From: Christine Fontaine
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 20:27:56 -0400
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: Glimpses Of The Medical Department
SD 90410.2027 (EDT)
Scene: USS CHESAPEAKE: Holodeck 2
MD 04.1200
Doctor DawnFire to-Ennien stepped into Holodeck 2, a towel thrown over one
shoulder, a useful draped over her arm. Anyone familiar with Sivaoan body
language would know that the tiny doctor was *not* in a good mood. Golden
fur bristling, the tip of her tail flicked back and forth.
Laid out before the Sivaoan was an Olympic-sized swimming pool, its crystal
clear waters silent and still beneath the holodeck's golden sun. Stepping
out into the warm rays DawnFire's eyes adjusted to the artificial sunlight,
her pupils narrowing to vertical slits. For a few moments she just stood
there, luxuriating in the warmth, enjoying the soft caress of a summer's
breeze rippling across her fur.
As DawnFire stood there, soaking in the sun's warmth, her fur began to
settle back down, and her tail ceased its twitching motion. Acting like a
balm, it calmed her frayed temper, helping the Sivaoan to relax.
After depositing her towel and useful at the poolside, DawnFire smoothly
dove into the water, a picture of beauty and grace in motion. As the
Sivaoan cut the surface, tiny waves rippled out from her point of entry,
disturbing the crystal clear quiescent waters. Fluidly, DawnFire sluiced
through the water, relishing in the feel of the cool water against her skin.
Unlike many other felines, DawnFire actually *liked* water, and she enjoyed
swimming. When she was frustrated or angry, nothing could cool her temper
like a dip in the pool. Swimming length after length after length helped to
divert her energy into something semi-constructive. Although often at the
beginning of a swimming session she was far too emotional to concentrate on
her form, after 10 or 12 lengths of freestyle as a warm-up, she was ready
for drills and stroke improvement.
Right now, DawnFire was still bristling over the abuse of her name. With
each stroke, she pounded the water, working out her frustration. Although
the Sivaoan knew that names were not as important for other races that fact
remained that her name was *hers*; she had earned it, and she deserved to be
addressed by her full name. Anything less was a grave insult and if she
were on Sivao the shortening of her name would have dire consequences.
Stroke. Kick. Stroke. Kick. DawnFire swam on and on, attacking the water
with vigour.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Scene: USS CHESAPEAKE: Doctor Willingham's Quarters
MD 04.1230
Doctor Bruce Willingham, the Vulcan surgeon with the strange name, was
attempting to meditate. Unfortunately, he was not having much success.
Again and again his thoughts returned to the strange medical departments to
which he somehow always seemed to be assigned. Certainly, not your average
billets, by anyone's logic.
His last assignment had been aboard the USS ELIZABETH BLACKWELL, a medical
frigate. Doctor Willingham could not forget the sight of the atypical
Ferengi that had called the ship home. As opposed to ever other member of
his race, this Ferengi, Svok, had no interest in profit whatsoever. In
fact, he was friendly, and thought of the ELIZABETH BLACKWELL's crew as his
family. The little Ferengi had also been very resourceful and had access to
a great deal of information, although you would not want to know by what
means that information had been obtained.
Now Doctor Willingham found himself aboard a HOOD-class vessel, whose Chief
Medical Officer was a veterinarian. Interesting, to say the least.
Certainly not logical, not when there were many certified physicians serving
in Starfleet; indeed, there were several MDs on staff, himself included.
Willingham decided that there must be some logic behind Doctor Ledoux's
placement, even if it escaped him at that moment.
Willingham considered the other members of the staff. Doctor DawnFire
to-Ennien was fresh from Starfleet Medical. Apart from her residency, she
had no real experience. Luckily, Willingham knew how to address Sivaoans;
the Captain of the ELIZABETH BLACKWELL had been Sivaoan, Captain StarFire
to-Ennien, who was also a physician. Doctor Donne, the aCMO looked to be a
competant physician; she had served aboard the ANDROMEDA for several years.
Steepling his fingers, Willingham returned to his meditation. It was time
to clear his mind of these extraneous thoughts.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Scene: USS CHESAPEAKE: Sickbay: CMO's Office
MD 04.1300
Lietuenant Commander Catherine Ledoux was back in her office, after a brief
respite in her quarters. Glancing about, Catherine had happy that on her
first day aboard the CHESAPEAKE she had asked for the walls of her office to
be rendered opaque. Unlike many other department heads, whose offices had
transparent walls, Catherine had insisted upon opaque. In fact, if her
request had not been authorized, she would have covered the walls with
Sivaoan usefulls, just so she could have some privacy.
For Catherine, her office was a quiet haven, a place of sanctuary. The
veterinarian liked to be able to escape here when she needed some time alone
but still had to remain within the environs of sickbay. Catherine's office
was a refuge, and so she wanted privacy. Privacy to her meant opaque walls.
As she continued to cast her sapphire gaze about her office, Catherine
decided that she just might put up some usefulls anyhow. Skillfully woven,
the blankets were beautiful and could even be considered works of art. They
would certainly add some colour to her rather drab office.
With that thought in mind, Catherine turned back to the PADDwork that
awaited her. Hopefully she would have an eaiser time concentrating this
time around.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Scene: USS CHESAPEAKE: Sickbay
MD 04.1330
Doctor Caitlin Donne was working on a research proposal. With a great deal
of interest, the Irish physician had noted that Doctor Ledoux had experience
in veterinary cybernetics and prosthetics, fields that meshed well with her
own specialty: orthopaedics. Curiosity aroused, Caitlin had searched for
any dissertations that Doctor Ledoux might have published. To Caitlin's
delight, she had found Catherine's name attached to several notable papers,
including the veterinarian's fourth year thesis on cybernetic limbs for
racehorses.
Doctor Donne hoped that the CMO would be receptive to her ideas. Not only
was she looking forward to working with Catherine, but she wanted to keep an
eye on her as well. Doctor Ledoux simply did not look well, and Caitlin was
going to insist upon performing a thorough physical.
Caitlin also wanted to work closely with Doctor Ledoux since the
veterinarian had asked Doctor Donne to supervise her residency requirements
for her medical degree. Caitlin was happy to comply and she was delighted
that the other doctor wanted to further her education. Given Doctor
Ledoux's educational background and experience, Caitlin felt that the vet
should have little problem with the medical boards. Caitlin was happy to
help out, however she could.
PADD in hand, Caitlin went over her proposal one more time. The Irish
doctor wanted it to be *perfect*, she didn't want Doctor Ledoux to have any
reason to say no.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Fontaine
LCDR Catherine Ledoux, DVM & assorted other members of the medical department
Chief Medical Officer
USS CHESAPEAKE
<< NRPG >>
This post just kind of... happened! I guess my thoughts were jumping
around today.
Chris - taking a break...
***********************************************************************
* Chris Fontaine * "If I waited for perfection... *
* cfontain@uoguelph.ca * I would never write a word." *
* http://www.uoguelph.ca/~cfontain/ * - Margaret Atwood - *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* LCDR Catherine Marie Ledoux, DVM, CMO, USS CHESAPEAKE, NCC-31813 *
* LCDR StarSong to-Ennien, MD, PhD, COUNS, USS LEVIATHAN, NCC-25002 *
* RADM FireSong to-Vensre, MD, ALB Adjutant, Armstrong Lunar Base *
***********************************************************************
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