If It is Not One Thing, it is Another
Posted on Sun Jul 8th, 2018 @ 1:29pm by Master Warrant Officer Tsabina
1,542 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
S1:3: Myriad Problems
Location: Corridor En Route to Bridge
Timeline: Day 1, 10:45
Jolani left the stasis room, relieved to be free of the doctor. She was certain that the doctor would want her to have regular check ups. There was little doubt that the doctor would have reviewed her file and her mental history. She would just have to find ways to avoid such appointments. Not only was being busy good for not thinking about Fell, it was good for avoiding unnecessary medical appointments, prying counselors, and prying doctors.
She made her way towards her assigned quarters at a brisk pace. Upon arrival, she entered. Her quarters were nearly empty. She did have some holos of herself and her deceased spouse but they were safely tucked out of sight and out of her mind, the memories too painful to bear. Otherwise, there was little decoration or personalization of her quarters. She went to the closet, picked out a clean uniform - trousers version, put it on, and still miffed with the Captain, started making her way to the bridge.
Lost in her thoughts about being in stasis so long and apparently suffering some form of "stasis lag," she tripped over her own two feet, simultaneously falling into the wall and onto the floor. Jolani's nose broke the fall and her nose started gushing blood. A young, fresh faced male ensign rushed over and inquired, "Are you alright?"
She sat up off the floor, rubbed her hand across her nose and saw the damage. "I will be fine."
The ensign did not believe her and tapped his comm badge, "Medical personnel required at Corridor B4. Obvious injury to nose and perhaps others. I believe it is Lieutenant Kohnar."
Jolani closed her eyes to stifle her frustration. She just wanted to get to the Captain and give him a piece of her mind. Now, she had more interference. She debated leaving the scene and returning to her quarters. If she did, though, Doctor Kal would probably give her a million tests that she did not desire. She sighed and unenthusiastically told the young man, "Ensign, thank you for calling. I will wait."
It had been a long night shift in Sickbay, attending not only regular patients but an overworked graveyard staff who did not always appreciate the creative scheduling required by their situation. Tsabina heaved a sigh of relief as she signed off on the log for the last time. As much as she lived for helping other people, there were times when nothing sounded so good as a glass of wine and a long, hot bath.
She didn't make it twelve steps outside the turbolift when the call came in. Tsabina sighed. Head trauma was no laughing matter.
"Tsabina to Sickbay," she said with a tap to her combadge. "I'm close by. Leave it to me."
It seems her bath would have to wait.
When she came upon the scene, it didn't take Tsabina long to get a read on it.
A recently thawed crewmember, identifiable by the slight residual discoloration of her extremities, was being fussed over by a Good Samaritan. The blood flow had already been staunched, so there wouldn't be much for Tsabina to do other than check vitals and ensure no lasting injury.
"Good morning, all." Tsabina offered a weary grin to both officers.
The male ensign turned to her and began to rattle off the train of events, but his eyes fell upon the ja'risia on her forehead. His eyes turned wide in realization. Risian, they proclaimed in jubilant surprise. His mouth, on the other hand, descended into barely coherent stammering.
"I think I have the gist of it." Tsabina's grin was kind and dismissive. "Thank you, Ensign."
Turning to Jolani, she opened up her med bag to retrieve her medical tricorder. "As for you, Lieutenant, I'd say welcome back to the land of the living, but after that nasty tumble, I'm afraid to jinx you." She took scans from head to toe, just to be thorough. "You aren't the superstitious type, are you?"
The ensign gave Jolani a sympathetic look, but hearing Tsabina's tone, knew that he had better leave, lest there be consequences. He could always check on the Lieutenant later. He beat a hasty retreat, leaving Jolani and Tsabina alone.
The tricorder revealed a slight fracture in Jolani's nose, small bruises forming on her right arm where she fell into the wall, and some scrapes on her knees. Looking up, while simultaneously pinching her nose to try and halt the gushing black blood, Jolani had a number of responses that negatively addressed Tsabina's bubbly attitude flow through her brain. Bubbly and friendly. Either that's her normal attitude or she's in a new relationship and getting laid regularly. Must be nice. Pushing thoughts of her loss aside, Jolani answered simply, "No. I'm not."
Deciding that giving such a simple answer to a bubbly person was going to invite unwanted questions, Jolani decided to elaborate a bit more. "I simply was lost in my thoughts. I should not have been so careless. Nothing really to worry about. Just a bump and bruise, I'm sure. I'll live."
Tsabina arched an eyebrow at Jolani. "If I had thought otherwise, I'd have had us beamed directly to Sickbay by now. Nonetheless, a call came in, and I'll need details to enter into the report." She paused for a moment before adding, "Or you'll just get called in for a followup."
She had a feeling that would make Jolani more agreeable.
Jolani grimaced. Whether it was from the slight fracture in her nose or at the thought of the Doctor following up with her so soon after being thawed, only Tsabina could guess. Blast! This is not going to get me to the Captain or to work quicker. However, more time with doctors is even less desirable. But God knows that I do not want a report, either. What to do?
Begrudgingly, Jolani made her decision, "Very well. I do not want to be more trouble than necessary for you." I want to be on my way as soon as possible. Maybe I can avoid the Doctor that way. She stood up, still pinching her nose and keeping her black blood from gushing. "Please do what is necessary to fix me up and complete your report."
"I just did." Tsabina maintained her professional smile, the one from many tiring days of healing thankless people and sending them on their way. "There's no signs of concussion, dislocated bones, or any other trauma. Since you've already reset your nose, all I can suggest is a clean change of clothes."
She stowed away her medical tricorder. "As for me, I have a long, hot bath with my name on it. I hope the rest of your day gets better, Lieutenant."
Jolani tentatively pulled her hand away from her face. No blood returned. "A clean change of clothes?" she asked absently. She looked down and sighed despondently. "I guess that I should. It is just irritating to have a second sonic shower and clothing change within minutes. I really wanted to get to the Captain immediately." Jolani shook her head, not sure why she was uncharacteristically babbling to the nurse.
Her flat and businesslike tone returned nearly immediately. "I am sorry to delay you from your bath." Jolani started to turn back from whence she came.
"My bath is for me, not vice versa. It can wait until living people are safe and sound. Always does." Tsabina cocked her head. "Now if I know Remas, then showing up with a bloody nose and shirt will only put your actual reason for showing up at the bottom of the discussion pile." Tsabina grinned with a wistful look in her eye.
Am I really living? Is that what the nurse considers my existence? If she only knew.... Jolani turned back to Tsabina. "Hence, why I require another shower and change of uniform," Jolani replied, turning back to the nurse. Her eyes started to flare when she thought of the Captain. "I definitely would not want the Captain distracted from," she paused searching for words that would be more neutral. The nurse did not deserve her ire at not being awoken sooner. "From our discussion," Jolani concluded.
Tsabina looked Jolani up and down, noting her tense posture and overall harried disposition. "The discussion is that important, huh?"
"I believe so," Jolani replied with finality. "If you will excuse me." Is there something more I should know? Did something happen while I was asleep? She took a step away to leave and then paused, asking Tsabina cautiously, "There's nothing harming the ship right now, is there?"
I hope not... she thought. Aloud, Tsabina replied, "Not to my knowledge. Be well, Lieutenant."
Tsabina's parting look was one of concern. She decided that it may be necessary to discuss with Remas the option of awakening someone with counseling experience.
Considering her myriad of responses, Jolani settled on "And you, as well." There was no real emotion or feeling in the concluding statement. It was an automatic response. She turned on her heels and headed back to her quarters to make herself presentable for her upcoming battle with the Captain.
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