Plomeek for the Soul (Part II)

Posted on Sat Feb 24th, 2024 @ 2:06am by Lieutenant Commander Hamish Brott & Lieutenant JG Katsumi Tanaka MD

928 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Ninety-Nine Bottles of Swill

ON:

"Special delivery, Doctor," Brott announced knocking on an access hatch that was secured. It was locked. That was the perfect indication that the Doctor was on the other side. "I brought you some delicious plomeek soup...nom nom nom, open up." The Bolian squeezed and chuckled.

She rolled her eyes and took a moment to steel herself. “Alright, I can do this.” She walked over to the hatch and opened it. “No hugging,” she called out. It came out a bit soft so she called out with more force. "No hugging. Deal?"

The Bolian gasped, brought a hand to his chest as if offended by the demands. She was sick though and Brott knew it was just probably a protective and cautious medical officer. "Alright then no hugs for then" he stated.

Holding the bowl of plomeek soup, Brott grabbed the spoon and dipped it down into the soup and brought it up with a spoonful of soup and started moving it towards Doctor Tanaka's face. "Here comes the little shuttlecraft, open up the shuttlebay."

She sighed. "No feeding either." She held out her hand for the soup.

"And such a sourpuss this little cold has made you" the overtly jovial Bolian said with a deep gut chuckle that could echo through the entirety of the small relay station. "You had better get well soon, Doctor. I was just looking over some personnel files. I think we'll be getting a new buddy on our station."

That caught her attention. “New Buddy? Are we getting new staff?”

"It would seem like that," stated Brott. "Chief Kirschler has been reassigned. A starship was in need of someone with his experience. Valko Kostova has requested transfer, and I'm not sure Ensign Astor will be much longer. This was a fresh out of the academy assignment for her."

“I see. That is somewhat good an bad news. It is a shame to loose Ensign Astor, however, one less bunk mate is always desired.”

Brott chuckled "At least its suite style and you each have your own beds" replied the Bolian. "It is cozy. I kind of miss sharing a place with two other people, but then again if I did that I wouldn't have space for all my fabrics."

“I would much rather convert my closet office into a bedroom then be with…people. I do not share well.” She admitted freely.

"With a chipper and welcoming personality like that?" Brott shook his head. "You'll need to work on that. We can't have you pushing everyone out."

“It is what I do. It is necessary. I believe it’s called being an introvert.”

"I like to believe introverts are just butterflies not ready to come out of their cocoons yet."

Tanaka did something she rarely did then. She laughed. She threw her head back and laughed a rare sighed indeed.

Brott laughed too because laughter was contagious, and therapeutic. He was glad to hear her laughing though especially after not feeling so well. "It is nice to hear you laughing. Now, if we could just start wiggling out of that cocoon and spread those wings, let you become the social butterfly that I know you can become."

"I'm less butterfly and more hermit."

"A sick hermit," Brott reminded her. "And how are you feeling? It's quiet with you sick and three others off the station. Astor, Ford, and I have been taking watch shifts, but when the away team returns they are going to need a good medical check up. Not exactly something I'm qualified to do" stated Brott. "I'm not a Doctor or a nurse even if you try to make me one."

Her lip twitched. "Nurses need the right outfit, I am sure we could find something. I am however feeling much better and will be returning to duty...today."

"Slendid!" exclaimed Brott. "We can get things ready for when the away team returns. I'm excited to hear what they've uncovered regarding our ill Ferengi friends. It certainly would seem their slug-o-cola was contaminated. I've had a closer look in my downtime. There were some starling microbes in the contents of the bottles."

Brott nearly turned green thinking about it. "Absolutely disgusting. It is no wonder they were sick and needing our attention. Yersinia and Shigella just to make two. I used some of your and Skye's equipment with the assistance of the the station's computer."

Her lips twitched. "Well, that tells me you did just fine sir. I shall ensure a nurse uniform is ready for you so that in future you can assist me. Surgical assistance can be a great learning experience. Also if you can help me analyze the Ferengi Fecal matter with respect to the microbes."

"It's currently being processed," Brott said cringing at the thought. Fecal matter there had been a lot of that. "It took a while to get a more solid consistency, but I suppose you could say we've started getting to the bottom of it."

"Indeed. It's important to get right into the center of the squish." She sipped her tea finding his shade of blue turning slightly green. "Fascinating," She said.

Brott nodded. "Best I suck this gut in and wiggle myself back down to Ops" said Brott. "I will see you down in your cute little medical nook infirmary when you are feeling up to it, Doctor. I am truly glad that you are feeling more yourelf."

She gave a nod. "I shall...finish the soup and then be down there."

"Thanks, Doc. Bon Appétit."

OFF

 

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