New ship, new physical

Posted on Fri Feb 12th, 2021 @ 8:36am by Lieutenant JG Damien Blackford & Commander Sthilg

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Elysium - MedBay
Timeline: 17/11/2396
1334 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Damien sighed as he checked the PaDD on his desk. It was only his second day aboard the Elysium, so he had yet to receive any kind of official shift schedule. He had already met with the assistant head of Security. A nice enough person, if person was the word one used when talking about a bipedal horse species. He had spent the majority of yesterday in his quarters familiarising himself with the ship, it’s layout, and the crew. So when he had gotten the message that he would need to report for a physical, the first thing he had done was pull up the personal file for the ships Chief Medical Officer.

And had been pleasantly surprised when he saw the face of a Gorn staring back at him. He hadn’t even realised that there were any Gorn serving in Starfleet. Still, this would be another learning opportunity. Much like with S’hib, he was looking forward to meeting someone different.

So it was, that at the appointed time, he made sure that he was looking as best he could, before heading out of his quarters, and along to the MedBay. Once inside, he looked around, before clearing his throat, and saying, “Erm, Ensign Damien Blackford. I’m supposed to report to Commander Sthilg.” Oh how he hoped he’d pronounced that correctly.

" Hello there Blackford I'm Sssthilg." The big lizard said as he offered his hand.

He cleared his throat, taking the offered hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Commander. I believe I need to pass a physical before I start work."

" Indeed. Let'sss get you on a biobed and take a look at you." The gorn said leading the way. " Any injuries since your lassst ssscan that are not on file?" He asked

He nodded, following the doctor over to the BioBed, and sitting down, nodding. “Yeah. After my graduation me and some friends had a couple days before deployment. We spent some time in the Holodeck, and I ended up with a broken leg. Luckily, one of them was a medical graduate and was able to fix me up without having to go to the MedBay. He didn’t tell anyone, and neither did I.” He said, thinking that maybe he should have told someone. But he didn’t have any lasting injuries and hadn’t thought anything off it when his friend had given him the all clear.

" Well make sssure it doesssn't happen again. We exissst for a reason. " the gorn replied as he made a note to check it as he started up the scanner.

Damien nodded. "Of course, Commander." He said, "It won't happen again." Truthfully, he had always meant to report what had happened, but soon after, he'd received his deployment orders, and everything not to do with preparing for his first real mission had flown out of his head.

After a few seconds of silence, he couldn't help but start speaking. He had never much enjoyed uncomfortable silences. "So, forgive me if this is too personal, Commander, but how exactly does a Gorn come to find themselves in Starfleet? I didn't realise there were any Gorn serving."

" Oh it'sss a very long ssstory, but i was offred a chance to join the fleet after my time in joint medical program during the dominion war. Asss far asss i'm aware there are nine of us in the fleet though i'm the only one in medical." the old doctor responded. " What about you why did you want to join the fleet?"

He nodded, vaguely recalling some of the conversations that he'd had with his father about the War. He'd only been a year old when the war began, but he remembered his mother talking about how worried she'd been when he'd been called up to fight.

He looked up at the Doctor, vague surprise passing his face at the question. He honestly hadn't been expecting that. "Me?" He said. "Oh, well, my father served in Starfleet as Chief Medical Officer, and every time he was home, he told me stories about his time serving. And it sparked something inside me. I decided that I wanted to serve as well. I wanted to help like he was. He said he didn't mind when I chose Security as my Major, but part of me thinks he was secretly a little disappointed when I didn't go into Medical like he did."

The old doctor nodded as he kept one eye on the scanner. "What was hisss name? I may have met him during the war. I was with the KDF at the time." he inqured.

"Lieutenant Commander August Blackford. He served as Chief Medical Officer on the USS Revelations." He said. "He did mention serving a few missions with the KDF at the start of the War."

" Sssorry, but i don't remember anyone of that name. Ssstill if he ssserved in the war than he has my respect. Thossse were sssome very unpleasssant timesss." The gorn replied after he wracked his brain for anyone of that name.

He nodded, smiling softly. "My father would say the thing about you." He said. "Although he despised the war, he still had the utmost respect for everyone that served and helped out." He couldn't say that he was very surprised that Sthilg didn't know his father. He was pretty sure his father would have mentioned if he'd served with a Gorn. "You have my respect as well, Commander. From the stories my father has told me, the war was one of the worst things he ever experienced."

" It truly wasss. The dominion were butchersss that put the worssst Klingon houssse to ssshame. " Sthilg replied with his tone showing he knew what he was talking about.

Damien nodded, going quiet. His father had only told him a few stories about his time in the war. He disliked talking about it, saying fighting wasn't the reason he had joined Starfleet. "I'm sorry you had to go through such an unpleasant experience." He finally said, unsure what he was even apologising for, but just disliking the silence that was hanging in the air.

He finally decided to try and change the subject. "So, do you have any family, Commander?" He asked, hastily adding the rank, trying to show respect, despite asking what many might consider being a personal question.

" My wife and biological daughter left thisss plane many moonsss ago." The gorn said after a slight pause. " I've recently adopted Alicia the ssship'sss councilor though. Ssshe, her husband and Conner mean the world to me." He said with a happier tone.

"My condolences." He said, wondering just how long 'many moons' was, but decided against asking. There were some things that were too personal. Especially for someone who had only just arrived. And the last thing he needed to do was upset one of the Senior Staff. But he couldn't help but smile at the next piece of news. "That's wonderful news." He said. "I've yet to meet the Commander yet. But I'm sure I'll see her before long."

" I'm sssure you'll find her very plesssent. Ssshe'sss a very lovely woman and talented counssselor." the doctor replied.

He nodded. "I have no doubt about it. I look forward to meeting her." He said, running a hand through his hair.

" I'm sssure you will." The doctor said as he looked over the finished scan. " Well, everything'sss looking good. I Sssee no reassson to not declare you fit for duty."

He smiled, nodding once more. "Excellent. That's great news. Thank you, Commander. It was a pleasure to meet you."

" Likewissse don't hesssitate to call again if you need help." The doctor replied as he saved the scan.

"Understood, Commander. I look forward to working with you."

" Asss do i." The old lizard replied.

Damien nodded, and hopped off the BioBed, offering the Doctor a small salute, before heading out the MedBay. One more thing to cross off the list. With any luck, he'd be starting soon.