A Good Example

Posted on Sun Feb 2nd, 2020 @ 2:33am by Lieutenant Min Seong & Ensign Michael Sloan

Mission: Mission 2 - Fallout
Location: Sickbay, Deck E
Timeline: MD 01
821 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

With the command coming down to rest and take some mandatory time off duty, Michael thought it would be a good idea to go ahead and knock out his mandated physical for the year. If he expected the crew to still abide by Starfleet rules and regulations, he decided that he had to live by them as well. After a few steps off the turbolift, the doors to Sickbay opened with a slight hiss that revealed the brightest room in the ship.

Once his brown eyes noticed the doctor, the Acting First Officer spoke up, "Doctor, have time to get my physical over with?" He had never really disliked the medical profession, many officers earned reputations for avoiding Sickbay like the plague. But, to him avoiding the doctor was just how one would contract the plague.

"I always have time for a physical," Min began, before she noticed a young crewman just behind the man, nursing her arm. Despite Sloan's rank, her attention turned to the crewman. "Petty Officer, what exactly happened to you?"

The young woman looked between the two officers, shoulders sagging. "Just an accident in Engineering. I fell."

"... Alright then, go see one of the nurses. I'll come by in a few minutes," Min instructed with an eerie calm, gesturing back toward where a few of the medical staff were busy at work. She watched as the young woman retreated away from the awkward situation. "... Commander, I have a more secluded room if you'd prefer I do this privately."

Shrugging, Michael replied, "No reason to treat me differently than the rest of the crew." Looking toward the injured crewmember, he offered, "I can come back..."

Min shook her head, gesturing toward the room. Now he had no choice in the matter. "I offer it to just about everyone, and those who request for privacy. You're here, that ensign will be just fine. The nurses are truly tired, but they're all insistent on helping. I have to threaten them to have them take breaks. If I saw her before they got to her, I would have some annoyed looks. It may seem backwards, but morale comes in various forms for everyone."

"Understood," Michael stated as he made his way into the secluded area and sat on the patient bed. Trying to make a bit of small talk so that the exam was less awkward, he asked, "Has Sickbay been busy lately?"

Min made sure the door shut behind her as she turned to obtain the medical scanner they had been detailing crew biometrics upon. "Not so much now. A few knicks and bruises, and potentially those after stimulants, but nothing major. It's given me enough time to go chase after the senior staff I know isn't resting, or simply needs to have their physical." She let the thought hang for a moment, scanning Michael with the tool and frowning. "The same may not be said for some of the other departments. Sick Bay simply has been lucky."

"That is good to hear," Michael replied a bit relieved that at least something was going right. Noticing the frown on Min's face, the Acting First Officer's heart jumped. "Find something?" he asked, taking the frown as a sign that something was wrong.

"No." Min looked over the scanner's final readings. "... Not at all." She looked the scanner over in curiosity and annoyance. Technology had a way of glitching when she needed it to be working. "... As a matter of fact, Sir, I may have a few questions. Like if you managed to sustain any injuries or even if the stress has gotten to you over the course of the past few weeks."

"I think we've all been suffering from stress in some way," Michael replied. He did not like admitting weakness, but this was a doctor's appointment, "I have been having trouble sleeping."

The doctor frowned. "Yes, we've all been having that sort of issue... but I mean, everything is reading normally. No side effects of potential insomnia or stress levels. Your blood pressure reads normally, as do... most of your vital signs. This is phenomenal, but... I would at least expect something abnormal. Almost every other crew member has had a minor hiccup simply from trauma."

"Maybe I'm just lucky," Michael shrugged. As if on cue, the comm unit to Sickbay activated. "Commander Sloan, you're needed in the Armory," the voice requested.

Looking to the doctor, the Acting First Officer asked, "I'm called elsewhere, am I good to go?"

Min looked up from the medical scanner, giving a small nod. "Yes you are. But do let me know if you feel or see anything abnormal. Just in case."

"I promise," Michael nodded before leaving Sickbay. His last words before walking out the door was, "Thanks Doc."

---

Lt. Commander Michael Sloan
Acting First Officer/Chief Armory Officer
NX Atlantis

Lt. Min Seong
Medical Officer
NX Atlantis