Mission 1.3: Internal Medicine

[Constance Lafayette]

[Captain's Log]

"Stardate 2394.8.4. This is the 18th day of the USS Athena's deep space mission to investigate the Bildergusten Cluster- a small field of planetary fragments between Ivor Prime and the Typhon Expanse. We have been alerted to a phenomenon that none of our long range sensors can accurately evaluate. Apparently massive gravitational disturbances and powerful subspace communications, unintelligible to our translators, have been occurring within this cluster. At the time of the recording of this message we are 6 hours out from the cluster. Lafayette out."

[Bridge]

The Captain, coming off a good night's rest, arrived on the bridge in her typical spic and span fashion. She was not a large woman, Constance was petite and small, but she had a hawk-like stare and a professorial continence.

"Report. Have we been able to ascertain anything about the Bildergusten Cluster with our long range scans?"

Her tone was not harsh. It was more inquisitive but dispassionately so, like a parent asking if their kid had done their homework.

Risa had rested her and given her a lot to think about, but that could wait until later. Now her mind was entirely on the mission at hand.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[Deck 3 Á¢â,¬"œ Torpedo Maintenance]

Commander Stafford was laying on his back, the upper part of his torso resting painfully on the lip of the bulkhead seal. His head and hands were deep into the bowels of the maintenance section of the launcher, while an Orion female in the mustard yellow of security and tactical fretted at his feet.

"Sir, unscheduled maintenance is the cause of nearly a quarter of all malfunctions, did you know that?" The Orion woman asked, managing to sound both respectful and indignant at the same time.

"At ease, ensign," Stafford said, his voice muffled by the tiny, cramped maintenance space. "I've been working on torpedoes since before you were born. I think I know how toÁ¢â,¬"DAMNIT!"

The spanner in his hands had dropped onto his face, directly onto the nose. Simultaneously, a random discharge of power had singed Stafford's hands.

"Sir!" The Orion seized his boots and tugged him bodily out of the bulkhead with surprising strength.

He felt his back scrape against the bulkhead seal, and his skull bounce against it and then the hard, unforgiving deck.

"Sir, are you all right?" She asked, hands flying to grasp his painfully singed hands.

"Ow! Damnit, ensign!" Stafford stood and waved her away. His hands were only slightly burned, and his nose felt like it had a few new painful lumps in it.

"I'm sorry, commander." The young officer's face was downcast with guilt.

"Not your fault." The XO blinked at her, the flash of the power discharge still echoing in his eyes. "I think I'll head to sickbay. No, don't...don't escort me. I'll be fine."

The bulkhead began to smoke slightly, and a discernable scent of burning electronics could be whiffed in the air.

"I think I'll just let you finish up here." Stafford said.

The Orion's face had gone from concerned to annoyed while she viewed the smoking bulkhead.

"Aye, sir." She managed to get out with an admirable restraint.

Stafford dodged incoming crew, who banged heedlessly into his slightly tenderized body, as he made his way out to the passageway.

[Dylan Torngate]

[Bridge, Master Systems Display]

Dylan was monitoring the MSD for the ship. The ship was currently functioning at full efficiency, at the peak of it's operating performance. Dylan smiled, knowing that he'd done a few of the repairs and maintenance himself. He was watching the power flows, when he saw a sudden spike to the torpedo room. Normally, he only saw a spike like that when a weapon was discharged, and so he was a bit concerned. Bridge to Torpedo Room, report. What was that power surge? he asked, zooming in to see what happened on the diagram, but only whoever was on duty in the tube room could tell for sure.

He nodded as the Captain came on the bridge. The rest on Risa had done everyone good, it didn't matter if they'd gone down to the planet or not, everyone felt the effects.

[Leonard T. Scott]

Ensign Scott enjoyed the leave on Risa. There was that one incident where he was able to blow off some steam, but he decided to keep those memories to himself. He was seated at the helm when the captain stepped on the bridge.

[Captain's Log

"Stardate 2394.8.4. This is the 18th day of the USS Athena's deep space mission to investigate the Bildergusten Cluster- a small field of planetary fragments between Ivor Prime and the Typhon Expanse. We have been alerted to a phenomenon that none of our long range sensors can accurately evaluate. Apparently massive gravitational disturbances and powerful subspace communications, unintelligible to our translators, have been occurring within this cluster. At the time of the recording of this message we are 6 hours out from the cluster. Lafayette out."

[Bridge]

The Captain, coming off a good night's rest, arrived on the bridge in her typical spic and span fashion. She was not a large woman, Constance was petite and small, but she had a hawk-like stare and a professorial continence.

"Report. Have we been able to ascertain anything about the Bildergusten Cluster with our long range scans?"

Her tone was not harsh. It was more inquisitive but dispassionately so, like a parent asking if their kid had done their homework.

Risa had rested her and given her a lot to think about, but that could wait until later. Now her mind was entirely on the mission at hand.

"Course and heading still the same, Captain," he replied. "Nothing out of the ordinary so far."

It was nice to hear the captain sound relaxed. This mission didn't seem like there would be as much trouble as they had on Epsilon Indi and that confused him.

[Paige Wardropper]

Turbolift

Paige had checked with the Security officer as to where her assigned quarters were and dumped her bags.  She hadn't told Lizzie that they were going to be serving together again and getting back to working for Starfleet after an extended leave.  She'd heard stories about Captain Lafayette, mostly that she was an excellent Captain and played by the book. 'Well now is the time to find out!' she said to herself making sure her pips were straight and tugging her tunic straight to make sure she was turned out best she could be.  Her orders said to report to Captain Lafayette or Commander Stafford.  She assumed one or the other would be on the bridge.

Bridge

The turbolift doors opened and she stepped just inside, standing to attention.  She spied the diminutive frame of the Captain and addressed her.

"Permission to come aboard Ma'am?  Ensign Paige Wardropper reporting for duty."

[Lizzie Vaughan]

Sickbay

Lizzie having received her surprise transfer orders, looked the around the smaller but more efficient sickbay of the Athena. She had reported to the Captain upon her arrival and was now going over her departments personnel files. It was with no small amount of surprise and pleasure that she noted that Paige had returned to Starfleet duty and they would again be serving together.
She smiled to herself as she checked the inventory and found that there was nothing missing. Though she expected nothing less. She got herself a cup of Raktajino and sat at her desk. She began to work through the pile of PADDs. A CMO's work was never done!

[Constance Lafayette]

[Bridge]

Constance accepted Mr. Scott's report with a nod. She had hoped to at least be able to get a peek at where they were going with long range sensors. Then again, if there had been nothing strange on the long range sensors that had pinged it before- she doubted they would. After all- that was why they were heading to the  Bildergusten Cluster in the first place.

"Helm. Bring us up to warp 6.4 and maintain until we are within a lightyear. Let's continue to scan, high band, and see if we can get a better look at this cluster."

She said, pulling up her own PADD and tapping out some equations.Their long range sensors could ping it from 20 light years but they wouldn't have meaningful resolution until the waveform was refracted at a much shorter distance that their signal buffers could store with a higher degree of fidelity. They should get something more accurate on the high band in about 5-10 minutes at 6.4 and their sensors could still maintain their detailed scanning so far as they were below warp 6.5 because of...

Her brain continued to work away at the problem but she had a happy reprieve from her thoughts when Ms. Wardropper came onto the bridge. Constance regarded her with her typical, detached, fashion.

"Granted ensign."

Then she softened a little, remembering Risa, and continued,

"It is a pleasure Ms. Wardropper. Please make yourself at home on the Athena. She's a good ship with a good crew. I hope that means you will take care of her people the same way they'll take care of you."

It seemed like a possible threat at first, but her expression indicated that the Captain meant well by it.

[Leonard T. Scott]

[Bridge]

Constance accepted Mr. Scott's report with a nod. She had hoped to at least be able to get a peek at where they were going with long range sensors. Then again, if there had been nothing strange on the long range sensors that had pinged it before- she doubted they would. After all- that was why they were heading to the  Bildergusten Cluster in the first place.

"Helm. Bring us up to warp 6.4 and maintain until we are within a lightyear. Let's continue to scan, high band, and see if we can get a better look at this cluster."

She said, pulling up her own PADD and tapping out some equations.Their long range sensors could ping it from 20 light years but they wouldn't have meaningful resolution until the waveform was refracted at a much shorter distance that their signal buffers could store with a higher degree of fidelity. They should get something more accurate on the high band in about 5-10 minutes at 6.4 and their sensors could still maintain their detailed scanning so far as they were below warp 6.5 because of...

"Warp 6.4," the ensign replied, "aye, ma'am. Maintaining a one lightyear distance."

Scott loved the chance to be on the bridge for more than a passing go. The sights he'd seen so far were indescribable. The Bildergusten Cluster was a sight to behold.

The new members of the crew were fitting in nicely and didn't have much trouble making friends, which made him happy. Though he did miss some of the crew from when he first arrived and vowed to himself to stay in touch.

[James Carter]

[CSO's Office]

James sat quietly looking over information on a PADD. It was nothing out of the ordinary. All that was left for him to do was inventory and requisition filing. Which was easily his least favorite thing about the job.

[Paige Wardropper]

[Bridge]

Constance accepted Mr. Scott's report with a nod. She had hoped to at least be able to get a peek at where they were going with long range sensors. Then again, if there had been nothing strange on the long range sensors that had pinged it before- she doubted they would. After all- that was why they were heading to the  Bildergusten Cluster in the first place.

"Helm. Bring us up to warp 6.4 and maintain until we are within a lightyear. Let's continue to scan, high band, and see if we can get a better look at this cluster."

She said, pulling up her own PADD and tapping out some equations.Their long range sensors could ping it from 20 light years but they wouldn't have meaningful resolution until the waveform was refracted at a much shorter distance that their signal buffers could store with a higher degree of fidelity. They should get something more accurate on the high band in about 5-10 minutes at 6.4 and their sensors could still maintain their detailed scanning so far as they were below warp 6.5 because of...

Her brain continued to work away at the problem but she had a happy reprieve from her thoughts when Ms. Wardropper came onto the bridge. Constance regarded her with her typical, detached, fashion.

"Granted ensign."

Then she softened a little, remembering Risa, and continued,

"It is a pleasure Ms. Wardropper. Please make yourself at home on the Athena. She's a good ship with a good crew. I hope that means you will take care of her people the same way they'll take care of you."

It seemed like a possible threat at first, but her expression indicated that the Captain meant well by it.

Bridge

"Thank you Ma'am and yes Ma'am, kind of goes with the job description.  I try not to let anyone die on us!"

Paige, being Betazoid, felt the warmth from the Captain, she knew that Layfayette meant well.

"I have an Aunt whom I spent some time with before she died recently on Earth, hence being back in the Fleet now, and one of her favourite books was The Waterbabies.  In that there is a woman called Mrs Do-as-you-would-be-done-by... that's how I like to live my life.  I treat people as I hope they would treat me.  Doesn't always work that way but I never stop trying!"

Realising she was rambling a little she smiled at the Captain and said "Forgive me, I'm just excited to be back on a starship, and serving with Lizz... erm Dr. Vaughan. She and I are old comrades so you'll get the best possible care for the crew from us.  Permission to go and check in with her?!"

[Constance Lafayette]

[Bridge]

Constance nodded as the new medical officer talked. This one had a mouth on her.

"Aye." Was her only reply, dismissing her to go meet with the Dr. Vaughan. It was a patient word but one that showed mastery over herself all the same.

"Mr. Carter."=/\= The Captain began, a touch of offhanded curiosity in her voice,

"We are going into this unknown cluster with little indication of what may lay there. I would like a tactical officer stationed on the bridge, yourself or someone you trust, as well as a distress beacon probe prepped before our arrival. If this is a trap- I want to have every contingency at my finger tips."=/\=

[Rachel Deacon]

[Sickbay]

The orders had come through at the last minute, but Rachel had nonetheless managed to get herself and what sparse belongings she owned on to the Athena after being dropped off at Risa by a passing ship.  It hadn't taken long to establish herself in her new quarters, nor to get Stark settled in.  Now the only thing remaining for her to do was check in for her medical before reporting to her department head.

With Stark at her heel, proudly sporting his work harness, she stepped smartly in to sickbay and fell in to parade rest as she scanned the area for a medic who could perform her physical.  While she didn't actively avoid sickbay, she didn't particularly enjoy being there.  Too much time spent around doctors in her youth had rather spoiled it.

[Paige Wardropper]

[Bridge]

Constance nodded as the new medical officer talked. This one had a mouth on her.

"Aye." Was her only reply, dismissing her to go meet with the Dr. Vaughan. It was a patient word but one that showed mastery over herself all the same.

Bridge

Paige inclined her head and stepped back into the Turbolift going straight to the Sickbay.  The dismissal had been abrupt but not unkind, the Captain had, after all, more to do!  Thankfully being Betazoid she felt that the Captain wasn't angry at her or anything so all was well.

Sickbay

[Sickbay]

The orders had come through at the last minute, but Rachel had nonetheless managed to get herself and what sparse belongings she owned on to the Athena after being dropped off at Risa by a passing ship.  It hadn't taken long to establish herself in her new quarters, nor to get Stark settled in.  Now the only thing remaining for her to do was check in for her medical before reporting to her department head.

With Stark at her heel, proudly sporting his work harness, she stepped smartly in to sickbay and fell in to parade rest as she scanned the area for a medic who could perform her physical.  While she didn't actively avoid sickbay, she didn't particularly enjoy being there.  Too much time spent around doctors in her youth had rather spoiled it.

Paige just arrived and she found herself looking at a young woman and a ....dog.  Not the sort of thing you normally find in a Sickbay.  It wasn't until she came around the front of the woman that she realised why with the woman being Security and all. The dog was in service as much as the young woman.  She resisted getting down on her hunkers and fussing the dog.  Somehow she got the impression it wouldn't be appreciated.  By the owner at least, the dog would probably enjoy it!

"Um... hi.  I'm Ensign Wardropper, Paige if you like.  I've just got here but, can I help?  I'm sure Dr. Vaughan is about somewhere if you'd rather see her?!"

[Rachel Deacon]

Paige just arrived and she found herself looking at a young woman and a ....dog.  Not the sort of thing you normally find in a Sickbay.  It wasn't until she came around the front of the woman that she realised why with the woman being Security and all. The dog was in service as much as the young woman.  She resisted getting down on her hunkers and fussing the dog.  Somehow she got the impression it wouldn't be appreciated.  By the owner at least, the dog would probably enjoy it!

"Um... hi.  I'm Ensign Wardropper, Paige if you like.  I've just got here but, can I help?  I'm sure Dr. Vaughan is about somewhere if you'd rather see her?!"

[Sickbay]

As the doors into sickbay opened behind her, Rachel looked back over her shoulder in a gesture mirrored by the dog sitting at her heel with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.  As ever when she came on to a new ship, she found herself disorienated in terms of interacting with the crew.  It took her longer to associate the patterns registered by her VISOR with the names that went with the person.  It was going to take many a night on the holodeck to learn.

Still standing to attention, she nodded curtly to the woman she assumed was a medical officer.  "Ensign Wardropper, I came to go through my physical before reporting for duty and, if possible, so the same for Stark, although if you're not comfortable with him, I'll take an appointment for a later date."

[Paige Wardropper]

[Sickbay]

As the doors into sickbay opened behind her, Rachel looked back over her shoulder in a gesture mirrored by the dog sitting at her heel with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.  As ever when she came on to a new ship, she found herself disorienated in terms of interacting with the crew.  It took her longer to associate the patterns registered by her VISOR with the names that went with the person.  It was going to take many a night on the holodeck to learn.

Still standing to attention, she nodded curtly to the woman she assumed was a medical officer.  "Ensign Wardropper, I came to go through my physical before reporting for duty and, if possible, so the same for Stark, although if you're not comfortable with him, I'll take an appointment for a later date."

Sickbay

"Oh oh, certainly Ensign...?" Paige left the unanswered question hanging in the air.  "Who wants to go first?  I'm perfectly ok with dogs, though I don't normally perform medicals on them I can.  He's a lovely boy, aren't you, Stark?! What breed is he?  He's gorgeous! Can I stroke him or is that totally off limits?  I always ask.  I have a cousin on Earth works with the military and if the dog is on duty, nuh-uh, any fussing is bad etiquette!"

She moved around to let the Ensign room for her and the dog to come to the biobed.

"If you hop up on there, either or both of you.  As I have no history could you give me a background on your visor please, I find it often better to ask the patient than just go through pages of medical notes! Especially if you just want a routine medical and not here for ages while I read it all!"