Another Boss

Posted on Tue Aug 18th, 2020 @ 2:11am by Lieutenant Lily Marlow

Mission: End of Line
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD 1
2028 words - 4.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Sekat sighed softly to himself. How many chiefs had he gone through now in the last months? The Vulcan was starting to wonder if perhaps the position was somehow cursed.

Gossip had it that another chief was about to come in and though he wasn't one to believe gossip, there had been reports that supported said gossip. He looked towards the chief's office, noticing movement inside. So... he reached for his cane and started his trek towards the office. "Excuse me... are you the new chief?"

Having been brought to sick bay by an accommodating crew member, Lily decided to take an inventory of what was on hand and make her office her own sort of space. She was caught up in making notes, she hadn't heard anyone entering in her office.

"Oh! You startled me!" nearly dropping her PADD. "I'm Dr. Lily Marlow, a pleasure to make your acquaintance Dr... Sekat?" noting that he was using a cane. "Please, have a seat, and may I offer you a piece of fruit?" indicating a bowl which contained freshly washed apples and oranges.

"I am Sekat," the Vulcan confirmed, gratefully taking a seat. "I apologize ma'am I did not intend to startle you. I assumed you would have heard my approach." The unmistakable step-tap was rather hard to miss to an observant crewmember. "When did you arrive?"

Taking a seat herself, not too far from Sekat." I've just arrived, and normally I would have picked up your approach but I got too focused in taking inventory. Something that happens from time to time."with an apologetic smile. "I've not even looked over the medical records yet. Speaking of which, how did you receive your injury?" giving a nod towards him.

"Patherlon attack," Sekat answered, "I was clawed and bitten.. Patherlons are a feline species and I was trying to defend my staff. He had poisoned claws and as such my nerves never fully healed. I cannot walk far without assistance." He offered the faintest of smiles. "As it has been quite some time now, I am used to it despite the discomfort. Your predecessors have all tried to heal me but have not had success."

Lily nodded, "That must have been a rather harrowing experience. I would have been terrified facing that. And also commendable and brave for protecting your staff. " an expression of admiration as well as compassion.

" Out of curiosity, what did my predecessors attempt to do, to help you out?" taking out a pad and pencil to take some notes.

Sekat outlined the treatments and additional surgeries he'd undergone, pausing now and then to let her catch up. "At least I can ride again, for short amounts of time," he commented quietly, "and under normal circumstances I am relatively pain free. It is tolerable and I can control it. It does not bother me as much anymore."

Nodding once again, Lily added to her notes. She put down her pencil and pad,reaching over and took out her medical tricorder. "If you don't mind." she commented.

As she read the results of the scan, Lily remarked, "I am picking up a slight infection where you've taken damage, sometimes things like that lurk around unseen, then appear when you don't expect it."

"It has reared its head on and off," Sekat admitted, "for some reason it will not go away. It has lingered for months now. It seems a there is a pattern, whenever I am under duress it will show up. It is not as bad as a few weeks ago, it should be in my medical file."

"There is an herb that may help you out,that is if you are willing. With you having to deal with an attack from a feline species, perhaps a tea, a supplement or even an oil infused with Cat's Claw could help.This herb supercharges the immune system and helps to repair damaged DNA."she stated. "Then there is fresh Ginger root which also takes care of inflammation and pain. Plus helps with nausea."

"I am not nauseous however," Sekat countered. "I can try this herb, does it work on... mostly Vulcans?" He paused. "I do not know if it has effect however, the attack was over a year ago now."

"With its beneficial aspects as to repairing DNA, and taking care of an infection, Cat's Claw would work on different species. Including those of mixed blood."Lily stated "It won't work instantaneously, for repair work it takes time."

" I can also offer other things to help you get back in the saddle so to speak. Accupuncture, Accupressure, Deep Tissue massage. That is, if you are able to stand the contact." she stated. "Some of my previous patients have been highly sensitive to someone touching them, due to the extra sensitive nature of their epidermis."

"I can prepare for physical contact," Sekat assured her, "as a physician, I am used to it to a degree. What are you proposing?"

"A regimin of massage, accu-pressure as well as accu-puncture, in order to get your body in balance, to restore your chi. All this to restore your body's balance. I also will recommend learning Tai chi, if you don't know it all ready. It will help with your movement as well." she stated,with a gentle smile. "I can work with you to make a schedule, all that I have recommended, is something that I know how to do." her voice confident and sincere. "Plus some supplements as well."

"If it improves quality of life, I am open to try anything ma'am," Sekat answered honestly, "despite my age, I am still quite young for a Vulcan, and I do not wish to be reliant on a cane all my life."

"I wouldn't want you to be reliant on that either. And its something I live by as well, improving the quality of life. Besides, if it weren't for my mother's knowlege and skill, it would have probably taken me a month or two more to have recovered from my injuries." She shrugged, "Okay now, for the next part. Any patients that need to be checked on?" going to the computer to pull up records of patients.

Sekat shook his head. "No, not that I am aware of. May I enquire after the nature of your imjuries?" He paused, giving her the chance to pull up records. "There are patients who need following up on," he added, "their records should be flagged."

"Concussion, lacerations on the back and the right leg. Second degree burn on the left thigh.Minor cuts and abrasions. Couple of broken ribs, two black eyes. I looked like a raccoon." she chuckled slightly.

" I was fortunate to have gotten off that lightly, others suffered worse." a slight cloud passed over her eyes, moisture gathering in them. She wiped away a stray tear. "The CMO died, and a few others." taking a shuddering breath, "Forgive me, the pain of losing those friends is still fresh." She went quiet, her clenching her fists, taking some deep breaths to control the sorrow that threatened to crash over her.

"The pain of losing those you cared greatly for never fades," Sekat answered knowingly, "I watched my wife die and there was nothing I could do to prevent it. I could only watch through a sealed hatch." He gently reached to touch her arm, making sure to touch only fabric and not skin. "There is nothing to forgive."

Lily's storm calmed at the gentle touch of Sekat, her fists unclenched, "Thank you, and that is a horrible experience watching the one you love die, and not being able to get to them." Lily reaching out in turn, touching him on the sleeve.

Taking a deep breath, then letting it out slowly, she then said. "At times the only thing that can keep a person's mind off of that, is occupying it with something else." giving a firm nod. "Doesn't always work, but it helps." pulling her hand away, "it appears there maybe a birth coming up very soon."

"Yes. Miss Sage is close to term and she is bearing twins." Sekat offered a faint smile as he too pulled his hand back. "The first birth on this ship, though we do have a fair amount of small children. Yeoman Stef's son, I believe is currently the youngest child on board. Due to circumstance, he was not born on the ship."

Lily gave an answering smile at hearing of the young ones, then a querying expression in her eyes. "I see, where was he born then?"

"Mardra III. It was a unique situation as his father was left behind when the planet phased. Five years passed for him while only days passed for us. Yeoman Stef was 19 when he was marooned. I have treated him since then on numerous occasions as he seems... Accident prone..."

"Left behind, when the planet phased. That must have been rather disconcerting for him and the rest of the crew. What sort of accidents has he been having? Is it his equilibrium? Perhaps he is still suffering from when the planet phased. If only days had passed for the crew and five years passed for him...Sounds like an imbalance in the cerebellum, has a scan been run for that?" Lily looking concerned.

"The two are unrelated," Sekat answered, "he has just been unlucky. A while ago, we were attacked and implanted with some kind of device, it affected crewmembers differently. It caused him to become very breakable, while it caused me to see my wife." He shook his head. "I do not believe the boy is imbalanced but if you wish to be certain I do believe he is due for his physical soon."

Lily nodded, then looked horrified at the mention of devices having been put in the crew. "That is awful! I will be reading that file definitely. How long ago did this occur?" pulling up the records of medical history. "I will be giving physicals for those who are due." scanning over files. "Quite frankly, I am surprised that you are not the Chief Medical Officer, with how much you have done to keep things running. Honestly, I am glad to have been appointed here, its just that...You have the skills and knowlege, plus experience to do so."

"Skill and knowledge, but not the desire," the Vulcan answered honestly. "I will assist you as best as I can, but I have no desire to be chief." He gave her a wry smile. "Nor the physical prowess."

Lily gave a nod of understanding. "This will be my first time of being a Chief Medical Officer, up until now,I've been an Assistant Chief Medical Officer. The one who was the CMO, was Edward Holmes. He was among those who had perished during the battle with a pirate ship. He had a lot of faith in me, and I hope I can live up to that faith."

She gave a slight sigh,looking in the distance at the memory, shook her head to get back to the present. And on that note, she said with determination, "With us being a team, I'm sure we can get through things that come our way,and...we'll get your physical prowess up to par." a smile full of faith.

"I have high hopes ma'am. When would you like to start?"

"Probably this evening. I've got to get my things unpacked and sorted out. "she gave a laugh."I basically came here right after I arrived on the ship. I needed to get a basic idea of where to put my other things, such as the oils and supplements. I've not even reported to the command staff yet. I guess you could say I was a bit excited in seeing where I will be working."

"Your excitement is commendable." He smiled again. "I should let you get settled." He gave her a nod. "And I am looking forward to trying new treatment."

With an answering smile, Lily gave a nod. All ready the day was going rather well. She could imagine and see herself being here, for quite awhile.