Stardate: 70113:2345
Title: Departmental Issues
Author: CMO Ted Matthews
Time: After "No Time Like The Present"
Scene: USS Horizon - Bridge/Sickbay


Ted had reported his findings to the Captain and as he made his way back to Medical he came across a bemused looking crewmember.

"Something wrong?" The CMO enquired.

"No, it's just a lot quieter than I expected it to be." A lot of crew were on the planet executing the rescue mission and Ted explained this.

"Ted Matthews, by the way." The CMO extended his hand, and a light of recognition went on in the man's eyes.

"Oh, excuse me, Sir. I am Junxion Thai, one of your new Counsellors. I was on my way to report to you for duty."

"Excellent! I will show you to your office."

They chatted amicably whilst Dr Matthews gave the new crewman a quick tour of Sickbay. Ted knew that Ensign Thai had been on the ship fulfilling some previous misdemeanour. This, however, did not taint the good first impression he was getting. Ted had learnt recently that not everything was black and white.

Leaving Thai to settle into his office Ted returned to his. The now lukewarm coffee stared at him and, not wanting to offend Tammin, he downed it in three large gulps. 

The door opened and Tammin seated herself opposite him. He was about to thank her for the earlier coffee but she handed him a padd and the serious look she wore made him falter. 

"Sir, this is my transfer request. If you could sign off on it and pass it through?" Tammin asked.

Ted was bemused. 

"A transfer request?" He repeated just to be sure.

Tammin nodded. "I know that, with the current situation, it is not ideal timing, but I would like to get the ball rolling. I don't think that I am a benefit to Sickbay at the moment," she explained.

Suddenly, the Horizon jolted and the CMO's combadge came to life.

[Doctor, the Ferengi vessel has just been destroyed. We have locked onto 23 lifesigns and are beaming them to you directly.] The Captain's authoritative voice stated.

"We can't handle 23 in here, Sir," Ted replied. "I suggest using Holodeck 2 as a triage centre."

There was a momentary pause and Ted knew the Captain was ensuring the suvivors went to the right place.

[Understood, Doctor. They'll be with you momentarily.]

Ted and Tammin were both on their feet and moving to the Holodeck. From Ted's earlier visit to the Ferengi ship he knew that it was a D'Kora class vessel, which meant it could hold over to a thousand people; a recovery rate of twenty-three was therefore not very good. 

Nurse Bunter quickly called in all off-duty staff to help and the new counsellor placed himself unobtrusively out of the way, but within easy reach should he be needed. Arriving at Holodeck 2 just as the transports began, Ted saw that the internal layout resembled a larger sickbay - quick thinking from someone on the Bridge meant they wouldn't have to run between Holodeck 2 and Sickbay quite so much. As the injured were beamed in, Ted did a quick triage and set the medical staff to work. The injuries were diverse depending on where the person had been on the ship and, from the clothes they were wearing, none of the twenty-three appeared to be command staff.

It was tense as the team worked together. When a patient was lost they all felt it but, being professionals, they continued on without rest. As the situation settled down Ted reported to the Captain that in total, two of the patients had died, three were in a critical condition and eighteen had been treated and were in recovery.

There was still a hum of activity going on and Ted's eyes came to rest on Tammin. He made his way over to her.

"You said you didn't think you were a benefit to Sickbay at the moment. I think a lot of these patients would disagree." Tammin went to say something but Ted held a hand up to silence her.

"I will not sign your transfer request." Tammin again went to speak and Ted again gestured for her to stop. "At least I will not sign it at the moment. I would like to think the Horizon and I deserve the chance to try and keep a good medical officer." 

Ted left Tammin thinking about it as he went to check on their critical patients.


=======================
Lt. Commander Ted Matthews
CMO
USS Horizon 
NCC-72400
=======================