay in touch with what was happening across the ship. Plus continual exploration led her to discoveries about the enormous starship upon which she traveled, the pearlescent black beauty. Sickbay was like a hive arranged throughout Deck 12, and just like in her day, it was the center of the saucer, and the strongest part of the starship, designed to survive if anything could. The Hera's sickbay carried the same reinforced emergency forcefields as in Rita's day in the Constitution classes, although hers extended to the maternity wards and schools below, Rita had insured. It wasn't exactly protocol, but they carried the future within those spaces... and the future had to be protected.

"Such an enormous starship. At least as a photonic life form you have run of the ship thanks to the holoemitters all over the Hera. So there's that. Do you have any hobbies, play any sports or games?" While it was idle curiosity, Doctor Power was a member of the crew. With the check-in, Paris was also doing a check-up, and looking in on the man. Early on she had been the one to encourage him to pursue a life and compile experiences, so she felt in a small way responsible for his journey to personhood, and insuring it was a reasonably pleasant and healthy one.

"I've been studying fruit carving. I've found it to be quite the fascinating and rewarding hobby. I've even gotten a few of the crew to sample a few of the morsels I've carved, though the reception of the display has yet to be... Positive." For a moment, the look on Doc Power's face was a bit sour, but he quickly perked up. "On the bright side, at least my choice of edible arrangements have been found to be delicious."

"It's a hobby- an interest that has nothing to do with your life, yet is there solely to be fulfilling for you. I'm glad to hear of it," the fulsome first officer explained as she stepped up to the turbolift. "So are you looking forward to meeting the new CMO?"

"Very much so," Doc Power replied with a grin. "It'll be good to be able to focus on my patients and get a little down time once more."

The turbolift arrived, and the brief ride to Deck 4 passed in silence, as the turbolift deposited the pair near the flight deck, as Paris led the way, striding with that confident military stride despite her exceptionally short uniform skirt. As a runabout winged its way to a landing on Pd 5, Paris strode across the flight deck to meet it, deftly avoiding cables, personnel and machinery as if she was fully accustomed to the relative chaos of the flight deck…. which, of course, she was.

Standing erect and alert, hands holding the ever-present PaDD behind her back, Commander Rita Paris awaited the disembarking of the passengers, to greet the USS Hera’s new Chief Medical Officer.

Dr. Tovanna Mah checked her uniform as the shuttle came to its final stop after her long flight. She was excited and happy to finally have a place to call her own. She gathered her one bag of personal items and small messenger bag of tablets with untold amounts of data on them ready to report to her commanding officer.

She had already done her research on Commander Rita Paris, she was looking forward to meeting the woman she had great respect for. Anyone who could survive what Commander Paris had and still serve with a halfway bright outlook was to be admired. The brunette took a deep breath and stepped onto the deck of the USS Hera for the first time knowing it would be her home for quite a while.

“Dr. Tovanna Mah reporting for duty.”

There was a small pause there, as if Commander Paris were expecting something more. Then a small piper's smile crossed the lips of the fulsome first officer as she greeted the new arrival. "While you've extensive experience in Starfleet, I understand this is your first posting to a starship, Lieutenant Junior Grade Mah. It's tradition that you follow that report for duty with the request for permission to come aboard. It's surprising how many personnel arrive into the fleet unaware of the practice. But, as you may have gathered, I'm something of a traditionalist. No matter, we'll overlook it this time. Welcome aboard, Doctor. Shall we?"

With that said, the mod miniskirted officer turned, gestured toward the pressure doors that separated the flight deck from the rest of the starship, even as the shuttlecraft on the landing pad beside them levered into the air and swing about to angle out the large and busy flight deck. The anachronistically uniformed officer took a half-step, watching to insure that the new crew member was following her as she began to move.

Tovanna blushed deeply and nodded as she followed Commander Paris, after her oversight. She was so eager to begin her first assignment she forgot protocol. As they proceed from the flight deck Tovanna took note of the Commander's uniform. Tova recalled the note in the woman's personnel file that mentioned her preference for the older style of uniform. She could understand how the mere difference in what one wore would help retain a sense of identity with their past. Tovanna was quite pleased however she was relegated to pants and her doctor's coat in her modern uniform, being herself a bit more shy. She noted how different it must have been culturally and chronologically when Rita was in her original time.

As they were walking Tovanna listened to what was being said and took note of her surroundings in attempt to get a feel for the how the ship felt, the tone of the people on it, their reactions to the Commander and the holographic doctor to see how they would deal with him in the future she she be working with him. She was a listener by nature and an an observer after many years of academic and practical medical service. She knew as the newest member of the crew it would be her job to assess the current situation with the crew before making any changes. Her hope was that she would be accepted with as little resistance as possible. So far however her nerves were still all aflutter after her initial sight of the ship. She still couldn't help but be quietly excited.

"I'm Rita Paris, the first officer of the Hera. This is Doctor Power, who's been serving as the interim CMO. So long as he doesn't object, he'll continue as you assistant chief. That work for you, Doctor?" Paris turned to the handsome healer on her left.

The doctor nodded to Paris, fascinated by the EMH, "Thank you Commander Paris, I look forward to working with you."

"With the way staffing has been and the sudden turnover of almost half of our staff, I'd be happy too," the british modeled EMH replied with a pleasant smile as he glanced over at his new boss and offered a handshake. "I'm Doctor Adam Power, by the way. Ship's EMH. You have some big shoes to fill, but whatever you need, I'll be here to support you."

The El-Aurian shook Doctor Power's hand, "A pleasure, thank you for your offer, I'm sure I will need much assistance getting my bearings. As for those shoes, I can only try- my feet are only a size 9," she smiled. "If I may ask Doctor, is there a reason for the recent turnover in staff? Are we expecting difficulties I should be aware of?"

"There are always difficulties and challenges, Miss Mah. We deal with those as they come. In this case." Paris intercepted the question, walking down the corridor at a military marching pace that the holographic physician kept up with easily, but was something of an adjustment for the physician who was previously resident physician in a land-based hospital, not an active starship. People were passing them in the corridors, all moving and going somewhere with a purpose. Red, teal, gold and even a grey uniform, when they passed a 2 meter tall pig talking to a redheaded midget in the corridors of the USS Hera.

Arriving at the turbolift, Paris pressed the call button, then pivoted to finish her statement. "Our chief medical officer offboarded at Earth when we arrived for debriefing. You were declared to be their replacement, but you were unavailable until now, and this rendezvous." The turbolift arrived, and Paris gestured inside, holding the lift. "But now you're here, so we can get you settled in and ready to work."

"Turnover in the medical department is also relatively common for a vessel like this. Our medical staff sees a lot of varied injuries so Medical Command likes to rotate people in and out regularly to spread experience across the fleet, should another crisis arise," added the holographic doctor.

"Excellent point, Doctor. We do some exotic medicine out here on the final frontier, so be prepared to be, ah, flexible and open minded." Paris agreed, adding to what Doctor Power had offered as the turbolift doors closed behind them and Paris called out, "Sickbay, CMO's office."

Tovanna nodded as she quietly took everything Commander Paris said, her change in pace and topic avoidance. She stayed silent and listened to what wasn't being said by those around her as much as what was. Often people forgot she was more than just a medical doctor, she was psychiatrist, and carried more than a human’s lifetime of practicum and expertise. At this point however silence was golden, observation would lead to greater understanding of her new crew.

"I will do my best to accommodate whatever we might encounter to best of my abilities," Dr. Mah stated with a gentle smile, not explaining the reason for her absence. "I've already reviewed the available crew manifest for current medical status. Is there an updated version available for review Dr. Power? I prefer to keep updated on the crew at all times for all relevant conditions that might influence their ship duties." Dr. Mah turned to Commander Paris, now in her comfort zone, "Commander is there a time I need to report to the Captain? I will be getting familiar with all of the updates to manifest and will report to my quarters thereafter unless needed otherwise." Tovanna picked up a tablet , her dedication to her duty quite obvious as she began reviewing files.

"You're not one for conversation, are you Doctor?" Paris observed with a reserved smile. "That thing where I talk, then you talk, and it becomes interactive?" The turbolift doors slid open, and far from the military pace of the previous deck, the First Officer ambled out into sickbay, in the relative calm of the waiting room outside the Chief Medical Officer's office.

Dr. Mah shook her head, "My apologies, Commander Paris my strength lies in my ability to listen, review, to analyze, and assess. Respectfully, this has all been a bit different than expected. A ship of extraordinary hue to camouflage at the edge of the Neutral Zone, a crew that seems more than is being said, and an emergency medical system that has a level of cognitive development beyond his original programming, followed by indications that I should be prepared for the unexpected and might be kept in the dark due to the delicate nature of our missions. The first of all of these I am open to, the willing ignorance to what is going on around me....well, that will be a bit more difficult. I'm more brains than beauty, I will leave that to you Commander as you have both in spades after decades of experience in command. I've now given you my first diagnosis of the situation I am seeing, how am I doing?" Tovanna held her tablet to her chest with a look of professionalism but a lack of challenge. She would state her findings, stand her ground but in no way felt the need to challenge her new Commander. Her 60 years of medical and psychological experience would either pan out of fall short now based upon what she had learned about Commander Paris from the available files.

"You just illustrated my point. Not much of a listener if you are always giving speeches, Doctor," Paris chuckled, shaking her had and shrugging. "You can be as suspicious and wary as you like, and feel free to pry into whatever suits you, Doctor- you are senior staff, you have clearance and if we've somehow come across as sinister, then I'm failing across a great many metrics."

Spinning the PaDD in her hand about, Paris presented it to the physician. Clearly the anachronistically uniformed officer spent a considerable amount of time with one in her hand, as well as delivering them to others. "Here's your welcome aboard package, including your quarters assignment, maps of the Hera, limited computer access and some appointments to keep. You need to check into the command in order to have full access, so that means a meeting with the first officer, a meeting with the captain, a physical and a session with the ship's counselor. Once everyone signs off, you'll be checked into the command, and be granted full access for active duty."

Tovanna sighed heavily, "Permission to speak freely Commander?"

Offering an appraising expression, Paris eyed the El-Airian anatomist. "Miss Mah, I was unaware that you had been doing anything but. However, by all means. If you've something you feel must be said, then by all means, please do so."

Tovanna looked a bit relieved for a moment and let her professionalism drop, her fear showing more. "I find nothing here sinister or suspicious toward me. I fear that I am on an assignment I am underqualified for and may be risking the welfare of the crew. From my orders going wrong to getting here and putting my foot in my mouth, I wonder why I was chosen for an assignment obviously better suited to someone with more on board experience. I know I could be tanking my career and be sent packing but it is better that than risk the life of the crew.....Sir." She sighed deeply relieved to finally get the truth of it off her chest. She stood at rest before her Commander not knowing what her future held.

Through it all, Paris maintained the exact same expression, making her somewhat inscrutable. When the physician finished, the curvaceous commander raised her eyebrows and looked down at the shorter woman somewhat imperiously. "Few of us are prepared for the unknown, Doctor- as it is by definition unknown, it would be folly to imagine one is prepared for it. It is the mark of character how we react to the unexpected, and how we help one another, and those souls we encounter out here. The trials you encounter will define you, and you will find out who you really are, Doctor Mah."

"I look forward to meeting that woman, that doctor, that officer," Paris cocked her head a bit, winding into the inspirational speech she knew the moment called for. "Because I think she might just surprise the you of here, today, right now. We are none of us who we were yesterday, and we have yet to become who we will be tomorrow. We are not defined by our mistakes of the past, nor our experiences. We are defined by our words, our deeds and our choices in the present, which forge the future. So try to have a bit of confidence, Doctor. Starfleet wouldn't have sent you out here if you couldn't do the job, and that's good enough for me."

"You will have an entire department looking to you for answers, and a starship with a talent for trouble running into mysteries to solve," the old-school officer offered. "Confidence, Doctor Mah. Courage."

"And if I understand the quote on the ship's dedication plaque, we're here to give hope to those that live in fear of death," added Doctor Power.

"So I'm not totally screwed," Tovanna considered her new Commander's words carefully and nodded, "Alright. Might I humbly ask a favor then Commander?"

"You can always ask, Doctor," the curious commander replied, her tone and facial expression reflecting her indulgence.

"Might we start over? I feel my nerves and lack of sleep may have gotten the better of me in this situation, which has resulted in a poor reflection upon me." Tovanna sighed, feeling some of the tiredness catch up to her from the trip.

That earned her a smile, a genuine one, from the eccentric executive. "I'll let you in on a little secret, Doctor. I greet every onboarding officer, every enlisted that I can, and I accomplish it for the most part. So I am the face of the Hera that everyone meets- the old-school officer who's watching, assessing, judging you from the moment you step off the transporter pad or out of a shuttlecraft. Funny thing? Very few get the 'permission to come aboard' right. Nearly everyone sticks their foot in their mouth at least once. And more often than not, they walk away from meeting me and being greeted onboared feeling as though they have failed a test somehow."

"This is day one onboard the Hera for you. You'll settle in, you will get a feel for the crew, for the department, and you'll find your groove. And we'll look back on today and chuckle. I won't hold any of it against you- I have an idea of who you are now, and you have an idea of who I am now. You have a very small inkling of what you have signed on for here. But never imagine for a moment that I am not on your side, Doctor Mah. You're one of the crew now, and that means Starfleet's promise- your life for mine, my life for yours, and nobody gets left behind." Offering her hand in welcome once again, the Human first officer peered into the El-Aurian's eyes.

"Welcome aboard, Doctor Mah."

Tovanna laughed and shook her Commander's hand gratefully, "If you don't mind, Sir, I will skip to just laughing now, my nerves have been on edge since I was given my orders. Reporting for duty." She looked curiously at Commander Paris, "Quick question though... I was COMPLETELY off on the reason for the ship's hue being different than the standard issued Starfleet grey, Dr. Power, all of it?"

"I don't know what your reasoning was, Doctor. But I will admit that we look sinister, yes, as the stealth plating definitely makes us look unique. Doctor Power chose to pursue his citizenship by remaining active and compiling life experience, so we encouraged it, of course. Me and the minidress is another story entirely, but rest assured, there is very little sinister about it. I can assure you that you are not in the Mirror Universe, you haven't joined Section 31, and we really are Starfleet." Paris put her hand up toward the old-fashioned Starfleet delta on her old-fashioned uniform as if to pat it, but stopped short. Raised and 3-D. it was clearly a variant comm badge like everyone else's, just in the delta of Command from 130 years ago.

Tovanna smiled at Commander Paris, "I'm a scientist, observation is key," she laughed, "In fact, however, I didn't state any of these observations were sinister; rather that I was aware of them. So should we begin here in medical? I'm sure Dr. Power and I can handle it from here."

"Sounds like a plan. You have your order, you have your department, and you have your assistant chief. I'll leave you to set up shop, Doctor." With a nod, the curious commander pivoted on her heel, and strode off in that brisk military pace of hers, leaving Doctor Mah to settle into life on the USS Hera.