The new girl

Posted on Tue Mar 10th, 2020 @ 1:01pm by Lieutenant Kah'lyn Chiara-Rivers & Ensign Aria Davis

1,183 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 105 – Evacuation
Location: USS Pegasus Sickbay
Timeline: MD1 1600 hrs

Kah’lyn walked into the Pegasus Sickbay, not surprised to get her fair share of glances from those present. As much as she hated it she was used to it. Her shadow Vito was waiting outside for her, she needed a medical but she’d also managed to cut and burn her arm which needed looking at. Her green blood yet was yet another indicative trait of her heritage.

Ensign Aria Winters glanced up from the medical file she was updating as the doors to sickbay opened. One of only three doctors assigned time cover the medical facilities aboard the Admiral’s ship, she was nevertheless impatient. Knowing her colleagues on the Mercy were stretched thin meant she felt like climbing the walls. Instead she decided to update patient charts and check and recheck everything here was in order.

So the arrival of a new face - although everyone was still pretty new to her - had her almost jumping out of her chair. “Hello! I’m Dr Winters... how can I help?”

Kah’lyn was surprised to get such a warm welcome, it made a nice change. “I was a little careless while doing some repairs” She held out her arm to show Winters. “I cut myself then ended up with a plasma burn just to add to it! Serves me right for trying to show off!!”

“Ouch!” Aria winced as she studied the wound before offering a reassuring smile, “well, it’s a good thing you came by before this ends up infected to! We can patch that right up and fortunately the Pegasus has zero waiting times as part of our plasma burns special protocol. One time special offer, so no more showing off... okay, right this way...”

She pointed to the nearest biobed as she collected the equipment she needed, checking it over twice to be sure she hadn’t overlooked it. It didn’t look good to be caught without a dermal regenerator.

“So were you off duty when the evacuation started?” She asked absently as she scanned the wound to understand the extent of the damage.

“I’d just got here. I didn’t get chance to report in so I hopped on the nearest ship. The Admiral found me hiding in ten forward, I lost my transfer orders so until he can prove who I am I’m under guard, and before you ask he’s outside the door!” She shrugged her shoulders. “The downside of being half Romulan!”

Aria frowned, clearly not understanding something. Turning back to her work she finished the scan and turned to her equipment tray. “But...” She began as she administered a local anaesthetic to numb the site and ease any pain and discomfort. Allowing it to work she went on, “... why hide? And isn’t Ten Forward not, you know, normally busy?”

“Actually it was quiet, I was alone.” Kah’lyn sighed. “Do you know what kind of reception someone like me gets? If I was half Vulcan no one would pay any attention to me, but because I’m half Romulan I’m looked at like I’m a monster! Even Admiral Bremer looked at me like I’m something to be locked up and the key thrown away!!” She took a deep breath. “Sorry ... I have a temper to beat all tempers and I don’t want to take it out on you.

“I have no idea what it must be like,” Aria admitted with a kind smile, “but I imagine it must be difficult. And it’s okay, I’ve had worse than a temper... try to hold still and I will patch this up, okay?”

Kah’lyn nodded. “I appreciate you being so kind Doctor Winters” She grinned. “Be warned I might be back again yet! My sparring program that I normally use for letting off steam, is pretty ... robust! I tend to add an air of risk by lowering the safety settings a little. Makes my workout more ... realistic!” She smiled. “Also makes it more dangerous especially as I generally spar with a Bat'leth.”

“Really? I am never getting on your bad side,” Aria grinned. “I run a kickboxing programme, but never even held a bat’leth. This will feel warm and tingly... you are doing great.”

"I'm used to it!" Kah'lyn smiled. "Besides I have a high threshold for pain thankfully. I was trying to prove that I am a Starfleet Officer and instead I made a silly error hence the cut and burns!" She shook her head. "I got the job done anyway."

“Well, that’s good I guess,” Aria commented, “although I’m sure Starfleet would prefer you worked safely and efficiently.... almost done. So, are you an engineer or ops?”

"Ops" Kah'lyn smiled. "I've always had a knack with things so it seemed a logical path to take."

“Unless that thing has a pulse, or is supposed to, I’m hopeless,” Aria admitted, before pausing, glancing up with a sheepish smile, “apart from the things I work with obviously- I can work these just fine.”

Kah'lyn grinned. "Well if you're ever stuck you know where to find me! That's if the Admiral doesn't put me in the brig fir the rest of the trip that is!"

“I’m sure he wouldn’t... although, actually, I’ve never met him so I have zero experience to say if that is true or not. I’m sure it will all work out though and ... you’re done. Good as new!”

Kah’lyn lifted her arm. “Wow, that’s great thanks!” She smiled warmly. “It’s been nice talking to someone who hasn’t judged me prior to getting to know me, thank you.”

“Well I think I’d be a pretty bad doctor if I judged everyone who came in here,” Aria mused.

“Now if you were in here because you dipped a french fry in ice cream? We might have a problem,” she grinned.

Kah’lyn grinned. “Mmm ice cream! Now there’s something I love!!” She grinned as she slid down off the biobed. “I take it this arm will be tender once the pain relief wears off?”

“Yeah, sorry. Definitely no showing off for a few days,” Aria warned her. “If it gets too uncomfortable come back or, you know, we can do house calls.”

“Does that mean no sparring?” Kah’lyn looked disappointed. “Like I said I have a pretty high threshold for pain.”

“No sparring for at least three days. You do realise a high pain threshold doesn’t mean you adjust ignore the pain. Besides, the Admiral might lock you up for months,” she teased.

Kah’lyn grinned. “Who knows! As for the sparring I’m a stubborn patient.” She smiled warmly at Aria. “Thanks again, I appreciate the fantastic work and making a friend too.”

“All part of the VIP treatment,” Aria grinned. “For what it’s worth, I really hope you don’t get thrown in the Brig ...”

“You and me both!” Kah’lyn grinned as she headed on her way. “Thanks again!”

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