Ensign John Kendrick - A Quiet Life
Jon Van Pelt
((Museum of Medical Devices Throughout the Ages, Dangan Prime))
The doctor shoved her arm, linking through where El’Heem had his own hand in his pocket, squeezing rather affectionately.
El’Heem: It’s good to see you chief.
Ohnari: ::grinning:: Welcome Back Ras.
Kendrick: Truth be told… our last mission didn’t leave much room to fraternize. I was buried in the lower decks most of the time - keeping power grids balanced, routing around damage, making sure the ship kept breathing.
Ohnari: And trust me, we thank you for it.
El’Heem: Trust me, you’re gonna be sick of us, at first and before you know it, you can’t imagine being posted to another ship.
Ohnari: We're kind of like aggressive mold. ::shrugging:: Once we get in, you best get used to it.
Kendrick: ::smiles slightly:: I’ve dealt with aggressive entities before. I grew up in the Gath system - beyond Federation space. You learn early out there that adaptation isn’t optional. It’s survival.
They moved toward the next display.
The Klingon implement rotated slowly in its containment field, metal teeth catching the light with quiet menace. The placard read:
Mek’roth (Pulmonary Reamer)
Pre-Industrial Klingon Era battlefield thoracic intervention tool (Qo’noS) The serrated instrument was driven between the ribs to clear blood and bone fragments from a collapsed lung after bladed combat. Survival without anesthetic was regarded as proof of strength and honor.
El’Heem: No way. The Klingon are so brutal. The chainsaw was out of left field, this I expected.
John folded his arms, studying the Mek’roth with measured interest.
Ohnari: I mean....? As....unconventional as the design is....effective...
Kendrick: I haven’t had much exposure to Klingon medical procedures. ::dryly:: Closest I came was Counselor R’Kala aboard the Juneau - and she preferred therapy to thoracic excavation. ::glances back at the display:: Though I suppose physiology doesn’t change the physics of a collapsed lung.
El’Heem: No kidding. It is remarkably close to what humans did for a collapsed lung. Tube thoracostomy.
Ohnari: ::her lips pulled down in concern:: Not wrong....I just hope they sanitized it between patients...
Kendrick: Pre-industrial battlefield medicine? I suspect “sterile technique” meant wiping it on your sleeve and hoping for the best. ::a small shrug:: Though when survival’s the priority, I guess sanitation tends to become… aspirational.
El’Heem: Couldn’t agree more. ::beat:: So, Kendrick despite that mission being absolutely far too dramatic for a first mission, what do you think. You gonna stick around? Be honest I won’t tell anyone. ::wink::
Ohnari: ::rolling her eyes:: Nothing like being put on the spot in a public forum. However, it really is a different world out in the Alpha Isles...very rarely a boring day.
Kendrick: ::a quiet exhale, considering:: I didn’t transfer here expecting “boring.” I just didn’t expect my welcome packet to include confronting a Sheliak fleet.
Ohnari: ::grinning:: It's not like we signed up for Starfleet hoping for boring.
He folded his arms loosely, glancing between them - something steadier settling in his posture now.
Kendrick: I left Starfleet once. Thought I could do without the chaos. Turns out I’m not particularly suited for a quiet life. So yes - I’m planning to stick around. ::a faint smirk:: Unless either of you feels Operations needs replacing.
El'Heem: Response
He gestured lightly toward the exhibit hall behind them.
Kendrick: So tell me - is this what Alpha Isles shore leave usually looks like? Or should I brace for something stranger before the week’s out?
Ohnari/El’Heem: response
Kendrick: I suppose every posting has its… flavor.
John gave a quiet half-smile, studying the rotating Klingon instrument once more.
Kendrick: What about you two? Nobody ends up in Starfleet by accident. What pulled you in - adventure? Curiosity? Family expectation?
Ohnari/El’Heem: response
TAG/TBC
——— ● ———
Ensign John Kendrick
Operations Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
J239801JK3