All this and an Implant too?

Posted on Mon Apr 27th, 2020 @ 9:36am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 3: Episode 4: Cause and Effect
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: TBD
2130 words - 4.3 OF Standard Post Measure

After leaving Alicia, Gary made his way to medical to get his implant. Walking in he found it
empty. Instead of it's usual bee hive of activity. "Hello? Hello? Anybody here?" he called
out.

"Right back," Tallia called from the doctor's break area, "Gimme like two minutes." With that being said she turned back to the replicator, currently producing her a cup of hot darjeeling tea, an Indian blend her father was fond of. A few seconds later, tea in hand, she stepped out into the main sickbay, finding the XO there, "Oh, Commander, hi." She said, she'd always been curious about him, Aunt Anje knew him very well, and she'd always been super curious about Aunt Anje, that woman was what happened when a secret hooked up with a mystery and gave birth to twins, one a riddle and the other an enigma, "What can I do for you today?"

Gary gave her a smile, as she greeted him. "Hello Doctor or do you prefer Talllia?" Gary asked. "As to why I am here. I came to get my implant the Captain said we all needed."

"Either will be fine, sir, whatever you prefer." Tallia answered, a little worried that lawyer, Ms. Taragon or whatever, might have contacted her, ~Wonder if I'm in Dutch for giving her Tay's medical records?~ "So, aside from the implant, what can I do for you?"

Gary nodded, "I think I prefer Tallia. Not so impersonal and you can call me Gary." He chuckled "Aside from the implant? Isn't that enough? Personally I think it is plenty."

"Okay, not a problem." Tallia smiled, "So, you know Anje the original very well? I've always been curious about her, she would come around when Anje and I were kids, even arranged for the three of us to room together for all four years of the academy, but I never really got to know her."

Gary eyed her but made no comment as she spoke about the Queen. He waited to see exactly where this was going. When Tallia was finished he saw it was a fishing expedition. "Yes, I know the Admiral very well."

"Okay, that's nice." Tallia smiled, prepping the shot that would inject the implant into the XO's body so he wouldn't vanish on us, "So, what's, you know, the deal with her?"

Gary twisted to look at Tallia, "Yes it is and what deal are you referring to with the Admiral Tallia?"

''There's just an aura of mystery about her, you know?" Tallia explained, hoping she wasn't offending the man though she was certain she would end this conversation with no answers still, "Like you couldn't know her. And this blonde woman who was always attached at her hip when she came to see Anje, pretty enough, but kind of scary."

Now Gary turned to face her, "The Admiral prefers it that way Tallia and I couldn't? You are probably referring to Col. Tate. her aide." His voice still pleasant and even.

"Royal you, Gary, nothing personal." Tallia replied, injecting the
XO with the hypospray, "And, yeah, that sounds like her. The type where you're either instantly attracted to her or think she might kill you just to be doing something. I was just intrigued by her is all, sorry to pry."

"I suppose your right." Gary mused. Then stopped as if weighing something over. He looked left and right and then straight at Tallia. he crooked a finger at her drawing her closer. His voice a whisper. "Look, I'm telling you this because I trust you. Most people don't know this but Kerri that is Col. Tate is the Admiral's illegitimate daughter."

"Okay." Tallia nodded, that made sense, "Their relationship seems a lot closer than boss employee, I kinda had them figured for a couple more than mother and daughter, but that seems logical now that it's said."

Gary continued with his storytelling. His voice earnest, "Yeah, when the Admiral was younger, she like most young people had wild oats to sow. One of those oats grew up into Kerri."

"Wow, that's crazy." Tallia smiled, "Though, you can tell that Anje Classic really loves her and takes good care of her."

Gary nodded in agreement. "I know. Tell me about it. You would never guess it by looking at the Admiral though would you? So dignified, so in control."

"Yeah, she controls the entire narrative." Tallia replied, "Explains why I was never able to get to know her."

"You have no idea. She wrote the book. She keeps everything close to the chest." Gary answered.

"Right, even seemed like she was keeping secrets and putting up a front with her sister." Tallia replied, scanning the XO with her medical tricorder, he was in phenomenal shape.

"She's hard to get to know because she doesn't open up. I don't know what the deal is with her and her sister." He replied playing dumb.

"Maybe everybody just gets the same wall." Tallia shrugged, "Doesn't matter if they're sisters, friends, whatever."

"Good point and I guess so." Gary agreed readily. "As long as it works for them."

"It must." Tallia shrugged, "Anje and her mom are both crazy for her."

"Anje and her mom both have good sense. The Admiral is a special woman and a good one to have in your corner if your ever in trouble." Gary pointed out.

"Well, I knew she had power the day we all started at the academy, they had us in three different buildings." Tallia recounted, "By the end of our first classes we'd all been moved into the same room together. She made one phone call and the Commandant rearranged everything so we could be together for our comfort."

"That sounds right. When the Admiral talks, people react and things get done in a hurry." Gary observed.

"That much is obvious." Tallia laughed, then added, "Okay, so you're all set, unless there's anything else on your mind."

Gary nodded, saw Tallia with the scanner in her hand. "Something wrong?" He said with a nod towards the scanner.

"No, in fact, you're in amazing shape." Tallia replied, somewhat sheepishly, not wanting the XO to know she'd given him the once over on a more than medical level, "You're one of my healthiest patients actually. And the healthiest of the ones handling their own care."

"Why thank you very much Tallia, I try to take care of myself. nice to know it's working." Gary returned with a smile.

"So were you a Marine at some point?" Tallia asked, he for some reason made her remember Mandarr, "Because you're in shape almost as good as the one who was in here the other night trying to chat me up. A Warrant Officer Mandarr."

Gary shook his head no, "Sorry Tallia, never a Marine. Just look after myself. Warrant Officer Mandarr you say? I'll have to look him up. He was in good shape as well you say?"

"Guy looked like he could tear a phone booth in half with his hands." Tallia laughed, "But very good natured."

"Wow. That's impressive. Good to know he has a good personality. I hate for him to be a sour puss or someone you have to tiptoe around." Gary remarked.

"Yeah, I always like when guys that size are good natured." Tallia said honestly, "It makes them less scary."

"I'll let you in on a secret. I like it that way as well. Less of a chance of them being violent and it getting out of hand."

"Ugh, totally." Tallia agreed, "I hate violence. I barely pass my phaser qualifications every year. I mean, I do better than Maddy, but still, not going to be confused with Vassily Zeitsev any time soon."

Gary smiled inwardly as Tallia said the name. He knew of Zeitsev, he was a legendary sniper of WWII killing over 200 enemy soldiers including 11 snipers during the battle of Stalingrad. he was a hero of the Russian people. "Not many people are Tallia." Gary replied keeping his own talents guarded. "Though rumor has it that De La Rosa is very good."

"I've heard that, too." Tallia laughed, "And not just with his weapon." The fact that Fernando had somehow scored both Anje and Heather blew her mind.

Gary chuckled at Tallia's comment. "Is that a fact? I'll take your word for it Tallia."

"Just judging from some of his prior female companions." Tallia snickered, "I mean, Heather and Anje? Pretty hard to compete with a roster like that."

"Seems the bantam rooster has a way with women and I agree that is some lineup." Gary agreed.

"And seems to love shopping in the Marine section." Tallia laughed, somewhat sadly, remembering Mona, that beautiful green marine that had left with Dr. Hertz.

"That's right! Wasn't he involved with Mona Lott?" Gary questioned.

"Yeah, and she was gorgeous." Tallia replied, "He's a charmer, that's not even arguable."

"It would seem Mr. De La Rosa his skilled in both the use of firearms and a silver tongue." Gary observed.

"To land Anje, who has never even given a man a second glance sexually, yes." Tallia laughed, though it hid a tinge of jealousy.

"Now, that is impressive." Gary commented. "I did not know that."

"Kind of a shocker there." Tallia laughed, "Kinda had him pegged as a big talker."

"I just figured he was full of hot air and liked to hear himself talk. Looks like we were both wrong." Gary mused.

"Oh, he's definitely president of his own fan club." Tallia giggled, "But he's very sweet and does right by Heather."

" of that i have no doubt." Gary chuckled and then continued, "And as long as he continues to do right by Heather, he'll have no problem with me." Gary replied seriously.

"Or me." Tallia shrugged, she and Heather got very close, very fast, and she really missed having her as a roommate, "And pissing off a medical officer is usually a very painful experience."

"What did Fernando do to piss you off Tallia? I agree it is a bad idea to get on the wrong side of a medical officer." Gary inquired.

"Nothing yet." Tallia giggled, "He's being great to Heather and has always been very nice to me. Just saying, if Heather shows up in tears looking to move back in, Fernando's next visit here is going to suck."

Gary nodded in understanding. "I do hope for his sake, Mr. De La Rosa realizes this otherwise I would not want to be in his shoes the next time he comes to Sickbay."

"Right." Tallia laughed, "I don't know if he'd be able to put them on again after I was done."

"I don't doubt that for a minute Tallia. I think you could be quite vindictive. Something I hope I never have to find out." Gary commented dryly.

"No, you're good." Tallia smiled warmly, "You're very good."

"Thank you very much Tallia. I hope I never give you reason to think otherwise and I think you're a great friend to Heather, Anje and Gallia. Their lives would be poorer without you in it." Gary replied sincerely.

"Got to agree." Tallia smiled, she knew things wouldn't be as good for her friends without her around, but it was nice to hear someone noticing it, "Thank you."

"Tallia, you are more than welcome though I only told the truth." Gary quipped.

"Thank you." Tallia giggled, she wasn't used to receiving compliments like that.

Gary chuckled, "Okay, I'll stop, don't want you getting the big head. That would really be something."

"Long as it doesn't get as big as my body we're good." Tallia laughed, adding, "By the way, if you wanted to add more vitamins C,D, and E to your diet I won't complain."

Gary laughed at Tallia's comment and added, "More vitamins huh? Okay I guess I can do that."

"Every doctor will tell you to take more vitamins." Tallia said, it was medical boilerplate, every doctor in the galaxy would suggest upping your vitamin intakes, especially military doctors.

"And who am I to argue with my Doctor? I'll take the vitamins." Gary promised.

"Your girlfriend and your blueberry will thank you." Tallia said, she knew about his other job as Santa and how much Tayalas loved him, "Good health, Commander."

A brilliant smile split Gary's face at Tallia's comment, "I can't go and disappoint either Lia or as you say my blueberry. Thank you for your time Tallia and the conversation. I enjoyed it" Gary finished as he headed for the Sickbay exit.

As the XO walked out of sickbay, Tallia updated the list in the computer to show he had gotten his implant so he wouldn't have to be called about it anymore.