004 ◉ audio; dated to the 14th

[imaginate]

[ The audio clicks on and there's a long pause. When Kyle speaks, his tone is calm, perfectly controlled. It's his Business Voice, blank save for the barest hint of anger. ]

This is Kyle Rayner of the Green Lantern Corps. I apologise for the inconvenience, but our clinic at EA-3B is currently undergoing repairs and won't be able to take more patients at this time. We'll be temporarily operating a backup at WA-1A. [ He attaches a map, showing where it is. ]

Any and all hands with medical experience or healing abilities are always welcome.

[ Another long pause. ]

And if someone could come collect Avatar Korra, that would be appreciated.

[ There is a brief pause, as though he's debating what more to say, before the audio clicks off. ]

Comments

A WIIIITCH!

[asouthron]

Well, let's hope that continues to be the........ case... [ Is his jaw hanging open? Well, he snaps that trap shut and eyes the book in Kyle's hands like it could bite. Or is just one big joke. ]

... I see... [ Narrowing his eyes ever so slightly, waiting for this to blow up in his face and then everyone laughs and laughs, the doctor slowly reaches for it. His fingertips touch the hard cover and the grain of the spine. Okay, so, it's real. Big deal. McCoy takes it to inspect with a wary gaze. ] Hmph, analog. [ How quaint. Licking his thumb and forefinger, the older man begins flipping through the pages. ]

So, technology's backwards as it comes here, and yet you can deconstruct and reconstruct solid matter. That's some ring...

[ And isn't that such an understatement. He is like two seconds away from asking what other capabilities it has, if it serves mint chocolate chip ice cream as well, but damn if he is going to seem that eager already. He can't crumble to its technological prowess like Spock! If anything, he'll just ask Spock to give him the specs or something. ]

EXCUSE YOU

[imaginate]

[Kyle is utterly entertained, but he mutes his amusement.]

Well, the good news is you're not a robot. That's people's usual reaction the first time they see the ring in action.

[He falls quiet and lets the doctor thumb through the book. It's one of Kyle's: his notes and drawings are detailed and clear. None of the species have been named, because he's not terribly scientifically minded, but the common names are all there.]

Most of the technological advances are by people like us, who either bring objects from home [case in point: his ring] or find the materials to make them while they're here.

NOPE

[asouthron]

Christ [ Ohhh, you can just hear the horror behind that bitter laugh. ] A bunch of warp-driven techies running around brandishing advanced gadgets to a species that doesn't even have washing machines. The Federation would have a field day if they could see us down here! I'm sure I've broken at least seventeen First Contact regulations just by offerin' to help this place with my medical kit.

[ If they ever did find a way out of here, they will be looking for new jobs. In a day, The Chief Medical Officer of the StarFleet's flagship has tossed the Prime Directive rule book right out the figurative window, let alone the Captain running around like a damned idiot with their First Officer--And aren't StarFleet officer supposed to give their lives before damning the Prime Directive also?!

Shit they are so screwed when they go home. New job? Hell, they will be lucky if they aren't incarcerated for the rest of their lives after this botched episode! ]

Will the doctor mind if I borrow this? I'd like to go over this myself, especially the chemical properties in these herbs...

[imaginate]

I'm pretty sure nobody really cares about the Prime Directive here. People who aren't used to it just get used to it or live in denial. Works out, eventually.

[It's not really reassurance, it's the closest he gets to don't worry.]

No, she wouldn't mind. If you need any help finding these plants, I know where they're sold.

[asouthron]

I'm more worried about the people up there [ He nods his head up once to make his point while his eyes stay glued to the book in his hands. McCoy would never say the Federation is like Big Brother.... But in this case, he feels like Winston Smith blaring thoughtcrime left and right--Okay, that's a little over dramatic, but still! ]

Well, I appreciate it. I'll bring it back once I'm done... Might make a few copies of some of these pages...

[ And then McCoy is in his own little world for a bit, mumbling to himself as he leafs through the pages. After a long moment, he closes the book slowly and sets it down on the desk behind him. ]

So... [ He folds his arms over his chest and eyes the young man with that intuitive gaze of his. ]

[imaginate]

[He doesn't comment, content to let Bones ramble. Superiors, always think they know what they're doing, and his nonverbal language conveys his sympathy. When Bones puts down the book, however, Kyle withdraws again, folding his arms, raising an eyebrow.]

So.

[asouthron]

So, we gonna talk about the elephant in the room or just let it breathe up all the goddamn air? 'Cause I'm already startin' ta get light-headed... [ McCoy lifts his hips off the edge of the desk and walks a step forward. ]

I'm a doctor. [ As if that should just explain everything. ] You can't expect me to stand here and ignore how god-awful you look.

[imaginate]

[That... surprises him, genuinely. A doctor on his world knows better than to offer to treat him, or is usually more occupied with someone else to really care about where Kyle's getting his medical treatment. He'd snap, but the anger of losing the clinic is tempered by gratitude at somebody - anybody showing concern for him.]

S'not as bad as you make it sound. [He speaks with far less sharpness than he would, normally, but he holds his ground, firm.] I've been tended to.

[That last bit is added slightly defensively, but it's in contrast to his body language, which is very much stay away. Implying that he hasn't been properly treated is a bad reflection on Sora and Kyle won't stand for that.]

[asouthron]

Okay, sorry, let me downgrade you from god-awful to crappy then. It's still an unacceptable level... [Turning around, McCoy takes out a small instrument from his kit and holds it in his hand like its simply an extension of himself. ]

Yeah, I can see that. [ There's no condescension in his voice, just the simple fact that, yes, clearly someone (that doctor) has helped him. That doesn't excuse the way Kyle is obviously compensating, though. ] And every treated patient needs a follow-up whether they're fine or not. [ His dutiful StarFleet patients always schedule a check-up once they are freed! Then again, they can't leave until they do, so... Hmm... ]

Your doctor isn't here, and I am, so [ He sort of brandishes his hands over the length of himself like a magician that just suddenly appeared onstage. Except magicians usually smile. ]

[imaginate]

No, thank you.

[His voice is carefully controlled. He isn't backing off from where he's standing, because he won't - can't - show fear or weakness, but the warning is there in how his jaw tenses slightly.]

Dr. Natu is monitoring my vitals with her ring, all medics in our Corps do. I'm fine, if I was otherwise, she'd be here.

[I don't know you. You shouldn't be seeing the scars.]

[asouthron]

[ He isn't surprised by this reaction. Frustrated, yes, but not surprised. It seems comical why someone would refuse, but after meeting a man-child of a Captain and a Vulcan so tight-lipped about his alien physiology that his medical log is practically question marks, McCoy is fairly confident he can meet any challenge head on. With a shot of bourbon, of course. ]

Jesus, kid, it's free medical care I'm offerin'. And as Spock would say "'fine' has variable definitions". [ Christ, has he really just stooped so low? Well, whatever. He will go to any lengths to rein his patients in like fish on a line. Eventually they get tired and all you have to do is reel and reel and reel before they can start the struggle all over again. ]

Look, I'm not askin' ya to sit down and stick out yer tongue, here. Just let me take a reading. Won't even have ta touch ya!

[ It's been awhile since McCoy has to actually use compromise when doctoring on someone, and he already doesn't like it. Usually he can simply bark and pull rank, but it's hard on a planet where the Federation doesn't mean shit. ]

[imaginate]

[He doesn't like being called 'kid'. People have to earn the right for that - he attacked Shayera for it, and he rejects a lot of Jim's attempts to treat him like a subordinate. People in the Corps call him 'kid' but they respect him. He isn't less than they are, he's just their little brother and they let him be a child, when he needs to. But from a stranger? It's the height of condescension, and if he wasn't watching himself carefully he would bristle with barely-contained rage.]

[Instead, firmly, and politely, he replies:] No.

[End of discussion.]

[asouthron]

[ McCoy doesn't stop himself from rolling his eyes at the stubborn he is surrounded by. ] You fool... [ It's mumbled under his breath as he returns his instruments to his kit and locks it. ]

What about the rest of the patients? I'm here, I may as well treat someone...

[imaginate]

[If Kyle hears it, he pretends not to. He points to a room where Suxin, one of the kedan volunteers, is herding a few children.]

Some are over there. The rest will come in soon.