Meeting the Doctor

Posted on Tuesday 24 April 2018 @ 16:54 by Commander Cale Llewellyn DSci & Lieutenant Michael Ki MD

Mission: Lost Souls
Location: Merlin Sickbay
Timeline: ???
1457 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Cale Llewellyn wandered into Sickbay after taking a stroll around his old stomping grounds. He wanted to meet their new doctor. He had heard quite a deal about the good doctor before transferring over to the Merlin, most of it from members of the crew. Cale also knew he would have to become more familiar with this crew being that most of them were not around then. He also knew that that vast majority of the senior staff was new. Alot had happened over the past two years. So this CMO was new to the ship as far as he knew so in the eyes of most, he was new so he had to regain this crew's trust and respect. And that would take much more time to do. But it was something he was willing to do.

After entering Sickbay, he looked around and stopped a medical technician and asked where Dr. Ki was.

"He's in his office, Sir," the petty officer replied before going back to his duties.

"Thank you, Crewman," the young officer said before stepping over to the CMO's office. Knocking on the doorway, Cale said, "Doctor?"

Michael was putting the finishing touches on a report of an injured crewmen. When he heard the voice "Commander please come in. Do you need anything? I trust you are not injured or ill." Michael smiled warmly as he motioned to the chair in front of his desk. With all of the chaos of the past few days he did not have time to review the crew records. So, he had no idea of the Commander's name.

"Actually Doctor, I am in perfect health. But I suppose I'll let you decide that for yourself as I just wanted to drop by Sickbay for my physical. My name is Cale Llewellyn, DSci. I am the first Chief Science Officer, 3rd Executive Officer and now Chief Science Officer once more of this mighty vessel. I am here at Captain...err Commander Barstow's behest," the young man said with a Cheshire car grin.

"Very well then let's get to it." Michael said as he rose. "Come with me. I am Dr Michael Ki and I am new to the Merlin. Just transferred in from the Grissom so forgive the mess as I get settled and get Sick Bay in working order." As he walked toward a biobed Michael picked up a tricorder from the instrument tray.

"Very glad to meet you, Dr. Ki," Cale said as he hopped up on the biobed. "So tell me a little about you, Doc?"

Ki started the scan and smiled "Is is not I who should be asking you the questions. I am from Okinawa which is where most of education was. As for Starfleet I have been all over the galaxy but I am glad to be here. My medical specialties are emergency medicine and diagnostics. Do you have any medical issues that I should be aware of?" Michael spoke with a heavy Japanese accent.

"Actually, two years ago before I left I had minor surgery to correct a collapsed lung which was a result of my involvement in the Niga incident. It was way back in my early Starfleet years when I was serving as an Astrometrics officer on the USS Vanguard. Much of the senior staff was afflicted with a virus from the entity that lived on the surface, Said entity used plants to communicate and to gain control of any ship that was silly enough to stop and investigate. Long story, short; I was infected by Niga and that infection ultimately led to the activation of a latent gene in my DNA that granted me empathy much like Betazoids possess. It started out as a nuisance but I've gained control of. But even as a nascent ability, it was of great use to Commander Barstow."

"Now that is quite the story and intriguing. A Human with empathetic abilities. Would you mind if I took a brain scan? It would be for my own study as it is quite curious. As to the lung any breathing issues you come see me right away. If I may Commander what happened here? I mean to the Merlin... Starships just don't disappear to be found under ice." As he spoke the doctor prepped the release of medical records on is PADD.

"Of course, Doctor, I'd like to see the results of the scans. I am an oddity, wouldn't you say so? I promise I will be back if there are are any after effects but after 2 years I doubt there will be any. Doctor, I have a funny feeling that you and I will become fast friends," Cale said.

Michael smiled as he situated the scanning device to the Commander's head and turned it on. "This should take a few moments. I would have to agree about the curiousness of your condition. Throughout the ages one can read about humans who state that they are empathetic. But none who exhibit actually empathy, such as that of a Betazoid. Medically speaking the human brain can't handle it, it is for this reason that a Vulcan mind meld taxes the vigor of any human participant. So you are well fascinating." He smiled again as he glanced at the readings that were beginning to come up on the wall panel.

"Well Doctor, I am something of an oddity all the way around. I know the human brain wasn't designed to handle the load of empathy but to say that it can't is understating the human capacity for adaptation. When my ability first reared its ugly, little head, it was excruciating for me. My mind couldn't take the strain but with training and near constant mind melds with a Vulcan nurse, I gained control over my power. It's not complete yet but I'm still working on it," Cale orated. He wasn't trying to cast aside the doctor's medical expertise but as far as Cale was concerned, he was living proof of the human brain's ability to handle just about anything.

"Quite so, quite so... However, I postulate that the brain is simply put matter that is only capable of handling certain factors or situations. The difference is free will, I believe that free will or as the adage goes mind over matter is the human capability to adapt. You wanted to succeed, wanted the empathic ability so you worked hard to control it. One wonders that if you woke up one day back then and said you did not want that ability and simply did not do all the work, would it have stayed or would it have subsided and gone away. Your free will caused your body to adapt and as the Borg would say service you." Michael kept his eyes and the scanner as it began to send the readings. "Fascinating..." he said softly.

"Yes you're quite correct. I wanted this ability to work so I worked hard at it with the nurse who helped me train my mind to control it. Thus I've become a fully functional empath. So do you think that if I wanted to become a full telepath, I would have to practice and train my mind for that eventuality as well, Doc? Now what is so fascinating?" Cale asked.

"Indeed I do, I believe with the right teaching you could force your body to become fully telepathic. In fact this is what is fascinating..." Michael punched up the image of the scan on the main screen. "This is your brain, looks pretty standard huh... But look closely over here at the medulla oblongata. It seems that your anatomy has adapted there is a new pattern of neurons firing. The medulla is responsible for autonomic functions in the body, your heart pumping, your lungs etc... See right there it is a new impulse your brain is controlling your empathy and perhaps telepathy autonomicaly. This is something that has rarely been seen in human anatomy, so it is fascinating." Michael Ki's voice was filled with a rare tone of wonder and excitement.

"You're correct, Doctor. This is most fascinating indeed. I'm looking forward to working with you very much, Dr. Ki. I truly believe we could become fast friends," Cale said sensing the good doctor's fascination and reacting accordingly.

"I agree, it seems that you are more than fit for duty, Commander. We should meet when not on duty perhaps for some Sake." Michael smiled.

"Thank you, Doctor. That sounds good to me," Cale said as he got off the biobed. "Now, I have other matters to attend to."


A post by:

Lieutenant. jg Michael Ki, MD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Merlin

&

Lieutenant Commander Cale Llewellyn, DSci
Chief Science Officer
USS Merlin