Snip

“Everything should be in my file. I have not had any illness or injury of note and only a mild allergy to human stimulants.” He lay with his hands folded on his abdomen and appeared to be quite relaxed. The scans showed a typical scan one might expect for a Vulcan of his years. There was one thing of note though: there was definitely some wear and tear on one of his heart valves. It was a fairly common ailment in older Vulcans, though it usually happened closer to the age of 200.

Stovik
Science Specialist

Leah nodded, seeing the mention of the stimulant allergy. “We have updated records it seems, so that is good,” she said, partially talking aloud to herself, but also confirming that fact for her patient.

“The scan looks mostly good, but there’s some mild damage on your heart valve I’d like to take a closer look at it. I’m going to run a deep cardiovascular scan. it’ll take a few minutes,” she said, initiating the scan.

“Have you been having any issues with circulation, or shortness of breath?” Hart asked.

~Leah Hart, NP

Stovik remained motionless upon the biobed, his hands still folded neatly across his abdomen as he listened to the nurse practitioner’s assessment. The faint rise and fall of his chest was steady and controlled, betraying none of the concern that might have accompanied such news in many patients.

“That finding is not entirely unexpected,” he replied calmly. “I became aware of a minor irregularity approximately three years ago during a routine examination conducted by the Vulcan Science Academy Medical Directorate.”

His eyes shifted briefly toward the diagnostic display before returning to Leah.

“The degeneration appears to be progressing at a slower rate than normally projected. Vulcan physicians attribute it primarily to age, though they note the condition generally manifests several decades later in most individuals.”

A slight pause followed. “I have experienced occasional episodes of mild fatigue following prolonged periods of physical exertion. There have also been infrequent instances of slight dyspnea during strenuous activity. However, these symptoms have not significantly impaired my duties.”

Her eyebrows rose as she realized that none of that was in the records before her. Well, that was fun. There were always bound to be irregularities, even when everyone assumed transferring records to be a straightforward process.

His expression remained composed. “Given my history of temporal displacement, extended deep-space service, and exposure to numerous anomalous environments, some deviation from statistical norms would not be illogical.”

The corner of one eyebrow rose slightly. “Although I suspect my physicians on Vulcan would disagree with my tendency to classify such matters as merely ‘interesting data.’”

He settled back against the biobed.

“Please proceed with the cardiovascular scan, Nurse Hart. I would be interested in comparing your findings with the Academy’s most recent projections.”

Stovik
Science Specialist

“I already did,” she said, giving the Vulcan a wink. He might not respond to or get the gesture, but she was who she was. “I don’t seem to have any of the records pertaining to your heart valve, so I’m going to have to go hunt them down I think. It happens. But we can go over them together and you can tell me if there are changes.” Would she do that with every patient? No. But he had been a medical officer and knew what he was looking at, just as much as she did, perhaps even more so given his long history.

She entered a few more keys as the scan continued and then waited for the results.

~Leah Hart, NP

Stovik observed the wink without visible reaction, though after a moment there was the faintest inclination of his head in acknowledgment. “That is a prudent course of action, Nurse Hart.” He folded his hands neatly atop the blanket.

“The original diagnosis was made approximately twelve years ago by specialists at the Vulcan Science Academy Medical Annex. At that time, degenerative changes were identified within the posterior leaflet of the valve. Progression was measured at less than one-half of one percent annually, well below the threshold requiring intervention.”

After a brief pause, he added, “The condition was classified as consistent with age-related valvular degeneration occasionally observed in Vulcans beyond their first century of life. My physicians found the onset somewhat earlier than expected, though not unprecedented.”

Reaching toward the small satchel resting beside the biobed, he produced a slim data crystal and offered it to her. “I anticipated that Starfleet’s transfer archives might prove incomplete.”

The statement carried no criticism, merely observation. “This contains the most recent cardiovascular assessment from the Academy, conducted eight months ago.”

The accompanying report displayed:

Vulcan Science Academy Medical Annex – Cardiovascular Review
Patient: Stovik, Son of Sodoc
Age: 127 Standard Years

Findings:

• Mild degenerative thickening of posterior valve leaflet.
• Trace regurgitation detected.
• No evidence of significant circulatory impairment.
• Cardiac output remains within expected parameters for age and species.
• No arrhythmias detected.
• No surgical intervention indicated.

Projected Progression:

• Estimated increase in degeneration: 0.3–0.5% annually.
• Re-evaluation recommended every 12 months.
• Prognosis: Excellent.

Stovik regarded the monitor displaying the new scan results.

“It will be informative to determine whether the intervening months aboard the Sentinel have altered those projections.” His expression remained characteristically neutral.

“Although I confess a degree of curiosity. The Academy physicians repeatedly informed me that curiosity is an unreliable substitute for preventative medicine.”

Stovik
Science Specialist