Doing the rounds

Posted on Mon Dec 30th, 2024 @ 11:54am by Lieutenant S'Lace & Captain Rovak & Petty Officer 1st Class Ayol & Doc & Lieutenant Mina Pfeiffer

2,217 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Masters of the Stars [2]
Location: Bravo Dock Lounge
Timeline: 1040 - MD01

The unspoken consensus among the medical staff of DS13 and the Challenger seemed to be that their mandatory meeting was something of a waste of time. It had taken them less than ten minutes to discuss the single protocol that had been enacted, the introduction of a pair of interphasic scanners into the medical rotation, to identify pathogens or viruses that might be extrauniversal in origin. More would be introduced as soon as they could be put together, but at this juncture there were only a few to go around, and security seemed to have first dibs.

After dismissing the assembled medical crews once it was determined nobody had any questions, Lieutenant Pfeiffer first noticed the Doctor she had been told was coming, the woman who would be replacing her as Chief of Medical, to her great relief. "Doctor S'Lace, guten tag. I am Doctor Pfeiffer, I understand you are here to take on the Chief Medical Officer position."

Some personnel would have gone straight from a long trip straight to their quarters to 'freshen up', to set down their travel bag and perhaps even take a nap.

S'Lace was not like that.

Deep Space 13 was a large facility-that alone was going to prove to be a logistical challenge-so S'Lace had taken considerable time to learn the basics of the layout (only one with the mind of an Engineer or an Earth ant would be able to memorize every jeffries tube on such a station) so she made good time getting to Sickbay from the transporter room. She gave the doctor a polite nod.

"Yes," she murmured, "I will need to check in with the commander but I felt it important to see if there were any medical issues I should be made aware of first." In her conversations S'Lace made it a priority to not use the word 'logical'. Over the years for some reason there was a small contingent of humans who found the word...amusing for some reason...

"Of course. If you are happy to walk and talk, we can fill you in as we go." Pfeiffer said, already planning to be soon on her way to a meeting with the XO in the opposite office.

Humans used the word 'happy' quite often and incorrectly but by now S'Lace did not bother to correct them. Instead she simply nodded.

Pfeiffer tapped the combadge attached to the outside of the labcoat she never seemed to remove. "Doc, would you please join me."

A moment later the image of the supplementary medical hologram Doc had appeared in a holographic flicker. "Doc, this is Lieutenant S'Lace, our new Chief. She will need catching up on the latest."

"How do you do, ma'am. It's a pleasure." Doc said with a polite half-bow.

S'Lace knew the EMH was not actually asking her how she was, it was one of those annoying human euphemisms. She simply went along with it and replied, "I am fine, 'Doc'."

She wondered if the EMH could be given a better name. Then again, perhaps 'Doc' was fine. Knowing humans, they could always come up with something far worse...

"Please, this way." Pfeiffer gestured towards the exit, and they began towards the nearest turbolifts. "The crew are in good health across the board. We have been fortunate to have only been involved in two combat scenarios in the 55-odd days we have been aboard. Other than some injuries healed onsite, there has been little for us to do except for providing treatment to the Romulan population in the civilian sector. With that, we have still not had cause to open the main hospital facility, the smaller clinics and sickbays have served our purposes." Pfeiffer explained.

S'Lace listened attentively. It implied there was quite a large staff here, and with multiple facilities it meant she would have to rely upon her subordinates to act with a certain amount of autonomy.

"The Romulans have been unfortunately disinclined to seek our help where preventative care could be given, it is only when they are truly unwell that they have been coming to us. There was an outbreak of Ekavaali rat-pox among the sector's mid-deck, more than three hundred were infected before we first discovered it. Fortunately we got the matter under control before the spread could worsen, and we have begun conducting testing in public areas for anything communicable." Dr Pfeiffer told S'Lace.

"That will not be tolerated," S'Lace stated emphatically, "I will speak to the commander. And perhaps speaking to community leaders will be helpful."

She paused, and the tiniest sigh escaped her lips, "Perhaps if they know a Vulcan is in the new Chief Medical Officer they might be more inclined to listen to reason. But with centuries of distrust on both sides that may not matter. Never the less, an unofficial approach might prove fruitful."

"I hope that is not too optimistic." Pfeiffer said, knowing firsthand just how recalcitrant the Romulans aboard could be. "Was there anything in particular you were hoping to hear about? Our holographic colleague is directly connected to the medical databases." Mina said, gesturing towards Doc as they got inside the turbolift.

"Nothing impending intrudes upon my thoughts at present," S'Lace replied, sparing the hologram a glance as the turbolift doors closed, "I will review all medical logs over the coming weeks to acquaint myself with the station personnel's various needs and concerns. I will also need to meet the entire medical and life sciences staff as soon as possible after paying my respects to the commander. I realize that meeting everyone at once will not be practical, and as a sign of respect it would be prudent to meet my colleagues in their own offices and labs."

S'Lace knew she needed to be cautious; she did not know these people and scientists could be quite proud and...territorial...

"Of course." Pfeiffer said, letting the silence settle. Like most Vulcans, Pfeiffer was not one for unnecessary small-talk.

Before long, the turbolift opened, and the trio had arrived in the lobby area leading to the CIC. Pfeiffer led the group forward far enough to see the enormous double-story command information centre, stopping at the twin doors just before the centre itself. "You will find the Captain inside, Doctor." Pfeiffer said, gesturing to her right. "I will be in here with the first officer. I look forward to working with you." She said with a polite smile and nod. Both doors opened simultaneously, and Pfeiffer disappeared within.

"Can I help you?" Came Rovak's voice from within his office, seeing the individual he did not recognize outside. He was standing near the door, accompanied by his Vorta yeoman who appeared to be leaving.

S'Lace's eyebrow quirked at the sight of the yeoman, then she turned her attention upon Captain Rovak and entered his office. She lifted her right hand in the traditional Vulcan salute, "Lieutenant S'Lace reporting for duty, Captain, and prepared to take on her duties as Chief Medical Officer."

"Lieutenant, welcome." Rovak said, returning the gesture. "Please come in." He returned to his desk, and gestured to the seats opposite his own. "It is good to have you here. Doctor Pfeiffer is a fine physician, but I understand she has not enjoyed the rigours of administration. Our assignment here has proved more... unique than expected. Have you had an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the situation here?" Rovak asked, knowing from what Admiral Gali expected of even guests on his ship, that she probably hadn't.

"I have not," S'Lace confessed. She would not make excuses, nor would she apologize. if Starfleet was going to shuffle her about in a seemingly random manner no one could expect her to learn much about her future assignments without time, "I would be most grateful if you could enlighten me in regards to the more immediate problems. I have met Doctor Pfeiffer and she had made me aware of your difficulties with the Romulan population. Are there other more pressing matters?"

"From a medical perspective, I do not believe so." Rovak said, looking almost like he was steeling himself for what he would say next. "Since we took posession of the station from the Romulan free state approximately two months ago, we have discovered that the system contains an anomaly that is most concisely described as a bridge between universes. It functions not unlike a wormhole, however it appears to be a literal rift in the fabric of spacetime between our universe and the next. We have observed that the anomaly appears to 'jump' between universes approximately every six and a half days, connecting us to an alternate parallel reality every time. " Rovak explained.

"We have so far encountered as many as six unique multiversal realities or their inhabitants. In the event that these circumstances cause you to reconsider your assignment here, I will arrange a transfer without prejudice." Rovak offered.

"On the contrary," S'Lace replied, attempting to maintain her facade of calm and mostly succeeding, "This sounds like a most...fascinating assignment. The opportunity to meet life forms from other universes is a truly unique opportunity."

It was also quite dangerous but statistically S'Lace should have been dead long before now so she did not worry overly much about such things.

The number of questions she had just leapt exponentially, but the Captain was a busy being and did not have time to answer them all. She would need to make a list of queries and determine whom would be best suited to ask each of them. She needed to master her curiosity, maintain her discipline. Especially in the presence of another Vulcan.

However, one did come to mind. S'Lace asked, "This anomaly: was this the result of Romulan research or was this facility constructed around a natural phenomena?"

"Its nature remains elusive to us. It seems all knowledge of this station and its purpose was lost when the Romulan Empire fell. If the Free State knows anything about the anomaly, or even that it existed, they have not shared it with us. The station too is a mystery with many unanswered questions." Rovak explained.

S'Lace had a great many questions, especially with that bit of information now in hand. Would anyone in the free state know the answers? Were any of them asked? Or were they asked but not in a proper manner? Was any of this her business.

Well, perhaps she could make it her business. With the permission of the right parties, of course.

"The opportunities are certainly unique, as you say. It is agreeable to have you with us, Doctor. Is there anything we can do to better accommodate you or assist your transfer?" Rovak asked.

"I believe I am well prepared to assume my duties, Captain," S'Lace replied, "If I require assistance I am certain various department heads and your staff can provide me with what I require. And if you require consultation of a confidential nature I am, of course, at your service."

The Captain seemed past the age of certain...biological imperatives, but there were some medical matters that a Vulcan would feel more comfortable consulting with another Vulcan about.

"Thank you, Doctor. For purely selfish reasons, a Vulcan doctor was my preference. While my own cyclical concerns should not be an issue until at least 2405, my daughter has recently joined us aboard. Her mother is Andorian, and her biology is.. unprecedented. She has remained in good health since birth, but certain aspects of her makeup are unique and remain unpredictable." Rovak explained.

"Indeed," S'Lace replied. Centuries ago many Vulcans-as well as members of other species-would have found interbreeding...distasteful. And such a pairing between a Vulcan and Andorian would have been abhorrent to members of both races. Fortunately such views had-for the most part-been abandoned. She herself had been married to a human, given birth to a son.

She firmly clamped down on those memories and focused on the now, "I will review your daughter's medical history at once, of course. But I feel it would be prudent if I were to give her at least a cursory medical examination at the soonest available opportunity to familiarize myself with her biology. Is her Mother available for consultation as well? I would value her insights."

"I will have her contact your office to organise the necessary." Rovak said. "Her mother is no longer with us. Her most recent records are available through my daughter's file."

That statement could have meant the mother was dead or there was some acrimonious split. S'Lace would not pry, "I understand, sir. I am at your and your daughter's service. Was there some other way I may serve?"

"Only by doing your duty. Your service honours us." Rovak said, standing to make a Vulcan salute. "Until next time, Doctor."

S'Lace rose the same time the Captain did, she mirrored his salute and departed his office. Having a Vulcan commanding officer implied this posting would be sane, stable, logical.

And yet he had a Vorta Yeoman. The station was full of Romulans, apparently irate ones. There was a doorway to other universes that opened up every few days.

Somehow, she thought with a touch of almost human wryness as she entered the turbolift, she thought the words "sane", "stable", and "logical" did not apply...

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