Posted by Major Taylor Zigman (Battalion Surgeon.) in [Alt-Timeline] Marine Medical – Carnegie’s Physical

Posted by Mar. Captain Eleanor “Iron Lady” Carnegie (Recon Squadron CO/Pilot) in [Alt-Timeline] Marine Medical – Carnegie’s Physical

Posted by Major Taylor Zigman (Battalion Surgeon.) in [Alt-Timeline] Marine Medical – Carnegie’s Physical
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The Day hadn’t started in the best of ways, but Eleanor suspected that came with being a Squadron Commander, even though she had not expected to be yelled at this early in the morning, nor to have to deal with the fact that one of her own had left a tail imprint on the bulkhead of the newest ship in the fleet, before it even left dock. Maybe the yelling had been justified.

Hurrying down the corridors to Marine Country, she could only hope she would get used to it. Looking at her wrist chronometer, Carnegie sighed and rushed her step even more. She was late for her physical already.

Finally, as she found MarMed, she almost ran through the doors. Her gaze frantically searching for someone that could point her in the right direction. Stopping one of the nurses, she was still catching her breath when she spoke. “Excuse me, my name is Carnegie and I’m here for my boarding physical. Would you know where I should go?” In her Marine green uniform, with her dark auburn hair pulled up in a ponytail, the only thing that would jump out as weird was the fact that she was sporting a pair of old Earth looking tortoise shell glasses.

CPT Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO

Taylor had been nursing the last of her coffee, knowing it would be a crazy day for the medical team with all the check ins. When a harried looking pilot hurried through the automatic doors, she straightened her shoulders, put the cup down and walked in her direction. “Captain Carnegie, you’re mine. I’m Magor Zigman, BCMO (Battalion Chief Medical Officer, just to differentiate from the regular ship’s CMO.) You’re the first one to report.” Here she favored the woman with a dazzling smile. “Let’s head over here and get started.”

Eleanor smiled. After all the yelling and all the trouble, it was nice to have someone smiling at her for a change. “Pleasure to meet you, Major. I’m sorry I’m late… I was starting to think that I wouldn’t make it here at all.” Carnegie said in an apologetic tone.

Zigman led the pilot to a nearby biobed and motioned for her to sit. The antique glasses hadn’t escaped her attention but respecting the privacy of the Captain, she waited until they were out of earshot before asking about them.

Following the doctor, Carnegie sat down on the indicated biobed.

“You know, I think I’ve only seen one other pair of spectacles in my entire life. What service do they provide for you?”

She would know once she read Carnegie’s file, but letting the patient talk was a way of putting them at ease.

—Ziggy

Having forgotten the glasses on her face, Eleanor was surprised by the question. “Oh!” She finally realized what Zigman had asked. “I’m colorblind…” She said taking her glasses from her eyes and showing them to the doctor. She smiled another apologetic smile. “My brother works in the industry and had these made for me. I prefer them to the big ones Starfleet issued me. They allow me to see what normal people see.” Putting them back on, Eleanor continued. “I know they are not very common… and I guess they are even less among us pilots.” She chuckled.

CPT Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO

“Color blind? And your brother had them made?” Her interest was piqued. She accepted the glasses and looked through them. There wasn’t much difference in her vision since she could already see proper colors. Grabbing a nearby tricorder, Zigman scanned them and examined the readout. “Your brother is a clever man.” She handed the spectacles back to the Captain.

With a few small differences here and there, the tricorder readout would not be too different than what the results would have been on a Starfleet issued pair of goggles for the same purpose.

“That he is, Ma’am. That he is.” The pride in her voice was unmistakable. “He’s also colorblind like me and my father, so… I guess it also helps him a bit.” Carnegie smiled. “Most tech already existed, but with his resources he gathered his own team of researchers made some tweaks here and there. Although mostly he focuses on the aesthetics side and on applying the same kind of technology to contact lenses. Starfleet issued me a pair of BCGs and he was adamant not to have his little sister wear them.” Eleanor’s smile widened. “I’m glad I don’t have to.”

Another few punches to the device and Carnegie’s military medical records appeared on the bed’s monitor. The doctor scanned all the pertinent numbers and levels, nodded her head and then looked at her patient. “Nothing too out of the ordinary, have their been any changes in your physical or mental health since your last exam?”

—Ziggy

Eleanor shook her head. “Not that I can think of.” She paused for a second pondering. “Although as reckless as I am, I’m surprised I don’t have accidents more often.”

Cpt. Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO

Ziggy smiled. “Reckless, huh? That’s something I never heard from a pilot.” The sarcasm in the Major’s voice was unmistakable. She knew there were reasons for most of the risk taking and carefree attitudes of pilots. Being an adrenaline junkie had its demands. Pilot’s usually answered the need by putting themselves in peril on purpose. She wouldn’t call one of the flyers on the carpet for their actions unless they became a problem, for them or someone else.

Eleanor chuckled. “What can I say… It’s in our nature.” She smiled widely.

“Do you have at least one other backup pair of spectacles in your quarters? I imagine the specifics of the particular design are built into your visor for when you fly?”

—Ziggy

Carnegie shook her head. “I do have a backup pair in my quarters, but I’m not allowed to use any aid when flying. I modified my own console to accommodate from my color vision and I’ve been using that setup for a few years now without any issue. I can distinctly visualize and distinguish everything I need. Given the job requirements Starfleet won’t let me fly fighters and Recon seemed rather keen on my…” She didn’t like to call it disability. “… difference. I can see camouflaged objects faster and with more ease than people with normal color vision can, which can be an asset, it seems. Wearing an adapted visor would take that advantage away… Not to mention they can’t take the chance of me not being able to fly my ship in the event something happens to my EVA suit.”

Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO

Taylor nodded. “Well, I was just about to suggest the possibility of cloning a new set of eyes, with perfect rods and cones, at one of the top ophthalmic hospitals, but it sounds like you already have an advantage just the way they are.”

Eleanor flinched at the thought. With the money her family had she wondered if that was the reason why her father and brother hadn’t considered that option. Carnegie smiled queasily. At least if she threw up she’d still be in sickbay…

She smiled at the Captain and made a note in her chart. “I’m clearing you for duty with the caveat that if anything changes, you’ll head here to Marmed, immediately.”

—Ziggy

“Aye, Ma’am.” Eleanor nodded. “I will. Thank you Doctor.” She moved to get up from the biobed. “Is there anything else you need from me?”

Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO

Taylor shook her head. “Not at the moment…was there something else you wanted to share?” Sometimes patients didn’t get their nerve up to ask about something personal until they were being dismissed. Zigman wanted to give Carnegie every chance to cover all her bases.

—Ziggy

Eleanor smiled warmly as she pushed her glasses firmly against the bridge of her nose. “Not that I can think of.” She said after a short pause to ponder. “But I will come back should that change.” The cordial smile kept on her face. “Thank you, Doctor.”

Carnegie turned to leave before turning back rather abruptly. “Oh, actually… I do have a question. We just did our psych evals before being assigned here, but the CAG is insistent that we should abide by fleet rules and be cleared both through medical and counseling…” She sighed. “My officers won’t be very happy when I tell them that they have to go to the ship’s counselor… and…” she paused and lowered her voice. “… here between us, I’m not so happy about it either…” Eleanor paused trying to phrase her next words. “I was wondering… is Marine Medical able to perform psych evals, or is the Chimera’s Counselor our only way?” She smiled again. “I think I know what you’re going to say, but… I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t ask… and honestly, I’d rather have something to back me up when I give my Squadron the… news.” The warm smile was back on her lips.

Cpt. Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO

“I’m actually a little disappointed MarMed wasn’t assigned a psych officer. Unfortunately, I’m not qualified to sign off on those evals either.” Taylor pressed her lips together in thought as she leaned against the bio bed. “My advice would be to contact the ship’s counselor and ask him or her if a transfer of findings from their last evaluation would be alright, since it’s so recent.”

Eleanor nodded in acknowledgment of the suggestion.

She stood straight and began walking Carnegie out, hoping to scoop up the next Marine in line. “I’d find out for you, but…” she looked out at the waiting room. “I’ve got a few hundred exams of my own to do. They’ll be coming in all day.” With a nod and a smile, Taylor headed for the reception desk to call the next name on the list.

—Ziggy

“Oh, of course. Thank you so much. You’ve been tremendously helpful.” Scanning the waiting room, Carnegie recognized a few familiar faces. “It looks like you already have some of my own waiting in line too.” She smiled at Zigman. “I’ll get out of your hair, Doctor. Have a nice day.” And with that, Eleanor turned and left sickbay.

Cpt. Carnegie, Recon Squadron CO