Prior Research

Posted on Sat Feb 20th, 2010 @ 2:35pm by Zander Whyte & Commander Michael Evans M.D.

Mission: Episode 1.1 - "Now Boarding"
Location: Primary Sickbay
Timeline: MD03 1020

[ON]

Zander had spent an hour wandering around deck five. He had spent a good forty-five minutes going through the catalogue on the Holodeck and was interested to see a number of new programs had been added to the existing library.

He ran a hand through his hair as he passed by the medical labs, deciding to drop by sickbay as, despite having been on the Tethys for months, he had still to meet the Doctor.

Doctor Evans peered intently at the holographic display in the center of the lab's workstation. A convoluted chain of spheres floated through the display, then changed form and color as it came into contact with a series of more complex chains. He made some notes and reset the display, watching the interaction intently again, oblivious to whatever else might be going on around him.

Whyte moved quietly into sickbay. As usual it was bustling with activity as the medical staff completed their stocking of the Pandora's medical facilities. He smiled weakly at a couple of them as he moved towards the man with the three pips glistening on his neck.

"Doctor Evans?"

Michael nearly jumped out of his skin as the adrenaline of surprise soured his stomach; and he was sure that his heart just jumped to warp. He kept his cool though, his surprise only outwardly visible by a sudden stiffening of his limbs and a widening of his eyes. Quickly regaining control of himself, he turned just his head to see a man with dark hair and blue eyes. He had a casual demeanor, but his eyes belied a certain cunning perception. Turning the rest of his body to face the man, he greeted with a simple query. "Yes?" He didn't mean to sound so curt, but his heart was still competing for space with his adam's apple.

"I didn't mean to startle you," Zander said despite realising that his approach would probably have startled him, "my name is Zander Whyte. I'm the representative of the Federation News Service aboard the Pandora. I thought I had better drop by and introduce myself sooner or later."

His heart finally slowing, Michael swallowed it down back where it belonged and gave a polite smile, holding out his hand. "Ah, yes. Pleased to meet you. I'm Doctor Evans," he said, introducing himself before belatedly realizing that Zander had already correctly identified him.

Zander shook the man's hand firmly, almost as an attempt to reassure him that he was not going to pull a phaser on him. "It's a pleasure, Doctor. It really is. I've read a lot about your work and I was hoping I might get an opportunity to write a piece on you for the FNS."

Michael felt himself smile more broadly. His pride often got the better of him, and he was truly tickled to hear that someone might have actually read about his work. His career ambition was to become an authority in his field; perhaps teach at Starfleet Medical.

His natural skepticism towards the media warred with his delight of someone actually paying attention to his work and with the possibility of his name in press being seen by his colleagues. Good nature won out over suspicion however, and he decided to take Zander at face value. So he consciously reschooled his emotion from that of delighted pride to one of pleased modesty. "Thank you, Mr. Whyte," he said, smiling. "That means a lot to me."

"Not at all, Doctor. I've read your paper on "Synthesis and surface engineering of mercury oxide nanoparticles for biomedical engineering" and, despite understanding very little of it, I was very impressed." Zander replied, realising that to an extent he was just flattering the doctor's ego. "I understand it's become a seminal piece of work in the area."

Evans frowned. "Not according to Doctor Breaburn at Starbase 214," he muttered, then shrugged. "But they have been able to use some of the concepts for biosupportive implants in certain species to enhance reproduction." He gave a slight cock of his head, indicating that others finding further use for the information in his paper more than made up for Breaburn's slight.

A half-moment's silence passed and Michael blinked. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm being very rude. Can I offer you a tour of the medical facilities," he asked, being genuinely solicitous.

"That would be excellent, Doctor. I'd very much appreciate that. I've heard on the grapevine that Doctor Breaburn has been having a few disciplinary problems with his staff recently." Zander commented. "Rumour has it they're losing respect in his ability."

Michael did not reply to that bit of information, but filed it away in his thoughts for possible future reference or investigation. "This," he said, indicating with a small sweep of his arm, "is the Medical Lab. The Pandora being a Luna class vessel, we have expanded state-of-the-art facilities. All equipment is designed as modular for easy upgrades. I was just using the holographic display on that work table to show me a molecular view of a particularly interesting prion." He switched off the display.

Moving to the next room, he explained the layout of the main sickbay and extolled the virtues of the quieter, softer environment. It was by no means sleepy, deadening, or intimidating (as a temple or library might be with their silences); rather it was relaxing. The panel-displays were simple, ergonomic, streamlined in appearance, as was the layout of equipment and storage.

"We also have a secondary sickbay on deck sixteen," Michael was continuing. "It's set up for higher numbers of casualties and doesn't have quite the sophistication of the main sickbay, but it boasts a few more surgical suites as well as a few more Level Three isolation units. Our Chief Surgeon has charge of the secondary, and I've put my Assistant CMO in charge of this one."

"Does that allow you to concentrate on the more theoretical side of your role?" Zander asked, taking a couple of quick notes.

Michael gave the man a sideways grin. This Zander fellow was even quicker than Michael had anticipated. In a way he found it very engaging. "Well, there is that added benefit I suppose," he said with a chuckle. "Actually, the primary reason is twofold: my Assistant CMO and my Chief Surgeon are both very... unique individuals. The functions of each of the two sickbays are actually enhanced by their being in charge of their respective domains."

"Doctor Haelen's unique nature makes him ideal for the primary sickbay, since the more complex cases often find themselves in here. Doctor Winchester's experience is hard to find in today's fleet, and she brings a lot to the secondary sickbay which is set up for triage, multiple casualties, and tandem surgical procedures. She's also quite adept at organizing emergency medical relief operations."

"Have you met Doctors Winchester or Haelen," Evans asked curiously.

"I haven't, no." Zander replied. He was beginning to realise that he had met very few crewmembers during his time on the Tethys. He made a note on his PaDD to remedy that fact as soon as he could. However, he felt his curiosity become piqued. "You mentioned Doctor Haelen's 'unique' nature. What did you mean by that?"

"Well," Michael said, watching Zander's reaction carefully, "he's a hologram. A Mark-I EMH to be specific; though I'm not sure the 'E' part of the acronym applies any more." Michael braced himself internally. People generally did not react well when they found out the Assistant CMO was an 'outdated' version of a still-dubious program. Michael understood their reactions. He, himself, had difficulty with "Doc" at first, but the hologram's heuristic algorythms had allowed it to eventually adapt quite well. "Admiral Iluvar took a page from the USS Voyager's book and allowed the program to develop naturally. He's considered a part of the crew," Michael said, as if in explanation.

"Really? A hologramatic crewmember? How intriguing. I'm afraid I'll have to cut this short- he sounds much more interested." He proclaimed, turning towards the door, "No. Just kidding, doctor. Do you ever have any doubts about the ability of a program which some may consider," Zander paused for a moment to consider his next comment, "out of date?"

Michael cupped his chin as he frowned thoughtfully. "He has limitations just like any crewmember, if that's what you mean," he said. His arm swung back down to his side so that both hands could be placed on his hips in a strong stance. "But if you're speaking strictly of his programming: he has access to the same information as the newest versions, the heuristic learning algorithms haven't changed much if at all from model to model. In fact, the biggest changes through the series seem to have been focused on personality subroutines and interactability. And while he hasn't yet seemed to master certain social graces (and who has I'd like to know?) he has made noticeable improvements."

"I see, I see." Zander said, continuing to note things down furiously. "I'll need to have a word with him then. Do you ever find him difficult to work with? Or are his social graces sufficiently developed?"

Michael immediately felt irritated with a sense of being manipulated, but then smiled and relaxed his posture. This was why he didn't like the media; it was always a game, with the goal being a story. Not truth necessarily, just a plausible story. "Like many good doctors, myself included at times, he can be arrogant; but yes, I'd say "his social graces have sufficiently developed"."

"It's like dealing with a Ferengi," Michael continued to illustrate. "Once you understand and accept that their primary motivation is profit, you can get along fairly well. Once you understand and accept that Doctor Haelen can be rather full of himself, you can get along with him just fine. He is, in fact, quite a capable physician." Michael felt he'd defended his friend fairly well on that point. He'd hate for Tony to find himself libelled all over the FNS.

"I see, yes." Zander said, but pointedly not taking a note of the reaction. He had only really asked out of his own personal interest. As a civilian he had very little interactions with holograms of any kind. "Would you say there's a pointed difference between the medical work which can be carried out on a Luna class and a Prometheus class?"

His emotions shifting again, Michael found himself pleased to be asked his opinion on the subject. "The Tethys was primarily a tactical vessel. It's facilities were designed more for stabilization of multiple trauma patients. While the facilities are top of the line, they are limited." He made a face with that statement.

"The Luna class's facilities are more expanded and offer greater resources for treating illness and injury while on assignment. Actually, with proper staffing, we can handle almost anything that a starbase can; the exceptions being those of extreme long-term care. And the combination of our medical and science laboratories provide a powerful resource for our teams to analyze all but the most bizarre life forms." He couldn't help feeling pride at the boastings of the Luna class. He knew that Iluvar took pains to find the best crew possible for the Pandora, and that they would be able to use the Pandora's resources to their fullest potential.

Zander continued to take notes as the Doctor spoke. He had already decided that this would be a positive piece, there was seemingly no malice in the Doctor at all. He wondered whether seeing the Doctor outside the setting of his sickbay.

"Doctor, I'm wondering if you might like a drink later this evening once you're off duty?"

Michael thought for half a moment. Zander was an interesting fellow, despite the whole 'media' bit. He concluded it might be fun so he agreed, but decided he'd be careful about letting his guard down.

Zander nodded politely. "I shall be in touch later then, Doctor."

[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Michael Evans (M.D.)
Chief Medical Officer
USS Pandora

Mister Zander Whyte
Federation News Service Correspondent
Assignment: USS Pandora