The Chief Medical Officer

Posted on Thu Jun 11th, 2020 @ 4:37am by Captain Cynthia Jackson
Edited on on Thu Jun 11th, 2020 @ 4:58am

697 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Mission 3 - Coming Full Circle
Location: Sickbay

It had been a long and fitful night, spent alone after everyone left her quarters. She had plans to meet up with Neza after she checked in with sickbay, to look into what was causing these strange apparitions. No, that wasn’t the right word. Apparitions didn’t tie you to the bed.

Showered and in her uniform, blue hair brushed and tied back in a ponytail, she arrived early into sickbay to get her next dose of medication before getting to work.

She stopped in her tracks when she saw a man in a blue uniform and Lieutenant stripes treating her patients. A man she didn’t recognize.

“Who the fuck are you?”

"Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Cole Derring. And you are...?" he asked drawing out the question. He rose, curious as to who his visitor was.

"Wot?" Jane's brow furrowed as she looked at the sickbay scene. Some officers were working as Cole had directed, while others stood on the sidelines, as confused as Jane by the interloper in their workspace.

Nurse T'Kal approached Jane from the left. "He's been here ten minutes, Doctor. We were...uncertain what to do."

"It's fine," Jane whispered before stepping closer to Cole. "I've heard your name. You're Neza's squeeze, right?"

"I suppose that's one way of putting it," he replied laughing merrily. "Still, who are you?"

This smug asshole was usurping her position, frightening many of her staff, and hurting her sister. Dr. Sinclair was pledged to do no harm, but also defend her shipmates and her friends from outside threats. Whoever this was, he was doing harm.

And if questioned about it, she could claim that she was behind on her anti-Vivyra medication.

And so she took a swing and punched Cole in the gut.

“I’m Jane Sinclair. MD and DVM. Chief Medical Officer of USS Legacy. And big sister to Neza Glenn. I don’t know who or what you really are, but you’re harming this ship and Neza. And you need to stop. Now.”

"I don't know who you are, either," Cole replied as he felt his gut. "However, I do know that it is a court martial offense to strike an officer." He immediately hit a panel on his console and said, =^= Security to sick bay. This is Dr. Cole Derring. I have been struck by an officer. Request assistance immediately. =^=

Silence followed. Ten seconds later, the comm system activated. “Security to sickbay. Doctor Sinclair, do you require assistance? There’s someone claiming to be one of your staff calling for us.”

Jane walked to the wall to activate a comm panel. “This is Doctor Sinclair. Intruder alert. I don’t know who or what he is, but he’s claiming to be Chief Medical Officer.”

Response time was low. Two armed guards were at the sickbay entrance within thirty seconds. “He’s been ordering around medical staff and harassing the Chief Science Officer. Take him into custody.”

"Why should we take the Chief Medical Officer into custody? We have no complaint from Lieutenant Glenn and according to the Ticker Tape, I am fairly certain they are dating," one of the security officers said.

The other looked oddly at both Sinclair and Derring and asked, "Why do I think you're both the Chief Medical Officer? I thought that only you were the Chief Medical Officer, Lieutenant Sinclair and yet, I remember Doctor Derring, as well." He looked blankly at the doctors hoping for an explanation.

Jane sighed. "Computer. Identify. Who is the Chief Medical Officer of USS Legacy?"

The computer chimed and replied in its preprogrammed feminine voice. "Lieutenant Jane Sinclair. Chief Medical Officer. Doctor of Medicine. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine."

She looked Cole in the eye. "Computer. Is there a Cole Derring aboard this ship?"

"There is a Cole Derring aboard this ship," the computer answered. "Cole Derring is the Chief Medical Officer on the USS Legacy."

Jane was astonished. "What position is Jane Sinclair?"

"Jane Sinclair is the Chief Medical Officer on the USS Legacy."

Derring looked at Sinclair and Jane looked back. Simultaneously, both said, "Something must be wrong with the computer. I must talk to Cindy at once!"

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