Posted by Lieutenant Surra Almikaz (Chief of Psychiatry) in A Mother’s Joy

Posted by HARLEEN (Psychiatry Reception Hologram) in A Mother’s Joy

Posted by Lieutenant Surra Almikaz (Chief of Psychiatry) in A Mother’s Joy
Posted by… suppressed (20) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The problem with visiting her daughter was that Alexis didn’t know how to not work. So it wasn’t that different from when she was home. Alexis had always been studying and once she had graduated, she had studied more and went to work. And Anthony was no better. Anthony didn’t like to be idle and on a ship there wasn’t much else for him to do than offer to help wherever he could. It had been a long time since Alisson had been on a ship. It all came back very quickly though. How she kept herself busy and got to know people. - just like at home. She got up early and spent hours that first morning baking. Soon she had several dozen muffins of all flavors and she packed them up and headed to the mess hall. Everyone loved fresh home made anything, and even if they didn’t like to talk they would just to get one.

Alisson spread them out on a table with a little sign, in neat handwriting, ‘Please Take One.’ Then she went to the replicator for a drink before returning to the table.

“Oh these smell wonderful. Did you make them?”

Alisson beamed brightly. “I did. It’s just a hobby, but I made more than I needed, so I decided to share.”

A trill man walked over and looked and then picked one up. “Oh they’re still warm!” he grinned. “Thank you…I haven’t seen you before. Are you a patient or new crew?”

“Oh, neither. I’m here visiting my daughter.” Alisson reached for a random muffin and handed it to another person who didn’t have a combadge but was wearing a strange bracelet. She hadn’t paid attention enough to recognize it was a patient identification bracelet that allowed the patient to interact with GALEN’s system. “There’s plenty.”

Alisson

Surra strolled into the lounge, stopped by the replicator to grab a cup of plain black coffee. The sight or the smell of the freshly baked muffins did not surpass her. As she grabbed the coffee from the replicator she saw the sign Please Take One. She made her way over to the table, briefly brushing by the person with the strange bracelet, where they were neatly displayed. “Just one?” She joked as she sat down, moved her coffee to the side and grabbed one. “Ah, man they are still warm!” Her eyes closed as she bit into it, “These are definitely not replicated muffins,” she said with a full mouth. “There is no way I am going to be able to eat just one of these.” She finished the muffin, took a long drink of her coffee, looked at the woman, then said, “That had to be the best homemade muffin I have had in.....forever. I am sure the quickness in which it disappeared was an indication.” Surra smiled then said, “I am Surra, the head psychiatrist on this ship and may I have the name of the most talented baker by far I have ever ran into?”

Almikaz, CoP

Alisson watched the new comer. She was quite bold and eager to get at the offerings Alisson had put out. Alisson liked it when people were so eager to get at her products. She sat up a little straighter and smiled brightly under the praise. Yes she was the most talented baker ever, wasn’t she? Alisson greeted several more people, taking note of which flavors were being taken the fastest. She would make extra of those tomorrow. “Oh it is very nice to meet you, Surra. I’m Alisson. Please by all means have another. Really I should probably change the sign to say ‘Please take at least one.’” There was quite a bit of brag to the statement. “There is plenty and it is not so hard to make more.”

Alisson

“I think I will have another. Thank you, Allison.” She promptly grabbed another blueberry muffin from the pile before they all disappeared. However she didn’t eat this one right away, instead she sat it on the table by her coffee mug. “Nice to meet you, as well.” She said with a welcoming smile, “May I ask what brings you to the Ogawa? I take it you are not here to sell your baked items since you are freely giving them away.”

Almikaz, CoP

Alisson smiled quietly pleased. But she was being paid quite well for her efforts. In the attention and connections. “Baking is my love language,” Alisson laughed. A counselor on one of Anthony’s ships had told her that once, and it sounded so romantic that Alisson had always remembered that.

An engineer came up, “Thank you. That was such a treat. I haven’t had anything like that since the Academy. We used to order from this place just outside San Fran called Blissful Bites. I haven’t had anything like it since until today.” Alisson laughed, “For that take two more.” She leaned in and mock whispered, “I own Blissful Bites.”

The officer blinked once and then laughed, “Aww man. I can’t believe that. These really brought back memories. I don’t suppose you’ll have more tomorrow?”

“What was your favorite?”

“Oh the danishes or the peppermint cheesecake brownies.” His mouth was already watering thinking about it.

“I’ll bring danishes tomorrow.” Alisson promised, and then turned back to the woman at the table with her. “I am sorry. You asked why I’m here. I’m here visiting my daughter. It’s been sooooo long. But she was finally close by enough and my husband was able to get special permission for us to come.”

Alisson

“Oh who’s your daugh....” she stopped mid sentence when she spotted her nemesis and cut her eyes over at him with quick a furious look.

For Kane, there was ever only one reason to go to the lounge… coffee. They had actual, freash-brewed, never replicated coffee. And Kane had designed and fabricated a large, insulated, spill-proof travel mug just get it every chance he could. He walked into the Lounge and went directly to the counter by the replicators. He filled his mug, turned…

And glared.

Allison and Almikaz, a match made in the Nine Hells if there ever was one. he thought to himself. And of course Allison was giving away her baked goods. People fawning over her was so high on her list, it had cost her her daughter and her husband. He turned and went to leave, but the word had gotten out and there was a sudden rush of people wanting muffins, so Kane gritted his teeth and turned to go out the other door; which unfortunately took him right past there table. He didn’t say a word, just glared straight ahead and walked out, only slightly pushing two people to get out of his way as they stood drooling like idiots trying to decide which muffin to pick.

Kane, CSO / R&D

Alisson smiled brightly, “My daughter is…” and was cut off by the woman imparting, what from her body language would indicate, a piece of juicy gossip. Alisson leaned towards the woman to be sure to hear it all.

Surra cleared her throat and said in a low tone as she leaned slightly toward the woman, “Well you should know not everyone on this ship is friendly. Just a PSA.” Unaware of the connection they both already had, “Watch this..... Hey Mr. Kane! Why don’t you have one of Miss Allison’s muffins, they are delicious.”

Almikaz, CoP

Without turning around or slowing, Kane raised an (index, to be fair) finger in warning and said “That would be Lieutenant Commander, Lieutenant Almikaz. Unless pastries somehow make you forget we are professionals?” and he walked out the door.

“See,” said Surra, “A complete jerk. I am sure he only requires me to call him Lieutenant Commander.”

Alisson sat stunned for half a second. The pause missed by Almikaz as her back was turned and her attention focused on Kane. Alisson’s easy smile returned. “Kane? Kane…Kane, oh! Isn’t he the the chief science officer? My husband mentioned him. He is volunteering to help in the labs.” Alisson sighed like a long suffering wife she knew she was. “My husband doesn’t know how to take a vacation. Don’t worry, I am sure the Cmdr has already had a muffin. I sent a couple dozen with my husband to the lab today. My Anthony would not be remiss in sharing.” Alisson had infact left muffins in the labs and sickbay. Surely Alexis and Anthony would come around and see things her way. They were having a tantrum that was all. But Alisson absolutely would not risk the wrath of whoever sent Kane here by antagonizing him. She liked her perfect little life and she would hold onto it.

She turned her attention back to the crowd. One thing she knew from her time following Anthony around, these types of gestures were welcome but not if they made the officers and crew late for their shifts. So she made an effort to help move the crowd along so they would want to return the next day.

Alisson

Solal headed into the mess, after a long shift (well, all his shifts felt long lately), and spotted the table of muffins. Deciding it would take less time to grab one than to get something from the replicator, he changed course and headed to the table. When he reached it, he paused as he saw who was behind it. The familiar resemblance was immediately clear to him. “You must be the parent of Commander Bonner.” Giving his best ‘meeting the parents of someone he knew’ impression, he straightened and said, “I am Lieutenant Solal. Your daughter is the most logical human I have ever met. It is always a pleasure when we consult on cases together.”

~ Solal

“Yes Alexis is my daughter. Did she mention we were visiting? She is so smart and dedicated to her work I think she forgets we are around. She is aways very methodical. As a child she worked and studied so hard she never had any friends. I am glad she has managed to make one.” Alisson’s face carried that sweet innocent smile, but inside she seethed over her daughter being praised for being so Vulcan like. The exact opposite of what she wanted.

Surra scowled at Solal, what was with all these doctors on this ship. How was he just going to walk up to the table and not at least say hello, she was his colleague after all. “You should have one of her pastries. They are quite good.” She said to the man. However she did learn a piece of information from him. This was Dr. Bonner’s mother? Like all the other doctors on this ship she was not particularly close to her as they seem to have their own clique which did not include Surra, maybe because she was the newest Department Head on the ship. Surra stood and said, “I t was nice meeting you.” She piked up her muffin from the table and her coffee mug, “I should be getting back.”

Almikaz, CoP

Alisson brightened again. “Thank you, Surra. You are so sweet. A baker likes nothing more than to know their offerings are enjoyed and recommended.”

Solal turned to Almikaz. “Ah, Lieutenant Almikaz.” Solal recognized her from the ship game night. He had not really spoken to her since then, save for the occasional patient consult. He held up the muffin in his hand. “Perhaps I will try one in a moment? What have you tried?” But then she had stood to leave, and he shrugged. “I suppose we may see each other around, then.”

~ Lt Solal

Surra immediately regretted her thought. The feud with Kane was starting to affect her and cause her to unfairly judge people. She smiled at Solal then said, “I suppose we will.” She held up the muffin in her hand and said, “Careful these are addictive. I am going to have to clock some extra hours in my Holosuite workout sessions.”

Lieutenant Commander Kane, CSO / R&D

Alisson looked expectantly at the woman. “Oh, must you go?” The older woman sighed and made a noticeable effort to accept it. “Of course. I’m sorry. I don’t want you to get in trouble for being late. What kind of pastry is your favorite, Surra? I will make some for tomorrow,” she offered quite hopefully.

Alisson

She nodded, “Yes, I must go. I wish I could stay here all day and eat your wonderful pastries. However that would be bad for a few reasons.” She smiled at the woman and said, “The blueberry muffins were my favorite, however do you think you could make some chocolate raspberry eclairs? It was a favorite of my father and I hadn’t had them…well since I was a child.”

Almikaz, CoP

Fixing Split

Alisson tapped her finger on the table. “Yes I am sure I can. They won’t be as good as if I made them at home. I will have to use replicated ingredients, but I am happy to make them for you. A dozen or two?”

Alisson

“At this point, Miss Alisson, I am sure anything you make will be delicious. Even with replicated ingredients. Two dozen would be wonderful! I can meet you here, same time, or you can drop them by the psychiatry suite on deck seven.”

Almikaz, CoP

Alisson smiled sweetly, “I hope I live up to the expectation.” Soon the muffins were gone and Alisson collected her containers and returned to her guest quarters. She had nothing to do but bake more. It took roughly 6 hours to make perfect eclairs, and with only a small convection oven Alisson was busy the whole time. She was also able to start prepping her fruit danishes while she waited.

Just over 6 hours later, Alisson carried an insulated container with her and asked GALEN how to reach the Psychiatry suite on Deck 7. She entered the space and walked over to the desk with all the confidence of a person who knew they were delivering a much awaited indulgence.

Alisson

HARLEEN looked at the insulated container then she looked at the woman. “I do not recognize you as a crew member. Please state your reason for entering the Psychiatry suite. I must inform you this is a private and restricted are unless you a patient.”
HARLEEN did not know how important these pastries were to Surra.

HARLEEN

Alisson was not aware that HARLEEN was a hologram and it was programming that dictates her words. She plastered a cheerful smile on her face. “Don’t be alarmed, I would not dream of moving past your lobby, Miss…???” She hurried on giving a name drop, “Surra, the chief psychiatrist told me bring these,” she lifted the container slightly higher, “to the psychiatry suite on Deck 7. GALEN said this was the place. May I leave these here for her?”

Alisson

Just as HARLEEN was about to say her next words....

Even though Allison had packed the eclairs in a container, Surra detected the distinct smell of chocolate and raspberry. They smelled just like the ones she use to eat when she was a child. Realizing she forgot to inform HARLEEN that Miss Allison would be stopping by, she jumped from her desk, and bolted out of her office, her boots sliding on the shiny floor slightly as she turned the corner. “HARLEEN!” said Surra, “It’s okay. Miss Allison is here because I asked her to come. She has taken time out of her day to make these wonderful-smelling eclairs.” Surra turned to Allison and said, “I apologize, I didn’t think you would be up so quickly! I was expecting them in a few days, so I did not inform our AI receptionist about your arrival.” She motioned toward HARLEEN as she briefly looked at her. HARLEEN was still looking at the woman like she was an intruder. Surra made a note to check the AI’s programming later to ensure she was not malfunctioning in some way. “She is very diligent about who comes into the psychiatry suite and ensuring we stay on track around here. Although she is a little lacking in her bedside manner, she is quite effective.” Surra extended her arms to take the container from Allison. Are you in a hurry? Can you stay for a moment?”

Almikaz, CoP

“Doctor, I want to inform you that you are breaking protocol. Miss Allison is not a part of the crew, nor has she requested an appointment to speak with a psychiatrist. Therefore her presence here is a violation. It is not ideal to have just anyone enter and hang around the psychiatry suite.”

HARLEEN

Surra’s irritation overwhelmed her and without warning, she said, “I know the rules, HARLEEN! I am the Chief of Psychiatry! I made them!” She slammed the container of eclairs on the reception desk, closed her eyes for a moment, and placed both hands on her head.
“Gah! I apologize, Allison! I think I am tired. It has not been a great week for me.”
Surra looked at HARLEEN there was annoyance in her eyes. It really wasn’t the AI’s fault since she was programmed with certain protocols…was it? In any case, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back for her and the AI’s strict adherence to the protocols caused the crack that had been forming her patience to develop into a full break. “HARLEEN, if anyone walks into the psychiatry suite and they are not a patient or if they do not have an appointment, I would like for you immediately notify me and allow them to have a seat in the waiting area. Also please contact Mr. Cascarrabias Demalia, the ship’s Chief Engineer so he can do a diagnostic scan on you.”

Almikaz, CoP
Everyone has their Breaking Point

Of course, HARLEEN did not reach to Surra’s outburst. She simply nodded then said, “Yes, of course. I will alter the protocols and follow your instructions. I will also contact Chief Petty Officer Cascarrabias Demalia so he can review my programming to ensure I am fully operational.”

HARLEEN