Post 61: Health is not valued, till sickness comes

Posted on Wed Oct 23rd, 2024 @ 3:11am by Lieutenant Amanda Hemsley
Edited on on Wed Oct 23rd, 2024 @ 3:12am

740 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Obsidian

With a big sigh, Amanda let herself fall into her chair in her office. From a very early age she knew she wanted to be a doctor. Caring for the sick and injured, being there for them in their greatest time of need. It had an undeniable and uncontrollable attraction on her. Put her in a sickbay, a hospital, an ER, and she's happier than you'll ever see her. Heck, even mundane research. But meetings? Paperwork? Writing reports? She detested that. But it comes with the job. The higher your leadership position, the more paperwork and the less patient care you do. Katagh once told her "As a CMO, every patient is your patient." He was trying to make her feel better when he saw the mountain of paperwork in front of her. "You have your staff to deal with the patients. Because you can't care for 10, 15 or 100 patients at once. You make sure your staff has the resources they need. You make sure your staff is happy. that way, in an emergency, you'll be the first they all." At that moment, it helped a little. But not right now.

Here they were, dealing with this "new" base. She heard argument after argument on how to get it to working order, wether moving the base was best. All she could think was "health is not valued, until sickness comes." The base was missing the most basic medical equipment. We're not on the front line, which means injured needing mid- to longterm care would probably be transfered here, like they are to every other base not on the front lines. She let out another sigh, not realizing anyone was in sickway. Until Katagh popped his head around the corner.

"You sound like someone who has a lot on her mind." To many, Katagh looked imposing. He was only the second Klingon to officially service in Starfleet. In all of its history. And now with 1st Lieutenant Mek'Tor, there have been three. To many, Katagh was a strange sight. The one thing people don't expect is a Klingon as a surgeon. A security officer? sure. A captain? Yes. A Marine? Absolute! But a doctor? A gentle, caring doctor? With impecable bedside manner? No, people don't expect that at all. But to Amanda Katagh was just Katagh. He was the man who conquered her heart. He was the man she broke down on when learning the news of her brothers and sister-in-law's death. He was the man she curled up to at night. Their large age gap didn't bother her at all. With a Klingon's natural life span of well above 100, with 150-160 being considered normal for the non-warrior class, 86 would be a human's 40. So, in Amanda's eyes, they were just 8 years apart.

"I just came back from the briefing." she said. "Our orders are to get this base up and running. Everyone is concerned about it's defensive systems, etc. But no one was talking about the non-existing medical facilities." Katagh nodded. "Did you bring it up? Is a supply drop scheduled anytime soon, so you can order what is needed to replenish the missing med supplies?"
Amanda shook her head. "I didn't. I'm fresh from residency. All the other officers have a lot more experience."

"That's all true. But, you're the Chief Medical Office. The captain wouldn't have requested you if he didn't think you'd be in the right place here." Katagh walked over to the replicator, ordered a cut of tea, and sat down on the opposite side of the desk. "You know my friend, admiral Crusher from Starfleet Medical?" Hemley let out a short mhm. "I spoke with her shortly before we left for the rendeavous. She told me the captain specifically requested you. Apparently the captain of the Betty James knew captain Michaels. They spoke about their crews and Captain Jackson suggested you for the position. And Captain Michaels apparently made the request to Starfleet Medical the next day. The admiral didn't know what was said between Michaels and Jackson, but it must've been good for him to go around and reqest you for the position." He took a sip from his coffee and continued. "So, next time speak up. Say what's on your mind. If you feel something is overlooked, say so."

After Katagh's peptalk, Amanda decided it was time for a seperate report on the state of the medical facilities on Obsidian to her new Captain, Pontmercy.

 

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