The Inevitable Sickbay, Part II
Posted on Mon Jul 27th, 2026 @ 4:30pm by Lieutenant Commander Nathan Lake & Lieutenant Lorek & Ensign Sasha Zen
Edited on on Mon Jul 27th, 2026 @ 4:37pm
1,176 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Mission 1: Through the Janus Gate
Location: Deck 8 Main Sickbay
Timeline: MD002 - 0915 hours
And Now the Continuation from 'The Inevitable Sickbay, Part I'
As Lt. Lorak approached the doors on his way out of sickbay he saw a familiar face, "Ensign Zen what a nice surprise; are you here for your boarding physical?”
"Lieutenant Lorek, yes and this is a nice surprise" Sasha replied "Say, would you like to have dinner with me tonight in the Lounge about maybe eighteen hundred if you're free."
"Yes I would rather enjoy having dinner with you" Lorek responded "I will see you then" as he finally exited Sickbay.
Seeing a Doctor close by, Sasha walked over, "Hi. I'm Ensign Sasha Zen and I'm here for my boarding physical; although I just had my yearly one done about two months ago before I was transferred here."
Nathan was surprised to have another physical so soon after he completed one with Lieutenant Lorak. But it was not a bother. This is what he was here for.
“Ensign Sasha Zen.”
Nathan extended his hand.
“Doctor Nathan Lake. Welcome aboard the Resolute.”
He gave her an easy smile that immediately took any formality out of the encounter.
“And don’t worry, you’re not in trouble. You’d be surprised how many people walk into Sickbay looking like they’re reporting to a disciplinary hearing.”
A nurse nearby chuckled.
"Thank you Doctor Lake it's nice to meet you" she responded with her usual friendly smile "If you'd still like to check me out for protocol's sake" as she paused momentarily "Poor choice of words....let me rephrase....If you'd still like to give me a boarding physical I'm fine with that and I do have a couple of questions I'd like to ask you if I may."
Nathan laughed.
“I’ll admit, Ensign, that was probably the first time anyone has accidentally asked me to check them out during a boarding physical.”
He smiled warmly, making it clear there was no embarrassment to be had.
“But don’t worry. I understood what you meant.”
He glanced toward one of the nearby nurses.
“Nurse Anderson.”
The young Ensign Anderson looked up from the workstation she had been organizing.
“Would you mind taking over Ensign Zen’s intake examination?”
“Of course, Doctor.”
Nathan looked back to Sasha.
“I try not to perform every routine physical myself. If I did, the staff would start wondering why they spent years in medical school.”
"Before you leave Doctor I do have a question for you and this is in no way judging your credibility as a physician but rather for my own piece of mind" Sasha explained then continued "Being a joined Trill I have to ask.....I assume you are familiar with Trill/Symbiont medicine and procedures" she inquired with a smile wanting the Doctor to realize the question would put her mind at ease.
Nathan nodded once, appreciating both the question and the way she’d asked it.
“I don’t take that as questioning my credibility, Ensign.”
His tone was reassuring.
“I take it as someone wanting to know whether the person responsible for their medical care understands what makes them unique.”
He folded his arms comfortably.
“And that’s exactly the sort of question I hope my patients ask. So, the short answer is yes. However, Nurse Anderson will conduct your boarding physical today. She’s an excellent nurse, also knowledgeable on xenobiology, including Trill hosts and Trill joined, and I like my staff to have every opportunity to practice their craft. I’ll be here the entire time, reviewing the results with her as we go.”
Nathan paused.
“Do we have your permission to proceed?
"Thank you Doctor for being so understanding and yes, you have my permission to proceed" Sasha responded with a smile.
Nathan smiled warmly.
“Excellent. Thank you, Ensign. Nurse Anderson, why don’t you walk us through the examination? Treat this as both a boarding physical and a refresher in joined Trill medicine.”
“Yes, Doctor.”
Nathan stepped back, giving the nurse the lead while remaining close enough to observe the displays.
“We’ll begin with Medical History Update.” Anderson glanced up to begin the update.
“Since your last examination, have you experienced any illnesses, injuries, changes in medication, unusual fatigue, changes in sleep, or any concerns involving either yourself or your symbiont?”
Without hesitation "No illnesses, injuries or fatigue.......we both have been feeling just fine and for your records I'm not on any sort of medications presently" Sasha replied in a pleasant manner.
Once Sasha answered, Anderson updated the medical record before moving onto the rest of the examination.
“Ok, now Standard Physical Examination.”
The tricorder emitted a soft tone as it passed over Sasha.
“Cardiovascular rhythm normal. Respiratory function normal. Blood chemistry within expected parameters.”
Nathan nodded.
“Good. Remember, every boarding examination establishes a baseline we’ll compare throughout their tour aboard.”
“Yes, Doctor.”
She adjusted the scanner.
“Ok, Ensign, I’m now going to do a Symbiont Assessment.”
"Yes, go ahead." Sasha replied sensing Zen [Yes let's get this over with.....not a big fan of scanners] "Relax it'll be over before you know it" she thought to herself trying to reassure her Symbiont.
Nathan watched quietly from the adjacent console, giving Anderson room to lead while remaining available. One of the things he had learned early in his career was that good medical departments weren’t built by a chief physician who did everything. They were built by one who trusted the people around him.
Anderson slowed the tricorder as it passed over the joined Trill’s abdomen. The scanner’s tone changed slightly as it shifted to a more specialized xenobiological frequency.
“Beginning symbiont assessment.”
She glanced toward Sasha with a reassuring smile.
The display began populating the data. The symbiont rested comfortably within its abdominal pouch, showing synchronized harmony with Sasha’s own physiology.
Nathan folded his arms.
“Talk us through what you’re seeing on the screen.”
Anderson nodded with agreement.
“Symbiont position is correct. No evidence of tissue inflammation or pouch irritation.”
“Good. What else?”
“Immunity remains excellent. No indications of rejection markers.”
Nathan nodded.
“Excellent observations.”
He looked toward Sasha as the examination was completed and Anderson deactivated the tricorder.
“Ensign, both you and your symbiont are in excellent health, but you probably knew that already. Your visit with us is now complete.
Sasha smiled "That is good news but it what I was expecting. Nurse thank you for your thoroughness and Doctor thank you for your expert direction" she responded "I feel much better knowing we are in good hands here."
“Thank you, Ensign.”
Nathan smiled then both he and Ensign Anderson turned to collect all the medical supplies to bring them over to the disinfection bay - a standard practice in sickbay to make sure there was no cross contamination.
A Post By:
Lt. Commander Nathan Lake
Chief Medical Officer
USS Resolute
Ensign Sasha Zen
Flight Control Officer
USS Resolute
Lieutenant Lorek
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Resolute
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