Something Medical This Way Comes

Posted on 07/29/2020 @ 11:09pm by

Mission: S2E1: The Skunil Incident
Location: Sick Bay
Timeline: Day 1 at 1548

Continued from "What To Do About Men"

"Doctor, would you mind checking my isoboramine levels for me? I have been feeling a bit off lately and having some restless nights. It has been a struggle to get to sleep and the whole warm milk before bed thing just is not doing the trick for me" he added. In fact, it had been a while since J.J. had a good night's sleep, but he was the sort of person who even with only a slither of the recommended amount of sleep, could roll out of bed, put his uniform on, and always come across as one of the most pleasant people.

"Of course, hop right up here and we'll take a look," replied Chet.

New:

Lieutenant Joral hopped up onto the biobed and flashed a smile. "Lieutenant Syndel settling in nicely with the crew, I hope?" J.J. inquired, he was making an attempt at casual conversation but realized it was a bit of place to ask that with the Chief Medical Officer. "Sorry, I did not mean that as a medical inquiry, just general interest in crew morale" explained the First Officer. "I do not even know if it's my isoboramine levels, but I just have not quite felt myself lately and I am not sleeping as well."

"That could also be stress," replied Chet. "But we'll rule out anything medical first. It never hurts to check, I say." He produced a tricorder and began scanning. "As for Syndel, she seems to be settling in as well as I am, which is we haven't had time. We'll both get there, though, I'm sure."

"Stress," replied J.J. with a bit of a curiosity to his tone. "Normally, I would dismiss that, but I have been thinking a lot about home recently and I am still getting used to this position with all the duties and responsibilities that come with being XO. It's odd. I have the memories and that sensation of knowing what I am doing because of Joral, but I'm not Joral...not entirely at least. I would have never dreamt going into command before joining, now sometimes I feel awkward thinking about science."

"That's normal," replied Chet, taking out a hyposyringe and an empty phial. "At least as far as I know about joined Trill. Had a friend in Medical school who was joined. She was always second-guessing herself." He quickly took a blood sample and put it into a nearby analyzer. "While we wait for that to finish," he said, resuming the tricorder scans as a way of finishing the sentence.

"You can give me a quick look over," replied J.J. with a small smile flashing. "Please feel free to do so. I need to have this done regularly anyways I imagine now that I am First Officer that I will be leading the majority of away missions, being sent down to who knows where and encountering who knows what" he added with a small sigh. "You know, having been a science officer that always fascinated me, but I tended to like the safety of a laboratory or a safe security secured area with a tricorder. Now, I have to be at the forefront of everything and part of me is excited about that; however, I think that is just Joral because they got a bit cranky at times when they made Captain."

"I never thought of symbionts having personalities of their own before," admitted Chet. "Although I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. They are sentient beings after all."

"The process is a blending, Doctor" replied J.J "Like you said about your friend from medical school, they were always second guessing themselves? It probably was the duality of being a joined Trill. I got lucky on that I'm only Joral's second host, but imagine having a dozen previous lifetimes? Each of them with their own unique quirks. One day you love tomato bisque and the next day you want nothing to do with tomatoes and you have no idea why."

"That has got to be confusing," agreed Chet. "No wonder the selection process is so rigorous. I've got enough trouble just being me! I can't imagine having to deal with all those extra memories."

J.J. nodded "Yes,. and that isn't even touching the familial ramifications" he replied. "I can see my parents and such, but Joral's previous host? I'm not allowed by Trill law or customs to really have any communication with her family" he added.

"I knew about that," replied Chet. "You see, Jayla- my friend from medical school- her symbiont's previous host was a very good friend of her parents. Long story on how that happened. Anyway, she said it was incredibly awkward at first and she ended up having to spend some time away from her family for a while."

J.J. nodded it was definitely frustrating. It was stressful. He heard a familiar sound, similar to the laboratory technology he was used to working with when it completed and analysis. "My levels alright, Doc?" he inquired.

Chet took one step over to the analyser and read the results carefully. "Your levels look just fine. Not only the isoboromine, either. Blood sugar, cholesterol, iron, everything looks great. My guess is you just need more sleep. I'm seeing slightly higher than normal melatonin levels, which indicates that your body wants rest. I suggest sleep and maybe talking to the counselor to make sure there's not some anxiety in there, too."

J.J. was pleased with that diagnosis. He could live with nothing being wrong except needing some sleep and possibly just being stressed. "Thank you, Doctor. So, there isn't anything that will keep me from away team duties? I'm free to go?" inquired the First Officer.

"Nah, you should be fine," Chet replied. "Just try to relax a little. Take up knitting. Or croquet. Whatever. And if you have trouble sleeping, come in for a sleep aid. And yes," he added with a grin. "You are free to go."

"Then I bid you adieu" replied J.J. with a smile.

Dr. Chester O'Hamlin
Chief Medical Officer
USS Crazy Horse

&

Lieutenant Jodon Joral
Executive Officer
USS Crazy Horse