Posted by Ensign Mark Atlas (Doctor) in Sickbay- Doctor Atlas Reports In

Posted by Lieutenant Satreya Boja (Chief Medical Officer) in Sickbay- Doctor Atlas Reports In

Posted by Ensign Mark Atlas (Doctor) in Sickbay- Doctor Atlas Reports In
Mark yawned heavily as he stood outside the doors to Sickbay. He was exhausted. The young doctor had gotten roughly 5 hours of sleep in the last 48 hours. With all the shuttle transfers and transporting, he barely had a moment where he wasn’t traveling. He was told by the OOD on the Quarterdeck that he didn’t have to report to his Department Head until tomorrow, but Mark wanted to get it done and out of the way as soon as possible. The way he saw it, the sooner he could get introductions out of the way, the sooner he could start putting his training to good use.

He stepped forward as the Sickbay doors rushed open, allowing Mark to witness the massive medical suite within. Gazing at the surgical suite, the full lab, and the rows of biobeds, he could hardly contain his excitement. Eventually, one of the nurses interrupted the Doctor’s amazement. “Can I help you?” she asked inquisitively. Mark snapped out of it. “Oh.” He said. “Yeah. I’m here to meet the CMO.” The statement ended up sounding like more of a question.

“Oh, okay.” The nurse smiled. “It’s that door right back there.” She pointed behind her. “Why don’t you go see if she’s in.”

“Thanks.” Mark said as he walked past the front desk and to the door of the Chief Medical Officer. He took one last deep breath. He really didn’t care for meeting new people. Those awkward first encounters were never his favorite. He pressed the chime beside the door.

“Enter” came a melodic voice from the other side of the door.

When the door opened, Mark stepped inside, looking around quickly to get his bearings before his eyes focused on the CMO. He stood straight but relaxed and spoke slowly and clearly, as if trying to remember the words. “Ensign Mark Atlas. Doctor. Reporting for duty.” He paused as if he forgot something. “....ma’am.” Really, dude? He thought to himself. You can suture and abdominal aortic aneurysm but you can’t remember how to report in?

Ensign Mark Atlas, Doctor

She gazed at him with ebony eyes and smiled lightly. “At ease, Ensign and come on over and have a seat. I think you’ll find I’m pretty relaxed, and when there aren’t other department folk around or command staff, Satreya is just fine by me. Unless you prefer the formalities, in which, I’ll accept Dr. Boja. ‘Ma’am’ can be a bit much when we’re elbow deep in our patients,” she said with a wink, leaning back in her chair so that her chin length strawberry blond hair shifted away from her face. For the moment though she didn’t ask any questions, but wanted to see how he responded to her. The gifted telepath was paying attention to whatever reaction was created so she could amend her responses accordingly. She wanted him to be comfortable, after all.

Lt. Boja, CMO

Initially, Mark was taken aback. Rarely did his superiors in the Academy or during his time working in Medical Treatment Facilities speak to him with such a relaxed tone. Often they would wave him off as just another student with just another stupid question, but this seemed different for some reason. Maybe he was just a young ensign who didn’t know any better. Or maybe… Mark thought. He ran his fingers through his black hair, pulling it back with his palm. He often did this when he was nervous or frustrated. As he looked at the woman in front of him, he studied her face for a moment. The most notable feature for him was the ridge on her forehead. Mark didn’t have very much experience with other races, as the hospitals he’d worked at treated mostly humans, but there was something significant about it.

Returning focus on the doctor’s words, Mark gave her a crooked grin. “Yes ma’…” He exhaled through his nose with a slight laugh. “…Satreya.” He said as his deep Tennessee accent became more apparent. The doctor pulled the chair from in front of him and took a seat. He leaned back in the chair, but maintained a good posture. Mark’s fingers became interlocked in his lap with the thumbs pointed up. He once again tried to see what he was missing. It was then that he finally perceived the black eyes, characteristic of a Betazoid.

“Ahh, fast learner,” she teased.

Oh great. Mark thought to himself, his smile wincing for all but a moment. She’s in my head. Mark had only a few encounters with Betazoids in his short career, but they every one of them loved to psychoanalyze. If there was one thing he didn’t care for, it was people trying to understand him. He composed himself before speaking. “Well then please feel free to call me Mark…or Flip…honestly, whatever you feel like calling me. I’ll respond to it all.”

Ensign Mark Atlas, Medical

Boja looked amused. “I could call you Amadeus or Digger or something else entirely, but it would be a bit useless to just shout something at you and expect you to respond.” Yes, she was teasing again. “I think I’ll stick with Mark. But… Flip?” Her rose rose, creasing her forehead against her ridge. She had no nickname here. the only nickname she had ever had her dear friend (and now ex-husband) called her and it sort of seemed to be his name. Teller had opted to not use it and while she hadn’t been opposed to the idea, it did seem… right.

Lt. Boja, CMO