Quick Check Up

Posted on Thu Feb 6th, 2025 @ 2:32am by Lieutenant S'Lace & Lieutenant Rune Thul & Vestar Khai

1,930 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Masters of the Stars [2]
Location: Deck 51-60 - Care Decks, Base Hospital
Timeline: After "Pillars of the Community"

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After finally managing to coax his family away from their various distractions, Rune Thul led Vestar, Tomnas, Kirk, and Priza into the pristine halls of the Starfleet hospital. The familiar scent of antiseptic mingled with the hum of diagnostic equipment, creating an environment that was as efficient as it was sterile. The boarding examination awaited them—a standard but necessary procedure for new officers and their families when reassigned, ensuring that all medical records were current in case of emergencies.

Rune’s sharp black eyes scanned the bustling reception area, taking in the organized chaos of Starfleet personnel and civilians navigating their appointments, the atmosphere felt calm despite hospital's sterile appearance. Rune’s gaze watched for a possible opening he could approach amid the activity for someone who could guide them through the next step of the process.

He glanced back at his family. Vestar, ever poised, adjusted his tunic while casting a reassuring smile toward Tomnas and Kirk, who were alternating between mild curiosity and boredom. Priza, their youngest, she in only 16, her wide black eyes taking in the new surroundings with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She was named after Rune’s late mother, a poignant reminder of her courage and legacy. Rune gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch steadying as he leaned over to whisper, “It’s just a quick checkup, Priza. You’ll be fine.” It seemed she still wasn't used to medical facilities; she is facing those fears, and that was all that mattered to her parents.

Clearing his throat, he stepped toward the reception desk, his voice calm but firm. "Lieutenant Rune Thul and family, reporting for boarding examinations," he said, his tone carrying the quiet authority that years in Starfleet had honed.

PADD work. It was necessary, but by far the least enjoyable aspect of S'Lace every day duties. Requisition reports, personnel reports, status reports. If there was only something to provide a welcome respite from all-

Her comm chimed, and S'Lace's eyebrow cocked slightly. Not for the first time she pondered the existence of a deity manipulating her life. She tapped the badge, "S'Lace here."

"Reception, Doctor," the duty technician at the desk noted, "Lieutenant Thul and his family are here for standard medical examinations. I could as-"

"I will be right out," S'Lace replied, abandoning the stack of PADDs littering her desk.

The technician smiled affably at the family, "Go right on in, sir. Doctor S'Lace will meet you."

"Thank you," Rune said with a wink, and guided his family into the exam room the receptionist indicated. Very sterile and white, Rune couldn't quite tell where walls and rooms began or ended. Once inside, Rune eyed the young adults. "Who will go first?" He asked...

Before any of them could answer, the door opened again.

Not for the first time S'Lace noted the sterile, white walls with a mild measure of distaste. If she had a favorite 'era' of design it was only a few decades ago when ships had carpets and things were more pleasing aesthetically. Before she was born facilities had possessed the same sterility; it seemed some things went in and out of 'fashion'.

"Good morning," she said to the family in a formal manner, "I am Doctor S'Lace." She turned and regarded the offspring, "Are you my new patients? What are your names?"

The youngest at 16, only by 5 years compared to her brothers, gulped. "Priza Thul, First daughter of the Seventh House of Betazed, Heir to the House of Courage, Future Wielder of the Sacred Sword." She smiled when she finished, gave a slight torso boomerang bow. "Nice to meet you, Doctor." She stood a little taller with pride.

S'Lace replied with a formal nod.

That cause both Rune and Vestar to smile softly. It seemed she was accepting her place, it wasn't for a while. Next, one of the boys replied. "Tomnas Thul, ma'am." He mimicked Priza's bow and then Kirk chimed in.

"I'm Kirk Mulray-Thul, Doctor," he performed the same bow as well and the 21-year-old boys said together. "Nice to meet you."

S'Lace favored the pair with identical nods. To the group as a whole she stated, "Before we begin, if any of you have any...qualms regarding my species or gender please let me know. I will not be offended. Also, if there is some medical concern you feel uncomfortable speaking about in front of your parents please let me know. Two of you are adults, and one of you is a teenage humanoid with all the difficulties that may imply."

The 2 young adults and teenager nodded their understanding. "Yes ma'am." They said in unison.

Rune and Vestar chuckled. "But know you can come to us if you wish." Rune said to their kids.

S'Lace blinked at the simultaneous response but refrained from commenting on it. She pulled out her tricorder with one hand as she called up the medical histories with the other. To the parents she inquired, "Are there any immediate or long standing medical issues I should be made aware of? Have you perceived of any potential problems in yourselves or your offspring? I imagine the new assignment might have brought along with it a measure of trepidation."

She opened the tricorder and directed it at the teenager first, but only half her attention was upon the medical device. She made note of the girl's breathing, her eyes, her expression. Tricorders were a tool but it was unwise to rely solely upon them for data...

"I feel good and nothing seems wrong." Priza replied with a smile.

Rune smiled, "thanks to all the medical professionals I have been under the care of, I am in good health."

"Same here," Vestar added with his own smile.

"I have had my share of battle injures, some of them give me odd sensations even though they are all healed. It doesn't bother me," Rune continued as he offered a palm facing up in a half shrug gesture.

The entire family did look at Kirk for a few moments. "I did break my left leg once," Kirk reported.

As S'Lace swept Rune with the tricorder, she said, "Old wounds can leave a mark beyond physical scarring. Pain and the events associated with the injury can leave a psychological mark," she examined the readings on the tricorder and was satisfied, "I see no obvious complications but I do recommend a change in diet combined with an exercise regimen. For weight loss I suggest 'rucking', which is hiking with weights. The holodeck could provide you with a variety of scenery. I could suggest several visually striking panoramas found on Vulcan, for example. Or Earth's Yellowstone park," she paused and added, "I have never visited but I hear Risa is lovely every time of year..."

"Did she just call me fat?" Rune asked his husband after he turned his head towards Vestar, his head tilted backwards slightly as his deltoids bunched, he took it halfway between insulted and in jest. It was difficult to tell with Vulcans. He could simply ask, but he glanced between Vestar and S'Lace as he waited.

Vestar turned his head to face Rune and raised an eyebrow. "Well, you have somewhat been lax in your fitness training since we completed our move to DS13."

He scoffed in mock offence. "Excuse me, I have been through hell and back, thank you very much. Like I told you, or had you forgotten?"

"No." Vestar smiled before facing S'Lace again. "Don't worry, Doctor, my husband is a fitness enthusiast. He will be sorting out his routine soon, as he has found balance in parenthood and his duties on a station of this size. We had been moving about for most of our lives and so not been in one place for long enough to truly be settled, so it will take a little more time to find our rhythm."

"Especially with the unknowns the rift will throw at us." Rune added as he faced S'Lace again while Vestar spoke. "I will accept any recommendations you have to compare with what I have learned thus far, thank you, Doctor." He eyed her for a moment, still a little sore from the implied 'fat' comment but returned to a neutral expression.

Suddenly the three kids started laughing, it appeared that they were trying to hold it back since Rune had said the word 'fat'. Both their parents simply rolled their eyes, not quite in unison.

S'Lace allowed the offspring to indulge in the humor of the situation. When they seemed to wind down a bit she said to Rune, "I meant no insult, Lieutenant. And I can understand how disruption of routine can impair one's ability to take care of one's self. And you are not 'fat'. 'Overweight' would be more accurate. My husband, he was 'fat', although he preferred terms such as 'robust', 'big boned', and 'pleasantly plump'. He claimed his 'protective folds of fat' made him even more dangerous in combat. Unfortunately he was stabbed in one of those folds and finished off his opponent, thus only encouraging his delusion."

"A more favourable outlook, I must say." Rune smiled.

S'Lace made a non-commital noise at that and moved on to the other husband/father. After a moment she noted, "You seem to be handling the stress and uncertainties of the disruption of routine considerably better," she then moved on to the two male offspring and an examination revealed nothing untoward.

"I see no medical issues," S'Lace noted, then glanced at Rune, "Other than which was previously mentioned," she took in the family as a whole, "Even your sense of humor appears healthy..."

"Thank you, Doctor," Rune smiled.

"Thank you, Doctor," Tomnas, Kirk, Priza and Vestar added one by one.

S'Lace favored the family with a grave nod as they departed. Well, she thought with an inward, very un-Vulcan mental sigh, it was back to the PADDs...

At the doorway, Rune turned back and called out. "Doctor, would be you interested in a game of Kal-toh at some point? I only got to play it 3 times, do you play?" He asked.

"Yes," S'Lace replied, not adding the fact that she had in fact played Kal-toh rarely and when she did she tended to lose. She was not what any of her race would call an overly logical or intellectually dedicated Vulcan. Oh, she was not some mentally ill, emotional sort...at least, not any more. But Kal-toh required a certain level of focus. Perhaps more focus is what she needed if she were to do her new job properly.

"If you wish to set up a game I would be willing to participate," she stated aloud.

Rune smiled. "I shall send an invite the next time our off days align for a game or two. If you have any other pastimes that require a second player please do let me know, I am eager to learn various games from across the Federation." He offered a bow of his head. "Thank you again Doctor and have a--satisfactory day." He said stepping out into the corridor. Rune wasn't quite sure how S'Lace judged the day to day. That would change when they spent more time together as colleagues.

S'Lace was not one would call 'sociable' but she was not averse to company. And today's encounter was...not unpleasant.

She sighed inwardly. Sadly the stack of PADDs awaiting her was quite the opposite. As she ensured the examination room was as she had found it she contemplated on whom she could delegate certain tasks...

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