Ensign Sival: Reporting for Duty
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James Scott Schumann
Aug 27, 2021, 12:36:08 AM8/27/21
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((OOC - Hi everyone! It’s so great to be here, and I can’t wait to get to know all of you and sim with you! Thank you for welcoming me into your family! My character’s name is Sival. He’s a Human / Vulcan hybrid who has a Vulcan appearance but has embraced his Human heart. Please kindly indulge the flashback as it introduces some qualities of his character and backstory. Well, here we go!))
((USS Juneau, Deck 2, Corridor in front of First Officer's Office))
As Sival extended his finger toward the pad to the right of the First Officer’s office, the previous twelve hours came to his mind as one chuck with all the events being recalled at once. Even for his Vulcan mind, the sensation was overwhelming, causing him to waver before pressing the call button.
Sival believed he might be experiencing anxiety.
Normally he would compartmentalize and detach from the emotion, but the intensity of the sensation persuaded him to pause and process it before engaging in his first, only, and thus most important, official action of his Starfleet career - reporting for duty.
Sival took a few seconds before proceeding to review and integrate the experience into his consciousness, employing a Vulcan technique he used with his patients who had traumatic memories. Not that what he had just gone through was anything akin to that level, but it was intense, and Sival decided the technique was the most appropriate.
Noticing that there was not anyone in the vicinity, Sival took a slow, deep breath.
((USS Juneau, Deck 2, Corridor in front of First Officer's Office))
As Sival extended his finger toward the pad to the right of the First Officer’s office, the previous twelve hours came to his mind as one chuck with all the events being recalled at once. Even for his Vulcan mind, the sensation was overwhelming, causing him to waver before pressing the call button.
Sival believed he might be experiencing anxiety.
Normally he would compartmentalize and detach from the emotion, but the intensity of the sensation persuaded him to pause and process it before engaging in his first, only, and thus most important, official action of his Starfleet career - reporting for duty.
Sival took a few seconds before proceeding to review and integrate the experience into his consciousness, employing a Vulcan technique he used with his patients who had traumatic memories. Not that what he had just gone through was anything akin to that level, but it was intense, and Sival decided the technique was the most appropriate.
Noticing that there was not anyone in the vicinity, Sival took a slow, deep breath.
((Flashback))
((Twelve Hours Prior, Automated Crew Transport Shuttle))
Sival took a sip of peppermint tea, then he stood up away from the shuttle’s automated controls and stretched. Sival noted that as of that moment, he had been alone in that shuttle for nine days, two hours, 53 minutes and 34, no 35, seconds. And while Sival had occupied himself with many thoughts during that time, there was one recurring theme that kept coming back into his mind. Possibilities.
Possibilities were what Sival considered himself to be an explorer of. All of his life, Sival was passionate - yes, passionate - about finding ways forward in situations that had been considered impossible to solve up to that point. This was no small part of what motivated Sival to leave his psychiatric practice in the Sol System and join Starfleet. And now, here he was.
Sival took another sip of tea, then set the cup back into its holder next to the console. He knew the dangers to one’s health for sitting more than an hour at a time, so he decided to walk around the limited space that was available to him. As he did so, he pondered about where he was at this moment in his life, which was, succinctly, freshly graduated from Starfleet academy, recently promoted to the rank of ensign and on a shuttle to a place called Lightside Station, among the Aavaro Wilds, a place that was as far from his home in Arizona as his new career was from his old one.
When he first learned of his destination, Sival only had a passing familiarity with the Aavaro Wilds from his academy geography and history classes. The closest he had ever been to the region - which apparently wasn’t that close - was when he was at a medical conference on Bajor years ago prior to the great Dominion War. However, this lack of familiarity with his destination didn’t worry Sival - few things did worry the Human/Vulcan hybrid after all - in fact, it nearly excited him! Sival had used the shuttle journey as an opportunity to absorb as much about the area as his could, and, as he was now pacing around, he was imagining all the various medical scenarios - possibilities - where he might make a difference, playing some role in curing a plague, inventing a new medicine, or even just restoring the health of one suffering being.
Sival came back for another sip of tea to consider how his assignment was even more fortunate. As he took a sip, he glanced at the schematics of the ship he was assigned to on the display in front of him - the USS Juneau.
Once again, Sival took in the fact that here was a ship with a standard complement, around 700, but it had medical facilities appropriate for a population of thousands! And they were certainly superior to the facilities at Condar Hospital on Betazed, where he was a resident for over twenty years, and especially to what he had to work with during his time with Médecins Sans Frontières, when he provided medical support during the Romulus evacuation debacle. The Juneau had not one, but two sickbays, laboratories, ICU, CCU, a morgue, a Mark IV EMH, a counselling suite and more! As far as Sival could tell, logically of course, this assignment had the potential to be most favorable.
Even if he wasn’t excited in the purest sense of the emotion, he was definitely moved. He may have been 73 and half Vulcan, but he apparently was experiencing the same eagerness that every newly-mined ensign must feel while en route to their first assignment.
Sival immediately began a mediation to purge himself of the unnecessary emotion.
((END Flashback))
((Twelve Hours Prior, Automated Crew Transport Shuttle))
Sival took a sip of peppermint tea, then he stood up away from the shuttle’s automated controls and stretched. Sival noted that as of that moment, he had been alone in that shuttle for nine days, two hours, 53 minutes and 34, no 35, seconds. And while Sival had occupied himself with many thoughts during that time, there was one recurring theme that kept coming back into his mind. Possibilities.
Possibilities were what Sival considered himself to be an explorer of. All of his life, Sival was passionate - yes, passionate - about finding ways forward in situations that had been considered impossible to solve up to that point. This was no small part of what motivated Sival to leave his psychiatric practice in the Sol System and join Starfleet. And now, here he was.
Sival took another sip of tea, then set the cup back into its holder next to the console. He knew the dangers to one’s health for sitting more than an hour at a time, so he decided to walk around the limited space that was available to him. As he did so, he pondered about where he was at this moment in his life, which was, succinctly, freshly graduated from Starfleet academy, recently promoted to the rank of ensign and on a shuttle to a place called Lightside Station, among the Aavaro Wilds, a place that was as far from his home in Arizona as his new career was from his old one.
When he first learned of his destination, Sival only had a passing familiarity with the Aavaro Wilds from his academy geography and history classes. The closest he had ever been to the region - which apparently wasn’t that close - was when he was at a medical conference on Bajor years ago prior to the great Dominion War. However, this lack of familiarity with his destination didn’t worry Sival - few things did worry the Human/Vulcan hybrid after all - in fact, it nearly excited him! Sival had used the shuttle journey as an opportunity to absorb as much about the area as his could, and, as he was now pacing around, he was imagining all the various medical scenarios - possibilities - where he might make a difference, playing some role in curing a plague, inventing a new medicine, or even just restoring the health of one suffering being.
Sival came back for another sip of tea to consider how his assignment was even more fortunate. As he took a sip, he glanced at the schematics of the ship he was assigned to on the display in front of him - the USS Juneau.
Once again, Sival took in the fact that here was a ship with a standard complement, around 700, but it had medical facilities appropriate for a population of thousands! And they were certainly superior to the facilities at Condar Hospital on Betazed, where he was a resident for over twenty years, and especially to what he had to work with during his time with Médecins Sans Frontières, when he provided medical support during the Romulus evacuation debacle. The Juneau had not one, but two sickbays, laboratories, ICU, CCU, a morgue, a Mark IV EMH, a counselling suite and more! As far as Sival could tell, logically of course, this assignment had the potential to be most favorable.
Even if he wasn’t excited in the purest sense of the emotion, he was definitely moved. He may have been 73 and half Vulcan, but he apparently was experiencing the same eagerness that every newly-mined ensign must feel while en route to their first assignment.
Sival immediately began a mediation to purge himself of the unnecessary emotion.
((END Flashback))
((USS Juneau, Deck 2, Corridor in front of First Officer's Office))
Sival immediately became aware that his mediation on the transport shuttle was not completely effective. But now that he understood the sensation, its causes and its associations, he could isolate the feeling and separate from it long enough before settling into his new quarters to meditate again. This exercise had taken a precious 4 seconds, but it was worth it.
Sival took a breath and projected his best Vulcan self. He had learned that it was typically more effective when making first impressions. He reached out again and pressed the call button.
T’Lea: Enter.
The doors opened as Sival entered, and he saw the Juneau’s First Officer sitting at her desk. Instantly he realized that he had not thoroughly studied the crew manifest - it was not unusual for him to overlook minor details or tasks when becoming engrossed in the big picture - as he was caught off guard by seeing a Vulcan sitting in front of him. But, as he took another step forward and the doors closed behind him, he realized that she was part Vulcan and part Romulan. It was not the fact that his commanding officer was either Vulcan or Vulcan/Roumulan, but it was that Sival simply did not know this detail before entering, which he should have.
Upon his final step, he made sure not to signal any surprise, and he stood at his tallest attention thereto that time in his life, while simultaneously trying to project a Vulcan coolness.
Sival: Ensign Sival, reporting to duty as ordered, Ma’am.
Sival felt himself standing even taller, hoping his knees wouldn’t buckle. While he was currently in a calm state of mind and not consciously feeling any anxiety, apparently it was manifesting itself in his body physically.
T’Lea: Ensign, welcome. Have a seat, or stand if you prefer.
As the Lieutenant Commander said this, Sival thought he noticed the slighted wince in her eyes. But if it were there, and it may not have been, it was quickly gone.
Sival remained standing.
Sival: Thank you, Ma’am.
There was a moment of silence between them as the Commander read something, presumably information about him.
T’Lea: It says here that you’ve been assigned as a medical officer, but I see you have a Ph.D in Psychology and an M.D. in Psychiatry. Is that a mistake or do you have training in that area as well?
Sival: The information is accurate, Ma’am. I hold those degrees along with a M.D. in comparative physiology.
Sival was about to add more details; however, he believed that the correct protocol for this situation was only to answer questions directly.
T’Lea: Response
Sival: I did indicate to Starfleet that I was qualified to work in counselling; however, I would postulate the reason why I was assigned to medical was because that is the area where I have the most experience. Thus, it is a logical choice.
Any hint of anxiety or unease had left Sival’s body. He always felt calm and assured of himself when he had the opportunity to explain a point of logic, especially to satisfactorily satisfy the request of a superior officer.
T’Lea: Response
Sival: Yes, Ma'am. Thank you, Ma'am.
Before leaving, Sival paused to consider the Commander’s words carefully. He then left the office and walked towards the turbolift.
TAG
---
Ensign Sival
Medical Officer
USS Juneau, NX-99801
J239808S11
Sival immediately became aware that his mediation on the transport shuttle was not completely effective. But now that he understood the sensation, its causes and its associations, he could isolate the feeling and separate from it long enough before settling into his new quarters to meditate again. This exercise had taken a precious 4 seconds, but it was worth it.
Sival took a breath and projected his best Vulcan self. He had learned that it was typically more effective when making first impressions. He reached out again and pressed the call button.
T’Lea: Enter.
The doors opened as Sival entered, and he saw the Juneau’s First Officer sitting at her desk. Instantly he realized that he had not thoroughly studied the crew manifest - it was not unusual for him to overlook minor details or tasks when becoming engrossed in the big picture - as he was caught off guard by seeing a Vulcan sitting in front of him. But, as he took another step forward and the doors closed behind him, he realized that she was part Vulcan and part Romulan. It was not the fact that his commanding officer was either Vulcan or Vulcan/Roumulan, but it was that Sival simply did not know this detail before entering, which he should have.
Upon his final step, he made sure not to signal any surprise, and he stood at his tallest attention thereto that time in his life, while simultaneously trying to project a Vulcan coolness.
Sival: Ensign Sival, reporting to duty as ordered, Ma’am.
Sival felt himself standing even taller, hoping his knees wouldn’t buckle. While he was currently in a calm state of mind and not consciously feeling any anxiety, apparently it was manifesting itself in his body physically.
T’Lea: Ensign, welcome. Have a seat, or stand if you prefer.
As the Lieutenant Commander said this, Sival thought he noticed the slighted wince in her eyes. But if it were there, and it may not have been, it was quickly gone.
Sival remained standing.
Sival: Thank you, Ma’am.
There was a moment of silence between them as the Commander read something, presumably information about him.
T’Lea: It says here that you’ve been assigned as a medical officer, but I see you have a Ph.D in Psychology and an M.D. in Psychiatry. Is that a mistake or do you have training in that area as well?
Sival: The information is accurate, Ma’am. I hold those degrees along with a M.D. in comparative physiology.
Sival was about to add more details; however, he believed that the correct protocol for this situation was only to answer questions directly.
T’Lea: Response
Sival: I did indicate to Starfleet that I was qualified to work in counselling; however, I would postulate the reason why I was assigned to medical was because that is the area where I have the most experience. Thus, it is a logical choice.
Any hint of anxiety or unease had left Sival’s body. He always felt calm and assured of himself when he had the opportunity to explain a point of logic, especially to satisfactorily satisfy the request of a superior officer.
T’Lea: Response
Sival: Yes, Ma'am. Thank you, Ma'am.
Before leaving, Sival paused to consider the Commander’s words carefully. He then left the office and walked towards the turbolift.
TAG
---
Ensign Sival
Medical Officer
USS Juneau, NX-99801
J239808S11
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