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The Blue meets the Doc

Posted on Wed Sep 26th, 2018 @ 8:44am by Lieutenant Commander Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant Asa Dael

Mission: Holographic Horrors
Location: Sickbay

Thex had never liked going into the mess hall apart from when she was needed to fix anything. Still, she could understand that she needed to go for a checkup to see that the injuries she suffered recently had healed properly. Notifying the duty nurse she took a seat and waited for a doctor to see her.

After the nurse let them know their appointment was in, Asa reviewed the file one last time before greeting their fellow crewmate. These first few meetings with people were so vital to building a positive working relationship. As they stood up, Dael adjusted their uniform and slapped on what they hoped would be a welcoming smile.

"Hello, Lietenant Commander sh'Zoarhi. How are you feeling today?" the doctor greeted as they entered the treatment area. The Andorian's body language conveyed a reluctance to be in medical, but Asa could understand that. For most, it was a place following illness or injury, and neither of those things were associated with happiness.

" I'm feeling fine doctor." Thex lied. She was having an okay day though the constant questions of building weapons and armour to protect her ship mates was waying on her. Not that it mattered at the moment. " Just here for my checkups to make sure all the injures i've had are healing properly. " She said politly.

"Thank you for coming, I imagine you have had your fill of the inside of places like this," Asa replied as they began scanning with their tricorder.

Putting the tricorder down, Asa turned to dismiss the nurse from the room, and sat on the bed across from the cerulean chief engineer. "OK. There is no one to brave for right now. It's just me, and you can order me to stand still while you kick my ass, pardon my language. No need to be brave. Your heart rate is up, your metabolic function is down, and there's no way in hell you aren't in pain. Now, you tell me you are fine, ok, you are fine...everyone has a right to manage their body how they want, and I know you are more than capable to perform your duties. What I'm asking you is, will you allow me to help you feel better- less pain, more endurance, and even less stress? I don't bite, and this can be no one's concern but our own if you want."

Asa concluded in a rush, making an effort to keep their voice level, and an understanding smile on their face. In spite of their blunt words, their arms were held non-threateningly at their side and their eyes were soft. The doctor truly hoped Thex would allow them to make life easier, but they respected each person's right to choose.

Thex let out a slight sigh. There was no getting past this doc. " Okay, doc what have you got. I know I have a high-stress life. I'm up late keeping this girl operating, my diet some days is coffee and pain pills. I'm currently still healing from three injuries over the last year and now I'm having to work on weapons that can kill the minions of a pissed of goddess with a very bad attitude." Thex replied rather politely through a grin spread over her face at the end. " The poster is correct though. Join the fleet the greatest adventure of all."

"To start with, we have to get your metabolic rate under control. Variations in that will only serve to exacerbate pain levels and slows your healing. I know finding time to eat is difficult, but it's important we get some variation in your diet. I'm programming a balanced meal plan into your replicator banks, and because I know finding the time to eat can be hard, each meal has an alternate option of a compact cube of around 10 bites. The cube will provide you the same nutrition and hunger satiation levels, although I admit I haven't perfected the taste of them. This was a project I completed at the academy for myself when I had no time to proper meals. Can you commit to find time for 10 bites a meal, 3 times a day at a minimum? I promise it will make you feel better."

" I'll try doc though in my line of work getting time for a meal can be a rarety." Replied the andorian.

"The pain pills are also a less than optimal solution," Asa continued, "Their effectiveness will peak and wane as you take them. The variations in pain relief is adding to your overall stress level, so I'm recommending a dermal patch that you can worn beneath your uniform. It's waterproof and only needs to be changed once a week, and I can program one that will adapt to variation in your bodies pain levels and keep you feeling much better. It may take a day or two to get the programming perfect, but the end result will be much better. Would you consider this?" The normally reticent, awkward doctor was clearly in their element here. There was confidence in their voice, and a sharpness in their eyes. They maintained that warm expression of genuine concern, but with a fire of passion for healing their patient.

Thex nodded in reply. " Sounds simple enough. Wear the patch and try and keep my metabolic rate stable. There is something else I'd like to talk about doctor. "

"Fire when ready, Lieutenant Commander," the doctor replied.

" Well, you are aware of my people's fertility and chromosomal problems?" The andorian inquired.

Asa felt the immediate blush to their ears that speaking of fertility often caused, but maintained their composure otherwise, it was always so much easier to speak of such things in clinical terms, and thankfully their blue crewmate seemed to be speaking scientifically.

"Yes, the less-than-four-birthrate has caused a decline in Andorian population, and I am aware of the negative impact chromosonal testing has caused, as well as the natural issues existing. Why do you ask?"

" Well, I was wondering if I could arrange to have some of my eggs to be extracted. I know my family had some genetic engineering so I shouldn't be affected by the problems, but i still worry that i won't be able to have children." The andorian replied quietly.

The doctor took a deep breath, and mentally checked to ensure their face looked calm and understanding. Such a sensitive topic would not have been easy for the self-assured chief engineer to bring up.

"Of course we can do that. It will need to occur at a specific time in your natural rhythm for optimal effect, so I need to get a cycle-long reading of your daily hormone fluctuation. Would it be acceptable to add a hormone monitor to your dermal patch that will upload to the ship nightly?" Asa replied in a soft, but cool voice. They had a feeling the Andorian would respond better to a matter-of-fact-tone, and after all, no one likes pity.

"Of course doctor. " Thex replied calmly. " Do you want to take a blood sample so you calibrate the patch? My family's engineering has altered the pheromones we produce."

"An excellent suggestion," Asa replied brightly. "I confess, genetic engineering was a topic of interest to me when in the academy," the diminutive doctor moved while chattering to obtain a specimen collection container and needle. "OK, look away if you get queasy..." they said as they began preparing the needle.

The andorian rolled up her sleeve to allow the doctor to have an easier job. " I'll admit i don't know much about it. All i know about it comes from stories my great grandfather has told me."

Asa got a good vein on the first try and collected a small amount of blood. As soon as the collection was complete, they used the tricorder to heal the puncture wound. "I'll need an hour or so to double check the calibration, then I can send the specs to the replicator in your quarters if that works?"

" That's fine doctor. If you need any info just call and i'll help with whatever i can. " The andorian said as she slid off the bed.

"Thank you for coming in, and for your trust. I really appreciate both," Asa concluded with a smile touching their face.


 

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