Fancy Toys
Posted on Tue Jul 23rd, 2024 @ 7:38pm by Bones EMH Mark V & Lieutenant Junior Grade Jordan Spencer
Edited on on Tue Jul 23rd, 2024 @ 7:45pm
2,252 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: Sick Bay - Deck 5 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD003 2200 hrs
The dim lights of Sickbay cast long shadows across the room as Jordan sat alone in the office, the soft hum of medical equipment providing the only company. With a sigh, he leaned back in his chair, idly twirling a knife between his fingers as he sliced into a crisp apple.
It had been a quiet night so far, the kind that made him question his decision to activate the ship's Emergency Medical Hologram. He had always been skeptical of relying on holographic doctors, preferring the tangible presence of flesh-and-blood healers. But curiosity got the better of him tonight, nudging him to give it a try.
With a reluctant shrug, Jordan set down the knife and tapped a command into the console, activating the EMH. A shimmering figure materialized before him, taking on the form of a distinguished-looking man with a wry smile and piercing blue eyes.
When the swirl of photons came together the image of Dr Leonard H McCoy more affectionately known as Bones came into view. He smiled before he spoke. "Now, what seems to be the problem." The southern genteel accent rang out. The EMH was every bit a replica of the Chief Medical Officer of the Enterprise.
Jordan huffed. "I'll be damned... The commodore goes all out with his toys on his ship, don't he?" he spoke a loud as he popped a slice in his mouth and started to chew. "How's it going, Doc?"
"It goes well for me at least. I have been deactivated for some time. Is there a reason that you needed me." Bones, like most of the current EMHs had some amount of self awareness. However, when he was inactive he had no idea what went on. For him the time between deactivation and activation seemed like mere seconds.
"Need? Don't need anything. Let's go with curiosity. Got on board and the head doc said something about you, in our meeting. So as its a quite late night, no one here. Thought I'd meet this famous EMH," Jordan explained as he replied between slices.
"Well now, it seems my reputation precedes me. Whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?" Bones could simply access the manifest and uplink it to his databanks. However, he felt that people liked it better when he acted human. At the moment he thought that the person before him needed a friend and perhaps some company. Bones accessed the psychological subroutines as a precaution. "It seems rather dull around here at the moment. Funny usually when I am activated there is never a dull moment."
Jordan looked up from slicing his apple, his expression guarded yet curious as he regarded the EMH's holographic form. "Well, Doc, you're speaking with Jordan Spencer, the night owl of Sickbay," he replied with a hint of amusement, setting down the knife. "And yeah, it's not exactly a bustling hive of activity right now. But hey, I figured I'd give you a chance to stretch your holographic legs, so to speak."
He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms casually. "Besides, a little company never hurt anyone, right? And who knows, maybe we'll stir up some trouble to keep things interesting," he added with a smirk, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Despite being identified as the night owl of Sick Bay Bones could see from the manifest that Jordan was the Assistant Chief Medical Officer. "Well now, I don't think we should go stirrin any pots. Leonard McCoy was fond of saying that a Sick Bay without patients is a Sick Bay that is golden. However, since I am active and stretching my legs as you say. What did you have in mind Lieutenant?"
Jordan raised an eyebrow at the holographic form of the EMH, his expression reflecting a mix of amusement and skepticism. "Ah, Doc, you sound just like the real McCoy," he remarked with a smirk, leaning forward slightly in his chair. "But don't worry, I'm not planning on causing any trouble. Just looking for a bit of conversation to pass the time."
He paused, considering the EMH's question. "But then again, I don't mind having a little trouble here and there. Tell me, how much time have you had out and about?"
"It has been roughly six to eight months since my last activation. The ship was under attack then and Dr O'Rourke activated me to help with emergency surgery. Unfortunately all of us EMHs do not have access to a portable emitter. So, I am confined to Sick Bay, the Holodecks, and the Bridge. Although Lieutenant Diari is going to attempt to put some holo-emitters in After 11. So I have not seen much of the ship. Tell me are you a new arrival?"
Jordan listened attentively to the EMH's explanation, nodding in understanding. "Ah, the life of a hologram, confined to specific locations," he remarked sympathetically. "But it sounds like you've been quite busy nonetheless, especially during emergencies."
He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "As for me, I've been aboard the Pioneer for a short time," he replied. "To be honest, I had a brief stint away from the ship assignments not too long ago, so I might have missed some of the latest developments, specially on this boat."
A faint smile played on his lips as he continued, "But hey, it's always good to meet new faces, even if they're just projections of light and code. Keeps things interesting around here, wouldn't you agree?"
"Indeed I would agree. It is strange I can't say that I have ever made a friend. According to the ship's database the Pioneer has been quite busy. One often wonders if any actual exploring gets done. But perhaps that was for the time when the real Bones McCoy lived." Bones smiled in his own way. He rather liked that Jordan took the time to get to know him. No one else seemed to. Most people still treated him like a tool, however, since The Doctor from Voyager the EMH's program was so much more than a tool.
"Seems like it now a days, all we hear about is the next conflict," Jordan remarked as he sighed before slicing another piece of his apple. "I get that we are very advanced, but the galaxy and universe is massive. How could we give up our core reason for being out here? Of course I have wondered if Starfleet has become more concerned about expansion then strange new worlds and new experiences."
"May I ask why you feel that way? You are the first that I have heard speak in that manner. Speaking of exploration, is the Pioneer not on a mission of exploration right now?" It seemed that at the moment Jordan's last statements created more questions for the EMH.
There was a slight pause as Jordan looked at the holographic crew member before smirking and shaking his head. "I'm talking in general. Overall if you look at the stats, Starfleet has been licking their wounds and falling back from normal exploration. In the past century, we have seen more conflict and calamities, then we have ever seen as a united federation. But maybe its just me, who knows," he shrugged.
"It is possible that we have explored so much, and branched out so far that we are now in conflict with those around us. If we could ease off on the conflicts I would be out of a job. In truth I do not think it so bad to be out of a job." The sentiments that Bones expressed in this moment were those of Leonard McCoy, a doctor who wanted nothing but peace so he could leave Starfleet.
"Yes but are is a job really something we need now a days or are we doing this because it is a calling," Jordan pondered as he smirked at Bones. "Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but that is something to ponder as well.
"I am doing this because it is my programming..." Bones returned the smirk, the comment showed just how far the personality algorithms had come. "...But, the real Leonard McCoy did it because it was a calling. I have access to all of his logs. In fact he brought himself out of retirement numerous times. The last being to take the official tour of the USS Enterprise-D."
Jordan chuckled at Bones's response, appreciating the banter. "Well, I suppose for holograms, it's a bit of both, isn't it?" he mused, a playful glint in his eyes. "Programmed to do the jobs, but there's also that spark of curiosity and purpose that drives one. Keeps things interesting, wouldn't you say?"
There was a pause as if Bones evaluated what Jordan had said. After a time the hologram came to a conclusion. "I would have to agree. It seems that the memories and connections that the Doctor from the USS Voyager made are in my programming as well. His feelings toward the surpassing of his programming is quite profound. I think the bigger question is what keeps you here? Is it your calling?"
"The mere fact that I haven't been here for long doesn't sit quite right with me, leaping off again without delving deeper into the role," Jordan reflected, pondering the question. "Truth be told, I was a dedicated marine. But I sensed I could make a more meaningful impact beyond conflict resolution. Whether it's a calling or not remains uncertain. However, I can attest that..." He trailed off, a sigh escaping him as he recalled the loss of his wife and unborn child. "...It felt more natural when I transitioned into this career path. As for committing for the long haul, it would seem rather imprudent to switch gears yet again after years of training."
"Well then it seems that medicine was a calling for you. It definitely takes a strong will to change gears from taking lives to preserving them." Bones began and took a couple of steps toward Jordan. The EMH attempted to mimic human behavior and wanted to close the gap between them to make the conversation seem more intimate. "From my experiences on the Pioneer I can say that there is never a dull moment, and that this crew is more than colleagues, more than friends. It seems that they have bonded and became family. I suspect that in due time you will join them in that regard."
Jordan nodded solemnly, his gaze distant as he processed Bones's words. "It's been quite the transition," he murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. "Losing them... it changed everything."
He glanced down at his knife and apple, a heavy weight settling in his chest as memories flooded back. "But maybe... maybe finding my place here is part of the healing," he mused softly, a flicker of hope amidst the pain. "A chance to make sense of it all."
With a grateful nod, Jordan rose from his chair, a sense of purpose guiding his steps as he prepared to face the challenges ahead. "Thanks, Doc. what about yourself? Any ideas of what you like to achieve? You are sentient." he asked wondering.
Bones smiled as he understood that he may have just helped Jordan reach some sort of understanding. "Well now, as for me I am right where I need to be. I mean someone has to look out for the rest of the medical staff. While I am sentient the Pioneer is my home. I would never want to leave it. Well... maybe I would leave to serve on the Enterprise." He smiled in a warm way.
Jordan chuckled softly at Bones' remark. "I suppose even holograms have their dream assignments," he replied, his tone light but reflective. "It's good to know there's someone looking out for us, even if that someone is made of light and photons."
He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You know, Doc, it's funny. We both ended up here, finding our place in this vast universe. Maybe we're not so different after all," he mused, his gaze meeting the EMH's holographic eyes. "Here's to making the most of wherever we are, whether it's the Pioneer or someday, maybe even the Enterprise."
Bones smiled broadly, for the first time since being activated aboard the Pioneer he felt that he made a friend and that someone took the time to get to know him. He raised his hand in pantomime of a drink. "And here is new and absent friends."
Spencer's thoughtful expression softened into a smile. "Here's to new and absent friends," he echoed, raising an imaginary glass in solidarity. There was a sense of camaraderie in the air, a rare moment of connection between the living and the holographic.
As the moment lingered, Spencer's hand moved to the console. "Thank you, Doc. You've been a great help," he said sincerely, his finger hovering over the deactivation control.
"At your service as always. But glad that I could help. We will talk again soon." Bones replied with a smile.
With a final nod, Spencer pressed the button, and the EMH shimmered out of existence, leaving the room a little quieter but somehow more hopeful.
A Joint Post By
Bones (EMH Mark V)
EMH, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade Jordan Spencer
Assistant Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
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