Complex Medical History

Posted on Sun Sep 28th, 2025 @ 7:42pm by Ensign Vesper Wells & Commander Cressida Vale MD

916 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Prologue
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: 2388

Moving into the calm glow of Sickbay, Vesper Wells glanced around for the doctor. The Yeoman knew it should be Dr. Vale, and even if they hadn't met yet, she knew her when she saw her. She made her way to the dark haired woman, leaning on her cane to stabilise the limp she walked with. She'd spent far too many hours in Sickbays or the like, more than she cared to remember. But she knew it was for her own sake and no one elses, so she always tried to remain in good spirits about it. "Dr Vale? I'm Vesper Wells, I'm here for my check up, if you're able?"

Cressida looked up from the monitor she had been studying when she heard her name. “Ah yes, Ensign Wells, I heard you had come aboard. Now’s a perfect time, come have a seat.” She gestured to the nearest biobed while she found a charged and calibrated medical tricorder.

"Thanks," Vesper flashed a warm smile to her before settling on the biobed, resting her cane against the edge, out of the doctor's way. She recognised Cressida from her file, of course. Talented. Ambitious. Compassionate. It was nice to put a real person to the name and picture. "You should have received my file...?"

“It’s right here,” Cressida said, tapping on the display console. “I had a chance to review it last night. I myself don’t have much experience with Hesrin Disease but I’ve been reading up on it. How is the pain these days, and what have you been doing to manage it?”

"It's not too bad at the moment," Vesper replied honestly. She'd learnt the hard way that trying to downplay her symptoms only led to trouble. "I take my weekly shots to lower the risk of bleeds. I keep an emergency shot on me at all times in case I'm inured. The cane helps with my hip damage. I also have a leg brace for days it feels harder to walk, but I try without it as much as possible. I keep up with my physio...well...most days at least," she gave a soft, half smile at that admission. It was only occasionally she skipped it, when she was too tired or had a long day.

Cressida nodded as she listened. “Keep all of that up then. I’d like to go through your physio routine with you at some point. Not now, but in a few days maybe. Just to see what it looks like and maybe offer improvements. I don’t want to fix what isn’t broken but another doctor looking at what you do, it might be insightful. Or it might not, and I just understand more how you manage.”

"Thank you, that would be useful. If nothing else, you can let me know if I've let bad habits slip in," Vesper agreed with a soft if slightly shy chuckle. It was always a little tricky, switching doctors with a more complex medical history. She was never sure how much she should spell out, in case it caused offence at the suggestion they'd need her to.

"Well then, I think I have enough to certify you fit for duty," Cressida said. "Within the confines of previous accommodation agreements, of course. We'll set up an appointment time for your physio routine." She closed her tricorder. "How are you finding the ship so far?"

"I like it," Vesper replied with a genuine smile, looking around the Sickbay with more interest now that she'd been cleared. "It's my first since graduating from the Academy, so I don't have a huge amount of experience to go on, but I'm enjoying it. How about you?"

“It’s home,” Cressida answered warmly. “It’s got everything I could want. I’ve never been happier since I took on this assignment.”

"That's reassuring," Vesper admitted with a soft laugh, watching her with a grateful smile, whether she realised just how reassuring the words had been or not. "I'll be working with the Commodore, but if you need anything, just let me know."

"Commodore McEntyre is a good man," Cressida said. "A good boss and a good leader. Firm but fair. And yeah, I'll let you know if I need something. You're good to go though." She offered an arm in case her patient needed help getting off the biobed.

"Thanks," Vesper cast a brief smile, taking the arm to help pull herself straight, settling into her balance before catching hold of her cane. "And even if you don't need anything, I can always make a pot of tea, so don't be a stranger," she offered with a warm smile.

“I’d love that,” Cressida replied. “If you ever need a fresh source of tea leaves, my fiancée grows a few blends in the arboretum. Nothing too exotic but she might have something you like. I know a few people have taken cuttings from her to grow their own mint or lemon balm plants in their quarters.”

"That sounds amazing!" Vesper reached to squeeze her arm with a warm smile at the prospect. There was *nothing* like real tea leaves. "Oh, what a life saver, thanks, I'll be sure to take a look."

“I’ll let her know she’ll have someone incoming,” Cressida said. “Nice to meet you today, Vesper. I’ll see you around.”


OFF

Commander Cressida Vale, MD
Chief Medical Officer, USS Guinevere

Ensign Vesper Wells
Yeoman, USS Guinevere

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