All About a Sweater-Part 1

Posted on Mon Apr 7th, 2025 @ 10:10pm by Captain Liam Grimaldi-Ral & Lieutenant Haz Mondo PsyD & Reittan Ral & Lieutenant Tequila Dreik

Mission: 01-A Change
Location: Deep Space K-17- Medical Bay
Timeline: MD01-0830

It was customary, upon arriving at a new assignment, to visit Sickbay. It allowed the medical department to take baseline readings for new crew members.

As soon as the Lo'rathe docked, Captain Grimaldi-Ral and his husband, Reittan, disembarked and made their way toward the medical bay. Along with them was Lieutenant Haz Mondo, the station's new Catullan Counselor, who had just arrived on the ship.

The Catullan man pushed back a stray lock of his blue hair. "So, uh, do either of you know anything about Doctor Dreik?" He glanced between the Captain and Reittan.

The Captain bit his lip for a moment, considering. "Only that she’s a holdover from before the refit. If that gives you anything to go off of."

Haz wrung his hands briefly, then nodded, as if accepting the information. The trio rounded the final corner and arrived at the entrance to the main ward of Sickbay.

The sight that greeted them was something out of a holonovel. The technology was undeniably modern, but it was housed in a room that felt like it belonged to a different era—vintage elements that made it seem as though it could’ve been preserved at the Fleet Museum.

Liam couldn’t help but look around, partly in awe of the spectacle, partly searching for a doctor who could get them sorted.

Tiki had her back to the newcomers, so all that was easily visible was her long dark hair, falling in soft waves down to her waist. The typical uniform pants and boots that the rest of her staff were wearing had been replaced by comfortable black leggings and a pair of comfortable looking running shoes. In fact, at least from the back there was nothing at all that indicated that she was even a member of Starfleet, everything about her appearance would most likely have indicated she was a civilian standing around doing 'something'.

Even when she turned toward them there was very little that would give tell that she was a Starfleet Officer, except the combadge attached to her oversized sweater and the small cluster of pips above.

She cast a gaze over the group, raised an eyebrow slightly and folded her arms over her chest, the movement pulling the sweater tighter over her swollen stomach. "Are you lost?"

Liam blinked, momentarily thrown off by the unorthodox appearance of the station’s Chief Medical Officer. Her face was easily recognizable from her file. He hadn't expected a crisp, untouched uniform, but he did expect a professional air—something that signaled that she was a Starfleet officer. His gaze flickered briefly to the pips on her sweater, then to the combadge, before settling on her face.

A slow, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Not unless Sickbay’s been relocated to another deck,” he replied smoothly. His tone was warm, but edged with amusement. “Captain Liam Grimaldi-Ral, reporting for my onboarding medical scan.” He gestured slightly toward his companions. “My husband, Reittan Ral, and Lieutenant Haz Mondo—our new counselor.”

Reittan exhaled through his nose, glancing sideways at his husband before looking back at Dreik. His expression was unreadable, but there was an unmistakable flicker of intrigue in his dark eyes. “Quite the greeting,” he murmured, arching a brow.

Haz, on the other hand, seemed momentarily at a loss. His gaze darted between Dreik’s oversized sweater, the prominent swell of her stomach, and her unconcerned posture. He hesitated before finally managing, “I—uh, we are in the right place, though…right?”

Liam chuckled, clasping his hands behind his back. “Unless the good doctor plans to send us off on a scavenger hunt for a real Sickbay.” His tone remained light, but there was a clear invitation in his expression—he was waiting to see how Dreik would respond.

"You can try deck twenty seven, section L43," she said with a shrug before turning her gaze to the new Commanding Officer before she nodded slowly. "All three of you need onboarding then?" she asked, her eyebrow arching questioningly.

Haz shook his head, sending his vibrant blue Catullan hair cascading into a carefully maintained chaos. A playful glint danced in his eyes as he offered an innocent smile.

"I just came to report in," he said, his tone light and unassuming, though the ease in his posture suggested he was in no particular rush to leave.

TO BE CONTINUED