Marine Physicals
Posted on Tue Sep 15th, 2020 @ 11:36am by Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke & Major Cornelius Tremble
Edited on on Tue Sep 15th, 2020 @ 2:20pm
1,141 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 10 - New Home, Same Pioneers
Location: Sick Bay, USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD008 1100 hrs
Having recently been promoted to CMO, Hermia was reviewing the Pioneer's Marines' physicals. Having served with Marines for almost a decade, she knew how much reluctant they were to enter Sickbay for anything that wasn't immediately life threatening. Best make my case to their CO.
Tapping her comm. badge she said. "Captain Tremble, this is Doctor O'Rourke, I'd like a word with you asap."
Neil looked up from where his Mk39 pulse phaser carbine lay dis-assembled on the workbench before him. Using his contact to activate the comm, he said "Roger that, Doctor. I'll head that way shortly."
He sat the emitter assembly he'd been breaking down onto the bench and powered it down before grabbing his beret and uniform tunic and heading for the door. As he passed Corporal Fry, who was once again Corporal of the Guard and stationed in the Snake Pit, he said. "Sounds like the new CMO has an emergency, corporal. I'm not sure what that might be but if anyone comes looking for me, they can start in Sickbay."
"Aye aye, sir," Fry replied and Neil exited Marine Country and headed for Sickbay.
Neil walked through the hatch into sickbay and looked around. The medical personnel he could see didn't seem to be rushing about...
Hermia came out of her office to meet Tremble. "Good day, Captain, thank you for being punctual." She said.
Doffing his beret, Neil nodded. "Yes ma'am. What can I do for you?"
"I've been reviewing the Marines' medical records and I've found that a lot of your people are over due for their physicals." Hermia said. "I know from experience that Marines tend to avoid Sickbay unless they're on death's door, but the health of this crew is my responsibility and its one I take very seriously."
Neil's eye flickered for a second and he looked at a nearby console. The two immediately linked, bringing up the Cure's medical information. "Well Doc," he said, switching to the less formal, "Between taking back Empok Nor and our most recent mission, a lot were through here and they probably don't think there's really a requirement for a formal tap your knee, tell me where it hurts kinda thing. Plus, the suits keep track of everyone's. Well, everything, when we're zipped up."
He shut down the console and set his contact's HUD back to standby and said, "Coupled with Corporal Thompson running Sick Call a couple of times a week in the Snake Pit, I'd guess they had had plenty of poking and prodding. However, if it pleases you, I'll have Sgt. Flarn put everyone on the schedule and anyone that doesn't show up will go up for Captain's Mast. Including myself. Good enough?"
Hermia bit her lip to stop her responding in kind. "Captain, I am not questioning your ability to command or Corporal Thompson's professionalism." She began. "I am also aware of what you've been through, I had family on Empok Nor, but we all have a job to do, and making sure this crew is healthy and able to perform their assigned duties is mine, and that includes the Marines." She said. "Now if you'd like to fight about it, I'll book a holodeck and we can go toe to toe, but I warn you, I was brought up as a Marine and I'm no pushover."
Neil's eyebrow went up and he said, "As I said, if you order the physicals I'll ensure the sergeants push everyone through. As to mat time, I'm at your disposal. In the future, if you need something from the Cure or me, just set it up and send us notifications if you will, ma'am. I'm really not sure why this had to be a face to face. I know I'm fairly busy..."
"I just wanted to get your measure in person, Captain." Hermia said. "There's only so much you can learn from personnel files and medical records." "What do you do for recreation, Captain?" She asked sensing his stress.
Neil registered the question and had to process that, his mind switching gears automatically. He kept his eyes from shifting as he sought a response then chuckled, "Interesting how a change in tone and questioning kicks in my R2I training, " he said, referring to the Resistance to Interrogation training the corp required every eight months.
"Recreation would be nice, but with change of station and jumping into a mission straight off on request of the Rapid Deployment Force on which we lost one KIA and had a few WIA and walking wounded, I've been pressed. Talida used to get on me for that."
The marine met her eyes and kept his tone level and business like, "You're likely aware we were seeing each other and then Fleet transferred her and she left without saying much of anything...well my stress levels are likely pushing red-line."
"Have you tried any relaxation techniques, Captain?" Hermia asked.
Neil eyed her and smiled wryly, "Yup. The afore mentioned workouts. The trouble there is ratcheting up the intensity. And avoiding alcohol or anything else that will screw up my metabolism...I'm actually thinking of going to field rations for a week or so."
He saw a look in her eyes and held up both hands, palm out. "Trust me Commander. Meditation or the like doesn't work. My brain doesn't do internal contemplate and assess very well."
"I commend you on your healthy diet, Captain." Hermia said. Then thinking a while, asked. "Have you tried therapeutic massage?"
"That's where the mat times comes in, doc," Neil said, straight faced. "A good beating distracts wonderfully."
"Indeed, but doesn't it leave your muscles a bit stiff?" She asked "Therapeutic massage would also increase your flexibility."
"Generally the sonic shower takes care of most of aches and pains. Then the dermal regenerator helps with contusions," Neil rattled off. "After that, anything that doesn't go away I'll report to Sick Call and go from there.'
He crossed his arms and said, "Been doing this a long time doc; it's when something doesn't hurt that I start worrying."
"You're one stubborn S.O.B, aren't you Captain?" Hermia asked. "Fine, have it your way, while you're here, anything medical I can help you with?"
"Ooo Rah, Commander," Neil said, "And since it's physical's you want, you might as well start with me. Poke, prod, probe to your hearts content. Might as well get it out of the way."
"Okay, follow me." Hermia said leading him to a biobed.
A joint post by:
Captain Cornelius Tremble
Marine Commanding Officer/Second Officer, USS Pioneer
and
Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
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