Posted by Lieutenant Siegfried Abel (Chief Medical Officer) in Side Sim -A meal… take two (CMO)

<snip>

“Oh that?” She laughed. “Medical is nothing. You should see the mayhem I cause in Security.” She winked and laughed. “Seriously though. I think what you are doing is amazing. And if I can be of any help, please, let me know.”

She watched him for a moment and thought about how much to say. Deciding to follow her head, she kept it a bit close to the chest. “That sim that I mentioned? It’s a battle with a Klingon Warrior. I am fascinated with it all. The Klingons, the culture, the battle techniques of their warriors, the philosophies.. all of it.” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “Because I’m Klingon. I’m sure you saw it when I was on the biobed up there,” she pointed to the decks above them. “Not many know. A few. It’s not something I broadcast.” She took another bite and a sip of her drink. “I guess I just don’t see the point. The eight chamber heart and a slightly harder than normal head, that’s almost all I inherited.”

Lissi
CE

Abel nodded. “I knew from your file. I try to remember all out of the ordinary medical facts about the crew. And if you dont wish it broadcast, that is entirely up to you… and I can sympathize. I have a similar issue in that although I appear human, I am not. I simply dont correct people when they make that assumption.”

Abel, CM

Lissi smiled and nodded. “I can appreciate some not wishing to broadcast. May I ask what you are, then? I admit I had assumed you were human, as well.”

Lissi
CE

He nodded as he took a bite, as if it was not only accepted… but expected. “I am Ardanan. Identical to humans, but from a different planet. It has been suggested that one of the two planets is a lost colony of the other, but our historical timelines are far too different to justify that.” He finished his soup and pushed it to the side,and then forward on the bed, his forearms crossed in front of him.

“Tell me about you? I do not believe I have ever met Klingon - human before. And is that why you are doing that holo simulation? Exploring your heritage?”

Abel, CMO

She smiled. “I’ve never met an Ardananian, before.” The word coming more as a question, wondering of pronunciation was correct.

When he asked about the holo program, she took a moment. Finishing the last two bites of spaghetti, she pushed her bowl next to his and took a drink.

She was warring with herself. Did she trust him? Her human side said yes. The trouble was, her Klingon side panicked.

She looked down at her hands, suddenly fascinated with her glass. “Not exactly.” She took a breath and looked up at him. “When I was born, my father named me his official first born, and therefore, heir to our House. It was the first time a half breed had ever been named. With no legal standing to object, the Council had no choice but to accept it.” She paused a moment, looking back at her hands. “My mother didn’t take the birthing well. With whispers of threats against us, Father used Mother’s health as an excuse to come back to Earth. So she could die amongst her family.”

She picked up the empty dishes and moved to the recycle. “I have one year. Well, nine months, now, til my next birthday. If I can’t stand before the Council and claim my birthright by then, they split my House, divide the assets, and can erase my lineage from the books.” She turned back to face him, hands resting on the counter ledge behind her. “Trouble is, if I’m challenged, and I will be, I have to not just survive. I have to win.” She stopped then, watching for Abel’s reaction. The Captain and XO knew. But no one else she could think of.

Lissi
CE

The confused look crossed his face again. “I’m not sure I understand. You are the heir, and there is no legal reason to object to that, but if you try to take your inheritance… they try to kill you?”

Abel, CMO

She nodded with a slight shrug. “It’s a cultural thing. My family’s House is a prominant House in the Council. It has always had a strong warrior for a leader. If I go and claim it, more than likely, I will be challenged. I am too human to not be challenged. They want to prove I am too soft, not strong enough, to lead my House.” She shook her head, knuckles whitening slightly as she gripped the counter harder. “The worst of it is, I don’t even have to BE there to rule my House. I could claim it, then come back to the Fleet and continue my career. It’s all about perception, though.” She sighed. “So there it is. Why I have been harming myself in the holo sim to get better.” She looked at him then down at her feet.

Lissi
CE

He looked at her for a long minute and then said “Why dont you hire an instructor? If I am not mistaken, as you have a familial obligation outside of your regular duties, the Fleet can… at their discretion, of course… allow for additional training or time to address said matters. Or, I can say it is a medical requirement. To prevent further injury.”

Abel, CMO

Lissi shook her head laughing. “Oh, good gods, please don’t say that. Word will get out I needed medical consideration for my training,” she shook her head. Unable to finish the thought, not sure how to explain so he’d understand, she just added, “Just please, don’t. As for an instructor, I’ve had all the instruction I need. It’s practical I need to work on. And because of the brutality and ‘life and death’ situation it could be, I won’t ask another member of the crew to do it with me. I don’t want to hurt a fellow crewman nor ask them to step up and harm me. Because they’ll have to.”

Coming back to sit down, and taking a drink, she sighed. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got a few more months. Even if I can only practice once a month, because of injuries,” she wriggled her wrist in reference, “I should be ready.”

Lissi
CE

“But surely you would learn more in combat against an actual opponent than a simulation… no matter how realistic.” and he thought for a moment and then said “I can arrange that, if you like. And it will be kept quiet, I assure you.” His eyes held a look of sincerity and concern, and his tone conveyed nothing but a desire to help.

Abel, CMO

She looked at him a long moment. No one in all the years she had been preparing, had ever offered to help. And this… Doctor… was willing to help. And he was willing to accept her need for privacy and secrecy. She tilted her head slightly, “Why? Is it just so I don’t keep coming to medical?”

Lissi
CE

He looked at her, confused, as if the answer to the question was so simple he couldn’t understand why she didn’t know it. “Why?” he asked.

“Because you need the help. And we should always help when we can.”

Abel, CMO

She wished life was so easy. It almost pained her with jealousy that life was so simple in his eyes. “You are right, of course.” She smiled and inclined her head. “I am flattered you would be willing to help. And I would be remiss, and probably stupid, if I didn’t take you up on it. Thank you. Just let me know what you want of me for it. I will definitely owe you one.” She laughed softly.

Lissi
CE

He smiled and said “No, you won’t. I am happy to help. Let me make some calls… I’ll see if I can find someone to assist you in your quest.” and he chuckled.

Abel, CMO

She smiled and nodded. “You are kind. Thank you. Though I think I may have to make another trip to come see you soon. We should have done my physical before eating. Shouldn’t we have?” She laughed thinking she had once more blown seeing the Doctor. She just hoped the Captain wouldn’t be too hard on her if she had to come back in the morning cause she ate.

Lissi
CE

He laughed and waved her off. “Your physical is done. I filed it before we left. No sense in putting off till tomorrow and such.” and he smiled at her.

Abel, CMO

She laughed. “Thank you, Abel. I enjoyed today. I hope, if time permits, we can do it again? I don’t want to keep you for too long.”

Lissi
CE

He looked at her and a hesitant smile crossed his face and a slight redness appeared on his cheeks. “Would… um… would you like to have dinner, maybe? With me, I mean… tonight?” and he exhaled slightly, as if the question required more effort than just speaking.

Abel, CMO

It surprised her, to be sure. But not as much as the fact she had considered asking him, but hadn’t wanted to be overly forward. “Actually, I would like that very much. Where shall I meet you and when?” She picked up and finished her tea.

Lissi
CE

He grinned at her acceptance and said “How about 18 Forward? Say… 1900? But my schedule at that time is open, if something else works better for you.”

Abel, CMO

Lissi shook her head. “No, that’s great. Shift turnover is done by seventeen hundred. Will you still be in uniform? I can remain in mind if you prefer. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” She was still swimming in the thoughts of how this soft spoken, philanthropic man was going to help her with Klingon fighting skills.

Lissi
CE

He puzzled over the thought and then said “I would prefer to be out of my uniform with you, if that is all right?” and he smiled at her.

Abel, CMO

She smiled back, “I would like that a lot. I will be as well, then. Would you like more to drink?” She reached for his cup. “Or do you need to head back?”

Lissi
CE

He looked at the time and said “Unfortunately, I will have to return to my duties. But I really enjoyed this. And I think dinner will be just as pleasant. Or at least… I hope so.”

Abel, CMO

She smiled and nodded. “I am sure it will be just as, if not more so. Go,” she nodded to the door. “I’ll clean up here and wipe off the bed.” She laughed. “I know where stuff is.”

Lissi
CE

He smiled and said “Very well. Have a good day, Lissi.”

Abel, CMO

“You as well, Abel.” She watched him go then finished cleaning up and wiping the table as promised. Then she went back to work, this time looking forward to shift being over.

Lera
CE