New Assignment [PREQUEL LOG]

Posted on Fri Mar 17th, 2023 @ 9:43am by Lieutenant Aalok Raniga

1,735 words; about a 9 minute read

New Assignment
By Dr. Aalok Raniga, MD

"Assistant Chief Medical Officer's personal log, supplemental. We're returning from our three month long mission at Kaylix Prime. I must admit, it was one of the most extraneous missions we've ever had. Well, I mean in my six years here. There were many times I thought we wouldn't help the Kalyixians get through it, but we made it. Honestly I couldn't have done it without a partner like Dr. T'San. Most people find Vulcans hard to work with but she has been incredible. As usual, we have always made a great team and led our medical staff to success in our mission. If I ever got assigned, I really hope I have crewmates like her. The more I work with her, the more I feel it'd be hard to find someone like that to work with. Reena says sometimes I like her more than her which makes me laugh. I think I'll-"

His log entry was silenced by the chime of the communication beep. 

"Computer, pause recording." he said. The computer also beeped in acknowledgement.

"Rimbrot to Doctor Raniga." came the voice of Fleet Captain Ordis Rimbrot, the commanding officer of Starbase 204 where he was currently serving.

"Raniga here." he replied.

"Can you please come to my office?"

Aalok raised his eyebrows, then nodded, "Of course sir. I'm on my way," he tapped the button to save recording on his computer then exited, then left his quarters. He hadn't changed or start grooming for his off duty hours yet anyway. The walk to the CO's office was brisk but not long. He came to the door, tapped the doorchime and almost immediately, the doors opened. He saw the Fleet Captain sitting behind his desk, working on his computer. When he saw Aalok, he gestured for him to come in and come closer, so he did. He stood still as he stood next to the chair that was across the desk from him and stood steady but not stiffly, "You wanted to see me, Captain?"

"Yes, thank you for coming, Aalok," the Fleet Captain said, turning off his computer console, turning it away, then folding his blue hands in front of himself and looking at him. He gestured to the chair across from him, "Please, take a seat," when Aalok complied, he smirked, "So, I won't waste your time here, Doctor. I just wanted to say right away that your performance during the Kaylix mission was amazing. You and Dr. T'San were my dynamic duo, as Commander Tybett says, as usual."

He smiled lightly then nodded, "Thank you sir."

There was a slight pause in the air, and the Fleet Captain actually decided to break it, "Aalok, you know that I've made it clear that you and Dr. T'San have been incredible. I mean, you two have shown a professional chemistry and harmony that has made so many missions smoother and more successful than they could have been. Really, I can't stress that enough. I wanted to tell you, that Doctor Lillard has decided not to come back from her command training."

"Sir?"

"She is going to convert to command and leave the medical division. That means, there's going to be an open spot for chief medical officer. She's been my CMO for over nine years, but since she married Commander Atjack-Kun, she's been making a lot of comments that support the idea of her changing departments. She's a fine doctor, but having been involved with the good Commander for so long, she's made it clear her heart is with command now. To tell you the truth, I think Commander Atjack-Kun is going to try and get her to come aboard when he takes the center seat on Outpost Sorvino next month. If not as her XO, then maybe someone on his senior staff, so they don't have to serve in different postings."

Aalok nodded, "I understand sir. Reena and I have had difficulties with that too. If only this starbase had a JAG office, I would have tried to get her to come here too so she, our son, and I don't have to be apart either, but we knew what it would cost us if we tried to pursue a family. I'm just glad so far it seems to be working...."

The Fleet Captain smirked, "Well, you could've served on the medical staff at her starbase.... Did you two consider that?"

He nodded, "Yes sir. I tried. I even had dinner with the station's second officer and tried to somehow woo him into putting in a good word for me to bring me onto their team," he gave out a sigh, "But I was told they weren't looking for medical personnel. I just want you to know though, that I wouldn't change my experiences for the world, Captain. I hope you know how clear I've made it that I am grateful to have served here right out of the academy."

"I know..." said the higher ranking Bolian in agreement, "Okay, so, I have made it clear to Rear Admiral Duque that I don't want someone from the outside getting posted here taking over. I'd like one of my people to take the CMO spot, and that spot will come with a promotion to whoever gets it."

He had to admit, he thought for a moment, that he was going to offer him the position, but he also couldn't help but wonder if he already spoke to T'San about it. Either way, his curiosity was starting to build more and more with each second after that.

"..... I'd like to offer it to Doctor T'San."

Aalok immediately snapped to attention, looking at him with a very serious face. Not one that's angry in any way or even shocked which he tried his best to hide and was grateful that Bolians were not telepathic at that moment to say the least. He took a deep breath, then nodded, "She's a great choice. I'd love to be her assistant chief medical officer. We'd still be a great duo. Permission to speak freely though, sir?"

Rimbrot sat back in his seat now, "Go ahead...."

"If that is what you called me here for sir, I hope it's not because you think I wouldn't take it well if you gave it to her. I have nothing but respect and appreciation for Dr. T'San. If I've given you any reason to think otherwise, then please let me know because it's not that at all."

"No, Doctor, it isn't...." the Fleet Captain said, tapping the top of his desk with a few beats from his index finger nail against it, "Actually.... I wanted to do better than that. You see, there are a lot of great officers throughout the fleet who get stuck somewhere and there are some good COs like myself who see them as wasting their potential when they could be making a difference elsewhere where they may be needed more," he saw Aalok was about to say something, then put his hand up to hush him before he could speak, "I'm not saying you're not needed here, Aalok. Nor am I saying you're wasting your time here either. I'm saying there are many postings throughout the fleet that need a solid CMO. So how about it? How would you like to take over an entire medical staff alone and be the CMO of another crew that really needs you even more than we do?"

"Wow, sir..." was all that Aalok could say at that particular moment, ".... Well, how about T'San? She'll need a new assistant CMO if I leave."

"You let me worry about that. Plus she's a Vulcan. She will adapt. And though I know it'll be hard to find someone to replace you, or even someone like you, I really think honestly you can make a better difference leading your own team. You're ready and have been ready. In fact...." he turned his computer around, turned it on again, then tapped several functions on it, "The Aldrin just lost their chief medical officer a few days ago. I think she retired or something out of nowhere. Commodore Shayron put in a request for a new CMO and the brass has been taking suggestions from us captains. I've submitted your name already and it seems like you're the front runner... but I have to know if you're okay with it."

He had to snap out of it because of the thought of leaving his first posting which he has been at for over six years and have done so much already, it was all hitting him in that moment, "I.... No, I don't see a problem with it..... I'd... I love to."

"Excellent," the Captain said with a smile, then lightly smacked the top of his desk. He opened a drawer in his desk, pulled something out, then stood up, prompting him to stand up, and walked around to him, "Then by the power invested in me as commanding officer of Starbase 204, I hereby promote you to the rank of Full-Lieutenant with all the rights thereof, pending the completion of your transfer to the USS Aldrin," he took out a solid gold rank pip out of the little box in his hand and replaced the hollow one with it, leaving his neck with two solid rank pips there on the right of his collar, "Congratulations, Doctor. You've earned it." then he extended his hand to Aalok.

He sighed, then smiled and gripped and shook the Fleet Captain's hand, "Thank you, sir."

"So, the USS Wilson is currently here getting supplies and some routine maintenance done. However, they will be leaving in the morning for Earth. They're a Constellation-Class starship so with four nacelles, they can hit warp nine so you'll probably get there in five days at their max warp. I don't know what their upcoming mission is, but I was told that they won't leave without you. I'll have your transfer orders set the moment you leave my office."

"I understand."

"Good. Make me proud, Doctor. You already have here and I am eternally grateful for all you've done here as well. I'm sure you'll do the same and maybe even more there, especially since you'll be out and about into the stars more often than you ever were here."

"Thank you, sir. I'll do my best."

Rimbrot nodded, "Dismissed."

 

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