Anomalies and Anachronisms

Posted on Thu Sep 20th, 2018 @ 4:02pm by Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant Asa Dael

Mission: Hera v Hera
Location: USS Hera, Deck 12, Sickbay
Timeline: 2395

=^= Doctor Dael to Lt. Comander Paris- Commander, when you have a moment could you please stop by sick bay? I’d like to discuss something with you. =^=

=^= I can be there in fifteen minutes- that soon enough, Doc? =^=

=^= Yes! I mean, yes, of course, no rush... =^=


The lieutenant commander walked in to find the shorter person bent over a chair, fussing with the different controls to try to find a way to adjust it’s height to suit their frame, muttering to themself, “How is it tilted to one side? What the heck, I’m going to fall out of this thing and right on my face in front of the……Lieutenant Commander! Oh! Hi! Won’t you please be seated?” the doctor popped up, clearly surprised by the other's entrance.

Stepping over to inspect the chair, the leggy lieutenant commander eyed the mechanism. "They used to label all of the levers so you knew what was adjusting which. Seems these days they just expect everyone to know which lever or knob controls which attitude of the chair just because 'it's been that way forever', so 'everybody' knows. Unless of course you've never encountered it. Have a seat, Doc, and we'll figure this out together, right?" Paris smiled that winning smile of hers that reminded you just how pretty she could be when she tried.

Asa took a seat, their ears unwillingly turning red. They had not meant the first mate to think they called them over a chair, and they hated how easily they tended to blush.

"Um, sorry about this. The former chief medical officer seemed to have some...unique...settings I am navigating around. Really though, don't worry about it, I'm sure I'll get it soon..."

If it was possible for the doctor to disappear into space, they gladly would have done so in that moment.

"Okay, so this looks like dorsal, this looks like ventral, so this must be horizon... there we go!" Fiddling with the chair's settings with a body in it, Paris got the knack. Taking the physician's soft hand in her own, Paris guided their hands to the controls. "Dorsal..." unlocking the lever allowed the chair to tilt forward and back. "Ventral..." Unlocking it enabled the chair to swivel. "Horizon..." Unlocking the lever, the pesky angle Asa had accidentally set the chair to was banished, in favor of a level seat.

"Like flying a shuttlecraft," Paris emerged from behind the diminutive doctor, dusting off her hands before perching her rounded rear on their desk next to them. "At least, back when they were boxes with nacelles. So, what can I do for you, Chief? Congratulations on the big promotion, by the way. Between us, I much prefer a doctor who will come running when needed than one who will get there in their own time..."

Asa's blush spread from their ears to their face as they muttered thanks to Paris for saving them from the wicked, wicked chair. After pouring both parties a glass of water, Asa placed one in front of Rita.

"Thank you, I'm honored to serve. And, um, it's actually more about what I can do for you. I understand you were recently wed, congratulations on that. It's an incredible testament to your commitment to one another that you found each other."

The pretty pilot's eyes alighted and she grasped her hands together and squidged in an extremely girly fashion, and actually let out a tiny squeal. "He came for me... he traveled through time and crossed universes to find me. Have you ever in your life heard something so romantic?"

"I can honestly say I have not."

"Oh, and get this- he missed me, but he doesn't suffer from the emotional emptiness. Instead it was just a series of tasks to perform and succeed in order to work his way back to me. So two years, and his heart did not ache, he did not pine for longing." The short-haired tomboy cut shook her head. "He came here two years ahead of me and started working out how to get to me here. Except.... he's a Vulcan. A kolinahr, no less. Purged of all emotion, so they say. So I would feel horrrribly guilty over the anguish that would have caused. Except.... he's a Vulcan."

Asa squirmed slightly in their chair, and stopped abruptly when they realized what they were doing. "I think he would tell you guilt is illogical. Vulcans have very different cerebral structures and Sonak is above average, even for a Vulcan."

"Pffft!" Paris waved Asa off. "You're telling me. But thank you... I'm very happy he's here and he's very happy to be here. His home planet is intact here, he returned one of their great minds to them and he really likes it here. So it's good and... I'm happy now. Got my guy, stars be my destiny and I'm even doing my old job with my old rank. Life is wonderful- thanks for asking, Doc."

The doctor was visibly stalling at this point. After fidgeting with their hands a bit, they took a deep breath and said in a rush, "I wanted to make sure you knew about all available birth control methods to you. Not that you don't know about birth control, I don't mean to imply you are not knowledgeable, it's just that there have been advancements in the last 100 years, and you have both been through so much, and I feel like it's my duty? To check? That you know your choices?"

Their voice had started off a bit high in pitch, but by the time they were presenting a PaDD with some information on it to the curvy woman, the doctor's voice was practically at glass breaking range.

"Why Doctor, are you giving me the contraceptives chat?" Paris asked, leaning in a bit closer to the frazzled physician.

"Um, yes? If that's ok? Just because I want you both to be happy, or logical, or whatever term you use to indicate actualized goals? " Asa was resolutely staring at the desk now, afraid to make eye contact. "Plus there is the matter of your biological instability..."

"Iron based biologies and copper based biologies are not entirely compatible I have been led to understand," Paris joked. "According to my husband... wow, that's the first time I ever tried that out. It feel weird. My husband... mmmno." Starting over, Paris changed her choice. "According to Sonak, during some pillow talk no less, I have better odds of reproducing with a rose, as it shares more common DNA with me than he does."

"And yet it does happen, from time to time. You have both had your biologicals altered by your trip between universes. Perhaps in ways you do not yet realize. I would like to conduct some tests to determine the extent of the changes. As well as to research your... transporter allergy? In the meantime, just in case, maybe consider birth control? If you want?"

The shyness in Dael's voice was a source of supreme embarrassment to them. The biology of sex and romance made sense of course, but discussing it, especially with a senior officer, still felt so.....squicky. Not one to let something as trifling as mortal levels of social anxiety stop them from discharging their duty, Dael continued , "And if you wish to procreate we can of course explore what options we have."

The first officer's eyes narrowed a bit, then she pursed her lips, stood up and walked around to the other side of the desk, to smooth her skirt out as she sat down in the chair opposite the nervous neurologist. Cocking her head slightly to the side, with a piper's smile, she asked, "Myx Dael, do I intimidate you?"

"Only a lot ma'am. I've been entrusted with a huge responsibility, and I intend to earn the trust placed in me. As first officer, I know you are the eyes and ears of everything going on in the ship, and you are just so MUCH. You have this amazing height, enviable curves, epic love story, self possessed manner, penetrating stare, and I'm just.....not that. I barely know what I'm doing, I'm trying to help, but by asking about your PROCREATING for goodness sake, as if you don't know what you are doing, but maybe you don't, and I'm babbling. I'm babbling like an idiot and it's not helping, and I'm just going to shut up forever now." Asa barely took a breath until the end of their tirade, at which point they slumped back in their newly adjusted chair.

The first officer sat quietly for the anxiety-fueled diatribe with a neutral expression on her face. And when the young doctor collapsed into their chair, the nervous energy spent, the buxom bombshell leaned forward. "Let’s review a little, Myx Dael, so that it might lend some perspective and maybe make you feel a bit better about all of this. Okay?”

"Um, yes ma'am," Asa responded quietly.

“I am First Officer, and I am eyes and ears on this starship. You are all my responsibility, and I take that very seriously. So when I am brining you onboard, I am studying, testing, probing and analyzing you. I am determining who you are, so that I can report to the captain who’s in her crew and whom can be relied upon for what.” Those eyebrows raised a little as she looked out from under them. “I knew Lysander was on his way out. The man should have retired, and frankly being on a starship was too much for him, forget about the Hera, where we so boldly go.”

“I was the one who recommended you for this position, Doctor. Because yes, you are young and you lack field experience. You are a little awkward at times and you are often unsure of yourself. I know that you see all of those as negatives, but I don’t. What I do see is a lot of heart. Courage, integrity, drive and determination. Compassion, honor, honesty. Those are hallmarks of a great officer, and I’ve seen a few in my day.” Paris paused to give the doctor a chance to digest that information.

“Thank you ma’am. I will do my best to continue to earn the title of Chief Medical Officer. I’m sorry for panicking…I guess I got a bit overwhelmed. I confess, discussing reproduction or romance isn’t a strong suit of mine, but I am working on that. Comes from a religious upbringing I guess…and awkward, well, it's good you think that is a positive, because it's not likely to change anytime soon,” the doctor concluded with a slightly forced laugh, but a genuine smile.

“Be yourself, Doc. That’s all you need to do. Listen to your heart, do what’s right, and everything else will sort itself out. Experience and confidence will come in time. Now, as far as me and my reproductive possibilities go,” the leggy lieutenant commander sat back a bit. “You are concerned for us because we are extradimensional explorers, and our physiologies may be different. The translation between universes may have changed us in ways we cannot see. Hell, I traveled 127 years and across a dimension to be reassembled by a Section 31 experimental transporter.”

“Your predecessor didn’t seem very concerned. The fact that you have some concerns speaks volumes to me. We will submit to whatever tests you feel are necessary. I haven’t been on birth control in years, but if you think it is needed, then I trust your judgment. If you want to run tests that involve me jumping rope naked, I’m going to assume there is a very good reason for it, and I’ll oblige you. Because I trust that you genuinely have my best interests at heart. Does that make discussing the topic a little less awkward for you?” The smile that the blonde bombshell offered was a simple one, but heartfelt. She liked the awkward young doctor, and she wanted them to find their sea legs.

The tension finally began to leave Asa’s shoulders. The lieutenant commander spoke plainly, and Asa had always appreciated that. They also valued the words of kindness…those had been few and far between growing up. Among El-Auriens, Asa would be counted as little more than a child, and it was hard to remember at times that other species would see them as fully adult without question.

“I think we can pass on the jump ropes for now, ma’am. But unless you are willing to roll the dice on an unplanned pregnancy, I do feel that birth control is the right choice. We can do a simple injection before you leave today, just to be sure. If you change your mind, it’s only an injection away to reverse it. With you permission, I would like to ask the ship to share with me your bio-data since you arrived on board. I will as Sonak for the same permission for himself. It will give me a baseline for how you both “beat” so to speak. From there, I plan to ask Sonak to help me research why you and transporters just don’t get along. I have no idea what the answer is there, but I know one exists. And together, we will find a way to sussing it out. Sound ok?”

“I’d… like that,” Paris replied through somewhat gritted teeth that made for a bit of a rictus grin, and for the first time Asa could see a little anxiety evident in the conventionally confident commander. Apparently the mention of transporter studies made her that nervous, but she began addressing the delicate doctor’s points in an attempt to hide it. “Contraceptive away- I most definitely do not want children right now, and neither does Sonak. We just… well, I just got here, and we’re ready to go exploring again, not settle down and have kids. Maybe someday, but not any time soon.”

“As for Sonak, he is a firm believer in scientific study, so I am certain that won’t be an issue. He will likely be glad to tackle the problem with more advanced technological capabilities. And while I would appreciate it if you didn’t put me on a transporter pad unless you absolutely must, I will assist in your investigation however possible.” The forehead under those bangs had broken out in a sweat, Dael noticed, and while her tone was casual the first officer’s hands were gripping the arms of the chair rather tightly. A blind man could see the woman was frightened by even the concept of it, but working hard to retain a cool exterior.

Moving to pick up an injector, the doctor said in a calm, soothing voice, “Lieutenant Commander, it would make absolutely no sense to put you in danger of another transporter mishap by using one all willy-nilly on you. Until we know what is causing your body to refuse to integrate in the manner expected with regularity, I am putting it on record that you are to have as limited interaction with transporters as necessary. Shuttle transport, doctors’ orders,” they said with a smile.

"Thanks, Doc. I think there might be one in my very brief medical record if the last CMO remembered to put it in there," the perennial transporter accident joked.

The doctor knelt down next to Rita, and gently took her hand. “And even then, your mental health is important too. Until you are ready, I support your choice to save transporters for only the dire circumstances. After all, McCoy hated the things, and he had a fabulous career. No reason you can’t too. Soft pinch,” the final words were spoken as the injector deployed the contraceptive into Rita’s system.

Asa released Rita’s hand, and moved to take the seat next to her, instead of across the table, “Everything feel ok?”. It was obvious Dael meant more than just the injection site, but didn’t want to embarrass the senior officer by asking her if she was emotionally ok. Starfleet bedside manner 101…..let your patient pretend to be tough if they wanted.

"A little piece of me."

"Every time, it takes a little piece of me that I don't get back. I can feel that I'm not all there, not all of me, whenever it puts me back together again," Rita Paris was speaking very quietly, hands gripping the chair with white-knuckled force, her legs flexed against the floor. "They say, they tell you that you can't feel it because it breaks down your brain too fast, so there's no synaptic function without the missing molecules that have already turned to energy, and the brain doesn't function until it's reassembled."

"Like you just don't exist for those few seconds."

"But you do. I do. And I can feel it converting me every time and it's like being eaten by a million ants and it's it..." Paris looked around, as if realizing the rest of the world was there again. A small, rueful smile crossed her lips, and she mopped the sweat from her brow with the back of her uniform's gold sleeve, avoiding the gold braids at the cuffs. Side-eying the ship's surgeon, Rita concentrated on prying her hands loose from the arms of the chair.

"I, ah, guess I keep that pretty bottled up, but... I'm scared, Doc. The last accident turned out okay for me, but what if next time it's something different? This is the third universe I've been to, Dael. I like it here, being solid matter." The hard-luck heroine locked eyes with the El-Aurian. "If you can figure it out, I'd really appreciate it. Just being near them now, it's like I can feel them. It makes me jump when they go off..." the supercentenarian space explorer shook her head. "Boy, uncork that bottle and it doesn't want to go back in."

"Lieutenant Commander, I'm a believer in healing the whole person, the whole body and mind. You have been through a hell of an ordeal. Your well-being is my primary concern. I want to know your concerns, your perceptions, and if you have had enough, just say the word. " The doctors voice was soft and musical as they continued.

"Are you sleeping ok? Any flashbacks? Please, let me help...even if it's just a friendly ear, I'm here "

Asa smiled a soft smile and waited for Rita to gather her thoughts. They wanted to secure the XO in this reality, but was not willing to rush or push the other past their comfort zone.

"No, no bad dreams lately... honestly, I was starting to more and more, but," Paris blushed a little, then took a deep breath and pressed on. "Sonak's telepathic, When we sleep, we touch, and when we touch, we share. Not a lot- he doesn't let me go wandering around too much in his mind because I literally might get lost. But feeling him, knowing he is there, literally a part of me... no. No nightmares lately, but I can keep a log of them when they occur if you like."

"Flashbacks... I used to have flashbacks all the time when I signed on to the Exeter, probably the first six months. They were the same design, you see. So a lot of the ship looked the same, so I would turn into some conduit and I'd remember spending three weeks there because it was my new favorite spot." Paris paused at that, then shook her head. "But the Hera, she looks nothing like the old Constitution-Class. So no, no flashbacks, Doc."

"As for an ear, I appreciate, I really do, but... see, I try not to unpack all of this because it doesn't help. It doesn't change what transporters occasionally do to me, but it does get me all worked up and twitchy. I can't do my job all worked up and twitchy, so I mostly try not to think about it and avoid transporters. If you can figure it out, bully, but... if you could leave me out of it? Please? I can't, I can't think about that and not have it really really stick with me."

The transporter-phobic traveler offered a wan smile. "So work on it if you like, Doc. Work with Sonak with my blessing. Get to know him- he is genuinely the greatest mind I have ever encountered and a good man. You make progress, find results, I am interested in hearing them. For now-"

Standing, the relic of a bygone age expertly smoothed out her skirt in a practiced maneuver, then squared her shoulders. Picking the PaDD up off the chair, the classic commander brought her chin up and practically came to attention. Then she relaxed and grinned at the petite physician. Gone was the neurotic navigator, replaced by the familiar friendly first officer.

“Of course ma’am, my primary concern is your health, not my curiosity. If things change and you are experiencing flashbacks or nightmares return, please let me know. You aren’t in this alone, you know that, I’m just reminding you. And things come to us at the strangest times, so if you change your mind about that ear, my door is always open.”

"Thank you, Doctor. The same for me- my door is always open, and your problems are my problems," Paris replied, much more her usual collected self.

The young doctor was honored to have been entrusted with confidence from the confident commander, and knew what a sacrifice it had been for her to let some of the old memories back in. They stood as well to walk with the leggy lieutenant commander to the entrance of Sick Bay, keeping an open smile on their face. Once they saw Paris out, they turned to pull data from the ship…there was work to be done.