Posted by Cadet Jak’Rash (Doctor) in An Inquiry In CMO Office

Posted by Lieutenant Ilena Keelara Rox (Chief Medical Officer) in An Inquiry In CMO Office

Posted by Cadet Jak’Rash (Doctor) in An Inquiry In CMO Office
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Jak’Rash imagined his chief would be busy with one thing or another, after all a department head never was ‘free’, but the Doctor hoped he’d have an opportunity to ask the question of his boss that had been sitting on his mind since he arrived. He approached the office door and activated the chime.

Cadet Jak’Rash, Doctor

The door was actually closed for once. Ilena looked up and then back at the screen. “I’ll call again soon. Love you.” She closed the comm. “Come!” she called as she looked up at the opening door. “Cadet Jak’Rash. Come in. What can I do for you?”

Lt. Rox, Chief Medical Officer

It seemed like a personal call, but Jak’Rash felt a tinge of guilt nonetheless. “I apologize for the intrusion,” he slightly blushed. “I seek to clarify a concern. I don’t anticipate it becoming a problem, but I would feel more secure in my decision making if the two of us could address it . It is highly unusual for a Betazoid and Kaelonian to work together”

Rox kept her posture relaxed and open. It was true that Jak’Rash was the first Kaelonian she had ever served with.

Jak’Rash cleared his throat and momentarily went quiet as his face showed him struggling to find proper phrasing. “I primarily perceive my surroundings and especially the people in them through my eyesight, as most humanoids do. While I can use my other senses, it is primarily what I see that I gather the most information from. If I were to be assigned to work with someone from a species that were naturally invisible, I would imagine I’d have a hard time trusting them asuch as I would the rest of the crew. Even if they prove themselves worthy of my trust a hundred times over, the fact that I couldn’t see them would keep me from fully investing that trust.”

She had a feeling she knew where this was going. It wasn’t the first time someone had had reservations about serving with a telepath. Her job was to put them at ease and reassure them. She waited for him to get all of his thoughts out before speaking.

Jak’Rash could tell that he should get to the point of this hypothetical. “While I’ve never known any Betazoids on a very personal level, it’s my understanding that their telepathy is primarily how they perceive people around them. As Kaelonians brain chemistry isn’t compatible with Betazoid telepathy, I wouldn’t blame you for not completely trusting me anymore than I would an invisible colleague…”

Cadet Jak’Rash, Doctor

She nodded slowly, “I understand your concern, Cadet. While it is true that you are the first Kaelonian I have served with, you are not the first humanoid that I am unable to sense with my telepathy. I have worked with many species that can not be sensed in that way. Ferengi, Breen, Ullians, and Dopterians are just a few. While I am used to using my betazoid senses it is like a painting. Each person in the image is different and an artist does not use the same pigments or strokes to create each character within. Otherwise where would be the beauty if we were all the same.”

She gave him a reassuring smile, “Also, Betazoids are quiet adept at not using our senses. We don’t develop them until adolescence. So we spend our formative years relying only on our physical senses to learn about and interact with people and our world.”
Lt. Rox, Chief Medical Officer

A sense of relief came over the cadet. “I didn’t know telepathy didn’t develop at the same right as your other senses, that’s quite interesting. Kaelonian education system doesn’t focus much on other species, and while I picked up a lot at the Academy, spending 15 years on an isolationist planet could damage one’s cultural knowledge. I apologize if I came off as mistrusting in any sense.”

Rox waved his trepidation to the side, “You have not offended. I am impressed, Jak’Rash. It took confidence and finesse to approach me and explain your concerns in a non offensive manner.”

Jak’Rash hesitated momentarily, “Lieutenant, do you know about the first contact between Kaelonian and Betazoid people?”

Cadet Jak’Rash, Doctor

“I do,” Rox nodded. Her expression was slightly off. “Ambassador Lwaxana Troi met Dr. Timicin on the Enterprise D. He was working on revitalizing your planet’s son.” She sighed. “Ambassador Troi could be wonderful with people, she was also bull headed and convinced of her great worth and influence. Please do not judge us all by her behavior.”

Lt. Rox, Chief Medical Officer

Jak’rash sadly smiled. “Of course not. I greatly appreciate you extending me the courtesy of your time today. It’s ironic that you mention Ambassador Troi. To be honest I’ve never heard anyone say anything kind about her, which probably says more for my environment than for her. I am relieved to hear that the reputation of the ‘Witch of Betazoid’ has been exaggerated. I fear that based on that exchange, Kaelon II will never apply to be in the federation, but I am happy to know you and I can work together.”

Cadet Jak’Rash, Doctor

Rox nodded, “I am as well. It is my hope, that our peoples can learn to accept each other and move past that. I can’t say that I agree with her high-handedness, but I can understand how she felt. She was deeply in love with Dr. Timmison. To find that connection and then lose it so quickly would make anyone emotional. Our people grow old together, loving for a life time until nature takes its course. Yours do not. Neither is wrong, but understanding rather than judgement will go a long way.”

Lt. Rox, Chief Medical Officer

Jak’Rash felt genuine relief, and for the first time could say he was relaxed around his commanding officer. “Thank you Doctor. I won’t trouble you for anymore of your time.”

“It was no bother,” Rox smiled. “This is what I am here for. I’m always available for whatever you need to discuss.”

The cadet thought to himself as he headed out of the chief’s office. No being is born inherently bad or good, their actions make them that way. There are good Ferengi, good Romulans, good Cardassians. Nobody on Kaelon II would believe it, but the cadet believed he now knew of a good Betazoid.

Cadet Jak’Rash, Doctor

Ilena smiled as Jak’Rash left. She hoped she had reassured him and made him more comfortable. She also shook her head over the problems that the ‘little’ people had to deal with when someone of import caused the problem.

Lt. Rox, Chief Medical Officer