Joint Duty Log | Cmdr Logan Grant, LtCmdr Tristan Neyes, Lt Rotek, Ensign Robyn Maxwell - "Heal Thy Self"

Posted on Tue Sep 23rd, 2014 @ 7:53am by Commander Tristan Neyes PhD. & Commander Logan Grant, PhD. & Lieutenant Commander Rotek & Ensign Robyn Maxwell

2,015 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Are You Touched?
Location: Medical Offices, Deck 3

=/\= Medical Offices =/\=

In the spacious medical quarters of the Vindicator, Tristan set out a few glasses and a pitcher of water on a small table set at the center of a few comfortable chairs. A room normally reserved for counseling group sessions, it was warm and well decorated. The space was a little more casual than a traditional meeting area, but he felt this meeting would be one of the few semi-social meetings they'd enjoy before embarking on their mission. The medical staff on board, including himself, was entirely new to the ship. Although Neyes was the Captain in his former host, Landon, he was a newcomer to the ship nonetheless.

Taking a seat, he sipped his morning raktajino and thumbed through a few notes on a PaDD as he waited for the others to arrive.

Robyn Maxwell MO, had been pleased to see the message telling of the meeting and arrived a little before the set time.
She had been aboard for a few days and knew, more or less, the layout of the Medical Deck but had as yet met few other medical staff in differing sections to her own.

The door was open and she stepped inside expecting to see if not a large group, at least more than the solitary figure sipping from a steaming cup, his attention on a padd in his hand.

"Hello." she said, walking towards him. "Is it ok to come in? I'm a little early I know."

Neyes nodded, "Good morning, Ensign. Thank you for coming." After looking over her file, Tristan was more than happy to welcome such a wonderful addition to the medical staff.

Not expecting to find much of anything for him to do until the rest of the refugees came aboard the ship, Logan had almost decided to sleep in. The constant beeping of a computer frantically trying to alert him of a message, however, sent that idea packing for a long walk off a short pier. The boss man was at it again, working to shepherd his flock and Logan was nothing more than a sheep this time around.

All six foot five of him strolled languidly into that meeting room a few minutes early and he nodded his head to the woman and Tristan, "Mornin'." He drawled and found a seat, pouring himself a glass of water.

Rotek walked into the room, and after nodding to those who were already there, went to the replicator and ordered a mug of raktajino, and took a seat in one of the empty chairs.

Tristan honestly felt a little like a school-teacher for a moment. With the exception of Rotek, he'd had very little interaction with either of the two others. It was actually his first time meeting Maxwell, but Grant had seemed to put up a wall. As mutual counselors, it was crucial they worked in harmony with each other. Not only was their cooperation necessary for the rest of the ship, Tristan worried he'd done something to offend the Commander. Not being fully aware of many idiosyncrasies in Federation culture, it was often his most difficult challenge on Vindicator.

Trying his best to sound casual Neyes softly spoke up, "Thanks for coming, you three. I just wanted to have a quick sit down so we could all get on the same page. It's a big ship, and there won't be much time for this when we get going."

Robyn had taken a seat with the counselor to her right. She took a moment to get comfortable on the soft chair and watched as first Logan, then the CMO joined them. She knew Lieutenant Rotek of course but the other two were new faces. As Tristan began to speak she turned her head and gave full attention to him.

Logan nodded, leaned back in his chair and kicked up one leg to rest its ankle on the opposing knee as he listened. The Trill was correct, a ship like Vindicator was prone to swallowing people and not releasing them for pleasantries and meet and greets when she was storming through the universe.

Sipping his ratkajino, Rotek quietly said "I agree with your sentiment Counselor. It would be nice to have us all be friendly with each other. Especially in times when the niceties have to be put aside to focus on serving our patients."

Tristan smiled, grateful for the positive attitudes surrounding the group. There were times when professionals in medicine became buried in their need to perform, shutting out the smaller 'distractions'. He'd honestly expected only one or two of them to show up. Having them attend this on such short notice was definitely appreciated, and he did his best to express that to them.

"So if anyone has the need to introduce themselves, please do. I've met with Rotek and Grant, so it's a pleasure to finally meet with Ms. Maxwell. I'm sure Lieutenant Rotek will keep you busy."

Logan nodded and set his glass down. "I'll bite." He said, tipping himself closer to the table. "My name is Logan Grant and I'll be joining Mr. Neyes in offering mental health services aboard this vessel." the Kiwi drawled with a smile, "Previous assignments include the USS Griffin and the USS Endeavour as well as teaching psychology at the academy. I have a wife and three gorgeous children, I'm not into yoga, have at least half a brain and like pina coladas."

This candid introduction caused Robyn to smile to herself for it certainly broke any ice.

"I'm Robyn Maxwell." she said. "This is my first shipboard posting. Ive come from Copernicus Hospital where I discovered I have more medical knowledge than I realized. I'm not married, have no interest in Yoga either and don't drink." She looked back at Tristan.

"So no group Yoga classes. Got it." Tristan laughed, then looked to Rotek.

Hoping he wouldn't have to speak, but knowing it was impossible to avoid, Rotek took a deep breath and said "I'm Rotek, and I was previously assigned to the IKS Neklar, then after participating in a Starfleet and Klingon Defense Force exchange program, applied to transfer to Starfleet. My posting previous to this ship was on the USS Jenev as a medical officer. When I have time I like holonovels and reading."

Neyes watched the man speak softly to the group, his eyes moving with trepidation along the floor and against the sides of chairs. Tristan had noticed Rotek moving around with undue tension whenever anyone around wanted to talk with him. The Trill counselor couldn't help but wonder if the chief of medicine was simply just uncomfortable with people, or if something else was bothering him entirely.

"Great," Neyes thumbed through a PaDD, "I have a list of the counseling patients on board Vindicator as well as some notes on a few who will need special care from time to time. Not all of them are officers, as we have a small contingent of civilians families. Nothing too serious, but I'd like to ask if you have a preference for treatment, Doctor Rotek? We can facilitate the use of the counseling suite for most things, but if you have any suggestions for medical staff who would be best at assisting in psychiatric efforts, please."

Thinking for a moment, Rotek replied "I have a few nurses who have some specialized training in counselling, and I believe an enlisted orderly who had studied counselling before. I'll forward those names to you soon Counselor."

Robyn sat in her chair listening to the exchange of request and answer. The CMO had at first seemed ill at ease, and because she didn't enjoy being a center of attention she understood his discomfiture.

"Excellent, thank you Mr. Rotek," Tristan nodded to the Doctor respectfully. He turned to this fellow counselor and had to look up a little at the incredible height of Logan, even while seating he towered over most of them. "You're a little more accustomed to working in a starship environment, Mr. Grant. Do you have anything you'd like to address before we start sharing crewmembers for the sake of training?"

"Just that privacy is key," Logan began, shifting in his seat and flicking on a PADD. "The Vindicator is the largest ship in the fleet, true, but we need to remember that we're a small community and that we cannot talk to anyone about the health of our patients aside from one another. Your work stays in your office, don't even hypothetically bring up a case with your loved ones, not even the Captain herself needs to know anything unless it becomes a threat to security or to the ship as a whole."

Robyn listened to his words. It was true from the medical aspect too and she nodded her head a little in silent agreement.

Rotek nodded as well, he knew that with everyone working so closely together, it would ruin the sense of community if their secrets shared in counselling sessions where to be shared, even by accident.

Neyes bowed his head slightly, recognizing the importance of the man's addition to the forum, "Absolutely. I think we can all appreciate how quickly information can travel on a starship. The morale of this crew is dependent on our ability to remain discreet and respectful of our patient's privacy. It's very easy to forget professional attitudes are a must when you're living with the same people day in and day out. In our line of work we have to remember that the effectiveness of this crew sometimes rests on their mental health as well as the physical. Sharing privileged information will not be tolerated." Neyes was all too aware himself of the rumor-mill that permeated this ship. It was both a tool and a curse in their line of work, and unfortunately it most often provided negative results.

"That goes for medical, obviously, as well as counselling." He added. "Any other concerns? We have a contingent of fighters and marines on board, as well as needs for any diplomatic guests we acquire. If you have questions about that, please ask. Away team assignments, alert status assignments..." Tristan looked around.

Robyn raised her hand a little. "Please can you explain how the medical personnel are chosen for them?"

Rotek replied "Away team members are based on the needs of the mission. Typically they are at the discretion of whoever is going to be leading the away mission."

Turning to the CMO as he began to answer, Robyn nodded and thanked him as he ended.

"More often than not away teams are made up of senior officers, and support staff. Medical may have additional members, or their own team entirely which acts separate of the main team. It really all does depend on the situation, but even that is rather... fluid, if you know what I mean. Things can change rapidly on an away mission, just like in the operating room." Tristan offered, looking Maxwell.

She nodded and gave a polite smile, her question fully answered.

Neyes shifted a little, "Well I know we're all very busy readying ourselves for the mission and the senior officer's briefing. If no one has anything else?" He looked around.

"Thank you but no, Sir." Robyn replied.

Nodding, and looking about at the medical and counselling staff convened before him, he couldn't help but feel a little swell of pride. He wasn't even really responsible for any of them, and he'd never worked with a single one of them before... and yet. Somewhere inside the subdued young Trill was a growing bond to the people on this ship. Even the prospect of working with them seemed to tug at his heartstrings, or perhaps his memories of the ship were affecting his perception of the work. Still, Tristan felt a smile curve the ends of his mouth as he spoke.

"Very well. Let's get to work."


Commander Logan Grant
Counseling Officer
USS Vindicator

Lt. Commander Tristan Neyes
Chief Counseling Officer
USS Vindicator

Lieutenant Rotek
Chief Medical Officer
USS Vindicator

Ensign Robyn Maxwell
Medical Officer
USS Vindicator

 

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