Coffee Break

Posted on Thu Dec 7th, 2023 @ 1:23am by Lieutenant Michael Amato & Lieutenant Dr. Jeremiah McEntyre M.D.

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Mission 5: The Price of Paradise
Location: Deck 7: Medical Division
Timeline: M5 MD01 (2268.07.14) 1400

The coffee in the tiny galley within the medical division aboard the Midway wasn't great, but it was hot and convenient. Mike sighed as he stirred in some non-fat, non-dairy creamer into his mug of coffee.

“Coffee any good?”

The voice of Dr. Jeremiah McEntyre carried as he came into the galley. A curious purr from him as he walked up to the coffee station close to Mike.

The young man turned his head to look at the Caitian doctor, "Not really, but it's better than nothing," Mike responded before dumping the plastic coffee stirrer into the refuse slot. "How are you settling in?" He asked, "Hope it's not been too insane."

“It’s been fairly calm so far. Y’all seem to have a top notch staff aboard.”

Jeremiah says, taking a grey cup from the stack and pouring himself a cup. Stirring in a good glug of creamer and sweetener.

"We try, although we've had staff in and out of this place," Mike responded, "Multiple doctors as well.... Thankfully some of the staff Dr. Kitchner brought with him. Good to have some experience roaming the wards."

Jeremiah sips his coffee before he spoke again.

“Hard to imagine doctors coming in and out of a Constitution Class Starship. These are prime postings.”

Jeremiah turns to give Michael his full attention.

"Well, Dr. zh'Nolon was only here for her surgical rotation and Dr. Slattery... Well he got into some hot water with personnel. Frankly I'm glad that idiot is gone," Mike commented with a sigh.

“Dr. Michael Slattery? Out of the Boston Medical Slatterys? You’re right, heard about him through the grapevine at the annual conference. He seemed like too much ego and not enough personality."

"He was impossible to work with and rubbed everyone the wrong way," Mike said, "I'm just glad to be rid of him... He managed to tank his career... I guess things eventually catch up with you in the long run." He took a sip from his cup of coffee.

"Guess I dodged a bullet there."

Jermiah sips his coffee as well.

"So, I know we've haven't gotten a chance to get to know each other well, I'd love to hear more about your background since we'll be working together."

"Sure, I'm pretty much an open book," Mike responded, "I don't suppose we could sit down?" He looked down his tanned nose at the Catian doctor as he took another sip from his cup of coffee.

"Of Course"

Jeremiah smiles and walks over to the table in the small galley, sitting down in one of the chairs surrounding it.

"Slow day at least," Mike commented as he sat down in the chair across from Jeremiah.

"It's been nice not having to always be rushing to one thing after another. K-19 sat at the edge of the frontier so ships were always passing through."

"An assignment like that you're probably dealing with a plague a week," Mike responded, "Usually around here it's radiation burns, broken bones and that sort of thing. Although we've had a few interesting cases here and there."

Jeremiah smiles a bit.

"On occasion, but most of my time was spent doing check ups, research and the occasional lecture to promising new doctors that were doing field rotations"

"Sounds like a ton of fun," Mike responded in jest. "So what do you like to do other than all of this?" He asked as he motioned around the room.

"I've got a ranch back home in Dallas. I'm married to a wonderful wife, Stella, and two children at home, James and Leanne. I like painting Western Landscapes and building furniture."

Jeremiah replies, sipping his coffee as he does.

"Pretty well settled then," Mike commented with a sigh, "I wish I could say the same... Must be tough being away from your family on a deep space assignment. Curious as to how you can manage a ranch from so far away."

“The misses has a good handle on the ranch. Got a good crew out there, so mostly it’s administrative. She’s also a nurse herself, working out of Starfleet-Parkland Hospital”

“I try to get home between long term assignments, my last year before pulling this assignment was an Attending Physician at Parkland, which was a great blessing with helping with the kids. I swear they’re sprouting up like weeds, though I am concerned about them being only Half-Caitian.”

Jeremiah comments

“What about you, you were saying it was nice I was settled?”

"Well I'm out here still trying to figure things out, if I'm being perfectly honest," Mike responded, "The career is figured out at this point but not much else."

“How so?”

Jeremiah asks, taking his glasses and cleaning them a moment before putting them back on.

"Well I'm not married, don't own anything or do much," Mike explained, "I have someone in my life and I enjoy watching old movies but that's about it. No time for much else besides work."

“I do enjoy a good western movie myself. Have you thought of what you want out of your life, beyond being a surgeon?”

"Not really, no," Mike responded, "My brother was the son with his life together, but he's gone now while the rest of us pick up the pieces." His voice was matter of fact but it was clear he still wasn't over Joseph's death.

"Have you spoken to someone about your feelings regarding his death?"

Jeremiah asks with concern in his voice.

"Several," Mike responded, "Not sure it's done a damn bit of good. It helps being here though, on this ship."

“I’ll tell you, I’m enjoying my time aboard, as little as I’ve been onboard so far.”

Jeremiah sips his coffee.

The young doctor nodded, "Well built ship and a fairly good crew, one which became experienced quickly and under fire..." he commented.

“As do most new ships, I imagine. Still, I’m keen on getting my hands dirty. The frontier is ripe with opportunity for some adventure.”

Jeremiah smiles.

“I must sound like some recruitment ad. Truth be told, I’m mainly a doctor for my adoptive mother. She rescued me from a Klingon attack when I was barely an hour old. Never really knew who my birth parents were but I’m certainly glad to have my adopted mother.”

"I can't even begin to understand that experience," Mike commented, "I've been pretty lucky up until this year. One thing the whole experience taught me is that the frontier is incredibly dangerous, especially where it may lead you."

"And How. My mother use to tell me stories of my great grandfather, He was a MACO in the Earth-Romulan War, he lost a brother who served on the Atlantis NX-05, out in deep space. Never heard from them after that."

"I lost my brother, on the Defiant," Mike responded with a sigh, "I'm not sure which was worse, him missing presumed dead or confirmed dead... I can tell you my mother thought him officially dead was worse."

Jeremiah nodded, saying nothing, sipping his coffee still.

Mike finished his coffee and discarded his paper cup, "Well I guess we better get back to it then," he responded.

Jeremiah did the same, standing up to leave, and disposing of his cup.

"Indeed, but I did enjoy our conversation though, and look forward to working with you further."

"Likewise Doctor," Mike responded, giving a crooked smirk.

 

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