Upward Mobility
Posted on Wed Jun 25th, 2025 @ 9:38pm by Captain Daegan Baas & Lieutenant Ayumu Tanaka
1,796 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Sole Survivor
Location: Medical Center
Timeline: MD 16 - 1215
After the briefing Johannsson made his way back to the medical center to fill in Dr. Tanaka on what he missed. Ever since he came on board at SB 152 he just rubbed him, and other from what he had heard, the wrong way. And with Dr. Cussen's recall he had been the acting CMO.
Stopping outside the CMO's office he took a breath and let it out with a huff before entering. "Dr Tanaka, I just got back from the meeting with the senior staff." The disbelief still on his face, "You definitely need to here what Aseek told everyone."
"Oh, do I, now?" the Trill Lieutenant replied, turning to face him. "What have we got?"
Johannsson filled him in on the tale Aseek had to the the senior staff an the various reactions, including his own. The story of what they had faced and led them to make such a desperate attempt was unbelievable then. His retelling of the what Aseek's people called the "Defiled" didn't make it any more believable. He remained standing there in the open as as he finished he noticed Aseek going into the counselor's office; when he was done he tried to gauge what the Assistant CMO was thinking."
Which was easier said than done, especially considering that the Assistant CMO was much less emotive than Dr. Cussen. It was perhaps one of the main reasons that he was kind of intimidating, in that his static expression made him almost impossible to gauge.
"...Suspending my own disbelief that there has either existed or continues to exist a powerful contagion that can drastically and rapidly alter bone and muscle tissue," he suddenly spoke up, startling Johannsson in the process. "You mean to tell me that Starfleet Command is sending us to a planet where this virus in question has ravaged an entire civilization, without any way of knowing if the contagion is still present?"
Raising his hands defensively, Johannsson replied. "Hey don't ask me. Figuring out why we go where we go is above my pay grade....
Entering from the opposite alcove, "But not above mine." The Captain's chiseled jaw tilting slowly as he glanced for one medical officer to the other.
"Captain Baas, Sir," the CMO acknowledged, standing curtly at attention.
Johannsson's head turned quick at the voice and he flushed. "I'm sorry Captain, I was letting Dr. Tanaka know what was discussed with the senior staff and..."
"...and you were expressing your opinion. No harm in that." Looking to Tanaka. He hadn't had the opportunity to meet the man yet but looking a the fellow Trill he stepped closer.
"The fact that we don't know is precisely why we are going there. I would much rather the the story Mr. Tarnala told us be a complete fiction. But if there is virus, or other lifeform, that can do a fraction of what he claimed, we need to know. Starfleet Command wants us to find it, get whatever information we can and find a way to stop it. Personally, if there is something that does what he described...I'd want wipe it out of existence."
The CMO sighed. "Well, I can't say I'm happy about this, but if we're going to wipe this thing out, I would strongly suggest we take every necessary precaution to prevent exposure; full EV suits, decontamination procedures upon return- the whole nine yards; if what Mister Aseek says is true- and I say that with a big 'if'- then so much as a droplet on this ship could wipe the entire crew out in a matter of hours."
The stern faded and a bit of grin showed in his expression. "I could agree more. With these unknowns we can hope fore the best but have to prepare for the worst. Get with ops and see is it's possible to beam the away team up right out of their EV suits, if needed."
"Aye, Captain," the CMO nodded in the Affirmative.
"Good. Now IF those things do exist. How do you suggest we study something so dangerous without risking contaminating the ship?"
The CMO carefully pondered the question.
"Given the high virulence of the pathogen as Mister Aseek has described it, my first inclination would be to have any and all samples taken stored away in an isolation unit; anyone going into the unit will be required to wear an EV suit, and will have to be screened before entering for any tears in the suit through which an contaminants could enter. Additionally, I think that we should make the effort to decontaminate anyone who exits the ward before they take their EV suit off, so as to ensure that any possible contaminants aren't carried outside of the isolation unit."
He glanced up. "Perhaps I'm overthinking it, but seeing as we're currently in something of a Schrödinger's Cat scenario
where we have no way of knowing whether or not this thing even exists until we observe it for ourselves, I wouldn't be so keen as to leave it up to chance."
Crossing his arms as he thought on the Doctor's analogy. "Well I raised the question so that we'd have options at the ready if need but your bringing up of Schrödinger's Cat got me thinking about how we could box up one of those things."
"If we do box it up, it'll need to be in a sturdy and clearly-marked containment unit," the ACMO speculated. "Ideally something with a thick inner lining that will prevent substances from leaking out; seeing as I've already got to speak with Ops, I might as well inquire as to whether or not they can replicate the kind of container that I've got in mind."
"I think there is a simpler solution. We can park a small shuttle off the ship and beam one of them to the shuttle and run any medical scan through the shuttles internal sensors. And of course if there are any problems were and destroy it...breaking the vial as it were."
"Hadn't considered that, but it could be a safer alternative in the unlikelihood of a worst-case scenario," the ACMO replied. "I would still recommend all visiting personnel wear EV suits aboard the shuttle and undergo decontamination procedures upon beaming back, if largely to play it safe."
"Agreed. But only if it would be safe for anyone to be in proximity to these creatures. According to Aseek these...things are extremely violent."
The CMO blinked. "We're going to try beaming a live specimen into the shuttlecraft, Sir?"
He head tilted slightly, before looking to Johannsson. "Did you not tell him?" Looking back to Tanaka. "According to the stary these things are already dead."
"Well, not necessarily in regards to a living specimen before it would've become... well, defiled," Tanaka clarified. "But rather... whatever it is that they may have eventually mutated into."
"Regardless of how it is classified, if there is a subject we can isolate and transport we can transport it to a shuttle for study. Lets plan for study both in person within EV suit or remote study via the shuttles internal sensors. If you want any specific scan that are currently outside those sensors capabilities, make sure engineering makes the necessary modifications."
"Well, this may complicate things slightly..." Tanaka sighed as he ran a hand through his messy black hair. "But I'll get int touch with Lieutenant O'Riley and see what we can do, Captain."
"Excellent. How has everyone adjusted to Dr. Cussen's unexpected departure?
The CMO seemed a little surprised with the sudden change in subject.
"While Doctor Cussen's reassignment has been... unfortunate, I believe the department has been doing its best carry on in her absence," he responded. "At least until we can get a replacement CMO instated."
"That's good to hear. With all the sudden changes the crew has had to face in the short time since we left Utopia Planitia it's good to hear they are taking this in stride. Sooo... Since Starfleet didn't bring us a new CMO along with Commander Hunt, and it will probably be some time before the Valkyrie will be taking on any new crewmembers, we need to select someone from the current crew." Adding facetiously, "Any suggestions?"
Tanaka briefly pondered the question.
"My first thought would be to inquire into Counselor Troga's Medical credentials, but I understand that may be a shot in the dark," he proposed. "While I have heard of a few Counselors that have a secondary major in medicine, most I find choose to major in counseling and that's it."
Daegan kept a straight face but would have smirked as the ACMO returned the jab with one of his own. "Well I think we can leave Troga where she is. She was only just promoted so I don't think she would be up to the task." Thumbing over to Johannsson, "What about Doctor Johannsson? Think he can handle it?"
Doctor Tanaka scratched his chin. "Well, wouldn't have necessarily been his second choice, but if I recall his service records, he seems to have some fairly decent credentials- possesses a seven-year degree in Medicine, at least five years of service, an officially-recognized fellow of Starfleet Academy of Surgeons, has at least 1 year of experience working in a medical exchange program, has a fellowship in archeological medicine..."
Johannsson's head darted up sharply his eyes wide, relaxed almost as quickly when he saw the pair looking at him. "Not funny Sir..."
Returning to Tanaka, "Well Doctor, since Johannsson doesn't seem to want the job looks like you are stuck with it. Computer, senior officer appointment. Lieutenant Tanaka is hear by designated Chief Medical Officer for the USS Valkyrie. Authorization Baas, Gamma-91735-Echo."
The computer reply came quickly. "Acknowledge. All authorizations of Chief Medical Officer are transferred to Lieutenant Ayumu Tanaka."
Doctor Tanaka blinked in wide-eyed disbelief. "Thank... you, Sir?"
Well it definitely seemed that Trills were taking over the ship and he grinned at the though. "Congratulations."
Once the initial shock had finally worn off, A smile of gratitude graced Doctor Tanaka's expression- quite possibly the first time Johannsen had seen him doing so since he first came aboard.
"My, uh, sincerest thanks, Sir," he expressed. "While this promotion was wholly unanticipated, It would be a most dutiful honor to serve as your Chief Medical Officer."
Eventually you were going to have do drop that 'Assistant' and work without a net...but I'm sure you are up to the task."
Looking to Johannsen as he turned to leave. "Looks like you're off the hook. ...This time."
Captain Daegan Baas
CO
Dr. Johannsen
NPC played by Baas
Lieutenant Ayumu Tanaka
Chief Medical Officer
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