The rhyme of reason

[T'aral 0]

Lt. Baliss reported to T'Aral within minutes with the bad news: Lt. Tauariki had come across something that didn't agree with him. Based on his earlier records he was going to be fine, but his physical would need to be delayed for at least two weeks while his system cleaned out whatever he got into.

 

T'Aral nodded and dismissed the Leutenant, noting the delay in the daily medical log. These things happened occasionally, and was nothing to worry about. Of greater concern, however, were the disparaging remarks she overheard from the main bay. It seemed that Leutenant Tauariki believed that it was her intent to 'bleed' him, as if the most advanced medical technologies of Starfleet could not acertain fundamental medical data without inflicting pain.

 

T'Aral hadn't had a chance to consult with other physicians on other starships, but the trend she was observing on board the Creek was undeniable - and it was getting worse. The crew had no faith in Starfleet regulations, or in her in particular. She was clearly seen as some kind of pest - a malignance among the crew with no useful purpose until someone becomes injured or deathly ill. The concept that regulations had a purpose, or that a medical officer would have a reason for wishing to review the physical condition of those they were responsible for either didn't occur to any of the crew, or they just didn't care.

 

The rationale for Starfleet's regulations regarding entry physicals was clear: each physician was to examine crew members in their care to familiarize themselves with the crewmember's physical responses under optimum condition. If there were any eccentricities ( which there almost inevitably were ) the physician would be able to familiarize themselves with the condition, ask any needed questions, and note them in their own records. The result was improved care through opimum attention.

 

T'Aral knew that the crew would not understand - they would not understand because emotional beings had a trait of picking and choosing what they understood. If it was something they agreed with, they understood instantly. If it was something they did not agree with, understanding would never come. Seeing a matter from a perspective other than their own was not within their capacity. It was disappointing in many ways; she had spent a great deal of effort over the years seeking to promote understanding of others among her fellow Vulcans, encouraging the concept of Kol-Ut-Shan among those who served with other races. Yet if other races rejected Vulcans because of their logic, was seeking t'traih-ve advisable? Perhaps it would be better if Vulcans did isolate themselves, seeking their own serenity while allowing the emotional races of the galaxy to pursue their interests undisturbed by logic.

 

There were no clear answers; T'Aral didn't assume that there would be. She paused a moment to collect herself; re-directing her thoughts to more productive venues. There was nothing that could be done, and so there was no point in considering the matter further. If her thoughts did not order themselves soon, she would write to Steln.

Edited August 10, 2010 by T'aral