The New Doctor
Posted on Sun Aug 10th, 2014 @ 3:48pm by Lieutenant Christopher Cage M.D. & Captain Enalia Telvan
Mission:
Something Amiss
Location: USS Hera - Various Locations
Timeline: MD1 - 1000
Airlock, Deck 5, USS Hera
"Greetings, Lieu- ... Lieutenant?"
The pretty, redheaded security officer's face was awash with uncertainty, as she laid eyes on the chocolate-complexioned man who had appeared in the Airlock. For one thing, the man was not wearing a Starfleet uniform. Instead of the customary blue-accented garment worn by the service's scientists and medical professionals, this man was garbed in what looked like sky-blue surgical scrubs. The man's eyes looked glassy, and his rugged, masculine face sported a significant amount of stubble. As the man lumbered forward, the security officer noticed that, emblazoned on the duffel bag he toted, was the logo of the infamous Tantalus IV Penal Colony. The redhead frowned, and a pale, slender hand moved up to the hand phaser she wore on her hip. Before she could say another word, however, the disheveled stranger produced a data PADD, and held it out to her.
"Lieutenant Christopher Cage, M.D.," mumbled the man, in a rich, gravelly voice. "I'm the new doctor, love."
The redheaded security officer eyed Cage suspiciously for a long moment, then cautiously took the proffered PADD from his large, strong hand. The PADD blinked to life under her fingers, and after a few taps, the woman could see that the document was legit -- identification, credentials and commission orders for one Lt. Christopher Cage, M.D.
"Apologies, Sir," said the young redhead at last, her hand still on the phaser. "I expected you to look ... different." Now it makes sense, she thought to herself, as she handed the PADD back to Cage. Since when do they send security details to escort new arrivals from the Airlock? "I am Petty Officer 1st Class McBride," the redhead announced aloud, standing at attention. "I've been ordered to escort you directly to the Commander as soon as you came aboard."
Cage rubbed a hand across the stubble on his face, and winked at the cute security officer. "Now why doesn't that surprise me?" he asked, admiring the way her gold-accented uniform hugged her petite, slender frame. "Go on, then, sweetheart. Lead on."
CO's Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Hera
Less than a minute later, Cage found himself standing outside the CO's Ready Room on Deck One. Petty Officer McBride pressed her small, feminine hand to the biometric plate on the doorframe, causing the door chime to sound inside. Cage winked at the pretty security officer as he waited to be let inside.
Looking up from her desk computer at the chime, Enalia clicked it off and stood. With a smile at wondering who it could be, she spoke to the door. "Come in." The person on the other side wasn't exactly who she was hoping for, but she wasn't too disappointed. Her new Doctor was another person she wanted to meet immediately for ... various reasons...
Cage lumbered past the redheaded petty officer and entered Telvan's Ready Room. "Good morning, love," came the scruffy surgeon's gravelly voice, as he walked up to the attractive younger Trill woman and placed the PADD with his credentials upon her desk. "Doctor Christopher Cage. I, um ..." Cage cast a mischievous glance back at the pretty young goldshirt who stood at attention in the Ready Room's doorway. "I believe I'm meant to be your new Chief Medical Officer?"
Motioning to the chair across from her, Enalia picked up the PaDD and looked over it as she sat back down. "Please, have a seat. I'm Commander Telvan, and yes as you've guessed you are assigned as the ship's Chief Medical Officer contrary, I'm sure, to many people's wishes. Do you know why you're here?" The PaDD had nothing new to tell her, but it was a bit scary actually having him here and knowing he'd be the one that had to keep them all alive in an emergency.
Cage took a deep breath and shrugged. "Why I'm here as in 'out on parole'? I guess ... somebody decided I was worth giving a second chance to. Why I'm here as in 'on your ship'? ... I'm afraid I haven't a clue." Had his commission to the Hera been forced upon the attractive young Trill commander? She couldn't have actually requested that he be posted to her ship, could she? Cage scratched at his stubble as he searched Commander Telvan's face for the answer.
Enalia did her best to not reveal anything, stoically looking into the man's eyes. She was searching for something, but she didn't exactly know what. "What do you know about biological weapons and countermeasures?" she asked bluntly. He came highly recommended, though now she was wondering if she shouldn't have agreed to the recommendation.
What.
Cage arched a single eyebrow for a moment in genuine surprise, before his expression slowly dissolved into disaffection, almost disappointment.
"Far too much, love -- I'm sorry to say," answered the doctor, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Why do you ask?"
"You came highly recommended for that reason. I'm not saying you're going to have to cure several incurable diseases, but it's suspected that bio-weapons will be involved." Sliding a PaDD across her desk, Enalia let a little emotion back into her features with a hint of a mildly entertained smile. "Here's the current known state of Romulan and Reman research. You'll note they're known to have samples of quite a few questionable research items."
Hesitantly, Cage reached out and took the offered PaDD. His eyes slowly began to narrow as he scanned the details on the device -- first off-handedly, then with ever-increasing interest. After a long moment, Cage glanced back up at Commander Telvan. His once-cavalier attitude was gone, and in its place, an emotional numbness. "Well, this is depressing," the scruffy surgeon said at last. "If what it shows on this PaDD is true, then it looks like the Romulans and Remans may be close to manufacturing the perfect metagenic bioweapon." Cage came over and absent-mindedly took a seat on the corner of Enalia's desk while he wiped away the disbelief of what he'd just seen from his eyes. "What is it you're expecting out of me, love?" he asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
"Simply put, find a way to destroy it before they use it. We won't have specifics on what's in it or where it is until we rescue our operative, so do what you can until then. If we can't destroy it, you'll have to find a way to cure or disable it, possibly while it's being deployed." Enalia explained, ignoring that he sat on her desk. She obviously had the right man on board for this, though she did have to wonder what he would do with the full information once he got it.
Cage gave a long, steady sigh and looked up at the ceiling, the wheels in his head already turning. Without realizing it, the disheveled doctor was slipping back into an old, familiar role: that of The Clinician. The Problem Solver. Enalia had just handed him one hell of a medical problem to solve. The real question was: was he up to the task?
"I'll need full access to any new information you get when you get it, love," Cage responded, casting another glance at the PaDD she had just given him. "What you're asking me to do will be hard enough. Asking me to do it in the dark will be next to impossible."
"You'll get it once we get our operative. If I remember right, Science Lab 3 has specialized equipment that might come in handy." Enalia replied with. "Is there anything else you might need that we might be able to get before we leave tomorrow?"
"I'll have a list drawn up and sent to you within the hour," replied Cage after a moment's thought. It might be difficult, even if they were docked near a major planet. It would take some doing to get some of the more specialized equipment & resources that immediately sprang to mind. "Just as soon as I've had a look see at what we already have to work with." Cage stood up from Enalia's desk and picked up the PaDD she had given him. "Well ... I should probably get started," he said, looking for the right words. "I just wanted to say ... thank you. I know you must have your misgivings about ... well, about someone like me, with my past. I want you to know that I intend on giving it my best."
Enalia spoke a bit softer now. "Any misgivings aside, though I do ultimately determine whether Starfleet lets you stay on board, I want you to know that the success or failure of this mission will in no way determine my decision if or when the question of your parole comes up. Your best is all I ask and I know you're up to the responsibility Starfleet has allowed me to grant you. You wouldn't be here otherwise. I just have one request..." Pausing for dramatic effect, Enalia burst into a big smile as she continued. "Please, for the love of all that is good, try to be clean shaven next time. Your face reminds me of a tribble like that."
Cage laughed, and brought a hand up to his face, defensively. "I thought most people saw tribbles as cute?" he protested, with mock wounded pride.
"The last time I saw a tribble, it was lunch for a lizard." Enalia countered with a smile.
"That's terrible," Cage laughed. "Although, if the lizard was particularly attractive, I might not really mind being on the menu."
Enalia could only shake her head and chuckle at that. He wasn't the first to flirt with her like that and he wouldn't be the last. They'll figure it out soon enough though. "Dismissed Doctor. Dismissed."
