The Tryin, The Bitch, and The Ward Probe

Posted on Mon Oct 24, 2016 @ 12:07am by Lieutenant Nicole Anderson

1,385 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Fall
Location: Main Sickbay
Timeline: Gamma Shift

Nicole liked Gamma shift although she didn't let on. She was a bit of a night owl sometimes and the darkness of the ship's "night shift" was easy on her eyes.

She'd decided to check up on her newest "teammate." Up until recently, Gamma shift had been run by Doctor N'ak'an, however she had been pulled back to the station, and Nicole had been "gifted" an ACMO at long last. She'd met her briefly and promptly assigned her oversee Gamma shift. Petty? Perhaps but it's where she was needed for now, and everyone had to pay their dues at some point. It was a lightly-staffed shift, but Nicole had hoped that would give her newest crewmember a chance to learn more of how to handle Sickbay on her own.

She straightened her uniform and walked into Sickbay, prepared to give it a quick inspection before checking up on the "new fish."

Addison stood at one of the workstations not far from the entrance to Sickbay. With a PADD in hand, she tapped the console on the wall to transfer the information from once device to the other. Seeing that not all the information transferred as it should have, she scowled at the console. Noticing a familiar silhouette approach in her peripheral vision, Addison turned to greet the CMO.

"Doctor Anderson," she said, mustering as much of a smile as she could, "what an unexpected surprise." It was the truth - she just hoped that her tone wasn't too artificial. "Is there something I can do for you?"

Nicole eyed her. She was chewing on a crack about it not being much of a surprise if it was expected, but she saved it. "I just thought I'd stop in and see how you were doing," she said.

"Doing fairly well," Addison started, handing the PADD over to the CMO for review. "Dare I say, it's been a quiet evening so far - just a few minor abrasions. Nothing out of the ordinary. I've been trying to catch up on some of the charting from beta shift, but the computer isn't cooperating..."

"Try a fist, works for me," Nicole said, looking around Sickbay. Everything appeared to be in order, and she was pleased to see that. Then again, in Gamma shift, without an emergency, that wasn't a high bar to hit. She caught Addison's eye and nodded towards her office, heading towards it without waiting.

Addison recognized that nod - it reminded her of the first time she met the CMO.

That particular encounter also took place in the CMO's office....

Addison had wanted to make a good impression on her new boss by heading straight in to report for duty. She carried a bag in one hand, a PADD in the other and had a bag hanging on her shoulder. She walked quickly through Sickbay; had she been less intent, she may have noticed the looks of horror on the faces of the staff as they realized there was about to be a slaughter. Instead, she remained blissfully ignorant as she marched into the office to find Lieutenant Anderson studying something on her computer.

"Ensign Addison MacKenzie reporting, Ma'am," she said, sticking out her hand with the PADD.

The CMO waited a moment, and then turned her gaze to the new recruit. The silence continued for a moment; Addison felt she was being studied by her new boss. Leaning forward, but saying nothing, Nicole took the PADD from Addison. "I trust we're not so stuffed for space, that you're going to be residing in my office," she said.

Addison could feel her brow furrow. "I'm sorry, Ma'am, I thought it would be more important for me to turn in my orders rather than dropping my bags off. My quarters are in the opposite direction, and I figured it would be more efficient to--"

"--drag a cumbersome load of unsterile duffel bags through my sickbay?" the CMO finished, cutting Addison off, her gaze never shifting from the PADD.

Addison paused for a moment, unsure how to react. She wasn't sure if she should say anything or whether it would even make a difference. She took the gamble.

"Ma'am, I can go drop my things off and come back if you'd like..." Addison said. Even though the CMO hadn't once looked at her, Addison couldn't help but notice how cold her eyes were.

"That would be preferable," Nicole said curtly, looking up at Addison at last, but not offering any comfort in her expression. She put the orders aside and didn't spare them another glance as she turned her terminal around so Addison could see its contents: her own, small service record. "University, university, university, the Academy; you have stepped into a Sickbay proper, have you not? You aren't just an extended academic who's decided she wants to get a taste of adventure?"

Addison stood there for a moment, almost stunned. She wasn't new to awkward social interactions, but this one was beginning to take the cake. "Yes Ma'am," she said. "I mean, no Ma'am. I went through residency, and have performed operations in--"

"Nice, controlled environments," Nicole said. "Welcome to the wild." Nicole's British lilt did nothing to reduce the severity of her words. She picked the padd back up and handed it to Addison. "You're on Gamma shift so I suggest you find yourself quarters, get yourself situated and get some rest. This is not a social club, nor a travel lounge. If you enter my Sickbay, you will be doing so as a doctor or a patient. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Addison said, stunned beyond saying much else. She turned and headed out of the CMO's office. "That was so NOT how this was supposed to go," she said under her breath as she walked out...

Following the CMO back into her office now gave Addison the same type of anxiety she felt on that first day.

Nicole swept around her desk and sat down, gesturing to the chair across from her. "How are you settling in?" she said.

"It's been a hell of a ride," Addison said. It was true - the Borg was not an easy first assignment. No matter how much you train in the Academy, it never prepares you. She was a good doctor, but emergency medicine was definitely not her specialty. Surgeons appreciated controlled conditions - knowing the boundaries of a tumor, having a plan of attack before they open. Of course, things can go wrong. There are always possibilities outside of normal contingency plans that you can never account for no matter how much you prepare. Emergency medicine went well beyond any of that.

Addison continued, "I suppose there's something to be said for being thrown directly into the fire, though. If you can't take the heat, that's how you know this isn't the right job for you."

"Way to coin a phrase," Nicole said, sitting back. "In about two weeks I'll be revising the duty roster again." She leveled a gaze right at Mackenzie's eyes. "Can you handle running Beta shift?"

"I'd love the opportunity, ma'am," Addison started. "If you think I'm ready, I'm up for the challenge."

"We'll see if you're ready," Nicole said. "You have tomorrow off to adjust your sleep cycle, and then you'll begin Beta the day after." She tapped the notes into her computer. She sat back and looked Addison over again. What made you want to be a doctor?" she said after a moment.

She thought for a moment and then smirked. "I'm too anal to do anything else. The focus and precision required to be a surgeon is unparalleled. You have to be the best, and you have to want to be the best."

"Well I've no doubt the crew will appreciate you doing your best," Nicole said, standing up. She gestured back to Sickbay and let Addison walk ahead of her. "Of course," she said as they exited her office, shutting the door behind her, "don't forget what they call someone who graduates last in their medical class." She gave a perfunctory smile and a nod. "Good night, Ensign." She turned and headed out the door back to her quarters.

Addison smiled and nodded in amusement. "Doctor."

Nicole Anderson
CMO

Mackenzie Addison
ACMO

 

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