Ensign Roy Bancroft - A Today Kind of Thing
Carter Schimpff
(( Primary Sickbay, Deck 7 – USS Artemis-A ))
The overhead lights hummed their steady, fluorescent lullaby, casting the familiar sterile glow Roy had privately dubbed Starfleet Eggshell. He was mid-discussion with Nurse Jorgenson when the main Sickbay doors parted with their usual dignified swish to admit an Ensign he’d never seen before.
Bancroft: –so I think we’ll need to keep her under observation for at least another day. Her alveolar microcapillary gas exchange is still a bit twitchy.
The newcomer remained rooted directly in the doorway, eyes locked on the PADD in their hand as though it contained the sum of the galaxy’s wisdom. The doors obligingly opened and closed behind them in a polite but increasingly impatient loop.
Swish. Thunk. Swish. Thunk.
After the second cycle, the Ensign finally shuffled sideways to lean against a bulkhead… still engrossed.
Roy placed his hand on Jorgenson's shoulder without breaking eye contact with the redshirt.
Bancroft: ::distractedly:: Give me a second, Jorg.
He crossed the room at an easy stroll, the kind that suggested curiosity, not confrontation.
Bancroft: ::clearing his throat:: Can I… help you, Ensign? I’m Dr. Bancroft.
Meris: ::absently, eyes on PADD:: I received a reminder to report for my onboarding physical. I am here to comply with that request.
Roy resisted the urge to narrow his eyes. As an Ensign, he was used to being regarded as part of the furniture. As a doctor, slightly less so. But he reminded himself – different species, different social norms. In Starfleet, it paid to assume the best and then wait for people to prove you wrong.
Bancroft: ::professional smile:: Ah, yes, our most popular package. The onboarding physical. ::turning over his shoulder to address Jorgenson:: Jorgenson, what’ll this be for today? Number six? Seven?
Jorgenson, naturally, was gone. No sound, no footsteps – just gone. Roy made a mental note to one day study the man’s disappearing act, which seemed to violate at least two laws of physics.
Meris: This is merely a formality, yes? I am confident my physical condition is within operational parameters. Although... ::pauses to make a note:: my sleeping schedule may have shifted marginally since arriving aboard.
Roy gestured toward a nearby biobed, guiding them over.
Bancroft: That depends entirely on your definition of formality. May I have your name, Ensign?
He tapped the console to bring the overhead sensors online. The biobed chirped obligingly, its display flickering with a warm blue light that, to Roy, always felt faintly overenthusiastic.
Meris: Response
Roy cocked an eyebrow at Meris’ reply, the corner of his mouth twitching in what was almost a smile. This was going to be an interesting appointment.
Bancroft: ::pulling up Meris’ medical record:: What an interesting way to see the world. Do you usually greet new doctors by loitering in powered doorways until they develop a complex, or is that just a today kind of thing?
Meris: Response
TAG/TBC :)
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Ensign Roy Bancroft
Medical Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240205RB1