Saving a slug - Part 2
Posted on 07 Apr 2024 @ 9:31pm by Captain Ricardo (Rico) Montoya & Senior Chief Petty Officer Anita Valentine & Crewman Sizia Sh'velihr & EMH Mark IX "Nina" & Lieutenant Jason Rhineholt M.D.
1,887 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
M-18 The Past is Future
Location: USS Phoenix
Previously...
Glancing at the monitor at the head of the bed everything was looking good. Picking up a laser scalpel Jason carefully opened up her abdominal cavity, then proceeded to form a pouch which the symbiote would reside in which took quite a few minutes to get it done correctly. When finished he turned looking towards Nina "Everything is all set when you're ready."
And now the conclusion...
After opening the Captain's pouch, Anita held it open while 'Nina' slipped her hands in to extract the Leon symbiote. with her current holomatrix her hand were smaller which made the procedure less traumatic for patients. Her link to the beds medical data also let her know exactly where the symbiotes injuries were so there was no risk of further injury. Gently easing the symbiote from the the Captain's body Anita was ready to cut the connection between it and the host. The normally brownish life form had several contusions from its injuries but Nina cradled it in her hands as she completed the extraction. "Now."
With the connection cut Nina turned gingery to bring the symbiote to the bed behind her. "Doctor, hold the opening firmly. I will be pressing down on her abdomen to stretch the opening. I don't want to risk aggravating the symbiote's injuries."
Giving a nod of understanding Doctor Rhineholt did what was asked of him so Nina could finish the process as easily as possible.
Easing the symbiote into the pouch she used her fingertip to guide and stimulate the connective tissues that would link the two. Once the connection was made Nina altered her holo-matix, "Release the opening", and lifted her hands out through her patients body. As the connect took place there was an immediate drop in the hosts bio-signs and a ever so subtle increase in the reading of the symbiote.
"Now all we can do is wait."
[Urushi]
Urushi opened her eyes slowly. She was surrounded by bright white light. It was like a warm blanket surrounding her naked body. She looked around, she seemed to be alone. "Hello?" She called out as she took a step forward.
A figure started to fade into existence before her. After a few seconds she was face to face with Captain Leon. "Hello Urushi," Leon greeted with a smile. He took a step closer to her.
"Where are we?" Urishi asked. All she could see around her was an endless void of light and white.
"In your mind Urushi." Leon said with a smile. "I can see you weren't ready for any of this were you?"
Urushi shook her head. "No. But it was my duty to save you, if that means you becoming part of me then it had to happen." She told him as she avoided his eye contact like a guilty child being scolded by their mother.
Leon reached out and with a single finger lifted her head. "I thank you for saving me Urushi. I know you were not ready. However, we are one now. We are already sharing memories and knowledge." He told her softly. He gently reached out and placed a single had flat on her stomach, just above her navel. "You are very young, I understand your fear of change."
Urushi stared at him. "You're young too. I have a feeling you're not like the other symbiote's are you?"
Leon began to laugh. "The bridge between our minds is starting to become stronger. To answer your question, yes, I am only a young symbiote. You are my second joining."
"There's more than that." Urushi said. She closed her eyes as images began to flash in her mind like an old movie. It was unusual, seeing experiences from another person's gaze. "You don't stick to the traditions... But they don't know that do they..."
Leon smirked. "I find the Trill traditions... boring and old fashioned. Haruk was a bit if a traditionalist so I made an agreement with him on such things," Leon said. "I want to make my own experiences through my hosts in my own way. I understand you sacrifice so much for us, who would I be if I altered everything about you?"
Urushi blinked a couple of times. "So, you're saying that I'm not going to change? What if I want to? What if I want to be better?"
Leon ran a finger down her cheek. "You can choose to be if you want. But I won't force it upon you. Haruk was a Starfleet Captain, and I know you have a desire for Science and exploration..." Leon said.
"Yeah I do. But, I want to experience more too." Urushi admitted.
"Indeed." Leon said. "You lack confidence in your ability. Haruk had plenty of that I can share with you. He also had a unique ability to command and lead others. I can give you that too?"
Urushi nodded. "Yeah, and he..." she closed her eyes again. "He wanted to excel in Starfleet. He had a good career, but..."
"But?"
"He never made time for family. He never found love. He was lonely..." Urushi said. "The closest he... I... got was the occasional one night on shoreleave..." she shuddered as the memories of Haruks 'activities' on Risa flooded into her mind.
Leon smirked. "He was quite the ladies man when he wanted to be. But yes, he was lonely... We were lonely."
Urushi opened her eyes and held her arms out. "I don't want us, to be lonely. I want to embrace life, have someone I can love and have children in the future."
Leon stepped forward and accepted her embrace. He pulled her in tight, his smooth skin was warm against hers. "I will help you become the person you want to be Urushi. If you show me what it's like to live like you." He said as he placed a small kiss on her forehead. "Together the three of us will create a new Urushi. Urushi Leon."
"Urushi Yaotome..." Urushi said quietly. "Please? Let me keep my name..."
Leon smirked as he held her tightly. "Urushi Yaotome. I can accept that. I am willing to change from Leon to Yaotome, a thank you gift for saving my life."
Urushi smiled as they were bathed in light, slowly they seemed to merge together forming something new, someone that was now being reborn into the universe.
[Ready Room]
It had been some time since the surgery and Rico was about to call down to sickbay when the chime to his door sounded. "Enter." Looking up both the the EMH and the Doctor that assisted in the surgery stepped in.
Jason walked in a little reluctant since this was not the usual way he boarded a new ship. Standing tall in font of the desk "Captain, please allow me to introduce myself....I'm Lieutenant Jason Rhineholt your new Chief of Medical" then glancing over at Nina "We wanted to give you a personal update on Lieutenant Yaotome" he stated waiting on his CO.
"Please have a seat. Not the usual way one usually report to a new assignment, but how is she?"
Jason sat in the offered seat, back straight and his feet flat on the floor "No Sir it's not. They both seem to doing well; as her vitals get stronger so does those of the symbiont. The next few hours are crucial but we are confident of a full recovery for both" he replied with some certainty.
"Excellent. Well now that you're here we might as well get you settled in. I know we are still dealing with aid to the Granger, in addition to care for our own, so I will keep it brief. You have already gotten to meet and work with Nina, our EMH, who has been running thing since we have been without a CMO for a while. I'm sure with the current situation you will become familiar with the rest of your staff as well.
"Once systems have been restored on the Granger be sure to transfer their Captain body to their morgue so they can hold any memorial services they wish."
"My plan is to try and meet the entire medical staff in the next couple of days just to put everyone's mind at ease having a new person in charge; I can get to know them on a more personal level as time goes on and may I say Nina is incredible for an EMH" Jason stated then continued "And yes I had already planned on sending the Captain's body back to his crew when we're able to."
"Now.. On a Prometheus class ship we may have to separate for either offensive or defensive situations. Your place doctor is in the primary sickbay within the upper stardrive section, Nina or the next senior physician would take the lower drive section, and the next senior the sick bay in the saucer. Fortunately all three section will have either Nina, or her back up programs to fall back on. However we don't want to depend other her program alone. Systems fail and we don't want to be without any medical assistance should the worst happen.
"My Yeoman...", pointing to the young Andorian that had popped in from her area.
She waved as the two turned to look her way. "Hi."
"...can help get you settled, quarters, transfer of personal effects from the Granger, etc.. That said, I have a little tradition of a get to know you, no ranks meal. However with the number of new face and our delay in beginning out mission that will have to wait...or we could do a group dinner."
Looking around them to his Yeoman, "Sizia, look into setting that up once we are underway."
"Yes sir."
"Any questions?"
Jason thought for a moment "Not really a question but more of an observation. If the ship had to separate I assume it would be at a moments notice, therefore It would behoove me to have all three sick bays staffed regardless of the ship's posture" he commented.
“Oh I think you misunderstand Lieutenant, they are staffed though minimally, I was referring to whom would command during a full separation situation.”
Jason gave a quiet sigh "Yes, looks like I did; apologies Captain, it's been a very long day " he replied feeling a little embarrassed at the moment.
Rico smiled, "Nothing to fret about, things on a Prometheus class ship can take a bit of getting used to. But you've had a busy day. Under normal circumstance you would probably want to dive right in and check out the facilities and meet your staff. However, I want you to rest. We can't have our new Chief Medical Officer falling asleep on his feet. Nina has things well in hand so; at least a few hours of rest before charging in. ....Okay?
"Thank you Captain, I can use some down time" Rhineholt replied with as much of a smile as he could muster looking forward to being off his feet for awhile.
[Sickbay - 24 hrs after joining]
Urush'is eyes fluttered and slowly they opened. She tool a deep breath as she looked up at the sickbay ceiling.
Captain Ricardo Montoya
CO
Nina
EMH
SCPO Anita Valentine
Head Nurse
Lieutenant Jason Rhineholt, M.D.
CMO
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