Necessary Evil

Posted on Fri Aug 14th, 2020 @ 6:05pm by Lieutenant Scott Hayes

Mission: The Avenger
Location: Ships Medical Center

Rosaleen reluctantly made her way to the ships Medical Center for what was the one part of transferring posts that she least looked forward to. This would be her first duty experience with any medical staff not familiar with her species. Given that, she wasn't sure what to expect. She and Kathleen were the only Ka'Bu in Starfleet, and they had served together with the same team since their transformation. The air around her was chilled, and her eyes were like ice, gaining her several looks from several crew members that she passed in the corridors. As she entered the Medical Center, she quickly checked in and took a seat to await the physician that would most likely be her inquisitor. She rested her chin in the palms of her hands, staring at the floor as she waited.

Scott was busying himself around sickbay, getting to know where everything was, tending to the medicals of his staff first. It would be some time before anyone would be able to get to any crew coming in. He finished up the exam on his head nurse, allowing the medical staff to start on their assignments and physicals for the crew before Scott would be allowed to begin his day. He walked over to some of the seats by the door with a PADD in his hand, "Rosaleen O'Donnell?" he called out, "If you make your way to a biobed, I'll be with you shortly."

Rosaleen nervously made her way to the furthest biobed and took a seat. She consciously made an effort to control her mood, figuring that freezing a biobed wouldn't be the best start to their relationship.

Returning with his scanning equipment Scott could see the physical discomfort, it was like a grey cloud hanging over the room. "You know these things aren't that bad," he smiled, 'Most of the time we have checked your previous records before you have even stepped through the door and make a few scans just to make sure nothing has changed. But, before we begin, other than wanting to be anywhere else but here, how are you feeling? Anything, medically, you are worried about or want to discuss?"

The air chilled a bit. "My only concern is interacting with others. People tend to be a bit afraid of me." For the millionth time since her departure from Starbase 80 Rosaleen found herself questioning her decision. "I just want to 'fit in', if that makes sense." She shifted nervously on the beds surface, and finally looked up at Scott. Her eyes glistened like pale, frozen diamonds, and when she spoke her Irish heritage was evident. "To be honest, I'm not sure that I should have left Starbase 80. This was all a big mistake."

"I'm here, I'm not afraid," Scott replied as he began his scans, "as for fitting in, we all want to, to some extent, although, where is the fun in that?" he whispered at the end with a wry smile. "Before you stands a man who, as a boy, couldn't have stuck out further if he tried. I know things are better now than they were a few hundred years ago, but you still get looks. Especially when you are the 14-year-old boy who turns up to parties in crop tops no matter what the weather is like. While it may not be the same, I do empathize with you," he buzzed about, his hand making slow motions to compensate to ensure a full scan was being taken. He continued to smile and nod to try and reassure his new patient.

The air warmed a bit as Rosaleen's features softened a bit, and for the first time the briefest hint of a smile started to appear. "A few hundred years ago our kind were hunted and persecuted. Those who's abilities were strong enough made their hunters sorry that they had ever undertaken the task." The smile broadened a bit more as the air temperature returned to normal. "So I guess I would have to agree that things have improved. Just a bit, mind you."

"And with that," Scott grinned, "your scan is complete and you are cleared for duty." He started to put his scanning equipment away. "My best bit of advice, this is Starfleet, it's OK to try and trust people on the ship, especially the doctor. I hear he is quite nice and tries to make things as quick and painless as possible," he gave a cheesy smile.

The air chilled again, along with Rosaleen's features. "I've been in Starfleet for quite the time, and as of late I have found the opposite to be true. Especially the doctors. But..." Rosaleen reached out and touched Scott's arm. The contact felt like...well, tingly. Like an extremely mild electrical field. "...I can't say that you follow the norm for me." She dropped her hand onto her lap and looked towards the exit. "But I don't know about the rest of them. However, I made the choice to embark on this journey, so I might as well get used to it."

"Then," Scott began, "I hope the rest of the crew buck the norm for you. From the ones I have had the chance to meet so far, they mostly seem like a good bunch."

"I guess we shall see then." Rosaleen hopped down off the bio-bed. "So...if we are finished, I have quite a bit of work to return to. Thank you for not making this uncomfortable."

"I do try," Scott said as he went to return to his other duties, "have a great rest of your day."