Medical Solutions for Troubled Turoc

Posted on Tue Mar 17th, 2009 @ 1:06pm by Captain Elsie Halliwell & Ensign Turoc & Lieutenant JG Lucy Carter

2,085 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: In The Dark
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Back-post

After Ensign Carter left the Ready Room of Commander Coltan Lane, the Trill slumped back into his chair and sighed heavily with the weight of the conversation. The chair was beginning to feel as if it moulded his back perfectly for all the hours he had donated to it lately. To his mind, he always seemed to be sat encased between those bulkheads of late and the stagnant environment he had cultured was beginning to bear heavily on his mind. However, more importantly now, it seemed that the added weight of his Assistant Chief Sec/Tac officer played most heavily.

A medical procedure to suppress his anger?

He had to hand it to his Chief Counsellor: The ingenuity of the solution to the problem was… ingenious. And although the Counsellor had suggested that there would be no permanent altercations to Turoc, the thought of going ahead with this necessary procedure troubled the Trill deeply.

He knew that Turoc had made his way to Sickbay to ‘discuss’ this scenario with Doctor Mabren but Lane decided, looking around at his Ready Room, that he himself should to be present. He could not resign himself to merely reading a report about this from a second-hand source.

Lightly flicking his combadge he said, =A= Lane to Carter: Ensign, I know you have just left my Ready Room but could you report to Sickbay directly? =A=

"Yes sir, on my way" responded Carter, puzzled at the urgency of the request.

He stood from his chair and made his way to the door. As he strode across the Bridge he nodded to Commander Arkham who was sat, twisted around in her chair and said, “Number One, I’ll be in Sickbay should you need me. I’ll fill you in later.�

Arkham simply nodded and faced the viewscreen once more.

As he entered the turbolift Lane announced, “Deck Four, please,� and the doors whipped closed, sealing him within the pod.

[Sickbay]

Ensign Carter made her way directly to sickbay. Actually, she was pleased because she could now report for her physical exam and maybe clear the mystery of her weird DNA. That was, after whatever Commander Lane had planned.

Turoc entered as he found Lieutenant Mabren. He said in his rough, gravely voice "Ok let's get this over with. I have work to do."

Mabren turned around from the central console, "Hello, Ensign, get what over with?"

"My anger suppression." he said looking some what confused.

Looking behind the towering Security officer, Mabren noticed the Counselor walking in. "I see, Ensign," he said, pointing to the second biobed, "If you'll have a seat, we'll begin momentarily."

Walking back towards the Counselor, he continued, "Counselor, could I see you in my office."

"Why do I get the feeling no one knows about this procedure."

Carter followed the doctor to his office but entered first, as he stepped to let her aside. She got the feeling he was less than happy with what had just happened.

As soon as the CMO and Counselor were in the office, Mabren closed the door and activated the privacy screen, making the window go dark. Spinning, Mabren said, "What the hell are you thinking, Counselor?" Noticing the confused looked on the counselor, Mabren clarified, "How can you recommend a medical procedure to a member of this crew and not discuss it with the medical officer?"

Carter was more than surprised and couldn't say anything for a second or two. Regaining her composure she pushed her hair back from her face and tucked it behind her ear before explaining. "I am sure you are aware, doctor, that Ensign Turoc has already injured one member of this crew."

"I am very much aware of that, Ensign," Mabren said, trying to control his anger, but he wasn't able to very well. "And he is facing the consequences over that incident. Isn't it your job to console him, Counselor?"

Carter continued, not deterred. "He came to my office for his psychological evaluation accompanied by four security officers. As I am sure you can imagine, this is not the best start to a patient/counsellor arrangement so I asked the guards to leave. His temper needed dealing with and I did that in the only way I knew how. I am sure you will find that the medical suppression is in Starfleet medical databases and is a recognised form of treatment. "

"Counselor," Mabren said, "No. It's not an easy start to your sessions. But he needs to learn how to control himself." Pausing, Mabren took a deep breath. Thinking about everything, he resumed; "I will continue with this course of treatment, over my objections. I don't feel we should neuter a member of Starfleet because he has an anger management problem."

"Neuter, doctor? I am not sure it's as serious as that. As I explained to the Ensign, the procedure does not alter him in any way. He still has the same feelings but it makes him less likely to want to act on them. To be frank, I am not sure how such a..." she chose her words carefully here, "...volatile individual was allowed on board in the first place. However, I am sure that with this procedure and my continued counselling, we can subdue his violent urges and he will be a valued member of this crew."

"Yes, it is, Counselor," Mabren said, "When the inhibitor is active, his anger will be lessened. And possibly even prevented. It all depends on the Ensign's biology. Weren't these same arguments made against the Klingons? And now look at them. Valued allies. But those questions are for another time Counselor. Lets finish this. It's leaving a bad taste in my mouth." Turning, Mabren deactivated the privacy lock and stepped through the door. And hesitated for the briefest of seconds as he noticed the Captain was sharing a drink with the Ensign.

Carter paused for a moment as she took on board the words of the doctor. She considered the Klingon argument but decided she was right in this instance. The need for action was now. In time and with her counselling, she was certain the suppression could be removed. She followed the doctor out of his office.

[Main Sickbay]

Commander Lane exited the turbolift and walked the short corridor down to the sickbay. As the doors silently and swiftly parted before him, he stepped in to a rather quiet and but occupied medical bay. The colossal Assistant Security Chief filled the space as he heavily sat perched on one of the biobeds, casting a darkened shadow across the decked flooring.

“Ensign,� Lane nodded. “Where are the medical staff?� he asked, confused as to why the Yajuta was unattended. “And is Ensign Carter present?�

"They are in the office behind the darkened window sir, I don't know why."

“Very well, Ensign. We’ll remain here until they have… finished. Could I offer you a drink of some kind Mr. Turoc?�

"Some blood wine would be nice, sir. Helps clams the nerves." This is the closest that he had come to admitting fear. "The thought of people poking about in your skull is not the most comforting of thoughts as you imagine sir," Turoc said.

“Well, considering the circumstances Ensign, I’ll allow it this once. I’m afraid that you will have to make do with the replicated stuff as I don’t have any of the genuine article.� The Trill fixed his eyes on to his Assistant Chief SEC/TAC officer and broke into a slight, concerning smile.

“Ensign, is this what you want? This aggression dampening procedure?�

"Given the circumstances, I don't have much of choice. Besides, once I get adjusted to Starfleet, it can be undone." Turoc replied.

“Agreed, Ensign," the commander replied regretfully.

After his brief hesitation, Mabren said, "Hello, Captain." And crossed sickbay to join them.

"Doctor," Lane simply nodded in greeting. "I'm just here to witness this, Mr. Mabren. I don't want to get under your feet."

"Ensign, before I continue, I need to ask one last time," Pausing, he glanced at the Captain before continuing, "You agree to continue with the procedure?"

"Yes I agree," Turoc stated in his gravely voice, looking none to pleased. After all, to him it seemed he was effectively being neutered.

Taking a deep breath, Mabren nodded and walked over to an equipment storage and rummaged around before he found the inhibitor. As he walked back over to join the others around the biobed, he explained, "Ensign, while you are on duty or acting in an official capacity, this inhibitor is to be worn. If the Captain agrees, when you are off duty, you are allowed to take it off."

"Agreed," Lane interjected.

Looking at the Counselor, he continued, "Also, you are to continue working with the Counselor to control your aggression without such drastic measures." Pointing between the two Ensigns, he continued, "The frequency of your sessions will be determined between you two."

Carter looked Turoc in the eye and said "I think we have come to a good agreement and have earned each other's respect". She nodded at Turoc and a kind smile briefly crossed her lips.

"Very well, now can we get this finished? I have work to do," Turoc said, seeming irritated with the whole ordeal.

"It'll be just a few more minutes," Mabren said, stepping up to the large officer, he reached up and placed the inhibitor at the base of his skull. After he activated it, Mabren walked over to the console and had the computer access the inhibitor.

"Alright, Ensign," Mabren satrted, "I need you to be as calm as possible, we need to establish a base line."

After the base line was established, Mabren took a deep breath. This was going to be the interesting part. "Now, I need you to get upset." When the Captain and Counselor both shot alarmed looks to him, he explained, "I need to know exactly how the Ensign's brain responds, that way I can target the specifics."

"Proceed, Doctor…" Lane replied, nodding.

As the new data began to flow across the console, Mabren began comparing the scans. Despite the difference, Mabren was surprised to learn that the brain chemistry was very similar to a normal humanoid.

As he looked across the scans, he isolated the specific part of the brain and the corresponding brain wave. Typing commands into the computer, he had the computer isolate the brain wave and come create a counter-wave to sooth the emotion. Having the computer update the inhibitor, Mabren watched the large officer closely, to see what happens.

There was a look in Turoc's eyes: a mix of sadness and loss, as well a hint of relief and a twinge of pain as he jerked his head.

Mabren was concerned, there shouldn't have been any pain. Grabbing his tricorder, Mabren was beside the large officer running various scans. "Ensign," he started to ask, "Is everything ok? What are you feeling?"

"My forehead feels like a spike's been jammed through it."

Mabren began to focus his attention on the inhibitor. Maybe the Ensign's brain chemistry wasn't so similar after all. Studying the readings on his screen, Mabren didn't like what he saw. The counter wave was having a secondary effect of over-stimulating the prefrontal cortex. After the doctor thought for a moment, he moved back to the console. "I want to try something," he said vaguely as he inputted a string of commands.

After he finished, he returned to the biobed and started to run a new set of scans. "Better?" he asked.

"A little. It will do. I must get back to work. A little pain can't kill you," Turoc responded.

Lane stood there, viewing the scene as it unfolded. Stepping in, he said, "All right, Mr. Turoc, you're dismissed. However, should you feel any discomfort, I want you to return to sickbay. And that's an order." Turning to the Doctor, he continued. "Doctor, I want round the clock scans on the Ensign. At least until his first medical check-up. And also, Ms Carter, I would like a schedule submitted devising when and how frequent he is to meet with you. Understood?"

The Commander nodded respectfully at his crew assembled in sickbay and a smile fractured on his face.

"Good work, Doctor. Keep me informed."




Commander Coltan Lane
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Gustav Mabren
Chief Medical Officer

Ensign Turoc
Assistant Chief SEC/TAC Officer

AND

Ensign Lucy Carter
Chief Counsellor

 

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