Standing on one leg

Posted on Tue Sep 29th, 2026 @ 3:35am by Lieutenant JG Jarin Alexander, MD & Lieutenant Sornax

1,430 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Echoes in the Triangle
Location: Sickbay | Deck 7

Having completed reporting in with the command staff of the ship, Sornax had promised to check in with Sickbay before getting to work. Starfleet seemed to have this tradition of making new officers go through hoops when they took a new assignment, and it seemed like half the time personnel records were always behind, despite the majority of the time the transfer was placed in advance. Sornax was curious whether it was going to be the case today or not. The one thing that struck him, though, was that the Captain had told him the current Chief Medical Officer was departing after their last mission, which made him wonder who exactly would be doing his examination.

Jarin was the only one in sickbay at the moment and was restocking some of the supply cabinets and carts. They had just faced a pretty serious medical situation with his buddy, K’Var, but he was glad they pulled her through. Pushing one of the carts back to its assigned space, he placed some of the equipment he had cleaned back on the shelf.

Rounding the corner of the corridor on deck seven, the Denobulan lieutenant found the entrance to Sickbay and stepped inside after the doors had parted with his approach. He was quite impressed with the size of it at first glance. The medical facilities on a Constitution-class starship were quite superior to his last posting, and it made him all the more excited to check out the science labs later.

Looking around, he found a passing nurse and waved her down. “Excuse me, I’m looking for the physician on duty. I’m here to complete my medical exam.” The humanoid nurse offered a smile as he asked his question and motioned for him to follow her. “Doctor Alexander is on duty right now, Lieutenant. Did you have an appointment scheduled?”

“No, ma’am, I just came aboard the Arcadia and was directed to check in with Sickbay given my medical background,” Sornax explained as she walked him over to the other side of Sickbay. There they came upon a young, brown-haired officer who was placing medical items away. “Doctor Alexander, I have a new transfer here for their medical exam.”

“Thank you,” Jarin said before placing the last of the hyposprays on the shelf. “Sorry about that, sir.” he turned his full attention to the gentleman in blue. “I can get your medical exam taken care of, Lieutenant.” Jarin paused as he realized he didn’t know the patient's name. The Lieutenant knew he was Dr. Alexander, but that was it. “I apologize, sir. I should have introduced myself. I’m one of the Medical Officers, Jarin Alexander.”


After Jarin turned his attention to him, Sornax offered a polite nod and half-smile before extending his hand in greeting to the Human officer. "Doctor Alexander, it is a pleasure. I'm Lieutenant Sornax, the new Chief Science Officer for Arcadia." As the Lieutenants exchanged pleasantries, the Nurse turned to grab a cart filled with standard tools for a medical exam and wheeled it over to a nearby bio bed. She gave a silent look to the Jarin, letting him know that the bed was ready and she was available if needed before going back to her business in Sickbay. "I apologize, I'm not sure if Starfleet Medical sent my records ahead of my arrival, Doctor. This is actually my first posting back on a starship since my rehab assignment."

Giving an affirming nod to the nurse, Jarin mouthed “thank you!” Checking on the Lieutenant's medical records, the doctor shook his head. “They did not send your medical records, but no one is better to get me up to date than the man himself.” Doctor Alexander gestured to the bio-bed they were standing next to, wearing a polite smile.

Sornax eyed the sterile biobed with its white sheets and monitors overhead before following the gestured instruction and took a seat on it. When he was settled and waiting for Doctor Alexander, he lifted his left leg up and, right around the knee, he grasped and twisted, and then a pop was heard. With a swift motion, he pulled down, and then an advanced bio-mechanical prosthetic leg was set down next to him. It was primarily shades of various grays and metal, with no hint of flesh on it. But thanks to advanced Federation technology, it felt and worked like the real deal. It just happened to be stronger and much more durable.

“Well, here’s detail number one, Doc. I lost my leg from the knee down almost a year ago thanks to the Klingons. I had some broken bones, scars, and the usual to go along with it, but those have all been healed.” What he didn’t mention right off the bat is that he had chosen to keep the scar right above the knee that went across his leg, a reminder of the encounter and those who were lost. “Outside of that, I like to consider myself normally quite the healthy individual.”

“Well, I will say just because you lost a limb has nothing to do with how healthy you are.” Jarin picked up a tricorder and activated it. “Of course you already know that.” The Assistant Chief Medical Officer used his left hand to punch a command into a console stationed beside the medical bed; a blue light started slowly moving down the patient's body. “Just getting a skeletal scan,” Jarin looked up from the tricorder with a slight smile on his face, “just to make sure there are no small fractures or any issues with how your amputation healed up.”

“You’d be surprised what the loss of a limb does to you. But you’re right, I’m very healthy these days.” Sornax made sure to remain still as the doctor took his scans, making sure not to mess things up as he was scanned two different ways. “The surgeons at Starfleet medical never mentioned any residual bone fragments or things of that nature, but I appreciate the caution, Doc. Let me ask, how is the relationship between the medical and science departments on this ship in your opinion?”

“I think the two departments work well together.l Jarin was looking at some readings and making some adjustments to his tricorder. “I think most of the people in the two departments are professionals. Of course I’m just a nobody,” he smiled and shrugged a little.

“Forgive me, Lieutenant, but are you not the Assistant Chief Medical Officer? Beyond that, you’re a skilled physician and member of the crew. That hardly makes you a nobody.” Offering a reassuring smile to Jarin after he spoke his words, Sornax reached for his prosthetic and reattached it to his leg as they continued to speak. “I’m glad to hear the departments work well together. That said, if there is ever an experiment or research the medical department is conducting that we can offer assistance with, please do not hesitate to reach out. I want to make sure that the science team is always accessible and not seen as just a bunch of research nerds hiding in a lab, so to speak.”

“I appreciate that, sir.” Dr. Alexander smiled. “There are a few ideas I have. If it’s okay with you, I’ll get my files sent over to you?” Jarin was all but finished with the Lieutenant's medical exam.

“Absolutely, Doc, I’d be happy to look them over. Anything in particular you’re most excited about for me to look over?” Sornax asked with interest as he waited for the exam to conclude.

“It’s only a few items.” Jarin sat down the tricorder. “And unless you have anything else bothering you, you are cleared for duty.”

Sornax hopped up from the bed and smoothed his uniform over before extending his hand in gratitude. "Appreciate the clean bill of health. And no need to call me sir when we're not being formal. Sornax is fine, Doc. As for the projects, send them into my queue, and I'll take a look at them when I'm settled into my office."

Taking the offered hand “yes si… Sornax” Jarin corrected himself and smiled.

After they had exchanged a hearty handshake, the Denobulan offered a small nod and then made for the exit. At least it was a simple exam without all the shots, millions of questions, and so forth. He was quite thankful for that.

OFF:

Lieutenant Sornax
Chief Science Officer

&

Lieutenant JG Jarin Alexander, MD.
Medical Officer

 

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