Assistant Chief Medical Officer's Log #001

Posted on Wed Feb 19th, 2025 @ 12:43pm by Lieutenant Prudence Devin

1,078 words; about a 5 minute read

“Assistant Chief Medical Officer’s log.

I have started to settle in here on the USS America. Although very different from my previous civilian life, I have come to embrace what Starfleet does. What once was a means to an end has slowly become something I care about. It is not just the values, although those matter. Exploration, seeking out new life, new civilizations…discoveries. Advancement. It is all tenants which I can hold close. Of course, there are some things I find strange to this day.

Before I joined Starfleet, I didn’t realise that there were no designated therapists. While a medical officer is meant to also take care of the crew’s mental health as well as their physical, not all are suited for such a dual role. I myself lean more towards my old specialisms above being, for instance, a surgeon. It doesn’t mean I am not capable, more that my natural interests rest elsewhere.

Leon and I celebrated the anniversary of our divorce on Earth for once. The Montgomery was at Starbase One, so I had the chance to do it face to face rather than over call. He looks good, but naturally he knows it. Age is a strange thing that seems to age men like fine wine, whereas women are often left marked by it.

Still, I am glad I put some frown and laugh lines on him.

The USS America doesn’t seem that remarkable. Yet there is a certain history being on a Constitution Class vessel. I haven’t really had the chance to mix much with the crew yet, mostly due to everyone being naturally busy. As Assistant Chief, I fly a little bit more under the radar. The more people see of me, the more likely it is that there is something wrong if all hands truly are on deck.

Doctor Stallworth is dedicated to her calling. It’s not a job for her, but truly a calling, the way that religious people were once called to serve their deity. She does seem to occasionally fall into what I would call…undermining comments. In all fairness, usually when she has been pushed into it. I think there’s a certain temper to her that reminds me a lot of my mother.

I have not really interacted with the others of the crew, but I am aware of it. The Chief Science Officer, a woman half my age, What I have observed of her seems to be someone who feels all the emotions. I think I vaguely remember that, not being afraid of feeling. She may come across as a little erratic, but there is a clear intelligence there which explains her quick rise in position. Sometimes, it is about what you can do, not about the years.

The Chief Engineer is someone I have managed to avoid so far. In truth, that is a good thing. Engineers have a tendency of hurting themselves, which winds them right in my sickbay. Not having him here yet does speak well of the safety standards on the ship. I have seen him around though. As my mother would say…buying him a comb might benefit his advancement.

The Chief Security Officer seems a little bit of an enigma. I’ve never come across a half-Minaran before. He also has an extensive medical record. Not on illnesses, but injuries. Some have been noted as being due to his hobbies and I can sympathize. After all, I do fence. This however seems far more rigorous than that. Again, I have never actually had a conversation with him. I think I’m starting to see a pattern.

The Chief Helmsman seems like most pilots I’ve met. You must have some sort of special heart to become a pilot if you ask me, a sense of adventure and danger. I remember Leon always saying that those he knew who liked piloting were courting death. Personally, I find that ironic for someone who enjoys sailing on the ocean but that is just me. She does seem extremely bubbly…I’ve seen her talk to others with quite some gusto. Again I…have stayed back.

The First Officer and Chief Communication Officer seems fascinating. A half Betazoid, I haven’t really had any dealings with her species in civilian life. She does seem to be the soul of the party whenever I see her around. She makes me wish I had done Spanish rather than Italian, yet I suppose I am not too old to learn it. And the universal translator does help for when I’ve overheard her go into Spanish. Not that it has been often, I don’t…socialize much here yet.

And then there is the Captain, an Irish woman with the most brilliant red hair. I’ve gotten used to hearing her voice when there’s ship-wide communication and seen her once or twice around. Not that I’ve had the chance to have a conversation with her yet. She seems capable, like all Captains that are given that commission. I heard she was in Security, which seems a bit at odds given her slight stature. Yet I know from experience that no one is what they seem and humans are good at adapting to situations. And she is a young Captain as well. Everyone seems…impossibly young, but I suppose I spent the same years just bound to Earth.

Do I sometimes regret stepping into the stars? Putting on a uniform and finding myself going into routines? Perhaps. Most likely, yes. It doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate being where I am. Starfleet is an exciting prospect and as a doctor, I get access to cutting edge technology.

I do miss psychiatry though. I miss helping those wounds that you don’t see, the things that put a dampener on a person. I miss being able to know I’ve made a difference to someone’s life, not just healing an injury so that in a day or two they bounce back. I miss putting the work in as much as a patient does.

Of course, regret is futile. I am here I am, I am who I am and I know my own worth. Eventually, things might change.

For now, I have my sickbay and my work. Friendships and interactions? They’ll happen in their own time.

Computer, end log.”

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