Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Nytha’rae of Vael’Lume (Chief Science Officer) in Sickbay – Check-In

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Finn Grady (First Officer) in Sickbay – Check-In

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Nytha’rae of Vael’Lume (Chief Science Officer) in Sickbay – Check-In
Sickbay was brighter than the corridors outside, the light clean and clinical in a way that made Nytha’rae’s bioluminescent markings glow faintly against her will. The air carried the sterile scent of recycled breath and antiseptic too sharp, too empty of life.

She paused just inside the threshold, tail curling once behind her as she took in the room. Biobeds lined the far wall. Monitors pulsed with quiet readouts. A pair of nurses moved between stations with efficient, practiced steps.

Nytha’rae approached the nearest intake station and inclined her head.

“Nytha’rae of Vael’Lume,” she said softly. “I am here for onboarding physical evaluation.”

The nurse glanced up from her padd. A Bolian woman, calm-eyed and unhurried. “Welcome aboard, Lieutenant (jg). I’ll get you checked in.”

The padd chimed as the nurse confirmed her identity and assignment. Her gaze flicked briefly to Nytha’kae perched at Nytha’rae’s shoulder, then back to the screen professional, curious, not unkind.

“All right,” the nurse said. “If you’ll follow me, we’ll get you settled on a biobed. The doctor will be with you shortly.”

Nytha’rae followed, footsteps soft in her flexible footwraps. The hum of the ship threaded through the quiet of Sickbay, a low vibration that set her bioluminescence into a restless shimmer. Nytha’kae shifted, tucking his wings closer as they passed a diagnostic alcove that emitted a brief, high-pitched tone.

The nurse gestured to an empty biobed near the back, partially screened from the rest of the room.

“You can wait here,” she said. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

Nytha’rae inclined her head in thanks and stepped up onto the biobed, settling carefully so her tail was not pinned beneath her. The surface was cool and unyielding beneath her, far from the living warmth of Vael’Lume’s bark and vine. She folded her hands loosely in her lap and focused on her breath, slow and measured.

The nurse drew the privacy screen partway closed and moved away, her footsteps fading into the soft rhythm of Sickbay.

Left alone, Nytha’rae let her senses drift outward. The lights were too bright. The air too dry. The hum of the Chimera pressed through the bedframe and into her bones. Nytha’kae crept from her shoulder to the edge of the biobed, claws clicking softly on the metal as he peered around the unfamiliar space, his jewel-toned glow dimmed to a cautious ember.

We wait, she thought, steadying him as much as herself.

The biobed’s surface was still cold beneath her palms. Somewhere beyond the thin partition, voices murmured, instruments chimed, and the ship went on being what it was vast, prepared, and utterly indifferent to the small, living thing waiting quietly at its heart.

Lt JG Nytha’rae

A few moments later, an ensign wearing medical blues poked his head around the corner looking rather frazzled. He offered a weak smile.

“Hello, there… have you been helped yet?” he paused briefly, then sighed. “No, of course you haven’t because I haven’t helped and you I seem to be the only doctor on duty today.”

He stepped up next to the biobed and took a few calming breaths. “My apologies for the wait… I’m Doctor Goode, what can I help you with? Are you injured?” His eyes finally focused on the small creature on Nytha’rae’s shoulder and widened slightly. “Ummm.... either of you?”

NE Goode - A doctor

Nytha’rae inclined her head in a small, respectful greeting, careful to keep her movements slow so as not to startle the already-frayed calm of the space. The doctor’s fatigue was visible in the way he drew breath, and she adjusted her presence to meet the moment.

“I am Nytha’rae of Vael’Lume,” she said gently. “This is Nytha’kae.”

At his name, the small dragon lifted his head, jewel-toned bioluminescence rippling once along the edges of his wings before settling again. Nytha’rae raised one hand slightly, palm open, a gesture of reassurance.

“We are not injured,” she continued. “We are here for our check-in. Baseline evaluation, as requested by intake.”

Her tail eased into a neutral curve behind her as she waited, bioluminescent markings holding a calm, steady glow.

Lt.JG Nytha’rae

“Ah, well of course I can handle that for you… both… I suppose?” he looked again at Nytha’kae. “I might just have to pull up some records from your home world. I haven’t had the… well… opportunity to encounter one of these animals before.”

He pulled up some information on the computer terminal and glanced over a few files, nodding to himself. Then focused back on Nytha’rae and Nytha’kae.

“Ok, crash course complete,” he activated the biobed and grabbed a medical tricorder from a nearby table. “Just a couple scans if you don’t mind, this shouldn’t take very long at all. While I’m doing that, Lieutenant, any issues I should be aware of?”

NE Goode - A doctor