Infinite Diversity in a Single Person
Posted on Wed Nov 22nd, 2023 @ 9:03am by Fleet Captain Maxwell Culver & Commander Lorut Vila & Lieutenant Dr. Morgan Alexander-Harrington M.D. & Lieutenant Rowena "Rena" Campbell
1,226 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
First Contact
Location: USS Intrepid: Ready Room
Timeline: MD3: 1650 hours
Vila stepped out of the turbolift from Deck Two - where Rena's office was - and onto the bridge. She checked in with the crew, but she wasn't on duty yet, so she didn't linger around. She made her way to the meeting she was requested at with Culver and the new Surgeon.
She entered the meeting room, and took a seat, clutching some steaming coffee. She groaned lightly as she sank back - she was getting far too old for this shit. She sighed. "More new people?" She asked Culver. "Albion really wants me to fuck this up, doesn't he?" she said. They already HAD two doctors. Why did they need more?! They weren't that big of a ship.
“I think he secretly wants both of us to fuck up, Commander, which is distinctly why we aren’t going to. I need you to get your shit together, Vila. We keep onboarding new staff, and all of them are needed, so let’s try to look less like some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and more like a team, huh?” Max suggested.
"What is a Mickey Mouse?" She asked. She'd never heard the reference before. "Well. I'll make some calls. A couple of people in the Bajoran Militia owe me a favor. I am sure that he's managed to piss off someone high up-a Vedek or Kai," she said. She was mostly kidding, but a small part of her really wasn't.
The door annunciator chimed and interrupted Max. “No chance like the present,” he said before adding, “Come in.”
Elegantly and with a cat like gracefulness, Dr. Morgan Alexander-Harrington, M.D. entered the briefing room. They moved with a purpose. Their uniform pressed, proper, and custom tailored, like immaculately tailored. They wore a white lab coat over their uniform.
“Captain Culver, I presume?”
They speak in a soft neutral voice. Their hair was blue, an indication of their preference for They/Them pronouns, (there would be a notation in her file in regards to that).
Max held PADD in his hand and allowed his eyes to linger on the information there. “Doctor Morgan Alexander-Harrington. Pleasure to meet you. Please, have a seat beside Commander Lorut.”
Morgan nods, walking over to take a seat besides the Commander. Sitting down and crossing their legs as they do, tail slipping through the side of the chair so it could rest comfortably, swishing softly.
"I'm glad to be here."
They say looking at them both.
“I’m sure, considering the nature of our work, we will keep you busy. In fact, just a few days ago, I was stabbed by the Helivans as they came out of stasis. Minor, but could have used a skilled surgeon. Still, no scars, so the job is well done.” Max smiled.
Vila simply nodded. "Yes, it would've been right in your wheelhouse," she said. "Welcome to the Intrepid," she said. "You'll be put straight to work, I am sure," she said to them.
“I look forward to the challenges. While I am a fine surgeon, my main specialties are LGBTQI+ Medicine, including medicine relating to transitioning and Endocrinology with minor specialties in Gynecology and Obstetrics care, and Pediatrics. I’ve spent most of my time in studies and residency. My prior post was the Excalibur on a five year mission where I was a medical officer and one year aboard Sol Station after…Frontier Day.”
“We’re a year past that terrible day,” Max answered solemnly. “As for your specialties in medicine, we’ve got plenty of couples and people who will happily make use of them,” Max added.
Vila simply nodded. Her previous ship had *just* missed the action of Frontier Day, as they'd been caught up in a radiation storm in the DQ but they'd assisted in the recovery and justice portions. It had triggered her PTSD from the Occupation, and she still hadn't talked about it to anyone, not even her now-deceased lover. Why it came to mind just now, she wasn't sure.
"Certainly," she said. "I think we're all a bit traumatized from that," she said.
Morgan's face was solemn, she couldn't even recall all that had happened that day, but knows it had to be terrible.
"I look forward to seeing the crew for their medical needs," Morgan finally speaks after a brief moment.
“Lieutenant, we have a fine group of people in our Counseling department. I’d like to recommend Counselor Campbell for you to talk about what happened on Frontier Day. It must be terrifying to have been involved on the Borg side that day. Counselor Rena is quite gentle and very likable. Of course, we do have Doctor Roaa, a Caitian male, who also has an excellent record, though I’ve not had a session with him yet.”
"I'll keep that in mind, Captain."
Morgan nodded their head, leaning back in their chair with their arms in their lap.
“Do you have any questions for us?” Max asked, offering them a line out of the Borg memories.
Morgan thought for a moment.
“What is the current state of the Medical Department on board? I know that my skill set is pretty specific, how do you feel I can make the biggest contribution to the health of the crew?”
“I’d say our medical department is well staffed, especially with your addition. Of course, I can’t speak for your colleagues, but I can tell you we have a diverse crew and that includes their sexual habits as well. I would think there may be some things that you will see them come to you for, aside from basic injuries and immunizations, which they might not be comfortable telling a heterosexual doctor. Things they think you may handle more sensitively.”
“Then I look forward to getting to know everyone here and helping them be their true, best selves”
Morgan says with a soft smile.
“That’s the best I can ask for anyone on this crew, Doctor,” Max responded.
Looking at Vila, Max asked, “Commander, is there anything that you’d like to ask before we send Doctor Alexander-Harrington on their way to the sickbay?”
Vila shook her head. "Only one. I just want to make sure I understand fully-you prefer to be called "they and/or them" as the situation requires, correct?" Vila was short, and a malcontent, but she wasn't purposely cruel. She wanted to be sure that she was in full understanding.
"That is correct" Morgan nods in the affirmative.
“While you have visual clues to identify what pronouns you prefer to use,” Max said. “But you’ll have to be patient with our crew as you’re the first person of a visual transgendered nature. They may need some time to adjust. To be frank, it’s possible I may make a mistake rarely.”
"That is understandable. I don't take it personally when people make mistakes. It's being human after all."
They smile a big kitty smile, happy swishing their large tail back and forth.
Vila nodded her understanding. She understood. "I have nothing further," she said.
I think you’ll find out crew on of the first of its kind, they are very accommodating as long as you do the job we don’t pay you for,” Max chuckled before standing and extending his hand. “Welcome to the USS Intrepid!”
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