Getting to Know You

Posted on Wed May 18th, 2022 @ 6:40am by Aarix Teral

Mission: Elsewhere
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Before Mission Start
Tags: Monthly challenge #2
1549 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

A pleased little sigh left Aarix's lips as he took a step back from the supply shelf. He spent the good part of an hour effectively doing inventory of medical supplies, but also making sure the organizational system of the cabinets made sense. In his hand was a PADD, where he was keeping track of the changes. Looking between the cabinet and the PADD, he gave a nod to himself before closing the cabinet door and making his way back to the offices. In his experience, maintaining a good organizational system worked wonders and saved seconds of time, especially in a rush.

As he rounded the corner, Aarix caught sight of the brunette who transferred with him, Renee Weaver. He didn't meet her until Freecloud, but even that was brief. While he found it odd for two doctors to transfer to the same place, he figured it was a 'space ship' thing and didn't give it much thought, but he did want to get to know the woman he would be working with. "I got the supply cabinets inventoried and organized, Doctor," he said, wiggling the PADD in his hand slightly. "Things should be easier to find now."

"Renee, and thank you," said Renee when Aarix stopped at her office. "Saves me from having to do it." She chuckled. "Make sure the staff learns the new layout. We don't want them grabbing anetrizine when we need adrulmine."

Renee was still finding her way on the Mary Rose. All the previous jobs she had were on freighters. A Constitution class ship was like an elite resort by comparison. Though creature comforts were still basic, she could see herself doing well here.

Since the captain felt the ship needed two doctors, Renee wondered if that meant they needed two doctors. She wouldn't mind being busy, but it made her think.

"So, Aarix, what do you think of our new home and the endeavour that's ahead for us?" Renee needed to get to know him and they had time now to talk.

"Of course," Aarix replied, both to her correction and to informing the staff of the changes, setting the PADD on her desk. He was relieved to find that she didn't seem as strict about formalities, which to him helped make the environment seem a little more like home. Birin's words shook him when they last talked, because she made it seem like everyone was going to be strict and soldier-like, but his experience so far had been almost the opposite.

At Renee's question, Aarix shifted his weight to lean back against the doorframe, crossing his arms over his blue scrubs. "I'm not sure, to be honest," he said pensively. "It's my first time working on a ship. The people certainly seem nice, and it doesn't really feel that different from the colony, but it's still a long way from home." There was a mild feeling of homesickness deep in Aarix's chest that was evident in his eyes, like the anxious feeling that he had left behind something important, and in a way, he had. He left behind friends and family to go on this adventure, and the idea of potentially being unable to contact them for months was a little terrifying. "As for what's to come, I guess I feel... a form of excitement, and anxiety? It's different from what I'm used to." Looking her over, he then asked, "what about you?"

"This is my fourth ship," said Renee, watching Aarix's reaction. "After my schooling and training on Earth, I needed to leave and find work in space. I served one year each on freighters and when my contract was up, I moved on to something else. I never realized how many adventures there would be."

Renee had told her story on every vessel, though she always waited until she got to know her crew mates better. This time was different. She had told her tale so many times, maybe doing it again didn't matter. Maybe it was because she was on board with another doctor that would be more understanding. Whatever it was, she would save the rest for another time.

"Maybe one day when I'm old and retired, I'll write a book." Renee chuckled.

Aarix gave her a smile. "You could write your adventures before you get old, too. Turn it into an ongoing series or something." He paused for a moment to think. If this wasn't her first time on a ship, then maybe she'd know if this type of situation was normal. Making up his mind, he asked, "in your experience, is it normal for a ship to ask for two doctors? I'll admit, it seems a little odd to me, but I don't really have the ship experience to say for sure. I see way too many opportunities to step on each other's toes."

Renee wasn't sure what to make of the Rose having two doctors. If the ship, a Constitution, was fully staffed, they would need at least one more. From what she heard when talking to some of the crew, they often seemed to find themselves in the middle of trouble. Based on the medical records she read so far, it wouldn't be a dull job.

"My previous ships were all freighters," said Renee. "Most of the time, they needed only a medic, if even that. From what I heard when I was on Freecloud, the Rose isn't a typical ship.

"As far as stepping on toes, I was hired as chief, so listen to me so I don't need to put you on a shuttle and send you somewhere else." Renee kept a neutral expression on her face so Aarix wouldn't know if she was serious or not.

Did I say something wrong? Aarix thought, sensing a change in the atmosphere between them. Renee definitely went from casual to formal real fast, and he couldn't tell if she was joking, especially since she was now giving off a vibe that was different from just a moment ago. Is this the seriousness thing Birin was mentioning? "Yes, ma'am," he replied, choosing to err on the side of caution and try to match the atmosphere she was setting, or at least his impression of it. He didn't move from his lean against the doorframe, though, so from him the formality was only vocal. "You're the boss, no argument there."

Noticing Aarix's reaction and the expression on his face, Renee wondered if she had offended him or gone too far. In a medical situation, there had to be an order, a chain of command. Doctors often had different opinions on diagnosis and treatment, so someone needed to have the final say. She was also unaccustomed to having a second doctor, so though she was certainly glad for that, she wanted to mark her territory.

"I'm sorry if I sounded bitchy. I didn't mean to be that way," said Renee. "It's just been a hectic last few days." She hoped Aarix understood.

"Hectic, indeed," Aarix responded, recalling said chaos. The combination of transferring, getting up to speed on how things worked on a ship, and working out schedules was hectic enough, let alone doing their jobs of treating people. "I thought your comment was suddenly formal, if anything," he admitted, "I was warned before this posting that people may be more formal on ships compared to a colony. But no feelings have been hurt."

To try and alleviate the tension and maybe help each other, Aarix then asked, "what do you specialize in? If we're going to be working together, I think it would be good to know what the other is good at."

Renee was glad Aarix understood. She had indeed been sharp, and though she didn't really know why or where it came from, a formal order needed to be established. When it came to practicing medicine, she was serious and didn't let anything else get in the way. Perhaps her change in how she was speaking came from her last conversation with Jim on her previous ship. No matter. This was a new beginning, so it was time to focus on moving forward and not on what someone from the past said about her.

"In school on Earth, I intended to be a general practitioner," said Renee. "When I decided I'd be working in space, I moved into emergency medicine. Technically I'm not a surgeon, but sometimes you need to ignore the rules if the situation warrants it."

Aarix nodded, committing it to memory. It was good that her strengths differed from his, because it made it easier to avoid butting into each other's work. "I went to school initially as a GP, but I found I have an affinity for surgical and lab work." A little glimmer of excitement sparkled his eyes for a moment when he mentioned lab work. While he felt at home in medicine, his heart was in the labs. He found it soothing to listen to the hum of machines as he worked to solve a medical mystery. The process of understanding why things reacted the way they did fascinated him. Coming back to the present, he gave her a small smile, "it sounds like we have a good spread of expertise."