Changes

Posted on Mon Feb 27, 2017 @ 12:19pm by Lieutenant Xylia Lischka & Lieutenant T'Lara

Mission: An Orion to Die For
Location: Executive Officer's Office
Timeline: MD 4 || 1200 Hours

On reflection T'Lara had had to conclude that the areas of the ship below deck sixteen were largely identical to the areas above. Of course she had not expected anything different, but the vast majority of her time was spent between decks seven and sixteen, so this change of scenery, miniscule as it was provided the doctor with some welcome and unexpected variety. She took note of the differences in layout between this floor and her normal domain on deck sixteen exchanging the occasional nod, acknowledging a "hey Doc" as she walked, her blue lab coat catching the air behind her.

Secondary sickbay had been largely quiet of late. A lot of the crew went to the primary sickbay on deck seven, probably more out of habit than anything else and T'Lara had to admit the primary sickbay was better equipped for every day issues. Of course secondary sickbay was closer to the lower decks and while often quiet did get the occasional emergency. For the most part her recent activity had been largely administrative, coordinating her small team, seeing to their training needs and catching up on all the latest medical journals when she had time.

Soon she arrived at Lieutenant Lischka's office and taking a brief moment to check herself she pressed the chime.

Xylia sat behind the desk of their recently on leave XO going over a few reports before she was set to behind the journey to Stameris. There was a serious case of butterflies in her stomach as she found herself hoping the plan they had would work. At least, Maddy was a well organized individual, which made things a lot easier on her. Everything she needed to know was right within her reach, which meant she didn't have to go digging for anything.

She heard the chime and looked toward the door. Xylia had been expecting Lieutenant T'Lara, and as one of her first acts as the acting XO, it was up to her to make a change to the crew manifest. "Come in," she called.

T'Lara did so as the doors parted in front of her.

"Good afternoon, Lieutenant" she said brightly as the doors closed again behind, coming to a graceful halt a metre or so in front of the desk. "What can I do for you?"

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Lieutenant," Xylia said as she rose to her feet, gesturing for T'Lara to have a seat. "Before we begin, can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?"

T'Lara nodded cordially and perched on the edge of a convenient chair. If drinks and seating were involved this was unlikely to be a very short visit as the Vulcan had expected it to be. Never particularly partial to active relaxation she decided to take the offered drink, to hydrate as well as listen and to forego her usual cup of tea later in the morning, saving her a little time then.

"A spice tea please. And I do prefer Doctor rather than Lieutenant, if you don't mind."

Xylia moved over to the replicator and requested the the tea, then brought it back to her guest before she settled down again. "Very well. Doctor it is, then," she said, offering a polite smile. "I'll try not to keep you too long, but I've called you here to inform you of some changes that are being made as far as the crew roster goes. You will be one of the individuals that will be affected."

T'Lara Took a test sip of the tea and finding it to be of immediately drinkable temperature continued with a sizeable mouthful. It was a standard replicated spice tea, not bad but lagging behind the stock of fresh tea she had on hand in her quarters for when the mood took her.

"I see" she started, placing the cup back on the saucer with a ceramic clink and looking up, "how so?"

Xylia cleared her throat. "It seems the Doctor Caticasse was assigned to us temporarily, and has since departed the ship, which leaves us with the position of Chief Medical Officer open. You've been called here to move from Secondary Sickbay and to Primary as our new CMO. Are you up for the challenge? You'll oversee everything."

T'Lara stared at the acting XO for a few silent moments and blinked a couple of times.

"Hmm" she replied at length. "I was certainly not expecting you to say that. However on a few moments reflection I believe I am capable of performing the role to a high standard." This assertion was accompanied by another mouthful of tea.

"That's what I wanted to hear," the acting XO said as she made the necessary changes on her holographic desktop. With that done, she affixed her thumbprint to it to sign off on the change, then sent it to the Captain for his approval. "Do you have any questions or anything?"

"None that are pressing." The Doctor replied simply. I presume I can come to you if any should make themselves apparent?" More tea.

"Of course, though, my time as Executive Officer will be short lived. Commander Weisz took an emergency leave of absence, but will be returning to duty as soon as she's able. She has an open door policy as well," Xylia replied.

"Thank you." T'Lara employed human pleasantries rather more than most vulcans. "I will make use of that should the need arise."

The new chief medical officer shifted slightly in her chair before draining the teacup and placing it gently on the desk in front of her.

"How are you finding your temporary role, Lieutenant?" she asked, her large blue eyes resting firmly on Xylia.

"It's been interesting," Xylia replied. "I've been through, and passed, Command school, which is why Captain Aravan put me into the role for the time being. I'm not sure if I want to make a career of it, though, but then I'm still young. Who knows what the future has in store for me?"

"Indeed?" T'Lara asked with surprise, or at least as much surprise as can be generally heard from a Vulcan. Her mind moved back more than twenty years previously to her own decision to join Starfleet, not something she had envisioned herself doing before the Bajoran wormhole was discovered. A few of the more powerful images from her service during the Dominion war flashed into her mind and with no discernible external cue she buried them again. Even now she still thought of herself as a doctor first and an officer second, but starfleet was her home, she was very used to it and slowly but surely was making a name for herself.

"Why not?"

"Why don't I know if I want to make a career of it?" Xylia asked. "Because Security has my heart." It was a simple answer, but it was the truth.

"Understandable." There was a brief pause, during which the Vulcan's mind started to organise and prioritise all of her immediate tasks as the new chief medical officer. She sat forward in her seat. "Given what we have discussed I should go, I have much to do. If there is nothing else?"

"There's nothing else. Good luck in your new position, Lieutenant. I'm sure you're going to do just fine," the German woman said with a smile. "And remember, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, don't hesitate to get in touch."

"Doctor" T'Lara reminded the acting XO as she stood, "and I shall, thank you."

"Doctor, right. I'm sorry," Xylia said, offering T'Lara an apologetic smile.

T'Lara nodded politely in return and with a flurry of blue lab coat headed straight for the doors which obediently parted, releasing her to the corridor beyond and her new position.