Medically Speaking

Posted on Sun Jun 21st, 2020 @ 3:55am by Lieutenant Van Kolbeck & Lieutenant Machwen Adaestron
Edited on on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 7:11am

Mission: New Moon Rising
Location: USS Pandora
Timeline: Arrival

The USS Pandora had taken on a soft operational humming in between its powered floor decks. The bright, pristine lights. The smell of brand new flame retardant carpeting.

Kolbeck walked along the hallway with his large backpack slung over his overarching strong back shoulders. His large, lanky walk along. He was looking forward to meeting the new Crew he had served.

He felt tired from countless transfer papers of specially requested supplies he stayed up late filling pit for Sick Bay. Thus he was overdoing it with his coffee intake. He enjoyed his Coffee in the morning. Hell hath no fury like a Scandinavian without his caffeine.

Taking a bite into his mother's chocolate chip cookie she had made for him, he enjoyed the taste. It helped him feel like he was back at home, yet he was so very far away. The crumbs that feel to the new carpet made him feel a bit foolish.

Meanwhile, Ensign Adaestron was walking along the corridors of the USS Pandora, too. Looking through the windows, he saw the wonderful view. It didn't matter whether there was a planet down there, or empty space, Adaestron always admired the view.

Adaestron was happy to finally be on a ship again. When he worked in a hospital, he could always sense that most of the patients were unhappy, which wasn't a surprise. Being on a ship, however, allowed him to always be around happy people too, which would cancel out the effects of the patients. Being on a ship also allowed him to explore the world. Adaestron loved to learn about new cultures, languages, and medical practices, and this posting was the perfect opportunity to do that. He couldn't wait to play some velocity on the holodecks, either.

Suddenly, Adaestron's admiration of the view came on a halt when he collided with someone. He looked up, and saw a tall, strong looking man in front of him. He glanced at his neck and saw two pips on a medical blue collar, meaning this man was probably his superior. To make it worse, Adaestron could sense that the man was confused. Stepping back, he apologised, "Sorry, Sir, I wasn't looking where I was going," Adaestron then stuck out his hand "Ensign Machwen Adaestron, Assistant Cheif Medical Officer"

Kolbeck took a moment to register that this Man in front of him was his new Assistant Science Officer for the Medical Department. Since he had just arrived, Van was not privy to all of the Departmental Transfer information for the Pandora crew.

While he was aware that he would have the added luxury of an extended staff Medical Department with an Assistant Medical Officer, he was unsure as to the name of the Officer.

“Ensign Adaestron. Ah.” Kolbeck gave a slight smile. He was surprised to bump into the Man so early. The universe was large, but the Pandora was small in comparison.

Van was happy that he was meeting another crewmate so early within boarding. “Lt. Kolbeck.” He extended his hand and giving a good firm welcoming grip to the Assistant of Medical. “Chief of Medical. Have you just arrived as well?” He asked.

"Lieutenant Kolbeck!" Adaestron gasped, "Yes, I did just arrive. I was on my way to sick bay, but then I got distracted by the view. It's lovely, isn't it?"

Machwen was annoyed at himself for not realising who this was, and that he had walked into him in the first place. He had quickly seen his eyes when he looked up at him, and noticed that they were blue - meaning that he probably wasn't a betazoid, and if he was, he probably didn't have very strong telepathic abilities. This allowed Machwen to swear to himself in his thoughts due to his idiocy.

Adaestron took this opportunity to see what his superior looked like. He looked friendly, standing a few inches taller than Machwen. He was clean shaven, with short hair too, which made Machwen feel like he was professional. Of course, if you're able to be the Chief Medical Officer of a starship, professionalism is a prerequisite. Seeing Lt. Kolbeck's cookie in hand, he asked him "Being a medical officer, shouldn't you know that you're not supposed to eat whilst walking?"

Kolbeck found the Ensign to be somewhat odd in nature. He was a man that was keen and then quizzical. A positive first glance assumption. Taking a look at his cookie he had finished off, and then took a swig of his hot coffee, he swallowed.

“That may be so. However, I challenge it as a Medical Officers prerogative. You wouldn’t appreciate me without my vices.” He snorted a bit of a gruff chuckle.

“Let’s take a detour.” He took the lead of the Ensign.

<< TURBO LIFT >> << DECK 6 >>

Exiting the lift as the doors opened Kolbeck whistled to his self. He was impressed time and again of the spaciousness the Medical Bay he had to work. A young protégé would allow Kolbeck to teach another Doctor the ways that he had wanted to train. Kolbeck believed in kid gloves, yet championed the ability to experience and theorize beyond the static wisdom of conventional Starfleet Medical theory.

“What recent Medical Journal work have you been studying Ensign?” Kolbeck had asked. He wanted to know how keen his protégé would be, and what type of study had interested the Man.

"Currently, I've been reading through Dr Phlox's 'Human Physiology'," Max told Kolbeck, "It may have been written over 200 years ago, but I think that the first non-human's in depth view of the human body will help be understand it even better."

Adaestron kept following Kolbeck into the sick bay, "Have you read any interesting journals recently, Lieutenant?"

Van replied “Dr. Phlox. That has been a name I have not heard in literature for many years.” He decided on many volumes, and other influential Federation Symposiums from the likes of Crenshaw, Morrisburg, and Katana. Depending on the breadth of works on research and the subcategories the Pandoras Medical Computer would easily assist them in their efforts as Doctors of research. "Nei." He shook his head. "Not since I have been transferred."

“Sit please.” Kolbeck held out his large hand gesturing for Aldaestron to have a seat. The slightly shorter Ensign obliged to take a seat. Kolbeck didn’t know anything about him. Perhaps now was as good as any having impromptu meeting.

“What can I get you to drink.” Van turned to his replicator by his desk and ordered two tall glasses of white grass tea from the fjords fields. The minty, tartness was a warm welcome. He sat the glass on the other side of the desk for Adaestron.

After taking a sip from the clean glass, he smiled letting the hot tea wash down into his gullet. He waited a moment letting his bodies cells and stomach accept the broth of wellness. He opened his eyes and then slid his Medical PADD in front of his self. “You have been transferred to the Pandora, and I am to be your Chief of Medical Officer. You will report to me on all matters relating to the health and wellness of this crew. Above and beyond your clinical privileges you will not take it upon yourself any surgeries, research tests, unfounded life-saving theoretical work without my prior and expressed consent at doing so.” He spoke reading out the text before him. It was standard protocol.

"Of course," Machwen replied. He hoped that the rule against "unfounded life-saving theoretical work" wouldn't mean that he could do some research. This mission was a brilliant opportunity to find new medical techniques and medications. Machwen reached down for the mug of tea that had been replicated for him, and tried it. It was unlike anything he had ever had before, and not in a good way. Machwen tried his best to conceal his disgust, before setting own the drink. "This is very different to the tea we have on Betazed and Vulcan," he told the Lieutenant.

Kolbeck could see the distaste cross before Adaestrons face. He couldn’t help but break into a bit of a chuckle. The taste of the White Grass tea required a certain palate, perhaps not the best drink he could have offered the Ensign. “My jeg beklager.” He offered his apologies. “White Tea is calm for me. If I am testy one day, you may need to bring me some.”

Kolbeck paused and then gestured his medical PADD at Machewan. “For a Betazoid your inner most feelings become presented.” He chuckled.

"Spending a lot of time with humans and other non-empaths must have made sloppy. I'll try and be more... apathetic," Machwen responded.

"When would you like me to start the medical exams on the crew?" Machwen asked Kolbeck.

"If you can start with the crews vitals, then I will review each sign off in good health." He replied. Kolbeck liked to personally check over each members file.

“Captain Temple believes the Carnwennian Corridor may result in unfriendly meetings with the Talarians, Tzenkethi and the Ravagers. I’ve been studying Talarian weapons. Nothing major of note at least from a medical perspective. I’d like you to prepare sickbay resources for neutral particle weapons, and high-energy X-ray laser tissue damage.”

"As you wish, Lieutenant," Machwen replied, before turning around and heading to his office to prepare.

“Nei nei.” Van had called back the Ensign to sit back down. “I ask you whether you think there are other constructs for sick bay.”

Every man had contributions to be made in a team work fashion. He had wanted Machewan to feel at home and welcome with him to bring up any extra work. He had felt like he had laid down the law. “What is your passions to work on… Scientifically? Medically?”

Machwen sat back down opposite the Lieutenant, "Well, I'm quite interested in genetics and genetic diseases, of all species." he told Kolbeck, "And yourself?

Kolbeck nodded.

“What is your favorite drink?” He leaned back in his chair and turned towards the replicator in his office. He had given up on the tea, as it was becoming cold, and he should have offered the choice for Machewan firstly.

"I've always been fond of a Tom Collins, but you can make a good virgin one if you use some Betazoid starberry juice instead of the gin," Machwen repleid

“Interspecies genetics is a colossal project.” He replied to Adaestrons interest in the Medical Sciences.

“The Federation have whole halls of networked neural computers, most advanced in Starfleet working on some grand master genetic algorithm of DNA. It blows the mind.” He nodded and let a smile cross his face. “You shall have all the space and time out here to find every sample, and any sample you wish min venn!” He called a bit loudly.

Slightly shocked by the volume of the Lieutenant's voice, Machwen replied slightly softly, "Thank you, Lieutenant, I'm looking forward to it."

Bringing back them both the drink to the table, he sat them down. Van sniffed at the drink, raising his nose a bit. “I do not understand this…”

"It tastes just like the alcoholic version, but without getting you drunk," Max replied.

"I tolerate synthahol. Merely." Van dryly replied.

“I am interested in similar.” He set the drink back down and pulled up a PADD. “Spectral DNA degradation in long-term space travel. Background Gamma Radiation we can only take for so long.” He added. “If we can find new alternatives to therapies of reversing DNA degradation, that would come a long way for future space travel. This complication is what I am interested.” He nodded.

"That sounds quite interesting, and quite useful," Max commented, "what made you decide to join Starfleet?"

“That is a good question. Machewan. If I may?” Van implied the casual usage of Ensign Aldaestron’s first name basis. He felt he was getting to know him a bit more and loathed having to reply to an officer in their surname.

“Medicine is a study that is consistently evolving. Like you. I feel Science and Medicine are intertwined and something that is altered. From a negative towards a positive. Science and Medicine act as a universal modifier. It can be far more powerful a change agent then the disruptor cannons on any vessel.”

“Do you have many Family on Betazed Machewan? I find it is a fascinating world. I visited once three years back on a Federation Conference.”

Machwen paused for a moment, "I have a couple of cousins. Most of my family, including my parents, siblings, and I, were able to escape when the Dominion began their occupation. Other members of my family weren't so lucky. Some were too... resistant, for the Dominion's liking, and the Jem'Hadar took care of them." Machwen's face was blank, covering up his sadness and regret. As a betazoid, he was used to not showing his emotions, and he didn't want this to change just because he was remembering sad memories. "I've been back a couple of times, but I don't know if I could move back there quite yet."

Van nodded. He took a drink of the Tom Collins letting the taste develop a bit further swirling around his mouth. It was starting to grow on him.

“I understand. At least I think I do.” What was the best he could offer. He dared to pretend to be a Counsellor, but he often felt that friends, the family opened up to him.

Changing the topic, he grinned at Aldaestron. “I hear you are good on the Holodeck. You play a good game of Velocity. This has been noted in your medical bio.”

Realising that Van was changing the subject, Max went along with it, "Thank you, Lieutenant," he responded, "I probably spent a lot of time playing it when I should have been studying,"

“Perhaps after some work on our shared crew physicals, we can have a good game ja?” Van asked curiously.

"That sounds very fun, if you don't mind being losing to your staff, that is," Max smiled lightly. "Who would you like me to start with?" he asked.

Van had grinned and chuckled rather boisterous. “You joke well, Ensign.” He nodded. Kolbeck had then handed a PADD of listed staff to Machewan.

Kolbeck looked at Machewan. “Please if you could begin physicals with our good Chief of Operations, Lt. Commander Nash. As well as Major Haliwell, and Lt. General P’Trell of our Task Force staff.”

“I would like to be present as well, so that I may meet them of course.” He nodded. “Any questions?”

"No, that's fine," Machwen replied, and began to leave, "I'll see you then, Lieutenant,"

Kolbeck nodded. He was satisfied and confident inside that Ensign Aldaestron would be an exemplary Medical Doctor. He truly was an asset to the department.


OFF