Vacations Can Be Dangerous
Posted on Sun Nov 14th, 2021 @ 8:52pm by Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke & Major Cornelius Tremble
Edited on on Tue Nov 16th, 2021 @ 4:49am
1,188 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 12 - Risin' To Risa
Location: Sick Bay - Deck 5 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 0730 hrs
Neil walked briskly into sick bay, slightly testy if the truth be told. He'd been wading through the river of bureaucracy that a starship, Fleet and the Corps ran on for the past two hours. Apparently, both Fleet and the Corps hadn't gotten the message that he was in hack until medically cleared.
And Neil hadn't felt it was prudent pointing that out to the Brigadier General's aide who had sounded reveille a full three hours after Neil had hit the rack.
He'd avoided stims, not seeing the need nor wanting to go down that road again. But his temper was flaring, probably matching his nostrils, at yet another needless distraction.
"Good morning, Captain, thank you for coming, I know how much Marines dislike Sickbay." Hermia said. "I spent 9 years of my career as a surgeon attached to a Marine base."
Neil eyed the doctor, curious as to why Hermia always seemed to need to remind him of her history. Biting his lip to hide his amusement he said, "Just have lots to do Doc and my bio-meds are tracked constantly through my contact. You likely know, or could know depending on the tell-tales you've set up, that I have jock itch before I know about it."
Deciding to change courses he said, "So what did I miss? I got the burst report straight off but haven't had a chance to get into the guts of it all. Quinn gone. New species met and the like?"
"Commander Ó Flannagáin's transfer was a quite a shock, though I didn't know him well, I considered Ameri a friend and my daughter was close to her's." Hermia said. "Unless Command sends us someone, Commander Miles, will probably offered the position." She paused a moment. "As for The Jutrai, something about them makes my brain itch."
Neil felt his eyebrow shoot at the comment an he grinned, "And here I thought I was the only one to use odd comments like my brain itching. Maybe you spent too long hanging around Marines, Doc." He considered her words for a few moments and said, "Miles would be a good choice. I hear there will be other personnel changes coming too. I guess we're in for a shake up. Having shore leave coming up should help work out those kinks. I know I could use a vacation from my vacation."
"A vacation sounds good, as CMO, I'm practically on duty 24-7." Hermia said. "But, when we get shoreleave, I get bored after a few days and wind up back here." She added with a smile.
"Well, I hear you there. I'm surprised Fleet or someone doesn't have us chasing off after something or other," Neil remarked, nodding his understanding. "And I'm not so sure I want to surround myself with people on Risa. Company might be nice but given everything, I may find a quiet island someplace and go radio dark for a few days."
Then he grinned at the doctor, "Though I do believe I'm low-jacked and somebody would likely rat me out to Fleet and Corps. But anyway, what hamster wheel do you want me on this morning?"
"I wouldn't put it past them." Hermia said. "Just a regular physical. I'm sure you can handle it."
Casting a look her way, Neil replied "Regular? Seems kinda irregular. Are you sure you're not using the crew as lab rats for some devious plot?"
"Only the ones that annoy me." She joked. "Now just sit on a biobed and it will be over before you know it.
Neil slipped up onto to indicated bio-bed and put his HUD on standby. It would have a sympathetic link to the bay's sensors and overwhelm him with data if he let it.
"Be gentle with us minions, doc," Neil said as he reclined back. "Any plans for shore leave coming up? I understand we'll be traveling to Risa."
"I'm sure my daughter, Helena, will want to go swimming, so I'll be taking her." Hermia said as she activated the bed and began viewing the results.
After a few minutes, She said. "You're perfectly healthy. Seems you managed to not get injured, for once."
"Wasn't that much of an op, really," Neil replied. "Fun and games with Romulans. They make the Cardassians seem bright and cheerful."
"That's a consequence of their culture and their neurology, they are unable to feel empathy for non-Romulans, and in the case of Vulcans, that empathy has been converted to hatred and mistrust." Hermia explained. Then she asked almost causally. "Captain, how have you been sleeping?"
"Alone, mostly," Neil said dead pan. "It's been a minute."
He let his attempt at humor hang in the air for a few beats then shrugged and said, "Probably not as well as I should? My routines tend to get broken first when things come up. With Quinn gone, I'm guessing things will remain broken until we get a new exec. I'll try and catch a nap or two here and there but it's going to be double shifts for the foreseeable future.
"I can't help you with the sleeping alone, you're not my type, but for the lack of sleep, have you tried mediation, if not I can teach you some techniques." Hermia said.
"Meditation was really never my speed," Neil admitted, "I tend toward physical activity and sports to tire out my mind. Wanting to sleep and finding time for it are two things. I plan to avoid stay-awakes and sleeping meds unless we hit a crisis. After that, like I said, hopefully I'll get caught up and back into a regular routine."
"I commend you on avoiding stay-awakes, and sleeping meds as they are no substitute for sleep. " Hermia said. "And since meditation is not your speed, I suggest you keep up your fitness routine, but when you finish, take several deep calming breaths before you hit your rack in order to lower your heart rate in order to allow you to sleep more efficiently." She said. "And no coffee within half an hour of rack time."
"It's all going to come down to time management, but aye aye doc," Neil replied, shrugging slightly. "I'll try pretty much anything once. Anything else?"
"No, you're free to go, but if you need to talk, I've been told, I'm a good listener." Hermia said.
"Thanks for the offer, Doc. I'll keep it in mind," Neil said almost believably, "Again, it's all about time management." He stood and straightened his uniform. "With Quinn being gone, I'm guessing the rest of us will have to step up in command, so if you need anything let me know and I'll help however I can. Since I know we brought you a couple of customers, I'll let you get to more important matters."
Hermia smiled and got back to work.
A Joint Post By:
Captain Cornelius Tremble
Second Officer, USS Pioneer
Commanding Officer, The Cure
Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
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