Lt JG Serala: Duty, An Exam, and A Couple of Requests
Jim Davis
(( Deck 5, USS Atlantis, in orbit around Lydor IX ))
:: Having completed her security checks, Serala decided to go ahead and get her annual physical out of the way. She wasn’t worried about anything. Her predominantly Romulan physiology was able to heal remarkably well, and the concussion and broken ribs she had suffered several weeks ago during The Attack, as she was now labeling it, were completely healed. She had been concerned that one of the ribs might puncture her second heart, but that was no longer a concern either.
:: As she neared the sickbay doors, she felt a brief moment of hesitation. No one really liked going to the doctor, even for a routine check-up. But that feeling washed away as she felt a wave of reassurance pass through her bond with Stevok. They were too far apart to communicate telepathically, but he had told her the empathic bond would exist no matter how far apart they were, and she knew it to be true.
:: Entering sickbay, Serala looked around. She had never spoken much with any of the medical staff, but she was looking for Doctor Cattan. She preferred to have a female conduct her exam, as antiquated at that notion may seem. Not to mention a pesky little Starfleet regulation that required her to get the Chief Medical Officer’s permission to marry outside her own species. Technically, she was supposed to have gotten it before even participating in intimate relations with him. It was a bit late for that one, but she could get the necessary authorization now. Would need it, in fact, before she could ask the Captain for permission to go get married on Vulcan. Unfortunately, the only doctor she could find at the moment was the new doctor, a human male of middle age. ::
oO Doctor Spaghetti, or something. Oo
:: She knew that wasn’t correct, and she would never say that to his face, but sometimes she used word association to help her remember difficult names. ::
oO Well, if Doctor Cattan isn’t around, then I will have to settle for him. Although, I’m going to need him to do the other exam as well and make a recommendation to Doctor Cattan. Oo
Serala: Excuse me, Doctor. I am Lieutenant JG Serala, Security and Tactical. I am here for my annual physical. Also, I need to get the medical exam required by regulations prior to marrying outside one’s own species. I am planning to get married.
Kecskemeti: Response
Serala: Vulcan-Betazoid. Specifically, three-quarters Vulcan, one-quarter Betazoid. You will likely find during your exam that there is some unusual neural activity in my parietal lobe and prefrontal cortex. My fiancè was experiencing :: a sudden tugging in her mind warned her that Stevok didn’t want this discussed, as if sensing his embarrassment at the subject :: a medical problem, and I was there to help. An unexpected, but not unpleasant, side-effect is that we are now permanently bonded to each other.
Kecskemeti: Response
Serala: Yes, but Vulcans are sensitive about that. Please don’t mention it to anyone.
Kecskemeti: Response
Serala: Of course, and thank you Doctor.
:: She obediently lay back on the biobed and allowed him to conduct his examinations. She was apprehensive about having him examining her, but whenever her level of discomfort got too high, Stevok would send a wave of reassurance to her. ::
Kecskemeti: Response
Serala: Thank you, Doctor. And about the recommendation for Doctor Cattan?
Kecskemeti: Response
:: She couldn’t contain the giggle that burbled up from inside her at his confirmation of his approval recommendation. ::
oO Now, just two more conversations. And one of them I am dreading with all my life. Oo
(( A few minutes later, Captain’s Ready Room, Deck 1 ))
:: She took a deep breath and depressed the door chime, waiting for the Captain to grant her permission to enter. On her way here, she had come to a decision about something. Now she had two requests for him. ::
Brell: Response
:: As she entered the Ready Room, she couldn’t contain her beaming smile, despite her best intentions to remain professional in front of her commanding officer. ::
Serala: Good morning, Captain. I just finished my annual physical and got a clean bill of health.
Brell: Response
Serala: Well, no sir. I actually came to ask you two things.
Brell: Response
Serala: Well, first I would like permission to take a shuttle and head for DS26, and then on to Vulcan. By my calculations, I should be able to get there, conduct my business, and get back just in time for us to depart on our next mission.
Brell: Response
Serala: Oh, sorry. I’m going there to get married. :: She paused for dramatic effect. ::
Brell: Response
Serala: Yes sir, it is sudden. We only just met, but, well we are life-bonded, :: taking on an imitation tone :: logic dictates we should consummate the relationship with marriage.
Brell: Response
Serala: Yes, sir. I took care of that while I was in sickbay getting my physical. Doctor Spaghetti...I mean, Kecskemeti, is going to submit his recommendation of approved to Doctor Cattan. She should hopefully have it filed before we reach Vulcan.
Brell: Response
Serala: I have thought about that, sir. I am hoping her ship will be at DS26 when I arrive. If she can get permission to travel through Federation space to Vulcan, she could give us a ride. It might even speed up our timetable and help ensure I return on time. And, she would be able to attend the wedding. No doubt, she would prefer a Romulan style wedding, but from what Stevok has told me, the ceremonies are very similar, so she should be pacified, if not completely satisfied.
Brell: Response
Serala: Thank you, Captain. And yes, there was a second request. I think it is very likely that I would face an execution squad, led by Lieutenant Raga, if I denied the crew from participating in my wedding. Since it is not possible, or practical, to have Atlantis go to Vulcan at this time, I would like to have a second wedding here when I return. And I would like you to perform the ceremony.
Brell: Response
Serala: I figured as much, but it is always polite to ask rather than assume. I am wanting to have a traditional human wedding, to acknowledge my human half. My father is deceased, so I intend to have one of the crew give me away.
Brell: Response
Serala: Thank you, sir. I am the duty security officer at this time, but once I finish duty, I will pack some things, get Stevok and depart immediately thereafter.
Brell: Response
:: She hadn’t been expecting that, but she wasn’t going to complain. A few hours head start would always be a good thing. ::
oO Just one more conversation to have. Guess I better get it done so I get underway. Oo
Serala: Well, sir. With your permission, there is one more conversation I need to have before I leave.
Brell: Response
Serala: Well, thank you again, Captain. I will see you in a couple of weeks.
Brell: Response
:: And with that, she left the Ready Room in search of Toryn. She just hoped he was still onboard. ::
TAGS/TBC
USS Atlantis NCC-76482
A239412S10