What to do with four weeks ...

[T'aral 0]

[Apex Medical Center, New Topeka.]

 

As T'Aral stepped into the doctor's lounge, the hall broke into applause. She paused for a moment, allowing the more emotional species she had to work with to express themselves before she acquired her lunch. It had been four weeks since she had returned from the New Vulcan colony, and the Comanche Creek was still in dock for extended shore leave. Her experience had left her feeling clearer of mind and more acutely focused than she had ever felt before. Among other species it was customary to use such opportunities to develop new hobbies or to catch up on reading. T'Aral used her newfound focus to earn her Field Surgeon certification.

 

While she was not qualified to engage in organ transplants, neural grafting, or other complicated surgical procedures, it did mean that she was fully qualified to perform immediate surgical procedures meant to stabilize a patient until they can be transported to a more suitable facility for advanced care. For T'Aral it would be enough: she was a ship's doctor. Her assignment was to provide immediate care - patients who needed more extensive care would be taken to the nearest starbase or suitable colony.

 

As she settled at a private table to eat, a jovial voice split through the air to grate on her nerves. "Well hello Doctor T'Aral, and congratulations!"

 

Not bothering to look up, she acknowledged the voice. "Thank you, Doctor Leene."

 

The overbearing Denobulan sat across from her. "Now that you're a surgeon, I expect I'll see more of you?"

 

"Unlikely. I am a ship's doctor, and am committed to go where the vessel goes."

 

Leene seemed to pout, but then smiled amiably. "So; have you had a chance to review my latest dissertation on alternative therapies?"

 

"No, I have not. I have had other activities to pursue." She thought that even Leene would have appreciated how much focus was required to obtain a surgeon's certificate - even a basic one - in so short a period of time. Apparently he did not.

 

Again Leene pouted. "Oh T'Aral - you simply must review my work. I so look forward to your incisive critiques!"

 

She looked up. "Really Doctor - you should know by now what my reviews of your techniques will say. I have consistently compared your methods to those to a tribal shaman of a stone-aged civilization."

 

The Denobulan grinned in reply. "... but you've never claimed that I'm wrong!"

 

"Your method is sound; the evidence given through the results you obtain. It is simply a matter that you don't explore why your methods function as well as they do. You seem satisfied that they work, without an explanation."

 

He nodded cheerfully. "The patient's recovery is what is truly important. If I explore further I might have to cause my patients discomfort. I'm rather appalled at the prospect." He finally stood up. "In any case, I would be honored if you would review my work at your earliest convenience."

 

Finishing her lunch, T'Aral stood. "I doubt that I will have an opportunity, as regenerative therapy is not my field of study. I have a full schedule of presentations and dissertations on traumatic injury and first response medicine to review, for that is what is applicable to my work."

Edited September 27, 2012 by T'aral