"In Someone Else's Sun"
	Callaghan spent some time in Medical with Dr. Phlox although she found her thoughts constantly edging towards the students she had...well...abandoned. The final had come and gone without even a question directed at her. Most of the students did well, very good actually, even Solomon, the broody one on the Enterprise with her, did very well. The new courses would be coming out soon and she had spoken to the Admiral in regards to the final year studies of Ensign Solomon, which apparently, for lack of anyone else, she would now be in charge of. The Enterprise. After the newness had worn off (about 12 hours) she found herself restless, needing to do something and tooling around medical was not getting it done. She wished they would find something unusual for her to study. After all isn't that why she was brought on board? To study unusual things? Besides the food of course… Gracie watched Ensign Solomon walk into medical and once again be directed to inventory control. Phlox and herself had spoken of this duty, basically testing the young woman to see how long she would continue to do the boring job before she questioned it. Well, she had not questioned as of yet. The good point, thought Gracie, was that the ensign had discipline and followed orders. The bad point, she may lack the integrity to stand up to officers. Which, as Gracie always considered, was a very good trait to have if used correctly. Gracie watched Solomon climb up the ladder and begin another monotonous day of counting. She thought for a moment…perhaps not today. "Ensign Solomon?" Gracie suppressed a smile as the very tall ensign, startled, cracked her head against an open door then abruptly, upon seeing Grace, straightened and saluted. "It's ok Ensign, at ease," Gracie said indicating for Solomon to take a seat. "I just wanted a word about your program of study." "What did you have in mind, sir?" Solomon answered, though Gracie detected a slight hesitation, which considering the girl's age, was an expected response. "Well, as we are going to be collecting all sorts of specimens, biological in nature, during this trip, I wanted to bring your skills up to date on the methods we will be using. Unless, you have something else particular you wanted to work up," Grace paused before winking. "But it will be a major part of the Academy examinations, speaking of which, I have arranged for you to take them on board at the appropriate time." There, now that would really get the woman's attention. Nothing cleared the mind like talking about examinations. "Dr. Callaghan, I want no special favors." Grace arched an eyebrow at the young Ensign, why would she think she was getting special favors? "I want to pass the exams on my own merit," Solomon continued, "not because it has been made easy for me. Of course I will benefit from the extra practice and no I have no particular area that I would prefer at this stage. I consider myself very fortunate that I have been able to be a part of the crew and I am happy to follow instructions." Follow instructions? What had the academy been doing to these kids when they weren't under her care? Brainwashing them? This one, Grace hoped, was not too far gone...how suspicious she was! Grace would have to handle her carefully, and perhaps a bit of toughness was what this one needed since she seemed so down the straight and narrow. Grace shrugged, "No problem Ensign, it was not an easy route to a pass in the exams." And it certainly was not, Gracie was not in the business of favoritism, however, if a student was willing to learn, Gracie would bend over backwards for them. "Your assistance is required with the volume of work they expect we will have." Dr. Callaghan paused before standing, "after lunch, you will report to the small lab for your first session, and then we will see how much you have remembered from my classes." There. She wanted to follow instructions...let her follow those. Grace smiled thinly before getting up and leaving. Ensign Solomon would have plenty to think about before the afternoon. Grace grinned at she left Medical to set up in the small lab, otherwise known as 'the slab', as it just had one stretcher for a body (of whatever nature) and lots of equipment. The room was set primarily for autopsies and Grace found the intimate environment perfect for teaching…of course she only had the one student. What was left of the Suliban creature was brought into the lab by the medtechs. There Gracie made sure the ethylene glycol bottles were filled and the paper towels a plenty. Decomposing body, human or not, Gracie did not think would smell all that nice. So, on with the vents, and a check of the watch, "she's late," Gracie mumbled. She tapped her foot thinking how she was going to use this against the Ensign. Not that Gracie cared if she was late because lord knew she wasn't the most punctual of individuals, but knowing the Ensign would beat herself up over it was worth a dig or two. Just as she was thinking she opened the door, "Ensign. So glad you could make it." There it was, just as Grace expected, the paling of dread, the last thing the Ensign wanted was to be here trapped with herself and a corpse. Gracie held her giggles at bay, sometimes it was damn fun being in charge. Gracie put her hand on the absent ensign's shoulder, "Please, Ensign...come in." Solomon looked warily around counting off the differences between the last time she was here, noting first off, the body on the table. "I've already examined this creature inside out...literally," Grace grinned, "lots of good stuff here, Ensign. I suggest you grab a pick and a scalpel and start a normal autopsy noting to me the differences, if any, from human anatomy." The Ensign looked at her for a moment before wrapping a cloth mask about her face and donning a face shield. Gracie followed suit and sat on the counter next to the body leaning her back against the row of cabinets. "A bit old fashioned in here, wouldn't you say?" Gracie noted it reminded her of the old hospital suites back home. "No, I wouldn't sir," the Ensign spoke quietly looking around a bit. "No, I suppose you wouldn't. Just showing my age I suppose. Well, carry on, daylight's a burning..." Gracie shrugged, "sort of...in a manner of speaking." "Of course, sir," the Ensign replied flatly. Gracie took a small breadth and smiled under her mask, she would have to, if nothing else, teach this one how to joke around a little bit. Solomon was doing very well, very methodical, and very text book perfect. But Gracie could see in the tentative, awkward way the scalpel was held that Solomon was not comfortable and clearly, this was not going to be her forte. She supposed she would have to try something else. But before she could form any thoughts the wall comm beeped annoyingly and a female voice came over, "Bridge to Callaghan." Solomon looked up, not startled, but clearly curious. Gracie hopped down from the counter and depressed the button, "Callaghan." "Captain Archer is requesting your presence on the bridge immediately." "I'll be right there," Gracie said turning to Solomon. "You have two choices, I don't care which one you choose. Either finish the body and record everything you see, or have the techs put it back on ice and we'll continue at another time." "Yes, sir," the Ensign nodded. Gracie pulled off her shields and mask and exited the room, quickly heading for the bridge. When she arrived, the first thing she noted was a large dark planet looming on the vidscreens. The dawn could be seen looming around the west side of the planet, though Callaghan had yet to learn the light giver was actually two small suns. "Lieutenant," Archer hailed her upon arrival. "Yes, Captain?" "We are assembling a team to check this planet out, we'd like you to come along." "Purpose?" Grace could feel the adrenaline seeping into her system she was so excited but she managed to keep it in check. She would finally get to check out another planet, greet other people, play in someone else's sun. "We got some readings on creatures of some sort down there..." he stated hesitantly. "Creatures?" she arched an eyebrow at him (people?). "Creatures...but they seem to all be...well...dead." "Dead," Gracie commented, perhaps it would be more fun that way...certainly less dangerous. "A couple of us will be going down. Trip is preparing a shuttle, meet us in the docking bay in 20 minutes." "Request to bring Ensign Solomon along." Archer cocked his head at her but Grace did not back down. She knew, as it was quite common knowledge, that personnel would be sifted through various Away Teams so everyone would get to encounter life on other planets. It would be invaluable experience for the young Ensign who desperately needed to find her niche, and besides if nothing was alive down there...what sort of trouble could she possibly get into? Archer apparently weighed the same pros and cons in his mind before speaking, "Bring her along, it will be good for her." "Aye, sir," Grace acknowledged before turning to head out. T'Pol stared intently at her and Grace merely nodded. She heard Archer as she was leaving ask Hoshi to hail Solomon and inform her of her new assignment. She smiled as she made her way to her quarters to prepare a small field kit and more appropriate dress.
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