Posted by Cadet Vaarek (Medical Officer) in medical advice

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Alex Cross (Chief Counselor) in medical advice

Posted by Ensign Wyatt Blackford (Security Officer) in medical advice
Posted by… suppressed (10) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Wyatt stepped off the lift, the soft hum of its doors sliding shut behind him as he made his way down the corridor toward medical. A PADD rested in his hand, its screen still lit with notes and half-finished diagrams from the conversation he’d just had with his sisters. They’d given their input—plenty of it—but Wyatt knew better than to move forward without getting another doctor’s perspective. If this idea was going to work, it needed more than enthusiasm; it needed to be safe.

He exhaled quietly, running a hand through his hair as he approached the entrance. The familiar scent of antiseptic and the low murmur of equipment met him as the doors parted. Medical was active, but not chaotic—orderly in the way it always was, a controlled environment where everything had its place and purpose.

Wyatt slowed his pace just slightly, taking it all in. A couple of nurses moved between biobeds, checking readings and updating charts. Somewhere deeper in the room, a monitor gave a soft, rhythmic tone. He shifted the PADD in his hand, glancing down at it for a moment as if mentally rehearsing what he was about to say. The idea had seemed solid when he and his sisters were talking it through, but now, standing here, he felt a flicker of uncertainty.

Still, he pressed on.

His gaze moved across the room, searching for one of the doctors on duty—someone he could run the concept by without interrupting anything critical. He didn’t want to get in the way, but he also didn’t want to lose his nerve and walk out without asking. Wyatt straightened slightly, squaring his shoulders as he stepped further inside.

“Alright,” he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else. “Let’s see what they think.”

Clutching the PADD a little tighter, he moved toward the nearest available doctor, ready—if a bit nervous—to explain the project and hear what a professional really thought of it.

Ensign Wyatt Blackford

Security Junior Officer

U.S.S. Ark Angel

“Ensign,” Spenn noted, as he saw the ensign approach him, which was provide a welcome distraction as he had finished delivering a half-Orion baby from Human parents, “What is the reason for your urgent visit?” He said, secretly desperate to escape the current situation.

Lieutenant Spenn
Chief Medical Officer

Vaarek was a few metres behind Spenn, trusting this would be a conducive educational moment for him, ready to assist if needed.

Cadet Vaarek, Medical

Wyatt scratched the back of his head awkwardly, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he lingered near the doorway. “Sorry to bother you, sir. It’s not really urgent,” he said quickly, almost like he was trying to reassure himself as much as the other person. “If you’re busy, I can come back later. I just wanted to speak to you about something…”

His voice trailed off as his eyes wandered around the room, taking in the steady activity around him. The low hum of equipment and quiet conversations filled the background, giving him an excuse not to immediately continue. He adjusted the PADD tucked under his arm, gripping it a little tighter than necessary.

Wyatt wasn’t usually this hesitant, but bringing this up suddenly felt more complicated now that he was actually standing there. He let out a small breath through his nose and glanced back toward the corridor for a moment before returning his attention forward.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt anything important,” he added, offering a faint apologetic smile. “I just figured I should talk to you before things got too far along.” He rubbed the back of his neck again, clearly nervous, then finally stepped a little farther into the room instead of hovering in the doorway. “It’s about a project… well, sort of a side project. And I wanted your opinion on it before we move forward.”

Ensign Wyatt Blackford

Security Junior Officer

U.S.S. Ark Angel

“Then it is of the utmost importance,” Spenn insisted, hoping that his wish to avoid getting caught in the new parents’ argument (which was already beginning, mind you) wasn’t transparent. “Describe the project to me in absolute detail, Ensign.”

Lieutenant Spenn
Chief Medical Officer

As the Doctor was speaking with Blackford a com call from the Counselor came in. =^=Counselor to Dr. Spenn. Doc, we’re been sent down planet and you’ve been ordered on my team. Meet me in the Shuttlebay in five.=^=

Counselor Alex Cross

Spenn was silent for a moment. This distraction will suffice. “It appears that something urgent has come up. You may either discuss this with the cadet or wait to discuss this with me at a later time. Until then live long and prosper.” He said, hurriedly walking away from the arguing parents.

Lieutenant Spenn
Chief Medical Officer

Vaarek walked a few steps to Spenn and Blackford. Nodding at Spenn, as Spenn left, Vaarek turned to Blackford.

“Sir?”

Cadet Vaarek, Medical

Wyatt shifted slightly where he stood, clearly trying to figure out the best way to explain everything without sounding ridiculous. He rubbed the back of his neck for a moment before finally speaking.

“Well… when my sister and I were kids, we saw this news article about an away team that got trapped on a planet.” He glanced down briefly, remembering it. “The transporters were offline because of some kind of atmospheric interference, and the ship couldn’t safely launch a shuttle to get them. I don’t remember all the details anymore, just… they were stuck there for days.”

His expression tightened slightly.

“They were running out of supplies. No food, limited power, medical issues starting to show up. I remember the article said they had to ration everything while they waited for rescue.” He gave a small shrug. “Most kids probably would’ve forgotten about it after a day or two, but my sister and I kept talking about it.”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“We started wondering why there wasn’t some kind of emergency supplement. Something lightweight ships could store in bulk. Something small enough to carry in survival kits or emergency packs that could still provide enough nutrients to keep someone alive until rescue arrived.”

Wyatt reached into one of his pockets and carefully pulled out a small orange packet. It looked almost disappointingly ordinary, not much different from flavored drink powder someone might mix into water. He held it up between two fingers.

“So… we’ve been working on something.”

He stepped a little closer, offering the packet for inspection.

“It’s still in development, obviously. The idea is that one packet mixed with water would provide the minimum nutritional requirements someone would need to survive for a limited period of time. Proteins, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, calorie density… all of it compressed as efficiently as possible.” He gave a small nervous laugh. “Doesn’t taste amazing yet, according to my sister.”

His tone softened slightly when he mentioned her.

“She’s a doctor aboard the USS Chimera, and she’s been helping me gather medical data and nutritional requirements to make sure we’re not missing anything important. We’ve spent a long time trying to balance shelf stability, absorption rates, hydration, and making sure it wouldn’t cause problems if someone had to rely on it for several days.”

Wyatt hesitated before continuing.

“It was actually suggested to me that before we moved into larger testing phases, I should have another medical officer review everything independently. Fresh eyes, unbiased opinion.” He lifted the datapad he had been holding under his arm and handed it over carefully. “I have all the research data here. Nutritional breakdowns, metabolic projections, survival estimates, medical notes, preliminary testing results… everything we’ve got so far.”

He shifted his weight again, suddenly looking a little younger beneath the professionalism.

“I know it’s probably not perfect yet. But if this works… maybe next time someone gets stranded somewhere, at least starvation won’t become part of the problem.”

Ensign Wyatt Blackford

Security Junior Officer

U.S.S. Ark Angel

Vaarek listened with interest to Blackford’s proposal. There were merits to it. While emergency rations did exist, they did not last all that long. A back-up long-lasting emergency rationing system would be conducive to the welfare of Starfleet crew. How could it be lightweight, yet fulfil the dietary needs of the myriad of species in the Federation and beyond? Would it be feasible? Vaarek thought of the Blackford sister – a chief medical officer on another ship. Perhaps he could contact her and offer to assist her. He did need some kind of supervised research-based projects to send back to Starfleet Medical in order to progress in his qualifications to one day be a Starfleet physician.

“Mr Blackford,” he began. “Your proposal is at face elegant. I should like to review it in more detail and discuss it more with your sister if she would permit it.”

Cadet Vaarek, Medical

Wyatt gave a small smile, seeming relieved that the conversation was going smoothly. He shifted the PADD in his hands before offering it over carefully. “Of course. Her name is Areiana Blackford. She’s currently serving on the USS Chimera.” His tone carried a clear note of pride and trust when he mentioned her name, like he had complete confidence in her work and abilities.

“The data pad has all the information we’ve managed to gather so far,” he continued, tapping lightly against the screen with his thumb. “Research notes, preliminary findings, test results… pretty much everything we’ve documented up to this point.” He let out a quiet breath, giving a small shrug. “Though honestly, she’d probably explain it better than I can. She’s been leading most of the medical side of things.”

Wyatt glanced down for a moment before looking back up again.. “If there’s something you need clarified, she’ll make sure you understand it before the conversation’s over.”

He held the PADD out fully now. “I just figured it’d be easier to start with the data first so you’d have some background before reaching out to her.”

Ensign Wyatt Blackford

Security Junior Officer

U.S.S. Ark Angel

Vaarek nodded as he accepted the PADD. “Thank you Mr Blackford. I shall contact Dr Blackford when I have read the files.” Vaarek noted the pride in Wyatt’s voice as he had mentioned his more senior sister. Had they come from a Starfleet “dynasty”? That might be important to find out. He decided he would read up on Wyatt’s medical records too. He was, after all, Vaarek’s patient too.

“While you are here,” he said, “is there anything I can do for you as a patient?”

(OOC: How would you like to progress – a ship crossover of sis and cadet speaking on subspace? I am confused how Dr and Cadet would do it? :D )

Cadet Vaarek, Medical

Wyatt scratched the back of his head awkwardly, avoiding eye contact for a moment before finally speaking. “Uh… I am due for one of my shots… if you have time.” His voice lowered slightly at the end, almost like he regretted bringing it up. “My T-shot. I get it once a month.”

The words felt heavy leaving his mouth. Even after years, talking about it still made his shoulders tense. Wyatt was a trans man, but it wasn’t something he openly discussed unless he absolutely had to. Most people on the ship didn’t know, and honestly, he preferred it that way. To him, it was personal medical information, not some topic for casual conversation.

Still, doctors needed to know.

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously and gave a small shrug, trying to act more casual than he felt. “I usually handle it myself, but I ran out before we left port and didn’t exactly have time to replace it.” A faint, embarrassed laugh escaped him. “Kinda important detail to forget.”

His expression dimmed slightly after that, old memories surfacing whether he wanted them to or not. Coming out at sixteen had not gone well. His family had kicked him out almost immediately, and ever since then he’d learned very quickly that talking about being trans usually led to uncomfortable questions, judgment, or pity — three things he hated equally. So now he kept it buried under jokes, work, and stubborn independence.

Wyatt shifted his weight from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable standing there discussing it. “Sorry, I know it’s probably not a big deal medically,” he muttered quickly, “just… not my favorite conversation.” He glanced up briefly before looking away again. “But yeah. If the medical bay has testosterone in stock, I’d appreciate it.”

(I play both sister and brother so we can do a cross over if you like sorry it took so long to reply

Ensign Wyatt Blackford

Security Junior Officer

U.S.S. Ark Angel