JDL (Backlog) - Cadet Senior Grade Barnes & Lieutenant Rotek "That Time Again"

Posted on Tue Dec 30th, 2014 @ 10:10am by Ensign & Lieutenant Commander Rotek

1,134 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: All Hallows’
Location: Medical

Having barely escaped the Executive Officer who she felt could have eaten her alive with knowledge, let alone her Klingon nature, Rocky leaned back against the wall of the turbolift and let out a explosive breath. "Get it together. Get it together. Get it together," she chanted under her breath. "If you're going to be like this with every officer you come in contact with, they'll send you back to the Academy faster than you can say energize."

Taking a deep breath, she once more lifted the small carryon that she had brought with her and exited the turbolift as it arrived at deck three where the main sickbay was. Slightly disheveled for a moment, Rocky put her game face back on and walked into Medical with a confidence that belied the inner tempest that roared through her veins. Fortunately, she knew that the Chief of Medical, a Lieutenant Rotek, was half Klingon and prepared herself or a possible storm.

She could already hear what the doctor had to say in her head. Your caffeine levels are above normal, Cadet. Perhaps you should consider alternatives that are more healthy. A glance at the carryon didn't reveal anything but the smooth exterior, but she knew it contained a glass stein of with her nickname on it and more than trace amounts of Raktajino on the interior of it from many late nights of studying. She looked back up and searched the sea of faces that came and went in the sickbay and intercepted one.

"Excuse me," Catalina said. "I'm here for my physical. Could you direct me to Lieutenant Rotek?"

Rotek looked up as he heard the young woman speak. Smiling slightly he said "You've found him Cadet. Please take a seat on one of the biobeds. I assume your medical records were sent over after you were assigned?"

Catalina smiled and took a seat on the nearest biobeds. "That is correct, Lieutenant."

Taking a moment to grab a nearby padd, he pulled up her record, and quickly scanned it. Putting it beside him on a nearby cart, he picked up a tricorder and began scanning her. As he did so, he said "Is there anything you'd like to bring up that may not be in your medical file? From what I can see it looks like you're in good health."

"I think that I may have over-extended a leg muscle when I was doing pilates while waiting for my assignment," she said. "Other than that, I feel fine."

Making a note of her concern, he sighed as a reading troubled him. Clearing his throat he said "Cadet, I do see that you have ...elevated levels of caffeine in your system. I do believe you were cautioned about your consumption according to your medical records."

"That was only when I had to study, really," Catalina replied easily, the same reason she gave multiple times before despite objections from other doctors. "It's not anything serious."

Frowning, he took a moment to consider his response and said "I do see that you responded in a similar way when you were approached about it before. It is not that I am trying to control your choices Cadet, but I am concerned about it may affect your duties."

"How would it affect my duties?" she asked him. "I'd be wide awake and alert."

Sighing, he replied "Prolonged exposure to such massive amounts of caffeine can have many physical side effects. I can provide a list of them if you'd like to review them. More importantly, it can also affect your judgement, and when you "crash" as they say, it can be very detrimental to your duties."

Catalina sighed. "What do you suggest as a substitute? Ginseng, guarana berries, Cacao, Maca root powder?"

"I will work on some natural alternatives to help wean you off the dependency on caffeine." he replied calmly, then added "As I said, its not that I am judging your decisions, I am concerned about your health as it is my responsibility as Chief Medical Officer."

"I know and I don't want you to think that I'm stubborn," she said, looking at him. "It's just really good coffee. I'm surprised that you don't endorse it."

Rolling his eyes, he replied "It is good coffee. I enjoy it myself now and then, but I don't consume the amount you do."

Catalina gave a sheepish grin. "I give props where they're do, Lieutenant. Anyway, I'll try to lay off of it until you can come up with a substitute. Now about my leg muscle..."

Nodding as he entered some notes into her file, he ran the tricorder over her leg and then filled a nearby hypo. Pressing it to her neck he said "This is a muscle relaxant, it should help release any tension in that leg. I would like you though to work on some gentle stretches for it, and let me know if it continues to bother you."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," she said with a smile. "Pilates is very demanding at times."

Smiling, he said "I understand Cadet. Was there anything else you'd like to discuss before I let you get to your duties?"

"No, Sir," Catalina said as she got up off the biobed and laid down on the floor. Supporting herself on her shoulders, she pushed her hips off the floor with her left leg and extended her right leg up at a ninety degree angle. "Ah...that feels much better."

Nodding, he said "Well I'll let you go then. I'll be in touch about the caffeine substitute. Let me know if you have any further concerns."

Getting up, Catalina gathered her carryon and nodded. "Thank you again. I look forward to seeing what you can come up with. Oh...how's the replicators here? I figured you'd be the best person to ask about those."

"They are working ok. Nothing interesting to report" he replied.

"I meant the quality of them," she clarified. "Some of the ones at the Academy weren't very popular when it came to producing things that could be considered edible."

"Oh OK my mistake Cadet" he replied "They are pretty good. Though they do have some issues with more exotic dishes."

"As long as they can make a bacon cheeseburger, I promise not to wreck them. The last time I tried that, it replicated something that was almost but not quite unlike a cheeseburger." Catalina told him.

Chuckling, he said "I'm sure they will be able to provide that Cadet. I'll see you soon."

Smiling, she headed out to get her quarters set up and get acquainted with the rest of the crew.

=/\=End Log=/\=
Lieutenant Rotek
Chief Medical Officer
USS Vindicator, NCC 72813-E

&

Cadet Senior Grade Catalina "Rocky" Barnes
Encryption Specialist
USS Vindicator, NCC 72813-E

 

RSS Feed