Team Meeting

Posted on Tue Mar 24th, 2026 @ 4:38am by Lieutenant Darla Kennings & Lieutenant JG Aurora Winters

1,220 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 1: Shadows of Diplomacy
Location: Sickbay

With Shuttlebay Control only two decks up from the cargo bay, it was a quick turoblift ride. Robert had just enough time to give Darla a kiss before he had to leave. As soon as they were alone, Granger climbed up her leg to her shoulders and settled down, narrowing his eyes at the turbolift door. Darla smiled at him, scratched his head and nuzzled his cheek, affectionately. "Be nice," she said, getting a reluctant "mrowr," from her Familiar.

Three decks later, she stepped onto Deck 7 and walked excitedly to Sickbay, taking a deep breath of the mix of recycled air and medical-grade cleansers. The rare scent of a new sickbay. She headed for her office and as she stepped inside, she looked around, wondering how she was going to make it a bit more personable, and a bit more personal. There was a desk, of course, and a loveseat and chair with a small coffee table to the side, as well as a door that she quickly discovered was a private head.

Granger leaped off her shoulders and claimed the lone chair for himself, curling up on it and watching things. He had his own resting place, typically, but Darla would have to unpack it.

Darla scratched his ears as she made one final look around, then tapped her combadge. "All medical personnel, please report to Sickbay for a brief meeting."

Through the one-way windows of her office, she could see those in Sickbay already gathering in the open, central area. She went to her replicator and got something to tie her hair back, giving herself a simple, multi-colored ponytail. She straightened her uniform and stepped out of her office, smiling at those who had arrived.

Aurora hearing the call for a meeting in sick bay. Looked around her quarters and the boxes she had to unpack, she'd not even seen her office yet. Sighing she headed for sick bay. Walking in "I'm Aurora Winters, I received a message to report here for a meeting."

Darla smiled, her violet eyes getting wide with excitement. "Hello, Doctor Winters!" she said, walking over and offering a hand. "Doctor Darla Kennings. A pleasure."

Aurora took the offered hand. "Please call me Aurora,"

"Pleasure to meet you, Aurora," Darla said, smiling. "I'm sorry to pull you away from your day, but I wanted to see everyone at once and introduce myself. I'll let you get back to things as quickly as possible."

"The only thing you pulled me away from was boxes, my quarters are full of them and I've not even seen my office yet," Aurora commented.

"I'm in much the same position," Darla said. "My boyf-fiance and I," she shook her head slightly, realizing she'd have to get used to the new status, "have barely had time to glance in ours."

Aurora nodded "Once I found my quarters, which took a little bit and I've not seen my office yet. I'm not really sure where it is. I know there is the computer that can help me but I don't want to look like I'm lost."

Before Darla could respond she saw out of the side of her eye that the room had gotten crowded as the whole medical staff had finally arrived. She gave an apologetic smile to Aurora and turned to address the crowd.

"Hello!" she began. "I know some of you are giving up sleep to be here, and I'm not one for long speeches, so I'll be as brief as I can. My name is Doctor Darla Kennings, and this is Doctor Aurora Winters," she said gesturing to herself and Aurora. "I have the honor of leading you as the Scharnhorst's Chief Medical Officer, and I have the pleasure of working alongside our new wonderful Chief Counselor."

She smiled at Aurora and then turned back to the crowd. "As of this moment, your highest priority is to your patients. If you have any questions about Policies or Politics, your patient comes first, then come see us. I have reviewed all your records. You are all absolutely exemplary examples of Starfleet Medical, and I have no doubt that anyone who comes into this Sickbay will receive the absolute best care. That said, I must remind you all that we are all mortal here. We cannot do our jobs if we're not taking care of ourselves as well. If you are struggling to keep up, do not suffer in silence. Tell me, tell Doctor Winters. My office is here and my door will be open as much as possible. Doctor Winters' office is two sections down, and she is very welcoming. We can't help you if we don't know there is a problem. Once we leave this Starbase, we're all we have, so please make sure you show as much care and concern to each other and yourselves as you do to your patients." She paused to let those words sink in.

"There will be some changes to the duty roster going forward, so please keep watch for that. Shifts will be starting slightly earlier, and break times will be extended. I know it will take some adjustment, but I think you'll find it preferable in the end." She smiled. "Thank you all for coming. Those of you on duty please return to your preparations. Those of you off duty, enjoy your time, and watch for the new roster. Dismissed."

As the group dispersed, Darla turned back to Aurora. "How'd I do?" she said, quietly.

"I think you were pushing a little; give your people time to settle in and adjust to things," Aurora commented "For some this may be their first ship assignment, for me it's my first one in a couple years."

Darla nodded, thinking. "Okay...I'll do that, thank you." She gave a sheepish smile. "I guess I'm a bit nervous. It's been a bit since I've been on a ship as well."

"Concentrate on looking over the crew's medical records, there are children aboard. Being nervous is okay, just get things in order and see what your people need and set up a schedule," Aurora said. "Try to set up an area for the children so when they're brought in they'll feel comfortable."

Darla nodded. "I've already looked through much of the records, and I've been working on the new schedule already," she said, tapping her temple. "As for children on board, I did have some thoughts to that as well. That'll be on my to-do list, which is growing rapidly by the minute." She gave a slight chuckle. "To that end, I should get started on the duty roster. Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate the support."

"Anytime," Aurora said. "If you need suggestions for an area for the children let me know. Now I need to get to my quarters and finish unpacking. Then find my office and get that set up. You need me I'm a call away."

Darla nodded and smiled. "A right out the door and two sections down, I believe," Darla said. "I took the liberty of looking over schematics en route to the ship." She inclined her head a bit. "Until next time, Doctor." She turned and headed for her office.

Aurora watched the CMO walk off and she too headed out of sick bay.

 

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