Long Time No See

Posted on Mon Jun 27th, 2011 @ 1:00pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Commander Cailean Fox, M.D.

1,611 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: Backpost - Before Departure

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Doctor Cailean Fox stood by the window in the Captain's Ready Room. He'd been sitting down for far too long the last few days to want to take a seat on the long couch that stretched under the window, but he was interested in looking out at the view beyond. He had been nearly a week in a Type-9 shuttle craft, the Shepard, trying to get to the Ranger and he was ready to get to work but more importantly, out of that cramped shuttle. Of course, from a cramped shuttle to a tiny Intrepid-class wasn't exactly the most grand of changes, but it would do.

Cailean had served more than his fair share of time in Starfleet and had served on multiple vessels, vessels that would have dwarfed the Ranger with just one nacelle. But this was where he seemed to be needed now, as much as he would have liked to be out on the front line vessels like the Enterprise, Titan or Aventine, they needed old hands like him here just as much as they did there. Here the challenges weren't as fast-paced, but they were no less important. Here, the challenges were likely to be the kind that only someone as seasoned as him could unravel. This wasn't the place for greenhorns or cock-sure types. Which was exactly why he'd chosen to come here.

Fox had served most recently in the Fleet on the USS Archimedes, but after a series of most unfortunate events (which the Ranger had rescued them from), Cailean had rotated back into Starfleet Medical. He'd taken some time to get back to his roots, as they were. To teach a few courses at the Academy and otherwise reconnect with what it was he'd become so fascinated with all those years ago when he joined Starfleet. It didn't take him long to find.

At the end of the term, Cailean asked to be rotated back into the Fleet and as fate would have it, he was offered the post on the Ranger. Fox wasn't a superstitious man by any stretch of the imagination, but sometimes when fate dealt you a hand, you took it and didn't ask questions. That was what had brought him here - that and a cramped Type-9 shuttle that he was only too glad to see the outside of.

He had come aboard the ship in search of the captain. When he'd come aboard, she'd been in Engineering. When he got to Engineering, she'd been in Astrometrics. In Astrometrics, she'd moved to her Ready Room and when he got there, she was back in Engineering. It was enough to drive anyone batty and rather than interrupt her workflow or spend the day chasing her around the ship he decided to just camp out in the one place he knew she'd come back to. Which was where he was now, quietly pacing the window waiting for the room's occupant to return and let him get on with life. Another few minutes though, and he was just going to head to Sick Bay and the captain could come and find him. Oddly enough, he was the one person on the ship who wasn't really a part of the crew in terms of the militaristic hierarchy that governed the rest of the staff. Yes, Cailean was a Commander, but in general terms that was really just an outward expression of his years of service and additional training. The only thing that really mattered to the captain of the vessel was that he was a Doctor - rank be damned. But Cailean knew the mistake the young bucks always made when coming aboard a new ship, and he wasn't about to make such a rookie move.

They figured that since they were the Chief Medical Officer, outside of the Chain of Command and that they answered only to the Captain in matters of ships functions only, that they were above the law of the land. It was almost always their first and last mistake as a Chief. Rank or not. Doctor or not. Outside the CoC or not, respect was due where it was due. Now was time for him to pay his to the Captain.

The sound of the door hissing open behind him stirred him from his own thoughts, and he turned around slowly, casting a weathered gaze across the room at the woman stepping through the doors. He lifted his chin slightly, making his mustache seem a bit larger than it really was as he waited for her to not only notice, but introduce herself.

"It's not very often I find an unsolicited gentleman in my office, Doctor" she quipped, walking decidedly to her desk, rounding it and then slapping down the PaDD she seemed to have been carrying with her since the morning. "In fact, it has never happened... until now" She raised both eyebrows to the greying teal clad officer and then sat down fully behind her desk, crossing her arms defensively as her chair swiveled to face him squarely. "Now, I have eight crewmembers transferring to the Ranger today. Six of them crewmen, one of them an Engineering Junior Grade Lieutenant - a Bolian - and my new Chief Medical Officer." She powered up her console that was conveniently placed to her left side and hammered in a sequence of commands. Shifting her gaze to the screen, she squinted as she read the text. "Commander Cailean Lucas Fox, M.D., Height: six foot, six inches, Weight: one hundred and seventy five pounds, Eye Colour: Blue, Hair Colour: Gray/Black. Age: sixty five." She looked back at Fox and knitted her brow decidedly. "Anything ringing any bells, Commander?"

"In the flesh, Captain." he smirked back, "You'll notice sixty-five on there." he added, "That's too old to be wandering the ship trying to catch up with you, but lord knows I tried. Figured I'd just wait you out in the one place I knew you'd come back to." he said, glancing down at the chrono on his wrist, "Few more minutes and I'd have just gone to Sick Bay and got started without you." he said, approaching the nearest of the chairs before the Captain's desk. "So here I am, boss. The Doctor."

Elsie’s face twitched slightly but she remained silent for a moment. She returned a warm smile and followed the doctor as he sat down in front of her. She leant forward a little, resting her weight on her interlocked hands placed before her and softly said, “I’d prefer that you utilise my rank and position, Doctor, rather than such vulgarity as, say, “Bossâ€, if you wouldn’t mind.

Half of the captain knew that Fox was an old card, and allowed for his over-personalisation. Had been around the Fleet longer than she and had risen to great esteem both professionally, and from what she knew of the man, personally amongst some of top brass. “But now that you’re here, welcome to the Ranger. You come highly recommended from Command.

"Likewise, Captain." Fox replied, offering a smile in reply. He had heard the Ranger was a place for new adventures that pushed the boundaries of most Medical Officer's, which was why he'd taken the position. Add to that the brass's assurances that Halliwell was as good as they came, he couldn't say no.

"Is there anything I need to know to get along on this ship?" he asked, "Any special circumstances, special crew, anything at all I should be aware of?" he pressed, "Naturally, I've been through the medical charts and the ships personnel records extensively, but still. there's something to be said for a good ole fashioned heads-up."

"Nothing that springs to mind," Elsie replied searching her memory for a moment, "but I'm sure that once you get into sickbay and get your feet under the table, whatever needs to will present itself." She paused and then warmly smiled. "Is there anything that you need from me, Doctor?"

Cailean shook his head, "No, you'll find I'm pretty self-sufficient." he smirked, "My job's keeping the crew healthy and ready to do whatever it is you need them to do. I stay close to Sick Bay and don't generally get involved when I'm not asked." he said, heaving a slow breath. That was his way, to practice medicine and see to the wealth and health of the crew, not bother with the affairs of the rest of the ship unless he was needed. "I'm at your call of course." he added with a friendly smile.

Elsie smiled with confidence, nodded and then stood. Holding out her hand, she took his and shook it. "Welcome aboard then, Doctor," she said as he stood to tower above her. "I suppose I'll next see you for the briefing of our next mission."

"Sure thing, boss." he said, standing up and smoothing the front of his uniform. "Please to meet you. I'll be in Sick Bay if you need anything, just give a hollar." he smiled one more time before excusing himself and stepping out the doors. He had work to do, and now that the formalities were over, it was time to get to it.

OFF:



Captain Elsie Halliwell
Commanding Officer
USS Ranger

AND


Commander Cailean Fox, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ranger

 

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