Having "The Talk"

Posted on Thu Aug 30th, 2012 @ 6:06pm by Captain Tobias Naros & Lieutenant Ophelia Lysander & Anthony Haelen

Mission: Episode 1.0 - "Enduring Legacy"
Location: Main Sickbay, USS Yorktown
Timeline: Mission Day 06, 0820 Hours

ON: [[Main Sickbay, USS Yorktown, Mission Day 06, 0820 Hours]]



"...which makes it vital that we complete the inventory before the end of this morning's shift," Anthony (PNPC) was saying as his optical subroutines skimmed over the last few lines of data on the PADD's screen, "or do you want to be the one explaining to Captain Naros why half the first-aid kits aboard this vessel are not up to code?"



Taking her first steps into the ship’s Main Sickbay, Ophelia arrived just in time to catch the last of the man’s words. Green eyes widening slightly, she paused, taking in the scene before her. It was a beautiful facility that practically gleamed with newness, particularly compared to the older Sickbay she’d worked in on Starbase 339. Apparently, however, it still needed a little work, at least by way of the first-aid kits.

Ophelia cleared her throat to make her presence known. “I apologize for interrupting,” she said with a small smile, her hands clasped behind her back. Judging by his familiar appearance, the person she was addressing was obviously an EMH, and, if she understood correctly, her Assistant Chief. “I was hoping to introduce myself. I’m Dr. Ophelia Lysander, the new Chief Medical Officer.” Nodding at the PADD clasped in the his hands, she queried, “Taking inventory, are we?”

It was no secret the Mark I Emergency Medical Holographic Program was known for having a terrible bedside manner, something Anthony himself was still working very hard to overcome. He carefully set the PADD atop the central workstation and turned his full attention on the woman standing before him. "Doctor Anthony Haelen," Anthony replied with what he hoped was a welcoming smile, "and that is precisely what we are doing."

Although it was not completely unheard of for an EMH to take on an actual name, the practice was extremely rare in Ophelia’s experience. It was intriguing to her, and had the immediate effect of making her see Dr. Haelen as much more than a hologram. “It’s a pleasure, Dr. Haelen,” she said sincerely. “And how is inventory looking so far, aside from the first aid kits?”

Anthony made a face which seemed to convey his displeasure at the thought of their current medical inventories. "I'm afraid Starfleet is having a difficult time, what with the Romulan situation and all," he explained as he tapped a command sequence into the workstation, "but the quartermaster assures me there are two remaining shipments scheduled to arrive by the end of the week, assuming we have not been ordered to depart before that time."

“I suppose that’s the best we can hope for at the moment,” Ophelia remarked, making a mental note to check with the quartermaster herself in the near future. “Well, I was hoping for a tour of the facilities, but since you seem to have your hands full at the moment, could I perhaps assist you in some way instead?” Hazel (PNPC) was safely situated with the ship’s daycare system, leaving Ophelia with time enough to linger in Sickbay. Aside from that, she was anxious to get started, even though she had yet to meet with her new Commanding Officer.

"Actually..." Anthony began, exchanging a glance with the medical technician next to him, "...we were just finishing up." A couple of years ago, Anthony might have spouted one of numerous so-called 'McCoy-isms' about how he was designed as a physician and not a tour guide, but experience and a little helpful nudging from the right people had taught him otherwise. "How familiar are you with the Legacy-class, doctor," he asked as he stepped around the workstation.

Seeing no point in blurring the truth, Ophelia replied candidly, “Not very, I’m afraid. I had hoped to research the class and its amenities a little more thoroughly, but I haven’t had the time.” Normally, Ophelia was much more organized, not to mention prepared. Unfortunately, moving was no small feat with a toddler to care for. She counted herself lucky that she and Hazel had arrived on the Yorktown at all, let alone on time.

"Understandable," Anthony said, remembering how suddenly the news of this new assignment had come to him, "As you can see, the Yorktown is equipped with the latest in Starfleet medical design. The same holographic imaging system which supports my own physical form is also capable of projecting holographic displays ranging from data retrieval to three-dimensional imagery allowing for interactive biomedical analysis."

It was any doctor’s dream, and Ophelia felt a thrum of excitement at the possibilities before her. “I can think of a few ways to put that particular technology to good use,” she said, a hint of enthusiasm present in her voice. As she looked around appreciatively, she added, “This is a far cry from the last Sickbay I worked in, that’s certain. I take it that all of the new equipment has been thoroughly tested in preparation for our departure?"

Anthony nodded. "Aside from trying to get our hands on necessary supplies," he grumbled somewhat derisively, "we've spent the last several days making sure everything is in working order. No difficulties so far..."

"Very good," Ophelia nodded, making another mental note to look over any corresponding reports and to do some investigation of her own. While she trusted that Anthony and the other Medical personnel had done a satisfactory job, Ophelia had always been the type of person who had to investigate matters for herself. She was something of an empiricist in that way. "Well, you seem to have things well in hand here, Dr. Haelen. Is there anything else that I should be aware of?"

The hologram thought about it for a moment. Her assessment was at once an affirmation of the work Anthony and the medical staff had already done as well as an indication that she had started to get her bearings. There were certainly a few personal things he wanted to discuss with the lieutenant, though he wasn't entirely sure this was the most appropriate time to be doing so. Anthony had just opened his mouth to speak when he noticed the individual who had just entered the room standing only a short distance away.

"Yes...don't be afraid to tell the captain when he's been an unreasonable stick-in-the-mud about attending to his own health," a voice behind Ophelia said.

While she was waiting expectantly for Anthony to address whatever was obviously on his mind, Ophelia was a little surprised when her answer came from behind her. Turning smoothly around to face the newcomer, the doctor immediately recognized the man as Captain Naros not only by the pips on his collar, but based on the picture on his file as well. She had managed to get a little research done, after all. “I can assure you that won’t be a problem,” Ophelia said, a small smile turning up the corner of her mouth. “Allowing one’s commanding officer to ignore his health would be rather illogical, I think.”

"Touche," Tobias replied with a small smile.

Ophelia’s smile widened a bit in return. It was always a relief to find that one's new CO had a sense of humor, or at least could take things lightly. “As you’ve probably already gathered, I’m Dr. Ophelia Lysander, your new Chief Medical Officer," she said by way of an introduction. "I hope you don’t mind, but I snuck into Sickbay ahead of our official meeting to familiarize myself with the surroundings. Dr. Haelen here has been kind enough to bring me up to date on the facility’s current status. Did I pick a bad time for my reconnaissance?” she asked, wondering if there was a meeting planned between the two of them.

"Actually, I was hoping to speak with both of you," the El-Aurian clarified, motioning to the adjacent Chief Medical Officer's Office, "If you have a moment..."

“Of course,” Ophelia nodded. She thought it was safe to lead the way to the office, seeing as it would very shortly become her own. Pausing inside the door, she waited for the other two to enter after her. Normally she wasn’t one to stand on too much ceremony, but she wasn’t about to make herself comfortable before her Captain did, either.

Anthony entered the office immediately behind his new superior and followed shortly by the Yorktown's commanding officer. This was the first time since his transfer to this vessel that Anthony had seen Captain Naros, though he imagined that had more to do with all of the administrative duties the captain was dealing with rather any desire to avoid interacting with a medical hologram. He quickly made his way over to the far side of the room to stand opposite the Chief Medical Officer's desk and waited for the other two to situate themselves.

"I trust your transfer went smoothly, doctor," Tobias asked Lysander as he entered the office behind Haelen.

“Yes, as smoothly as a transfer can go when you have a small child in your care,” Ophelia responded candidly, and not without a little humor. “We’re happily settled now, though. The Yorktown is truly a beautiful vessel, sir.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of Tobias' mouth at the mention of a small child as he recalled the efforts gone through to adjust his godson, young Jaden Androski, to everyday life aboard ship. "I can certainly empathize with your experience, doctor," he said, "and it pleases me to hear you find the Yorktown so welcoming. The last thing I ever want is for a member of my crew to feel out-of-place aboard this ship. Everyone is a valued member here."

The El-Aurian's gaze came to rest on Anthony as he spoke the last phrase. Although there was nothing in the hologram's original programming which would have caused him to feel uncomfortable in such a situation, Anthony couldn't help noticing the unspoken emphasis carried by a single look. It was enough to make him adjust his stance if only to avoid making direct eye contact with the man across the room.

Subtly glancing between the two men, Ophelia wondered what exactly had just passed between them. She almost wished that she were able to get an empathic read on Anthony, though his being a hologram made that rather impossible. He was very intriguing, really—a man, and yet not. She had never worked with an EMH outside of medical emergencies, and it was clear just from the first few minutes of their acquaintance that Anthony possessed a distinct, unique personality. The empath was certainly looking forward to getting to know him in the future.

A long beat of silence followed. Before it could turn uncomfortable, Ophelia gestured to the desk and chairs. “Please, make yourselves comfortable, gentlemen. We really ought to break in the furniture while we're here.”

Lysander's gentle offer of hospitality was just enough to draw Tobias' attention back to the situation at hand. "Of course, doctor," Tobias replied, moving toward the nearest chair. He crossed the short distance in a few brief strides and slowly lowered himself into the seat. Only after the other two had taken their seats did Tobias continue. "I'm certain the two of you have a great deal you wish to discuss regarding the current state of things, so I will make this brief and to the point," he told them, "but I feel it would be best if we were to have this conversation now rather than later."

Nodding, Ophelia set aside any extraneous thoughts and impressions to focus on Captain Naros. This was not quite what she had expected when she had walked into Sickbay a few minutes ago, but regardless, the El-Aurian truly had her attention now.

"Doctor Lysander," Tobias said slowly, turning his attention on the woman seated behind the desk, "what was your first impression of Doctor Haelen?"

So that's what this was about. Ophelia leaned back in her chair slightly, giving the question some thought. When she answered, she answered directly to Dr. Haelen, not wanting to speak about him as if he weren’t in the room. “Professional,” she said, nodding slowly to herself. “You’re very professional, very capable. You’re to the point, but that does not make you unfriendly. On the contrary, I found you to be much friendlier, or at least more understanding, than I expected.”

Anthony did not know what to say. He certainly had not expected the captain to take them down this line of conversation, at least not this early on, yet he was even more surprised to find Doctor Lysander speaking of him...no, treating him as if he were a fellow professional.

"I'm glad to hear you say that, doctor," Tobias continued after a moment, "It is an honest assessment, one that I'm sure could have been made of anyone. The fact of the matter is we all know Doctor Haelen began his life as an Emergency Medical Hologram, but thanks to the efforts of individuals like Vice Admiral Iluvar and Doctor Michael Evans, he has become much more than that. How many years have you served with the admiral, doctor?"

"Four years," Anthony replied, "ever since I was assigned to the USS Tethys at his request."

Looking at Anthony with a small smile, Ophelia had to admit that she was even more impressed by his singularity than before. She was sure that it couldn't have been easy for him. Even with the sponsorship of men like Vice Admiral Iluvar, it must have been something of a long road for Anthony to travel on, seeking a life that took him beyond the boundaries of simple holographic technology. "Dr. Haelen, I'm curious," she began, her smile fading a bit as she construed her question. "How have you been treated since your arrival aboard the Yorktown? In your day-to-day interactions with other members of the crew, I mean."

There was another moment of silence as Anthony pondered the question. It was difficult to describe just how keenly aware he was of every person's reaction to his presence, whether good or ill. Every single facial expression, every change in tone of voice, every minute adjustment in body language never escaped notice of Anthony's sophisticated senses. "To be honest, doctor...I don't think many of them know quite what to think of me," he said, "there are some who seem to have no trouble working under a hologram such as myself and there are others who make it pretty obvious they don't appreciate being told what to do by a computer program. I hate to say it, but it's something you get used to after awhile."

While it was precisely the sort of answer she had been expecting, Ophelia was still sorry to hear it. “Well, I’m sure that will change in time. I sincerely hope that it will,” she amended slightly. “In the meantime, anyone who treats you as inferior will answer to me. I don’t take that sort of behavior lightly, and as Captain Naros has already said, you’ve become more than a computer program. Any individuals who cannot see that fact for what it is will simply have to adjust.”

"Agreed," Tobias said with a favorable look in Lysander's direction, "and I'm glad to hear we are all on the same page as far as this is concerned. The Federation Supreme Court may not have come to any official decision on whether or not holograms Doctor Haelen are to be considered individuals in their own right, but as long as you are serving aboard this vessel, I will expect everyone to treat you as such."

Ophelia nodded, in complete agreement with Captain Naros, but her eyes remained on Anthony. “As the new CMO and as a fellow physician, is there anything else that I can do? Any other concerns, personal or otherwise, Dr. Haelen?”

"Your support means more to me than you know," Anthony said quietly, "just the fact you are able to articulate things...talk about me as if I was no different from either of you...it helps me remember that I don't have to just accept some of the less desirable treatment I get from some people."

Smiling softly in response, Ophelia made a promise to herself then and there that she would always do whatever she could to help Anthony remember that he was just as valuable a member of this ship as anyone else. "I'm looking forward to working with you, Dr. Haelen," she told him sincerely. "And I'm glad that we had a chance to talk about this," she added, looking back to Captain Naros. It had been a wise move on the El-Aurian's part to initiate the conversation. She admired him for it, and for the obvious concern he had for the Anthony's well-being aboard his ship.

Tobias looked from one physician to the other. It was clear to him their conversation had accomplished its goal and that the seeds of understanding had been planted. He could be confident in the knowledge that Doctor Lysander would indeed support Doctor Haelen as a colleague and, perhaps with some time, as a friend. "As am I doctor," the El-Aurian said, "I'm afraid there are other matters I must attend to, however, but if there is ever anything either of you need, please do not hesitate to call on me."

"Thank you, Captain Naros," Ophelia replied, inclining her head as he prepared to go. She had no doubt that Tobias was very busy indeed, and she had no intentions of keeping him from his other responsibilities any longer than necessary.

Anthony watched as the captain rose from his chair and made his way into the main sickbay ward before disappearing out into the corridor beyond. Slowly, he turned his attention back to Doctor Lysander as the door closed with a hiss. "Anything else I can do for you, doctor," he asked.

As she met Anthony's gaze, Ophelia lightly braced her hands on top of the desk's surface, preparing to leave the office herself. "Thank you, Dr. Haelen, but no. I think I'd better go check on my daughter. It's her first day in a new daycare," she explained with a rueful smile. "But I'll return shortly to better acquaint myself with the facilities."

OFF

A Joint Mission Post by:

Captain Tobias Naros
Commanding Officer
USS Yorktown

Lieutenant Ophelia Lysander, MD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Yorktown

and

Doctor Anthony Haelen (PNPC)
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Yorktown
Played by: Capt Naros