First Day On The Job
Posted on 05/02/2020 @ 11:42pm by Lieutenant JG S'Lace
Location: S'Lace's personal quarters
Timeline: Day 5, 23:30 hours
S'Lace sat at the small desk in her quarters, indulging in an Earth delicacy she had been introduced to decades ago when she had first visited there. The "Chicago style" pizza's doughy crust was covered in tomato sauce and hot, gooey cheese was quite delicious and she allowed herself a long moment to savor it's flavor in a manner many Vulcans would have perhaps found distasteful.
She attempted to ignore Dalgliesh's pointed stare from where he sat on the bed.
S'Lace set the slice down and switched on the recorder, "Chief Medical Officer's log, acting Chief Medical Officer S'Lace reporting," she was not certain whether or not the assignment would be permanent; she assumed it would depend upon the availability of a more experienced and/or higher ranking officer weighed against her performance. As for her performance...
"Of the four patients, two arrived deceased when transported to the Crazy Horse from the prison ship Blackwell," she paused, then added, "Based on all available facts I see no negligence upon any member of the Crazy Horse's crew. The unfortunate death of the Blackwell's Chief Medical Officer and lack of data contributed to an inability to sufficiently treat the prisoners. As a recommendation I would suggest in the future that prison transports be equipped with different sized holding cells in the event it is necessary to keep prisoners together; it is possible had the prisoners been allowed to join they might have survived.
"An autopsy of the two deceased aliens have revealed some information regarding their nature, I have appended these facts to this log. Of particular interest was the device discovered implanted in the brains of the aliens. The first device self destructed before we could glean any useful information, but a more cautious examination of the second has allowed Science, Medical and Engineering to deduce the objects were designed to exert some means of control upon the aliens. Until we no more we cannot risk an operation at this time to remove the devices from the two aliens that still li-"
Dalgliesh produced a mewling sound what was not quite a plea, S'Lace switched off the recorder and regarded the cat.
"You have received sufficient treats for the evening," she noted, "I will not be swayed by your entreaties. This," she waved her hand at the pizza, "Shall make you ill."
The cat gave another mewling noise implying it found the facts to be disputable. Sighing, S'Lace grabbed the small malleable red ball on her desk, shook it in the air to gain the feline's attention, and tossed it. Dalgliesh dashed off the bed and made for the ball, distracted...for now. S'Lace switched the recorder back on, "Computer, erase last sentence beginning with 'Until'," the computer chirped in acquiescence, "Until we no more we cannot risk an operation at this time to remove the devices from the two aliens that still live. Engineering staff have met our specifications and have rigged ultraviolet lighting in the cells of the two remaining prisoners, which still remain comatose. Diagnostic equipment has also been installed in their cell so medical staff in Sickbay may monitor them."
Now came the difficult part. S'Lace collected her thoughts then continued, "An attempt to mind meld with the patients provided little useful data. What imagery I saw could have possibly been from their subconscious. It could have also been from my own. I shall continue to meditate to see if I may be able to adequately determine their nature to see if the may be of any use in their treatment or to provide Security and Command with useful information." the images had been truly disturbing. Were they echoes of her past? Or memories of torments subjected upon them by their captors? Impossible to say.
S'Lace closed the log and listened to it. She edited out the unnecessary pauses, then saved it to records, and then sent a copy to the Captain and Execuitive Officer. S'Lace settled back in her chair and sighed. As first days went there had been disappointments; she wished she could have done more. Could a more experienced doctor have done so? She did not think that was the case. All the same she would not dwell on it. She finished the slice of pizza and began to undress, unwrapping the ahn woon from around her waist and setting it across the desk. She allowed her touch upon it to linger a moment, as always fresh memories welled up, bittersweet. Then the moment passed and prepared for bed...
Lt. jg S'Lace
Acting Chief Medical Officer
USS Crazy Horse.
