Irish You Luck

Posted on Thu Apr 11, 2019 @ 3:26pm by Lieutenant Nicole Anderson

973 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Plaga Navis
Location: Sickbay

The door to Sickbay hissed, and soft, booted feet announced the arrival of the newest member of the Victory's crew.

"Uh -- hello?"

Quietly rubbing his hands together, Olvan stepped into Sickbay, turned the wrong direction, and froze in the doorway, looking around this new and unfamiliar Sickbay as if trying to figure out where to go.

"Hi?" Maggie said, coming up behind him. "How can I help you?"

Olvan whirled around. “What — oh!” He smiled back, sheepishly. “Uh, Sickbay was always a turn in the door — I mean, the other way — uh, that is, on the —“ Olvan stopped, pointedly, let out a breath, and extended a slightly flustered hand. “Hi. I’m Olvan, freshly arrived from USS Edwin Hubble, by way of the Martinson.” He chucked a thumb back at an imaginary transport, somewhere in nearby space. “Um, my orders indicated I was supposed to stop by for an initial physical about now. Uh — is it a bad time? I’ve heard there’s...a lot going on.”

"No, it's fine," Maggie said, smiling a bit. "It's been a bit crazy on board, yes, but we've still got some jobs to do. Have a seat over here," she said, gesturing to a biobed and grabbing a tricorder.

"Oh, of course." Olvan turned to the biobed and made his way over, hefting himself up onto the surface of it and taking a seat.

Maggie flipped her tricorder open and scanned him slowly. "How long have you been on board?" she said.

He ran a hand back through his hair, considering. "Um. A day? Almost exactly a day, I think. Twenty-five hours, maybe."

"I was pretty turned around my first day too," Maggie said. "You'll get used to it. It's a bit crazy here now and then, but if you can adapt, you'll be fine." She patted his hand and picked up a hypospray, programming it and pressing it to his neck. "The secret is to pretend like you know what's going on."

The juxtaposition of the statement timed with pressing a hypospray into his neck made Olvan squint for a second, then shake his head. "That's not bad advice," he mused. "It's a whole lot of changes to adjust to all at once, I guess. Even besides the new ship." He laughed softly. "Sorry. I don't mean to mistake you for a ship's counselor. I'm sure I'll eventually -- it's not my first time at a new posting with a new rank. I'm sure I'll adjust. After a while. ...I, uh, I think."

"This is my first assignment, you aren't exactly giving me hope for my second," Maggie said, chuckling. "Well, the good news is, you're healthy, so at least you don't have that to worry about while you wander the corridors."

Olvan laughed, despite himself. "That is good news. Hopefully I'm not making any wrong turns after a couple days." He considered, for a second. "So, um...anything I should know? That is -- you know, new ship, new people...captain, XO -- ah, sorry." He ran another hand back through his hair. "In the middle of a physical probably isn't the time or place. Joining a new ship during crunch time doesn't really offer anyone the opportunity for niceties and introductions, so I'm, uh, trying to improvise, I guess."

"The Captain's...grumpy," Maggie said, making a face and shivering. "Then again, so is the CMO. The First Officer's pretty decent. Most people on board and kind. I'd say just keep your head low and don't get on the Captain's radar and you'll be safe."

"Oh." Olvan blinked. "That's different, but, uh, so's the Delta Quadrant, I guess. Okay. Note taken." He smiled, looking down at his feet. "Anyway, uh, thank you for the clean bill of health. Good note to start on."

"Yeah..." Maggie said. "You're welcome. You going to be okay making your way today? I can have the computer lead you to your next destination."

Placing a hand on the biobed, Olvan pushed himself back up and onto his feet. “I think I’ve got it. I’m just headed back to quarters before my first time seeing the Science department tonight, I think.” He laughed softly, and mostly to himself. “I’m not used to having things that need packing, so really, there’s not much to unpack, either.”

"I was the opposite," Maggie said. "I brought practically everything I own with me, not realizing how little room I'd have in my quarters. I wound up having most of my stuff shipped back to my parents in Kilkenny." She smiled at him. "Well, I hope you like the science department. Your CO seems nice, so that's a bonus."

"She does," Olvan nodded. "I, uh, hope I like it too, but I'm optimistic." He smiled back, before his brow furrowed momentarily. "I'm sorry, uh -- I don't think I ever got your name."

"Oh!" Maggie blushed, having her turn to feel flustered. "Sorry! I'm Nurse Cromwell...Maggie, if you like." She held out a hand.

"It's a pleasure, Nurse Cromwell." Olvan beamed and shook the proffered hand, more warmly than his use of title and surname would imply. "Thanks for the, uh, for the warm welcome. Everyone I've run into so far has been very kind, which, if I get you right, is the best lead-in to the chain of command I think I could ask for," he said with a soft laugh.

"You're welcome," Maggie said, shaking his hand and smiling. "Good luck on board." She stepped aside, giving him a clear path.

"Thank you." Olvan shook his head. "I hope I don't need it. Have a good day, Nur -- um -- Maggie." With a parting smile and a hint of nerves, Olvan let out a quick breath, and stepped back outside into the corridor.

 

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