STF

Side Sim - SB Observation Deck (open)

Posted Jan. 17, 2021, 6:56 p.m. by Lieutenant Drake Marshall (Emergency Medicine/Chief of Surgery) (Sage Pennington)

Posted by Ensign Dr. Mariah Lee Grayson (Psychiatrist) in Side Sim - SB Observation Deck (open)

Posted by Lieutenant Alexis Bonner (Assistant Chief Medical Officer) in Side Sim - SB Observation Deck (open)

Posted by Lieutenant Drake Marshall (Emergency Medicine/Chief of Surgery) in Side Sim - SB Observation Deck (open)
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

Drake was staring out a window. He had a mug of coffee in his hand, long since forgotten about. His mind wandered absently to the times behind him, things he’d rather forget.

-Drake Marshall

Alexis was taking a much needed break from staring at the computer screen all day. She had thought when she took the position of AMO that the amount of desk work wouldn’t bother her. She was always neck deep in PaDDs and research. Apparently she hadn’t been as stuck to her desk before as she though. She rolled her shoulders, tipped her head side to side to work out the cramps and stretched her arms. She was going to have to take Thor out for a run. Maybe get some holodeck time so that he could really enjoy it. She stopped at one of the small stalls on the promenade for a coffee and then wondered around until she ended up on the observation deck. Instead of taking a seat, hadn’t she been sitting enough, she stood by the windows, sipping her coffee.
Lt Bonner, AMO

Someone approaching made Drake turn, if only to be sure he wasn’t needed. “Lieutenant.” He greeted her. Drake didn’t know much of the AMO, only that she had not been assigned to the Ogawa long and she seemed good enough at her job.

He took a sip of cold coffee and almost spat it out. “I’ve been standing here longer than I thought.”

-Drake Marshall

Alexis nodded, “Lt. Marshall isn’t it? I’m Lt Bonner.” She hadn’t had a chance to meet many people on the med staff yet other than the nurses, and of course Dr. Walker. But as far as she was concerned she hadn’t had to put out any fires for the medical staff so that was a plus in her book. Not even for the officers Walker had warned her about.

“I suppose I’ll be your Chief of Surgery. Though I’m sure Dr Walker introduced you to my reputation before you started work.” Drake always wondered what new staff would think. It wouldn’t much change him, but it was interesting to observe.

Alexis nodded, “Indeed he did. He said you don’t like the word ‘no.’” She shrugs, “I don’t particularly like it either. But I have learned that no doesn’t mean I’m wrong, or that my suggestions aren’t being considered, but that there are other better suggestions, or factors that make my advice not the best. He also said you were stubborn. A trait I can admire in another doctor.” She smiled slightly finding humor in what she said next, “But that’s okay. I’m stubborn too. I’ve never met a brick wall that was able to best me.”

She grimaced in sympathy at the cold coffee. They weren’t far from the little cafe she got her coffee from. “Need to get a refill?”
Lt Bonner, AMO

“Indeed. When your mind is elsewhere, the coffee doesn’t stay warm.”

-Drake Marshall

Alexis wasn’t great at offering non medical advice or advice of any kind in a social situation. She was however good at listening, and if it was a medical issue, study, research, or a patient, those were areas she understood. “Perhaps it’s overly familiar, but if you need a sounding board, I am always available.” She didn’t mind stubborn officers. She was stubborn, she always thought she was right, and had that arrogant confidence that most doctors adopted. Those things didn’t bother her. Walker didn’t really have much to say about Marshall. Jarvis on the other hand, he’d warned her extensively about. “Let’s get you a fresh cup,” she offered nodded her head back the way she had come from.
Lt. Bonner, AMO

Drake followed her lead. “It’s just memories. Not enough counselling in the galaxy for all the craziness surgeons deal with.” When they came to the counter, Drake returned his now frigid mug and placed a new order. “More coffee, please. As strong as it comes.”

-Drake Marshall

Alexis nodded. “I’ve always heard the saying ‘who counsels the counselor,’ and it’s a good question. But when do doctor’s have time for a counselor is a better question.” Personally Alexis never had a problem talking to counselors. She rather liked them and appreciated the amount of study and skill it took to do their jobs. That however, didn’t curb her distrust of a certain COP on board at the moment. But that was a personal issue. After Marshall got his fresh coffee and wandered away from the counter to make room for the next person. “What should I know about working with you Lt?” Alexis was horrible at small talk and putting people at ease, but she’d also rather find out about him herself than rely on the opinions of others. She hoped the question came across as honest as she meant it rather than offensive.

Lt. Bonner, AMO

Drake hesitated. “I am the way that I am for a reason. It works.”

After a couple of hours catching up on progress notes, Mariah decided to reward herself with a walk about and some decent coffee and pastry. Even though the psychiatrist spent her working life talking to people, she still craved social interaction at times, interactions that didn’t require intense focus on a particular goal or one person’s specific needs. Grayson just enjoyed being around others, taking in their smiles or even just their activities. It helped her to feel connected to people when she might otherwise feel isolated. Of course, the caffeine and pastry were a nice bonus. Letting her nose lead the way, she soon found herself at the counter of a little place she had visited for the first time just the day before. She spotted a couple of her crewmates not too far away, but they appeared to be in conversation and she didn’t want to interrupt. Smiling at the barista, who handed her her coffee and a delectable chocolate chip muffin, she thanked her and turned to find a place to sit.

Lori: I hope it’s OK I replied to the open thread. I don’t want to step on any toes, so feel free to ignore Grayson until or if it makes sense to notice her. A part of me couldn’t resist because you guys mentioned counselors. :-)

~Dr. Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist
OOC: I’m good with that
IC: Alexis looked over spoting another member of the Ogawa crew. She hadn’t met her yet but she had seen her walking around the area of the Starbase assigned to them and of course she’d been reviewing crew files as well. She waved the officer over. “Come join us. I’m Lt Bonner.” she held out her hand.
Lt Bonner, AMO

“Doctor Grayson.” Drake greeted the newcomer. He didn’t mean it as curtly as it perhaps sounded.

-Drake Marshall

Hearing her name, Mariah approached Bonner and Marshall, offering her own hand and shaking that of the ACMO’s warmly. She wasn’t sure how to interpret Marshall’s tone and feared she had unintentionally interrupted something that was meant to be private despite the fact she had been invited over. “Hello. Please forgive me. I hope I am not interrupting you both. It appears we have all discovered this gem of a place.”

~Doctor Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

Drake shook his head. “Not interrupting at all. Should we find somewhere to sit?”

-Drake Marshall

Alexis nodded and scanned the area spotting a table not too far from where they all stood and waved over towards it. She took a seat and turned towards Grayson. “It’s nice to meet you Dr. Grayson. What brings you out today?” She sipped her coffee enjoying the warmth of the mug in her hands. The starbase environmental controls seemed cold to her, but that might just be her reaction to the craziness that was the infection when she came on board.
Lt Bonner, AMO

Mariah followed Alexis and Drake to the table, appreciating the opportunity to gain some sustenance and some company. Sometimes time away from her desk was just what she needed to gain perspective. She still wasn’t entirely sure she hadn’t interrupted something important, but taking her colleagues at their word, she set down her drink and her muffin before turning her attention to Alexis’ question. Smiling sheepishly, she offered, “I needed a break from my computer screen and clinical notes. I love my work, but the paperwork is my least favorite part, despite its importance. Plus, I was hungry and felt like having a treat. How about you two? What brings you by?”

~Doctor Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

“Twelve hour shift just ended a little while ago. Peace and quiet sounded nice.” Drake said. He smiled somewhat weakly “Also needed the coffee.” His smile faded. “Can’t get the peace I was looking for, mind’s too busy.”

-Drake Marshall

“Paperwork was always so easy for me. It didn’t go fast but it flowed okay for me. Then I came here and there is so much more. I don’t mind it but I didn’t realize how much went on after we closed out the files and they were passed on.” She nodded in understanding to Marshall. Her mind never shut off either. “Not that your not sleeping, but I found listening to delta waves helps when I can’t get my mind to settle. But something’s don’t settle even then.” Alexis was very awkward in offering advice or being a listening ear unless she was diagnosing a patient, but she tried anyway. “I needed coffee. A little pick me up to get through the next stack of reports and transfer, in and out, files for the day.
Lt Bonner, AMO

“The red tape can definitely be overwhelming,” Mariahreplied with an understanding nod. “Unfortunately, that’s not something we spend too much time telling you at the Academy. I think if they did, they would know many of us would’ve run away screaming,” she added with a chuckle. “I find taking short mental breaks every 30 minutes or so helps me stay motivated. I also like to set small goals when I’m doing that kind of thing… It’s like that old joke about how a person eats an elephant… A little bit at a time.”

~Dr. Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

Alexis chuckled a bit, “If they had told me I probably would have moved into command. I know that sounds so strange.” Her mind never turned off and was always going so paperwork was like meditation for her, and she actually enjoyed it. Oh and that reminded her, a piece of paperwork lost in the shuffle. “Since you are here Dr. Grayson, I sent a request for my onboarding eval when I first arrived, and it’s gotten lost in our bizarre circumstances. I need to send a new one.”
Lt Bonner, AMO

Grayson found the desire for a psychological evaluation, or at least the admission that one was required, refreshing. “If you’d like to send the request again just to consider it official, feel free, but I’m also happy to pass along your request through the department yeoman.” She hesitated and considered offering to make herself available for her evaluation, but she didn’t want to put her on the spot. she had no doubt the medical officer was capable of speaking her mind and expressing who she wanted to meet with, but Maria wanted to avoid the potential for making the position uncomfortable. After a moment, she decided to say just that, decided it was better to make her intentions clear rather than give me impression she was disinterested in Alexis’ psychological health. “I would be happy to meet with you myself, of course, but please don’t feel obligated to agree. I, above all, I want you to feel comfortable with whomever you meet.”

~Dr. Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

Alexis nodded, “Thank Dr Grayson. I would very much prefer your services over others.” Alexis had no desire to expose her inner most thoughts to Ever. The woman was bad enough reading her mind without permission and her horrible attitude and bullying.

She turned back to Dr. Marshall. “How are you finding your time here on the starbase, doctor? I feel at times that all we do is twiddle our thumbs, with two full medical staffs on base at the moment.”
Lt Bonner, AMO

“I’m fortunate in my line of work that they rarely refuse my assistance.” Drake sipped his coffee. “Surgical specialists are somewhat rare these days. It will be nice to be back in a normal realm of operation soon. Starbase hospitals are so… crowded.”

-Drake Marshall

Alexis had the same thought. It was just too crowded here. “This is the first time I’ve been on a star base for an extended period of time, and I hope to never repeat the experience. And with so many crews going in and out, it makes keeping up with records and evals and physicals…difficult.”
Lt. Bonner, AMO

Bonner’s response to her offer surprised Grayson, but she managed to keep her expression neutral as she offered with a nod, “of course, sir. I will send you a follow-up message as soon as I get back to my office.” Naturally, she was curious about The circumstances that prompted the comment, but now wasn’t the time to pursue it. Instead, she continue to enjoy her muffin and her drink, just enjoying the opportunity to speak to colleagues in a relaxed setting. “I don’t enjoy the red tape either,” Grayson admitted. “I do enjoy meeting the variety of people that we encounter here. There’s no end to the diversity of stories and backgrounds to explore. I suppose that is one of the advantages of my line of work. I never know what is going to come out of anyone’smouth, but I suppose if you’ve seen one set of organs, you’ve seen them all,” she added with a chuckle.

~Dr. Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

“Yes and no.” Drake chuckled. “Every body has a quirk.” He sipped his coffee. “I served on a starbase for a while. It’s always like this.”

-Drake Marshall


Posts on USS Ogawa

In topic

Posted since


© 1991-2024 STF. Terms of Service

Version 1.15.9