Meeting the Doctor

Posted on 03 Nov 2017 @ 5:30pm by Captain Akio Tachibana & Lieutenant Junior Grade Sthilg, M.D. (Dec-Jan 2389 - MIA after Battle of Canterra)

Mission: He ho'omaka hou 'ana - A New Beginning
Location: Captain's Ready Room - Deck 1
Timeline: 20 Dec 2388

ON:

The Gorn had gotten use to the many sets of eyes that always followed him around on his duties on any Federation starship. He knew it probably wasn't due to his rather low weight. He knew even hidden under uniform his face showed signs of someone who desperately needed some more weight.

Not that he could do much about that other than take the protein shakes to rebuild his missing weight, he thought, as he stepped out of the turbolift onto the bridge. He nodded to the crew sitting at their posts who did their best to hide the fact they were staring.

Given what the Gorn were doing he didn't blame them. Pressing the door alarm on the captain's ready room he waited for an answer.

Akio had made his way to the ready room to get settled. It was pretty standard and sparsely furnished. The bridge was a mess as the crew was fiddling with the components.

"Enter!" Akio commanded as the chime went off.

Akio was torn away from his reading by the clank of Sthilg's robotic foot. He quickly took a sip of his water. How had the crew already arrived? Akio thought.

The Gorn ducked his head slightly as he stepped into the ready room. Standing to attention and trying not to look the least threatening he smiled and spoke. "Lieutenant junior grade Sssthilg MD reporting for duty sssir. "

Akio placed his hands on the desk and made a slight bow in return in true Japanese fashion. His features were ambivalent, not smiling or frowning, a true stoic Japanese warrior.

Yet on the inside, Akio's heart was betraying him as the overgrown lizard bared his teeth and the Gorn's lisp could not help but place images of snakes into Akio's mind.

"Please, have a seat Doctor," Akio gestured.

" Thank you, sssir." The gorn said as he took the seat.

"What may I do for you? Hopefully everything in Sickbay is in order for our impending launch," Akio inquired.

"Just dropping by to let you know I've arrived captain. The sssickbay isss well up to my sssatisfaction though I do have a few more requests to make for it. Mosstly for more sssuppliesss." The Gorn replied politely.

"Yes. I am not sure if you're aware, they are building our ship ahead of schedule so some things are behind as a result," Akio noted.

Despite the unnerving presence of the Gorn Doctor, his demeanor was quite calming as long as you didn't look at him too long.

"Indeed. I'm sssure the engineersss will have her up and ready to go ahead of ssschedule." The doctor responded before he leaned in. " May I asssk captain given my ssspeciesss will it effect the missssion?"

Well, at least Akio did not have to address it.

"I would be lying to you if I said your presence does not have some effect on the crew. I think you're cognizant of that feeling, so I won't belabor that point. As your CO though, I expect you to perform as a regular Starfleet officer, no more or no less. If people are harassing you because you're Gorn, you let me know," Akio explained sternly.

Someone in Starfleet Command made the choice to commission the Gorn and Akio would do his job as a CO. If Starfleet Command slapped pips on a cardboard box, it would be Akio's job to train and lead that box no differently.

"As you are probably aware, we are going to the Gorn front and the Admiralty decided you were the best addition to this crew. Are you comfortable with fighting members from your own race?" Akio questioned.

"Being the Chief Medical Officer I hope I won't have to sssee much fighting, but if I do sssee any I will do my duty. I did take the oath sssame asss the ressst of the fleet. " The gorn replied sincerely.

"I expect everyone to respect that also," Akio replied. "Anything else, good doctor?"

"Nothing at the moment captain other than I need you down in medical later for you're ssstandrad medical checkup." Sthilg replied smiling.

"Right," Akio said nonchalantly.

Akio had no intention of visiting sickbay any time soon. He wasn't sick. At least that's what Akio kept telling himself. It was true that despite all his good intentions, Akio did not want to be probed by the Gorn doctor.

"Very well, I will see you around. Dismissed," Akio concluded.

OFF:

Akio Tachibana, LCDR, SF
Commanding Officer, USS Hawaii

Sthilg, LTJG, SF
Chief Medical Officer, USS Hawaii