Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aaron Williams (Chief Science Officer) in Personal Sim - Arboretum on Deck 5

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Ven Miya (Chief Medical Officer) in Personal Sim - Arboretum on Deck 5

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aaron Williams (Chief Science Officer) in Personal Sim - Arboretum on Deck 5
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻
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“Look, um…” He searched for something to say. “I-I don’t feel ready too. It seems like I arrived aboard the ship yesterday, and this post is frightening me as much as you! But here I am. And people are counting on us.”

Miya took a ragged breath. Of course - you’re not the only one thrust into a new role, you silly barrowbug! At least you’re a department head in a specialism you know. Aaron’s been made Chief Science Officer! Even though doctors had to know a great deal of science to engage with their training, Miya was sure that science officers had far more in-depth and specific knowledge than medics possessed. He’s probably got his own concerns and doesn’t need to bother about yours!

I don’t know if what I’m saying is really helping, he thought. She is reminding me when I enter the…

Thinking of the day he enters the academy, something reminds him something: “You know, when…when I was at the Academy, I said to a teacher the same thing you just told me. That I wasn’t ready for… such responsibilities, that I didn’t know how to be a doctor. And this teacher told me this :

- If you don’t know you to be a doctor, then pretend to be one. Every time someone asks you something, pretend to know. Every day, pretend to know what you are doing, act like a doctor. And one day, when you’ll wake up… You won’t need to act anymore.

He paused. Waiting. And then: “Do you see what I mean ?”

Lieutenant JG Aaron Williams, CSO

She frowned, then, as the advice sunk in, she managed a trembling laugh, still feeling on the verge of tears. “You mean … I should fake it? Till I - well, till I make it, till I feel like I know what I’m doing?” It was so absurd, but it made perfect sense - sort of. “So the more I pretend to be CMO, the more I’ll eventually become one?” Miya chuckled properly, now.

“Yeah, I know”, said Aaron with a chuckle. “It sounds a bit crazy, but you don’t ‘till you try. Well, I guess so…”

“I’m not going to lie, Aaron, it sounds like crazy advice - and yet I can imagine a counsellor saying something like that! Maybe I’ll even end up saying it to someone else, in the future, wherever that future lies.” Miya sniffed back her tears, trying to smile at her friend. “So - did you try it? Did you pretend, all the way through the Academy? And did it work for you?” She was genuinely interested in his response.

[Lt JG Ven Miya, CMO, calming down]

Aaron takes a pause, thinking about what he will answer to Miya. He thought… about that day when he had to help his roommate with his studies, back in his little apartment.
He thought… about the day when he had to perform surgery in a holodeck simulation.
He thought about his parents, and his mother, who taught him medical basics.
He thought about the day he graduated.
About the Tribbles.
About his new pin.
About the ship.
About himself.

All of those thinking, those emotions flowing inside Aaron’s head, searching for an answer. He looked at Miya and said: “I don’t think I faked it. I think… I forced myself to… be me. To be what I wanted to do, not… just what I was. I don’t know if it’s really clear, but… what I mean is that you don’t have to pretend, but to have a model, one that inspires you, so that one day, you take the better part of him for yourself. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop being what you are. Not to be someone else, but to evolve.”

Lieutenant JG Aaron Williams - CSO

“To evolve ....” she repeated softly, her brow furrowed as she thought through the implications of Aaron’s words. If she, Miya, was meant to be Chief Medical Officer of the Challenger - and certainly the captain, XO and Starfleet Academy considered her capable of the task - then somehow, she would have to evolve into that role. Not step into it fully fledged, but develop like .... her gaze caught a delicate white flower hanging from slim tendril of blue-green vine … Like a bud becoming a flower. I need to grow into this. It’ll take time, but I have time. And more importantly, the Prophets want me to be here, in Starfleet, so they must approve of this decision too …

She took a deep breath, then let it out and turned back to Aaron. “Thank you, my friend. Thank you for being so wise. I think,” she gave an embarrassed half-laugh, “I think I should thank the Prophets for making sure you’re still on the Challenger, too. It would be much, much harder doing this without you!” Miya reached out one hand, intending to take Aaron’s in a gentle grasp. “Thank you so much for your advice. I’ll do my best to heed it - but I may need to hear it again, sometime, before I feel I’ve really become Chief Medical Officer in fact, not just in name!”

[Lieutenant JG Ven Miya, CMO]
Aaron laughs: “Oh! I’m not that wise! I’ve just said what crossed my mind. But we are here to help each other if you need it.” He smiles at her, reassured. We all have ups and downs, I guess.

Looking around him, the fake sun was setting, and the lights were fading away. “Want to walk a bit, before the ‘night’ ?”, he asked her friend.

Lieutenant JG Aaron Williams, CSO

Miya sighed, some of her distress ebbing away. She still felt like an imposter - that would, no doubt, take time to dissipate - but while she was CMO of the Challenger she’d definitely work her hardest and do her best. And, as her parents had continually reminded her, even the Prophets couldn’t ask more of her than that.

“Yes. I’d love that, thanks.” She smiled at her friend. “Do you know there’s a Bajoran plant in this arboretum? A Feloran bromeliad - it’s definitely worth seeing; I can take you to it, if you want. Are there any of your favourite Earth plants here?”

[Lieutenant JG Ven Miya, CMO]