The Science of Uncertainty

Posted on Sunday September 1st, 2019 @ 3:11am by Lieutenant Commander Canaan Serine & Lieutenant Commander Nivora T'vek

3,157 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Departure and Trial Run
Location: USS Poseidon; Sickbay Complex, Deck 7
Timeline: Pre-Poseidon Launch; Pre-Departure

[ON]

Canaan sat quietly on the biobed, hands clasped in his lap as either leg hung gently over the exam tables' beveled edge. The duty-nurse had pulled the curtain to extend a small semblance of privacy before verifying the biometric readouts and then left. They'd provided a dressing gown, instructing the Lieutenant to change. However, he'd not seen the need considering this was to be a simple medical examination and not a full physical. Canaan had been waiting for what felt like a considerable amount of time. Peeking through a gap in the curtain, the Lieutenant saw a rather tall man approaching as he read a data PADD.

"Ah Lieutenant Serine I believe," enquired Lieutenant T'vek not missing a beat as he drew out a tricorder with some small distaste, more directed at the device than anything else, "Somewhat early for a checkup, I presume you have your reasons for wanting to be examined?"

His tone was somewhat brusque and to the point, his sharp eyes moving everywhere and his impression could have been chiselled from stone, set in an impassive almost dismissive mask. "You will pardon the question, but when were you last examined?"

Canaan smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, "Doctor." He returned in greeting. "Not since before my last tour of duty," he answered honestly. "So, approximately four years go? There was no physical examination at the time of debriefing, so I figured now was as good a time as any." He studied the man carefully noting the sharp points of either pinna. Taking in the acute angle to the mans' triangular forehead plate, and the subtle green hue of his skin tone. Canaan had never met a Romulan before today, not knowingly at least. The unique qualities of the Doctors' physical characteristics were intriguing, enough for him to resist the urge to reach out and touch the flexible, pointed cartilage of either ear.

Arcing one angled eye brow as he tilted his head slightly while checking his readings, he had had little experience with actual Humans before the past few days, the ones he had encountered thus far had been rude, intrusive and hostile, the stated reason of the exchange programme was to engender a furthering of friendship and mutual understanding, but what he had experienced thus far had been demeaning and seemed almost to foster feelings of hostility. Yet this human seemed somewhat different, not hostile, no he couldn't quite understand the expression, though it didn't at least, seem hostile, immersing himself in his work he kept his feelings to himself and hardened the mask.

"A careless, approach, I would consider a through medical examination to be essential to any part of a debriefing process," dismissing the statement as he continued his examinations switching from Tricorder to a variety of differing pieces of equipment with the deftness of a virtuoso weaving their symphony. His ever movement precise and calculated as he went over with each instrument his impassive gaze softening slightly as he set to his work, yet only slightly, his features still akin to worked Granite. "Tell me, do you have any family history of any conditions I should be aware of no matter how minor, I regret that the records I have on the crew are woefully inadequete," Nivora made little attempt to conceal his supreme distaste, distaste almost mixed with disappointment.

The Doctor's stony disposition did little to deter Canaan from relaxing under the examination. For his part, Canaan mostly listened and observed, perhaps a bit too apparent for T'vek's ease, yet present none-the-less. "I thought it a bit peculiar as well, but I was under orders to report to my next assignment as soon as possible. Perhaps they intended such an exam to take place after arrival, just as we're doing now?" The man's movements were unawkward, graceful even. How T'vek deftly wielded the medical equipment betrayed no hesitance. Aside from an acerbic comment now and then, sickbay was an environment in which the Doctor thrived.

"I don't believe so, sir. I'm the only anomaly in that I was born with a rare form of albinism. My parents are the perfect picture of health. I'm afraid we've no extended family. Just me and my parents."

"In the Empire," he paused for a second as he dourly reflected that matters in the empire could hardly be held up as paragon even as he made the statement, "we take the matter of health extremely seriously," agreeing and somehow at the same time condemning what in his mind was gross negligence and lack of diligence, he left of course the subject of both for the future to decide, as when he had been searched, multiple times at that before boarding the security officers had been somewhat competent, if nothing else in their desire to be unpleasant if not capable.

"Most curious," was the only and faint response to the comment on albinism, he thought it after all poor taste to mention that the Lieutenant he was examining would likely not be here speaking of that had he been born in the Empire, deviation was not something that was in general allowed, the genepool was kept pure in regards to mutation. "Your Arm," he commanded as he acquired the latest instrument for his symphony, an unfamiliar instrument in form, that of a fluid sampler, but not in function, Federation medical equipment seemed considerably less advanced and capable, but it was what he had to hand so endure he must, keeping his contempt for such deprivations behind the veil that was the cliff face.

Canaan offered his arm freely, rolling the sleeve of his uniform jacket and tunic up to the elbow. "Oh, we do as well on Earth, although I suspect our interpretations of 'serious' may vary a bit." He mused, chewing at his bottom lip as he watched T'vek manipulate the device. As harsh as he anticipated the Doctor's touch to be, it turned out to be uncharacteristically gentle. "I suppose you had wanted to become a doctor since childhood?" The assertion wasn't unexpected given how most human children fantasized about what profession they'd lead as adults. "Was medicine always an interest?" It was then that Canaan noticed the color of the Doctor's eyes. A green that closely mirrored his own, yet perhaps with a bit more emerald? The color was striking.

He paused for a second to regard with those piercing glittering emerald eyes, perhaps for the first time properly this human as pale and unusual as he was, before him before slight suspicion began circling at the edge, before it was swiftly dismissed, "To an extent perhaps. Truthfully, I had an interest in art, particularly sculpture, Medicine certainly was an interest after all an understanding of anatomy, though areas such as Geology and Metallurgy as well, given that an understanding in those areas is surprisingly important, it can effect the longevity of the piece as well as complicate it's creation." He continued as he checked the sample against a PADD he had set down when he had first arrived, he had of course memorised the standards for most species within the Federation but had preferred to have something with which to compare against just in case, the peoples of the Federation may not be the superior species, for they were not Romulan after all, but that did not mean that he could lessen his diligence, laxity in pursuit of perfection was completely unacceptable.

"I decided after my studies reached a certain point to pursue a career in Medicine, after all the Star Empire could not appreciate Art unless it stood strong, and I do still pursue Art as a hobby of sorts," he continued on as he began subtly checking for reflexes using both instrument and more tactile methods, "It is a pursuit that I must admit I still enjoy," his tone became tinged with a slightness to it, almost regret or perhaps sadness, it was truly hard to tell, the man was to say the least quite hard to read.

Canaan nodded, his leg bounced reflexively under the Doctor's instruction. "I love art, although I've only a passing understanding of stonework and carving. I'd enjoy seeing anything you've created or maybe even to watch you work." He posed, "If not an imposition, of course." In their brief time together, Canaan found T'vek to be an intriguing man, someone he hoped to know better. "You're well respected in your field, then?" An assumption based on the Doctor's acceptance into the exchange program, Canann didn't think such opportunities came to those mediocre in practice.

"In Multiple fields," it was a small point of pride and sadness that one of his finer pieces is now also gone under the most upsetting of circumstances, "Under the Raptor's Wing, the piece earned the honour of adorning the Senate Halls on Romulus, and well," he paused to tap a few times into the tricorder comparing several readings with an impassive face. The offer of seeing some of his works was not unwelcome, if not for the practical issue that he had, by necessity travelled light, "I unfortunately did not bring any with me, but if what I am lead to believe is so, I will have time to fill, and I am not one for doing nothing, so I daresay as the crew settles in I may be in a position to offer such hospitality,"

"As for the field of medicine, I am somewhat well known within the Star Empire, I was due to take up a teaching position at the Academy on Rator Three, when instead it was posited that the exchange program may offer opportunities in the interim, though it would appear that I have ended up in something of a teaching role as is, most curious." He continued to explore his readings before putting away the Tricorder and resting his hands behind his back as he fixed Canaan with an imperious, but this time neither condescending or distasteful stare, "If you will Lieutenant could you give me an idea of what an average day, both at work and at rest, consists of for you, including diet and time spent sleeping."

There was a sadness to T'vek's voice when speaking of his art, lost in an instant to the Hobus event. The Romulan people had lost everything after the star went supernova. Their homes and businesses, their very world, and countless loved ones. All due to a scientific certainty that, like a battery, a sun's energy was finite. Canaan hoped the Doctor would take up the chisel and hammer once more, crafting a home for himself aboard the Poseidon. The Romulan's were resolute, however. Although the worlds of Romulus and Remus were no more, that did little to shake their identity. That very essence would live on in T'vek and his kin.

"Oh, well, I have a fairly early morning. I'm usually awake by zero-four-hundred. I have fifteen minutes of wake-up time before a stretch and some form of calisthenics, whether it be a run or yoga, or something else. I clean-up and have a bite to eat while catching-up on reports. Then it's off to conduct the day-to-day operations of a department." Canaan listed off a seemingly endless list of duties. "Sometimes, I'm able to grab a bite, but most times, I skip lunch. I leave the lab around twenty-one hundred hours. I'll have a light dinner while reading or writing, correspond with family and friends, shower, and then turn in for the night... usually around twenty-three hundred. Rinse, wash, repeat." He joked.

Canaan pulled his sleeve back down, where the elastic material conformed the narrow diameter of his wrist. He adjusted the cuff until the jacket and tunic were aligned perfectly before pulling at a subtle piece of lint.

"My, um, days off are a bit more relaxing." He added, realizing in the previous statement how he sounded like a workaholic.

"Most Interesting," was T'vek's pronouncement, "Lieutenant, My advice is you need more sleep," here he paused a thin smile playing across his features before raising a hand to forestall the inevitable process, "While I can certainly commend devotion to duty, might I remind you, you are a member of a team, the work will get done, and if it does not then I suggest a word with someone more senior." he trailed off his tone continuing to soften, yet retaining both the drawl and a subtle edge.

"The body needs sleep, and I can see here the beginnings of long term medical issues, a proper sleeping pattern will eliminate any of these eventualities," he continued before noticing Canaan sweeping away some lint, "Ah yes, you will excuse the squalor and filth, I have so far been trying to get these facilities up to an adequate standard, an acceptable standard I'm afraid will likely be a long term endeavour," his tone had shifted back to disdainful and condescending once more, and a nearby nurse looked around askance at the inference of filth and squalor wondering quite as to how either of these words could describe a bit of dust and relatively modern equipment.

"I'd like to say I can promise you more sleep, but that's a pretty severe change to my routine," Canaan confessed, "So, I'll have to leave it at, 'I'll try.'" He smiled, revealing impeccable and well-cared-for teeth. "I think if I could go without sleeping, I would. It's not that I don't enjoy it, I most certainly, it's more a reward for a full day." He joked.

Canaan held the piece of lint between two fingers, studying the coloring before glance between it and the Doctor. "Oh, um, this isn't a reflection on sickbay, Doctor." He remarked, holding up the small, orange fuzz. I have a large knitted sweater that I like to wear at night. There's a bit of orange in its coloring, which is probably where this came from." He explained with a grin. "I think you're doing a wonderful job given what you inherited. I've no doubt your sickbay will be in top-notch shape in no time at all." Not that he was judging of course. The floors were clean enough to eat off of them. Not that he would, of course, give microbes and all.

"A Laudable attitude, but I will press you on less trying and more," here he paused for emphasis his eyes hardening somewhat, "Doing, I think you will find that you can actually get more done in less time with sufficient rest, consider this, our tools require higher levels of maintenance with higher levels of use, much like the body, consider your sleep, your maintenance, Hyposprays can only do so much after all," his tone was form and his face impassive, though truthfully it had changed little.

"but if you do insist on only trying, I will make a note of that, as for the state of sickbay, I disagree it is positively parlous, how anybody thinks this is suitable for serious medicine is something I find both amusing and horrifying," as if almost to emphasise his point when lifting up the PADD from the top of the nearby display an almost imperceptible outline had been left behind, which T'vek glared at with ill disguised distaste.

Canaan raised both hands in mock-defeat, "I surrender." He joked. "A full eight hours I shall get tonight, but only because of your insistence," He equipped. The nagging he'd come to expect from any professional in the sciences field. For some reason, however, T'vek's was a bit different. Under his cold, stony stare was an inherent degree of concern. Most doctors nagged out of necessity and nothing more, at least those Canaan had met. For T'vek, it was something different. Did the Romulan Doctor actually care about Canaan's well-being? That was a question to ponder.

"I think then," Canaan replied, standing from the biobed, "you should speak with Lieutenant Mo'Bri in engineering about increasing the setting on your air scrubbers." Canaan stood close to the Doctor, inspecting the same area before passing a finger through the nearly invisible outline of dusty. "Tsk tsk." He joked with a grin and wink.

"Does my body pass your inspection, then?" Canaan didn't intend the question to sound such a vamp, and if one expected him to recognize as much, they'd have been disappointed.

"I should hope for less tonight, and more from now on Lieutenant," T'vek's tone was clipped yet there was a wry smirk and something twinkling in his eyes, "If you have issues trying to get into a different sleeping pattern I have added 2 drinks to the replicators menu, ask for Devorasian Tea, Plain, if you however have something of a sweet tooth, ask for it sweet, to be had slowly about an hour before sleeping."

"I think I shall be indeed speaking with him as well as the Quartermaster, I have been taking Inventory shortly," he agreed with a smirk as he eyed up the visible line drawn by Canaan, "As for your body, from what I have seen thus far I would say it passes muster, though when the time comes for a full physical we shall see for then,"

Canaan appreciated the beverage recommendations and decided to give the sweeter variation a try this evening. He'd make a concerted effort to comply with the Doctor's advice, and, if things didn't go exactly as planned in adjusting his sleep cycle, it would give him an excuse to visit T'vek.

"Until then?" He extended a hand toward the Doctor.

Admittedly he was somewhat taken aback by the politeness shown, it contrasted sharply with his earlier experiences, yet T'vek resolved to try to move on from that and so, extended his own hand, "Indeed Lieutenant, be sure to keep me appraised."

Canaan promised he would before turning to leave. He retrieved and handed the unused gown back to the nurse, whose quizzical expression went from Canaan to T'vek back to Canaan. Her disbelief was in the entirety of their exchange, perhaps in how well it had all gone.

That soon changed, however, when the Doctor's hard stare found the Nurses.

T'vek stood for a moment as he watched the Lieutenant rise, "Until next Time," were his only words a slight drawl still haunting his tone, as he stalked out of the medbay and immediately alighted eyes on one of the nurses, somewhat shell-shocked, "Nurse Johnston, why are you day dreaming?" he almost interrogated before softening his tone, "never mind that, go check on the cuttings in Hydroponics and consider that the end of your shift for today," he finished in a gentle almost fatherly tone albeit one tinged with the usual drawl before making for his office leaving the nurse stunned, dropping the hyposprays she was carrying, on the floor.

[OFF]

"Remember that every good friend was once a stranger."

RSS Feed