An Unusual Request

Posted on Thu Feb 18th, 2021 @ 1:11am by Captain Elijah Rutherford

Mission: End of Line
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: whenever your guy takes command
1341 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

The time was right. Lhaes just knew it, especially after having survived Adna... if not for some kind of fail safe system, he would've died there, that holographic vampire would've drained and killed him.

Lhaes shuddered at the memory, knowing it'd haunt him for quite some time. Still...even before that happened, he'd felt more inclined to help the injured, than help guard them. He'd done his part, done his assigned duty, but it just wasn't for him. He had never really felt at home in security, having held a combined position of intelligence chief and medical officer for most of his career.

Straightening himself, he pressed the chime to the ready room. Of course, he knew Jane had left the ship. Being married to the captain's mother did have its merits, he presumed with a sad smile. Still, he still did need to meet with the new captain, and it was as good a time as any, to request a transfer.

Elijah heard the chime sound, as he was going through some PADDS he had been sorting through on his desk. He noticed a soft toy ball laying on the floor and went to pick it up, it was a bright blue in color, much like the color of a robins egg.

"Enter!" he called out placing the ball on his desk on top of the pile of Padds, the ball deciding to roll off the pile and heading towards the floor. Elijah made to catch it but instead it bounced off his fingers and rolled to stop at the foot of Lhaes.

Staring down at the ball at his feet, Lhaes stooped to pick it up, rolling it between his fingers as he examined it. "Sir?" he queried as he held the item up, and then out for the newcomer to accept as he approached the desk. "I'm Lieutenant Commander Lhaes Sommers," he introduced himself even though he was sure the new CO knew quite well who he was. "I was wondering if you have a moment?"

"Thank you, my son had left it here when visiting me. He's probably wondering where it is at." taking the ball and placing it on a shelf, to where it won't roll away. "I do have time to talk with you, Commander Sommers." motioning to a chair and walking to another chair not far from the other chair. He wasn't wanting to sit behind the desk at this time. "Would you like some tea or something else whilst we converse?"

"Tea please," the Romulan answered as he sat down. "How old is your son?" the then asked, feeling he probably shouldn't bring up his request before some ice-breaking. "My son is four...almost five."

"My children, twins, are three years old now. One girl, one boy." Getting the requested tea for Lhaes and one for himself, then bringing it over to set down on a nearby table. "Would you like honey to sweeten the tea?" pulling out a jar amd adding some in his tea. He stirred it in, then set the spoon down and took a sip.

"I have twin girls, they are almost nine." The Romulan smiled as he shook his head. "No thank you, I prefer mine as it is." He sipped the cup carefully. "How much do you know about me?" he finally asked.

"As in, your service record shows that you've had a varied scope of training in different fields. Intelligence, Security and Medical. Beyond that, not a whole lot, especially since this is the first time I've met you. As far as I know, that is." Elijah was wondering if he and Lhaes had crossed paths in one form or other.

"I don't think we have," the Romulan smiled, "but I do feel security isn't the right field for me. I am actually hoping you'd be able to help me secure a position in the medical department. My license is valid, and I have kept it up to date by running extra shifts in sickbay."

Elijah took a sip of his tea, contemplating Lhae's request. He set his cup down and picked up a PADD. and opened a file. "From the reports I've been reading, you've been doing really well there. I do not see a problem in you being shifted to medical. It's not been unheard of, for crew-members wanting to change to another area on the ship." Elijah looked up at Lhaes. "Have you worked with a Dr. Lily Marlow?"

"On occasion, though our shifts seemed to have been split. Most shifts, I ran consecutive to my primary shift." The Romulan shifted a bit, making himself a little more comfortable. "I just feel more at ease in a medical bay, than on the bridge. Even as intelligence chief, I was more holed away in my office, than that I was on the bridge. Information gathering is what I used to do, but I have always felt an affinity for the medical field, and I feel now is the time to fully commit to it."

Elijah nodded, "Well, from what I have noticed on your records, you do seem to have an affinity for that. I think you would be a good fit, and do you feel you can work alongside Marlow in the capacity of medical? She is known to have some strange ideas when it comes to the healing arts, but I can admit that, they do work."

"I see no issues with that sir," Lhaes answered, "there's nothing wrong with strange ideas, as long as it does the trick right? I know some physicians trust in the archaic Terran healing arts, and there is nothing wrong with that. It also depends on the patient, and what suits their needs, right?"

Elijah nodded, "At times from what Marlow had told me, there are those who are allergic to the more advanced medicines that are out there. I think from what she said, it depends on their physiology. Since I am not a doctor, I wouldn't know much about that. " taking another sip of his tea. "Do you have any insight of the crew onboard the ship, you could tell me?"

The currently still security chief nodded and gave him a quick review of his own observations. "They're a good team," he finished, "and you may have to perform your first wedding soon too..." He smiled secretively.

Elijah raised an eyebrow at Lhaes's mysterious smile, he'll have to find out later on, what the enigmatic man seated near him, meant. "Well then, I shall put together the paperwork as to transferring you into medical. I guess now you'd be called Dr. Sommers, when all is said and done." giving a bit of a smile.

"That has always been my preference, though it seemed inappropriate when not on duty in sickbay," Lhaes smiled back. "When should I report to Doctor Marlow?"

"As soon as I put in the paperwork you can do so, maybe even right after we are finished here." Elijah stated, giving a bit of a smile.

The Romulan's expression turned grateful. "Thank you sir. I have no doubt this will please my family, especially my wife."

Elijah smiled, "Well, welcome aboard Dr. Sommers, and please get to know the rest of the crew." giving a chuckle, and a wink. "Of course you already know a good amount of the crew."

"That I do," the Romulan chuckled, "perhaps I should say welcome aboard to you instead?"

Elijah chuckled, "Yes, you can say that as well. And thank you." giving a pleasant answering smile. "I almost wish I will be a fly on the wall so to speak and hear what Marlow has to say about your joining Medical. However, that will remain between you and Marlow."

"I'm sure Doctor Marlow will come to you if that is necessary," the Romulan smiled back as he stood. "I have taken up enough of your time sir. Good night."

"Goodnight." Elijah replied, watching his newest Medical Officer leave, before he turned back to his work.

END