A Surgical Introduction

Posted on Sat Apr 12th, 2025 @ 10:19am by Lieutenant JG Sylorik MD & Commander Sthilg

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Elysium, Various
Timeline: 12 Days prior to Circinus
2454 words - 4.9 OF Standard Post Measure

A crewman shouted from behind.

Sylorik looked behind him as a large piece of ship equipment was being hauled on an anti-grav unit and accompanied by three technicians. An armed member of security stood at the head of the column as they moved through the corridor, approaching the Vulcan doctor's position.

He flattened himself against the bulkhead, permitting an large and unwieldy piece of equipment to move past. Probably an auxiliary component for the sensor array, Sylorik told himself.

In the forty or so minutes since arriving aboard the Elysium, Sylorik was mildly surprised at its size and complex interior. Crewmembers from both the Elysium and Galaxy Station were swarming the decks no doubt in preparation for an upcoming mission. Through every viewport, he had glimpsed small repair craft flitting around the Elysium like a hundreds of flies on a corpse. A morbid and unnecessary observation, he chided himself.

What was quite clear to Sylorik was how much the Elysium resembled a city on its own. Forgetting for a moment the size of starbases and how very much they actually are cities in space, the Elysium was a different specimen; a living breathing city capable of sustaining itself in deep space while moving from one place to another.

As he continued through the corridor, he reflected on what had brought him here: a chance to continue his career as a medical doctor. Though he had spent twenty years as chief of emergency surgery at one of the largest and busiest hospitals on Vulcan, he knew serving aboard a Federation starship would ultimately mean no access to more specialized equipment and that would require training in what some doctors described as "frontier medicine."

So long as he could remain in service to others, he would be content. It may as well have been the family motto and he could quite easily hear his father's voice describing how there is no higher calling than 'the devotion to the well-being and serving the needs of others.'

Thinking of his father, he felt a slight twinge of sadness--only for an instant--before his Vulcan training smoothed the emotion away, as if calming ripples upon a lake. Seeing the disappointment on the faces of both of his parents had made him feel like a family outcast. Sylorik reminded them he would still be performing the same duties but on a starship. And that was not the real issue. They disapproved of a career in Starfleet but him it remained the logical career choice when laid at his feet.

The corridor came to an end at a set of turbolift doors and Sylorik found himself alone inside.

"Deck Twelve," he commanded softly. He suddenly realized his travel bag was beginning to chafe on his shoulder through the white-and-teal Starfleet uniform he wore. The sooner he found himself with quarters the better, he thought.

Moments later, he was standing in the door to the Chief Medical Officer's office. Staring back at him, an imposing Gorn with a very soft demeanor.

Sylorik studied the Gorn doctor. Sthilg was the author of several seminal papers and while they had never been acquainted, he was certain his older sister T'Myr--the geneticist--had probably crossed paths with the Elysium's CMO.

"Doctor Sthilg," said Sylorik calmly. "My name is Sylorik. I am officially reporting for duty."

" Welcome Doctor Sssylorik." The gorn MD said from behind his desk doing his best to look happy and not threatening. " Pleassse have a ssseat." he added gesturing to the chair opposite his desk. " Can i get you anything? I jussst bbrewed up sssome fresssh coffee and there some fresh sssoup in the ssstasssisss field." he said gesturing his reptilian head to the coffee pot and the silver status field sitting next to it.

"I would be amenable to a coffee," replied Sylorik, looking beyond Sthilg at the coffee pot.

He examined the Gorn physician closely, noting Sthilg's leanness--not overly gaunt but definitely underweight. His reptilian-like body certainly had some muscle to it but perhaps age or past illness played a role in his physical appearance. Sylorik noted the Gorn's well-manicured hands

As Sthilg fetched the coffee pot and a mug, Sylorik examined the CMO's desk, raising an eyebrow at the clutter before him. A small pile of PADDs with departmental reports took up one side of the desk space, an empty coffee mug and a dirty dinner plate from a previous meal rested on the other.

Among the more permanent items found on the desk were a portrait containing an image of what appeared to be a Trill female with shoulder-length hair and a crude drawing of what Sylorik could only assume to be Sthilg. The words, "Grand Dad' scrawled above the amateur portrait followed by 'Age 2' beneath. Sylorik postulated that the portrait of the Trill female was someone close and the drawing was clearly the work of a grandchild.

Sthilg expertly poured the black contents of the coffee pot into a bone-white mug before turning to face Sylorik with his milk-white eyes.

" Milk, honey or sugar? " The gorn asked politely. " I apologisssse for the messssss i had a very long sssurgery last night. Haven't had a chance to clean up " He added noting the Vulcan eyes glancing at the clutter. With the slight wiring noise, it made his artificial arm droped it's scale pattern and split into multiple metal tendrils that quickly began to pick up the plate coffee cup and tidy the pads into a neat pile. The tendrils holding the plate and coffee cup spread over to the replicator and placed them within before withdrawing back into an arm shape and restoring themselves to a hand shape.

"Fascinating," remarked Sylorik with eyebrows raised high. "A cybernetic arm would be a boon in the surgical theater."

He saw Sthilg still waiting patiently for a response.

"Black is fine, sir."

The Gorn doctor handed him the mug of hot coffee and nodded. Something about Sthilg put Sylorik at immediate ease.

Sipping his coffee, Sylorik asked, "A late surgery?"

" Yes, ensign Sssanasssha Apendic exploded on her at ten to midnight. " The gorn explained letting out a yawn as he did so. " And yes the arm is a boon. I have multiple sssurgical inssstruments loaded for sssurgical ussse. " he added patting it as he did so. " Ssso tell me about yourself doctor. Why did you join Ssstarfleet and get into medicine." he asked politely.

Sylorik stared into the dark liquid in the coffee mug. "My lineage is deeply rooted in medicine. Both my mother and father are physicians--a surgeon and a paediatrician. As are three of my siblings. One of whom you may have encountered before. Additionally, my grandparents practiced medicine."

He took another sip while considering his next words. "I was raised to believe the highest calling is to be devoted to the care of others." He paused and looked at the Gorn. "I may be new to Starfleet but I do not believe there are many Gorn physicians. What brought you to this profession?"

" No you don't sssee many of my peoplesss physssiciansss. We have them the first ssstep to civilisation is a mended break after all, but mossst don't venture outssside the hegemony bordersss. " The gorn replied a hint of sorrow in his voice. " As my medical professssion, you can blame my inability to do anything on the ssshipbreaker world i was born upon. I failed at jussst about everything ssso i ended up the appearance of the village healer. Ssshe ssstarted me on my career. " he said letting out a slight sigh. " I missss her. Ssshe didn't dessserve what happened to her none of usss did."

Sylorik could hear a hint of sorrow in Sthilg's voice.

"For you to serve as the Chief Medical Officer of this ship," he began. "I'm sure she would be proud. You are held in high regard in our vocation."

Sylorik took another sip of his black coffee. "In fact," he said with conviction. "Several of your papers on cross-species genetics have been instrumental in research on Vulcan--an uncommon occurrence, sir."

As he readjusted the strap of his travel bag, Sylorik turned once more to Sthilg. "I have had a long career as a surgeon on my homeworld, but now is the time for me to learn and grow beyond the constraints of Vulcan society." The last was said almost ruefully, his voice quieting. His gaze lingered on the bulkhead just beyond the Gorn's shoulder, unfocused. He wasn't entirely sure he believed his own words--his motives for leaving Vulcan seemed logical, even if the truth lay buried in deeper currents of remembrance.

"Commander," said Sylorik inclining his head toward the office door. "A tour of the medical facilities would be both informative and engaging."

"Thank you, you are mossst kind. Of courssse i can ssshow you around. " The Gorn said as he stood up and headed for the door. " Which one of your sssiblingsss may i have met. I don't mean to sssound rude but i have meet and talked with many a vulcan in my yearsss." he said looking back over his shoulder.

Both doctors placed their coffee mugs on the desk. Sthilg's heavy ceramic clinked against the desk's surface, in constrast to the Sylorik's which barely made a sound and reflected the Vulcan's delicate touch. They fell into step, Sthilg leading with a purposeful stride and Sylorik in tow, hands clasped behind his back.

"T'Myr," said Sylorik, invoking the name of one of his two sisters. "She is a member of the Institute of Advanced Genetics and Biomedical Research on Vulcan."

The Gorn doctor slowed slightly, his long claws tapping gently against the PADD he carried as he considered the name.

"She co-authored several papers regarding chronic disease susceptibility in cross-species," offered Sylorik in a measured but slightly proud tone.

" Ah T'Myr i remember her." The old gorn said after thinking it through for a short while. " How is ssshe doing?" He enquired as he lead the way stoping by one of the smaller rooms. " Thisss isss are cybernteic ssspecalist office though Vissse isss enjoying sssome ssshore leave at the moment. " The gorn said gesturing inside the small room which was clearly the room of a federation cyber doctor.

The compact room contained an orderly array of specialized instruments. A workstation lined with sleek neural interfaces, a wall-mounted diagnostic scanner, and several complex-looking prosthetic components in transparent casings.

Sylorik nodded as he looked inside. "This vessel truly is capable of responding to nearly any medical need."

Sthilg gave a subtle but confident nod.

"The surgical theater," said Sylorik. "I'm curious to examine it."

" Off courssse thisss way. " Sthilg replied as he led the way heading through one of the wards as he did so. The lizard made sure to point out all of the new equipment they had just installed.

" And here's the sssurgical ward. " He said stepping into the room. " Holo ssscreensss can further sssplit the room into four for extra operations." The gorn said beaming at the near spotless room. " Makesss my operation ward in the KDF look like a closssessst."

While Sthilg stopped near the doorway, Sylorik moved slowly about the open space taking in the sterile walls and gleaming surfaces. The lighting was typically clinical but not overly harsh and the faint hum of medical systems running on standby was the suite's only companion. Sylorik examined the holoscreens. The room confirmed everything he had read about the Elysium--a veritable city in space with amenities and support for just about any need. A good clinic and surgical ward would be necessary to support families, thought Sylorik.

He turned back to Sthilg who watched him with quiet satisfaction. "I was not aware you served on a Klingon vessel."

" I ssserved many yearsss in the KDF. I transferred over to Ssstarfleet after the Dominion War ended. " Sthilg explained as he walked to one of the machine. " Tool sssterilissser guaranteed to make any tool sssafe for use."

Sylorik followed Sthilg's gaze to a compact machine within reach of the surgical suite's biobed. It appeared smaller than a replicator but larger than a potted plant. The unit was currently on standby and Sylorik knew Starfleet's medical technology was built to always be on standby, unlike the more traditional Vulcan hospital setting.

"Fascinating," said the Vulcan surgeon, peeking into the open chamber. "My experience on Vulcan is with ultraviolet photonic sterilizers." He knew the Elysium's tool sterilization units most likely utilized small plasma fields to ensure a complete decontamination at the molecular level--efficient and precise.

Sthilg appeared visibly relaxed as he remained silent for a long moment, allowing his new doctor to take-in the rest of the surgical suite's equipment.

Aside from the holo matrix, the room also contained several common pieces of surgical equipment: an advanced bio-scanner array, a larger molecular synthesizer, two stasis field generators with auxiliary power and tertiary power supplies, a bio-nanite pool, racks of cellular regeneration tools and several prepared surgical trays containing every instrument and tool necessary to perform emergency surgery.

"I would venture that the Klingon Empire does not have such sophisticated technology on their vessels," commented Sylorik. In fact, he knew most Federation vessels had good medical departments but nothing like the Elysium's.

Sylorik clasped both hands behind his back and turned to the Gorn doctor. "With your permission," he said. "I would request that I begin daily surgical simulations so that I may increase my comfort level here."

" Off courssse. Make assssure to included a few sssimulationsss with limited tech to make sssure you can manage without. I ssstill have sssome of the toolsss from my training under my healer." The chief MD suggested.

Sylorik nodded slowly. "Thank you, sir. I will begin tomorrow."

Clearing his throat slightly, the Vulcan surgeon looked at his department head. "I am grateful for the tour," he said in a formal tone. "I believe my next step is to report to the Executive Officer. Might I trouble you for directions?"

He didn't particularly care for Starfleet's rituals of protocol but understood their place in the overall structure. And, admittedly, the prospect of reviewing his new quarters before day's end held some appeal to the Vulcan.

" Captain Taylor ssshould be in his office on deck 1." Sthilg replied offering his hand. " I look forward to working with you Doctor Sylorik.

Sylorik took the large, clawed hand being proffered and shook with a firm hold.

"You as well, sir."

Their eyes met for a moment and Sylorik felt a mutual respect. Two doctors--one far more experienced and ready to share, the other ready to build new experience and learn.

The Vulcan surgeon strode out of the door feeling very confident about his assignment aboard the Elysium.