Ensign Meris - Biobeds, Banter, and Bancroft
Meris/Brian
(( Primary Sickbay, Deck 7 – USS Artemis-A ))
The J’naii helmsperson listened as the Doctor went on (and on) about the Chief of Operations. As Bancroft spoke, Meris began to grow alarmed. They had already been tense about making sure their assignment was completed perfectly. Now, to hear the Doctor tell it, Lieutenant Vailani was a perfectionist’s perfectionist. Did Meris have any hope of satisfying such a person? Suddenly, they regretted accepting the data PADD from Lieutenant K’Wara at all.
Meris: As this is only my second day aboard the Artemis, I do not believe anything I do from one moment to the next could be characterized as 'usual'. At least not yet.
The Doctor blinked and cocked his head to the side before opening a tricorder with a practiced flick of the wrist to scan the helmsperson.
Bancroft: ::gesturing to Meris’ PADD:: So, what’ve you got on that PADD that’s so engrossing? The newest issue of Fleet Monthly?
Meris glanced at the device, then flipped it face-down on the biobed, as though that would somehow conceal the stressful truth from both of them.
Roy’s eyebrows lifted.
Meris: It is... an assignment for Lieutenant Vailani. The Deep Space 224 engineers have requested that the Artemis perform a series of tests to ensure their maintenance activities were completed satisfactorily, and that the Artemis suffers no lasting consequences from its prior mission. The list is extensive, and I have been asked to review their requests and triage them by priority so we can complete as many as possible in the least amount of time.
Roy nodded slowly as he moved to the head of the biobed, scanning Meris’ cranial region.
Bancroft: Well, I can certainly understand why you were so deeply invested in that PADD. Lieutenant Vailani’s one of those officers who expects perfect results yesterday. I wish you good luck and great fortune on this undertaking, Meris.
The J’naii’s eyes darted to Bancroft, examining his face for signs of jest. If he was being literal, it sounded like they may have already - as humans put it - wet the proverbial bed. Concern etched across a face that tended to wear concern as a default expression.
Meris: ::amidst worried confusion:: Your statement is paradoxical. How could I have provided perfect results yesterday? I did not receive the assignment until today.
The Doctor froze mid-step, then gave Meris a slow, sideways glance. He flicked the tricorder closed and placed it neatly on a nearby table before turning to the console. The overhead scanner thrummed to life, bathing the biobed in soft pulses of diagnostic light.
Bancroft: ::deadpan, tapping the console:: Time paradoxes aside – I’ve seen more than a handful of officers work under Vailani. Most of them quickly developed a thousand-yard stare and several unfortunate tics. ::beat:: Cough twice, please.
While staring at Bancroft, their eyes slightly widened with concern, Meris obligingly hacked out two coughs that sounded like they’d been rehearsed for an audition.
Bancroft: ::mildly:: But you seem emotionally intact. Are J’naii known for exceptional stress tolerance? Or is Lieutenant Vailani’s... uniquely weaponized directness actually refreshing for you?
Their species was not known for being particularly stress tolerant – quite the opposite. J’naii worked best amid predictable, calculable, established parameters. Still, they had to admit that they...
Meris: I actually have not met the Lieutenant yet. I was hoping to complete my assignment and present it to them as a kind of reverse-welcome aboard gift. ::thinking:: If there is any insight you can provide about the Lieutenant - any guidance on how to make a good first impression - it would be most appreciated.
Bancroft: Response.
Meris listened to the Doctor’s advice, not quite interpreting it in the way it was intended.
Meris: Then I shall redouble my efforts. I will return to my quarters and work through the night to ensure that my conclusions are absolutely solid and then present the PADD to the Lieutenant in the morning. Or would it be better if I arranged an ‘accidental’ meet-up over breakfast? Perhaps there is a flower they like? Or a sonnet they would enjoy hearing as I present my findings?
Bancroft: Response.
(( TAG/TBC ))
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Ensign Meris
Helm Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240207M14