A consultation

Posted on Wed Apr 16th, 2025 @ 8:26pm by Lieutenant Commander Oscar McDonald MD & Lieutenant Lanna Alexander

1,150 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Prior to the ship entering anomoly

Patience had never been an attribute often associated with Doctor Oscar McDonald. Tonight was no different. With a sigh of frustration he leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes against the raging headache and pinched the bridge of his nose. Hours combing through records, reaching out to contacts at Starfleet medical and contacts elsewhere... nothing had helped him with his private mission.

Namely trying to piece together exactly what had happened to 'Jynx' before - and after - she was rescued by Baciami a few years prior. A rescue she appeared to have no recollection of. According to the lieutenant, the pair had interacted frequently, but with no sign the teenager remembered her. Which was surprising, giving it was a fairly remarkable tale.

A more detailed examination created more questions than answers. Signs of trauma, certainly. And while that included what appeared to be a few old head injuries, not in areas of the brain typically involved in creating memories or memory recall. At least not in Humans. But Jynx was not Human.

When the children Lieutenant Baciami rescued were transported back to Earth, they had received thorough medical care and detailed examinations were done. Which made it clear some injuries happened after that rescue.

While she should have been in Starfleet's care.

Which was another oddity. He could see clear records showing her discharge into the care of an adoptive family, one which had a farm in some part of Texas. If official records were to be believed, she was there even now, enrolled at a local college. Clearly not.

Indeed, when he had reached out, he discovered the adoptive family had been a temporary arrangement and they last saw ‘Jynx’ in a waiting room at a local Starfleet administrative office. That had been four weeks after her arrival on Earth. What happened after that…? They had no helpful ideas.

Where had she gone? Why leave?

Hearing footsteps enter, Dr McDonald turned around and offered a welcoming smile, "Lieutenant Alexander, please come in. Apologies for calling you here with such a vague request. But given my apparent lack of a bedside manner, I thought it would be best to involve you in this little situation... please, come in and close the door. Take a seat. Would you like something to drink?"

“Ohh no I’m fine thank you Doctor” Lanna smiled warmly as she walked across to a seat and sat down. “What seems to be the problem?”

In answer, McDonald gestured towards main sickbay where one of his nurses was talking to their sole patient - Jynx. “I’m not sure if you are familiar with Ms Jynx, a civilian. Unless you are fond of coffee, I’d imagine you may not have crossed paths.”

Lanna looked towards where Jynx was sitting. “Actually I haven’t had a chance to meet Jynx yet.”

“Well, she got injured yesterday - nothing we can’t treat,” McDonald added quickly, “but it revealed something unexpected. It seems Jynx was part of a large group of children rescued around two years ago, they were discovered hiding in a container space by - of all people - Lieutenant Baciami. It seemed the children were captured and part of a syndicate smuggling operation.

Beyond that, I don’t know much. Old injuries certainly don’t paint an ideal childhood by any stretch of the imagination but they have healed. My problem is this -

Both Jynx and Ms Baciami have crossed paths several times since then while on this ship. But Jynx did not recognise her. Baciami did not recognise her either but Ms Jynx is of an unknown species, she can change aspects of her appearance such as eye and hair colour… so that I can reason and understand. I can see no obvious physical reason and suspect it may be more of a psychological one…

I have not broached the subject. My bedside manner apparently needs improvement,” he confided, rolling his eyes in exasperation. “And so I turn to you.

After the children were rescued they were placed under the care of Starfleet. Jynx was believed to be around fifteen or sixteen at the time, so I consider that enough for her to have been and remain a Starfleet problem. The thing is, that after a couple of days on Earth she seemed to just vanish. I don’t know where she went, how she seemed to have acquired some additional injuries or how on Earth she came to be on this ship.”

He leaned forward, “I do not enjoy mysteries, Lieutenant. There is something more going on here and I want to discover what.”

Lanna nodded before looking back at McDonald. “Add another mystery to that, I can’t sense her or read her. She’s a total blank to me, It’s like she’s not there.” She raised an eyebrow more expected of a Vulcan. “It’s…Fascinating.”

McDonald nodded thoughtfully as he digested this news, “I wonder if it is a common trait amongst her people,” he mused. “The neurological scans did show heightened activity in some regions which may account for it… fascinating indeed.”

He nodded in Jynx’s general direction, “I believe the situation may require tact, and patience and a gentle touch… none of those are things I am renowned for. Hence why I thought your skills may be ideally suited. Nobody on the ship seems to know much about her beyond the fact she seems generally happy, likes music and is terrible at getting names right on coffee orders. Not much to work with I’m afraid.”

Lanna smiled. “That’s not a problem, it’ll take a little longer without my senses to rely on but it’ll give me a chance to get to know Jynx better.”

McDonald nodded, he had not doubted for a moment she would agree to help. “At this point I don’t know what we are dealing with, but I trust your judgement on how to proceed. I have not told her that she should know Baciami, indeed I am not sure how best to broach the subject. I never handled the teenage years well, either personally or as a father.”

“Being a mother has its plus points, although I still have the teenage years to come” Lanna offered a wry smile. “Let’s just approach things slowly and honestly.”

“I will be discharging her tomorrow, she is heeling quite quickly but I’m curious to observe, since we know so little. I will leave this in your capable hands, but am here if needed. You can start whenever you are ready.”

Lanna nodded. “Very well, I’ll pop in and introduce myself and see where things go from there,” she stood ready to leave the room. “I’ll keep you updated.”

“I’d appreciate that,” he nodded. “And good luck.”

OFF

 

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