Lieutenant JG Tholin ch’Clex – First steps

[johanssonted]

((Sickbay - USS Eagle A))

Tholin was glad to be back, no more of that bunker. No weird animals trying to kill him and soon no more wheelchair. Now things could go back to normal again.

 

And still when he closed his eyes he could still hear the hum of that reactor, the scraping on the door, the wet thud of something falling through a vent. He knew that place would hunt him for years.

 

Lim moved fast, in her element again, and the relief of it made Tholin’s chest loosen a fraction.

 

She had marched them through decontamination again twice, quarantine protocols, sterilization. Tholin didn’t argue. After what he’d seen on that moon, he’d have scrubbed his bones if she asked.

 

Once everyone was clean and redressed, they reassembled into Sickbay proper. Stapledon and Williams were handled quickly and sent on their way.

 

Then Lim’s focus settled on him. On what was missing.

 

Tholin stared at the sheet over the stump for a second too long and forced himself to look away. The absence felt wrong, it was like he still could feel it but that part of his leg was clearly gone.

 

Lim stepped in, calm and clinical.

 

Lim: Alright, so plan of attack. We’re going to scan Mister ch’Clex’s other leg to create a blueprint base for the prosthetic and then tweak it a bit based on your prior medical scans to match the lost limb as much as possible. The prosthetic will get replicated and then we’ll put the area under local anesthesia, remove the tissue cap, then connect the nerves, bones and other tissue to the prosthetic cap. Once that’s done and there are no issues, then we can attach the rest of the new limb.

 

She spoke it out loud not only for him, but for the other doctor in the room Elor Letek.

 

Tholin’s antennae angled toward Letek.

 

Letek was here. That simple fact hit him harder than he expected. A reminder that he wasn’t alone in the aftermath a true friend.

 

Letek: Response

 

Tholin’s voice came quiet and honest.

 

ch’Clex: I’m glad you’re here, Doc.

 

He then looked back to Lim, forcing himself into the practical.

 

ch’Clex: And… thank you. For the prosthetic. You told me it would function like I had a real leg.  I’m still not sure I believe that. But I trust you Lim.

 

Lim exhaled, relief softening her shoulders.

 

Lim: Okay good. Then let's get the scan started. ::To Tholin:: You don’t have to be perfectly still but try not to move too much unless we tell you.

 

Between Lim and Letek, they positioned the specialty scanner over his remaining intact leg. The device hovered and hummed, mapping bone, muscle, nerves, vascular layout—turning him into measurements.

 

Tholin stared at the ceiling and tried not to think about a moon.

 

Letek: Response

 

ch’Clex: As you say doctor.

 

As the scanner ran, Lim pulled up the computer’s catalogue of prosthetic options.

 

Lim: We’ve got several options here for how you’d like your prosthetic to look and function.

 

Letek: Response

 

Tholin glanced toward the display.

 

ch’Clex: Function is highest priority. But… yes. I want it to look like original.

 

Lim: We can set it up to look as close to the original limb as possible, though some people do have issues with that. Dives too far into the uncanny valley.

 

Letek: Response

 

Tholin’s antennae stiffened slightly.

 

ch’Clex: No I will stick with a how it original leg looked like or at least as close as you can get it.

 

The scanner finished with a soft chime.

 

Lim’s fingers moved quickly across the interface, adjusting parameters with practiced confidence. Letek watched over her shoulder.

 

Tholin sat back in the biobed, hands clasped tightly.

 

Tholin leaned forward slightly, antennae angling toward Lim.

 

ch’Clex: How fast… do I learn to walk with it?

 

He tried to keep his voice neutral, but the question carried more than mechanics. It carried fear of being trapped in that chair. Fear of never moving the way he used to. Fear of being slower.

 

Lim / Letek: Response?

 

Tholin blinked, not sure he’d heard right. He sat up straighter.

 

ch’Clex: That fast?

 

Lim / Letek: Response?

 

ch’Clex: I expected weeks before I could do more than stand. But sure, I can handle walking with a crutch to start with. But you are telling me that I will not even need that in the future.

 

Lim / Letek: Response?

 

TAG / TBC

 

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Lieutenant Junior Grade Tholin ch'Clex
Tactical Officer
USS Eagle-A
D240112TC4