Medical: Ensign Eden Drake

Posted on Thu Aug 10th, 2023 @ 7:44pm by Ensign Eden Drake

1,203 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The devil wears tripolymer
Location: Sickbay, USS Wolff

ON:

Eden was frowning as he made his way to Sickbay. He may or may not have been sent yet another reminder for his checkup, having ignored a bunch of them. How many, he couldn't actually remember. This one had a header in red though, which he took to be a message to cut the crap. He was mindful he had a new chief to impress so had finally found the time between work and training to head down. It wasn't that he didn't like Sickbays or doctors, not really...well, maybe just a touch...but the prodding poking into his numerous old injuries wasn't welcome. Nor was the lecture he often got for his obsession with extreme sports.

So far the day had been relatively calm and Doctor Ross was sitting in her office going over a few reports like inventories, work schedules and other administrative things.

"Doctor?" Eden asked, but quietly as he approached, not wanting to make her jump. He had the expression of a man that had been caught out and he even gave a slight sigh before talking. "My check-up is...a little overdue."

Getting up from her chair, Hope offered a warm smile “Doctor Ross and we can get that taken care of pretty quickly, Ensign” she left it open ended and with a tone that was letting her guest know she didn’t know their name.

It took a moment for the security officer to realise the moment was being dragged out. A second longer than needed to become awkward he finally realised what the problem was. "Oh...Drake. Eden Drake. Security."

“Pleasure to meet you” the doctor said with a half smile and gestures toward the first bio bed in the main part of sickbay. “If you’ll have a seat” she suggested and moved to the bear by console to pull up his medical profile. “Anything currently bothering you Mister Drake?”

"Nope," he said quickly. Very quickly, without thought. Because no soldier worth their salt actually went into a doctor's office and told them the truth about their health. There was all kinds of doom attached to that.

“That’s a good start” she quickly glanced through his medical records.

Eden nodded, his lips pressed together unconsciously at the little white lie that had blurted out. Rule number one...show no weakness and the cracks look after themselves.

“Well Ensign” both of Hopes eyebrows raised “I see plenty of past injuries in your records.” The doctor had a tricorder in her hand by this time and started taking her own scans, looking for anything new or anything the officer might even know was bothering him yet.

"I was a soldier on my home before I even joined Starfleet," Eden admitted...and it felt like an admission to a doctor. Not that she seemed scornful. On the contrary, she seemed pretty...open for a doctor. A kind of 'been there, seen that' type.

Doctor Ross had started scanning the man sitting on the bio bed. “I can definitely see you’ve been through it physically” she looked up from her scans and at Drake.

Something about her air made him relax a touch at that, and he even gave a small, half smile. "I've had my fair share of fights," he agreed lightly, shrugging with it, but ever so slightly awkward in his right shoulder. "Truth is, I don't really know how to do anything else though...so here I am, wearing gold."

“I understand that” she said and continued her scans “I guess it’s my job to keep you patched up and in one piece.”

He couldn't help a slight half smile at the way she put it. It made it sound like they were cars taking a pit stop before being sent back out to the race. Actually, he quite liked that idea. "Do you like it?" he suddenly asked, as if only just considering that it might be an actual career choice.

“Absolutely” Ross looked up at him with a smile “it’s my passion and I feel like I was born to help folks.”

"That...must be a nice feeling to have," Eden said softly, glancing to his hands with dark, serious eyes. Because he couldn't say the same about his profession. Indeed, they were opposites in a way.

“Well unless there is something you need me to take a look at” Hope paused for a moment “or have any questions, you’re free to go.”

He hesitated a long moment. He didn't like kicking up a fuss, or admitting that something was less than fine for that matter. She seemed like a decent sort though. "Well...I guess my shoulder's been a bit...stiff lately."

“Just stiff?” Hope asked as she started a physical exam of his shoulder. “Do you remember injuring it?”

"Maybe...a bit of pain too..." he replied lightly, trying not to make out that it was a big deal or anything. "I might...have giving it a knock when I fell when climbing." A knock...a slam...it was all the same, right?

“On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the worst pain you can imagine” she paused and pressed a few buttons on the biobeds control panel. “How much is just a bit of pain” the Doctor asked with a soft and caring tone.

"Maybe...six?" he ventured, tilting his head as he gave it some thought, rather than just being dismissive of it. "Or...if I'm training, maybe...maybe it creeps up to a 7," he conceded, but clearly didn't want to look like a weakling.

“If you would lie down. I’d like to get some more detailed scans of your shoulder.”

Eden sighed softly, pursing his lips as he looked down at the bed before finally lying back, shifting to get more comfortable. Which was easier said than done.

“Would you like something for the pain” Doctor Ross asked as the computer started its scans. “I can give you something and you can take the rest of the day off” she was working up her treatment plan in her head but would know more shortly.

"No," he blurted out quickly, taking a breath to stop the rest of his words tumbling out. "Sorry," he added, slowly that time. "I just mean, I don't need the day off...I don't want my Chief asking questions. I barely know him yet."

“Very well” Hope agreed “I’m going to recommend physical therapy, but I won’t order you.”

Eden relaxed at that, letting out a slight breath as he nodded. "Thanks, Doctor," he said quietly, but sincerely. He'd met a mixed bag of doctors in his time, but she was a diamond.

“If there is nothing else, you are good to go” Doctor Ross smiled “but take it easy on that injury” Hope had a raised left brow.

"Aye Doc, aye Doc," he murmured as he pushed himself up, sighing as he got to his feet. "Thanks. I'll figure out a way to pay you back," he teased, straightening his jacket before heading out.

—
Lieutenant Hope Ross, MD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Wolff

Ensign Eden Drake
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Wolff

 

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