Part I.
Life as an EMH

The EMH

It was business as usual in the administrative offices of the civilian hospital, when suddenly with a wisp the Emergency Medical Hologram came online. "Welcome to Sickbay. How may I help you today?"

The clerk and medic on duty abruptly stopped what they were doing and turned around. The EMH seemed momentarily disoriented - no doubt expecting to appear in Main Sickbay several flights up. In the next moment, the computerized doctor almost looked somewhat embarrassed for spouting his greeting protocol out of turn. But then the look in his eyes changed to that of determination, the staff knew why he had to have been activated.

Ensign Weiss (NPC) immediately handed the EMH a medical kit and tricorder. The hologram nodded, then walked swiftly out the door.

Section 5, Deck 52...

A woman (NPC) was waiting for medical help to arrive at the doorway of her quarters.

Upon seeing the holographic doctor, her attention perked up and she took on an expression of hope.

"How may I help you?" he inquired.

She eagerly led him in. "It's my husband. He thought he could repair the replicator himself. It just..." She started crying.

The EMH ventured deeper into the room and caught sight of Ensign Mannis (NPC) on the floor, dazed and moaning. The victim had burns mottling the side of his face and fingers, and appeared to be in shock. In seconds, the EMH knelt by his side, running a tricorder along his body.

"Will he be all right?" she asked anxiously.

"He'll be fine." The EMH turned and gave her a studied smile. Then, back to the task at hand. "I can treat him here." The doctor administered a hypospray of Delactovine, and in moments Mannis ceased his trembling. He could hear the man's wife sigh with relief. Two patients for the price of one, he mused.

The EMH walked with efficiency through the corridors back to the civilian hospital. A little Dermaline Gel on his fingers, a dermal regenerator for his face, and Ensign Mannis was like a new man. The doctor left their quarters once Mannis was put to bed; his wife could be heard from outside, berating the man for not contacting maintenance as he should have in the first place...

The corridors were illuminated with panels of yellow. The hologram would have preferred to take a more indirect route, perhaps through the arborium. But their status of yellow alert could change at any moment. Besides, it might have prompted questions had he been seen there for no practical reason.

He rounded the turn and into one of the hospital's less prominent entrances to drop off the medic kit. Weiss was nowhere, so the holographic doctor left his PADD on the desk in the IN tray. Then, straightened up and commanded: "Computer, transfer the EMH to Main Sickbay."

With a wisp, he was gone.

The EMH
Dr. Micheala Williams

The EMH appeared by the comm panel of Main Sickbay and looked around. He saw both CMO and Nurse busying themselves with inventory. Not a bad idea during a yellow alert.

He walked over to Dr. Williams. "Doctor?"

Micheala jumped, startled to see the EMH. She hadn't realise he had been activated. "Yes, what can I do for you? Is there an emergency you were called for that I didn't know about??" Micheala asked, wondering if so why not.

"Oh, no emergency, Doctor." said the holographic projection, "I had just come from a housecall and noticed that we were on yellow alert. I thought to transfer myself and see if I was needed as yet." He smiled slightly.

She sighed one of relief. "We are only restocking and doing an equipment check. I'm sure there is enough to do for the three of us. You could do the diagnostics on the stasis chamber and the biobeds while i finish with the narcotics?" the doctor suggested.

He raised an eyebrow. For one fleeting moment, his expression reflected one of vanity, as though he was too good to waste on such menial tasks. Then, as soon as the expression formed, a new, gentler façade took its place. "It would be no trouble at all, Doctor," he said, his smiled resumed, "I'll get on it right away."

The EMH strolled calmly over to the main biobed and activated the surgical arch. He keyed in the codes to run the diagnostic. Although they were rarely called upon, Emergency Medical Holograms had not only full knowledge of all medical procedures known to the Federation, but expertise in equipment maintenance. As was required of all biological physicians, he could disassemble and reassemble just about any medical instrument in Sickbay.

These vast resources at his instant disposal had been in part the source of the EMH model Mark I's arrogance a decade earlier, thus interfering with their efficiency. Additional interactive orientation to improve decorum, and the Mark I's were back on duty after years condemned to waste maintenance. It was a wise decision considering the skill the glorified garbage men still possessed.

He never forgot where he came from. The hologram was a physician once more, and he wasn't going to do anything to jeopardize his position. Even if it meant being allowed to practice his craft only when people had need of him.

The EMH

The EMH was up to calibrating his final biobed. Looking around while waiting patiently for the diagnostics to run their course, he briefly crossed gazes with the CMO. Dr. Williams never failed to give him that strange look, as though she wasn't quite sure what to make of him.

In truth, they rarely saw eachother. The hologram found himself activated in any number of the ship's medical facilities, closest to wherever his assistance was required. He became a sort of onsite paramedic, primarily for the civilian sector several decks below.

Perhaps, he pondered, she doesn't think I'm sentient, and my realism confuses her? Having never been activated prior to his plasma waste assignment, he had no previous chief medical officer to compare this experience with. Perhaps this was a normal response in flesh and blood humans...?

Diagnostics completed, the EMH decided to familiarize himself with recent medical log entries...

Nurse April Kay

April did as she was told, she busied herself restocking the medical supplies and then went to work reading up on members of the ship that had major medical probelms in case there was an emergency.

After that she sipped on warm coffee, she noticed the holodoctor popping in and out struck her interest.

Millie followed joyfully behind her where ever she went, giving her soft yaps when she wanted attention.

April picked up Millie to hush her, she did't want to disturb anyone.

She wished she could start making friends with those on board, but she was shy, would anyone want to be a shy gal's friend? She didn't know, but it helped to have Millie there.

The EMH

Looking up from the central console, the holographic doctor tried to ascertain where the small sound was coming from. He hadn't heard it before, and perhaps had he been situated from its source a little differently during his round to check the biobeds, he would have seen it.

Now he had, and his eyes grew wide. There was a... a dog?... in Sickbay... following the nurse around while she took inventory and replenished supplies.

Slowly, quietly, he backed from the console, and slowwwly made his way to the office where Dr. Williams was going over some reports from her pile of PADDs.

"Uh, excuse me," he started...

The EMH
Dr. Micheala Williams

"Yes what can I do for you?" Micheala asked.

"There is a... dog... in Sickbay." The EMH said. His expression was one of agitation.

"Yes I know... the dog belongs to Nurse Kay." she replied not surprised at all by his comment. "Do you have a problem with it?" she asked directly.

The holographic doctor's eyes grew large. "Why yes. As a matter of fact I do." He took a deep breath. " It compromises our efforts to maintain a sanitary atmosphere for our patients. In fact, for some patients it poses an outright hazard. In fact, Starfleet regulations forbid the-"

"Enough!" Micheala interjected. "This is my sickbay and i run it as I see fit. The presence of the dog here has little bearing on the sanitary atmosphere of this area. If you want to be fanatical, the "sanitary atmosphere" is compromised everytime the sickbay doors are opened. As for patient hazard there is little concern for that as it is confined to my office if necessary o taken away whilst pateints are here. The dog is well trained and obedient."

The EMH rolled his eyes and sighed during Dr. Williams' retort. The whole notion of a small mammal, free to roam in Sickbay and spread its dander - and goodness knows what else - around was incomprehensible. Still, he had to submit to his superior officer. Somewhat. He calmed his demeanor and said in a very cool tone: "You understand that I will be required to lodge a formal complaint in my logs regarding this matter..."

"I'm sure that you will do what you deem is necessary," she replied, not liking her running of this to be questioned, especially by a computer program. "And before you go running off complaining about how 'unclean' the dog is, might I remind you that it was beamed onto this ship and therefore underwent the same biofilters and scans that every other person on this ship has, and also was quarratined for a valid period of time. Since then it has not left the ship. Personally I'd be more concerned about an away team returning than that dog."

The EMH raised an eyebrow. "I've never met a member of the crew who had a compulsion to spit on our furniture either - unless it was a symptom of illness, of course. But I am not in a position to debate. I can only do my duty as is required of me. It includes both obeying your orders AND reporting this as an ongoing incident. I hope you understand."

"A compulsion to spit on funiture?? And where did that piece of trivia come from? Obviously not from your observation of the dog as you have only been aware of its existence the past 5 minutes or so." Micheala questioned.

The hologram stared at her incredulously, then bent over her desk to contain the volume of his words: "Correct me if I'm wrong, but that animal uses its nose and saliva to mark territory throughout the natural course of its existence. And what happens when someone walks in? There's the wet nose on a leg. Whose leg? Consider the consequences, Doctor. They make rules for a reason."

"Make your report if you wish to. Dismissed." she said. Micheala was fuming by this time. She knew the rules all to well. But then, she also knew mankind and how an aminal could give comfort in time of need. To this day she had never heard a whisper of a complaint about the dog, and she knew that various members of the crew had pets. As for consequences of any type, she considered those daily.

The EMH conceded. "Aye, Doctor. Unless you have anything further for me, I will continue to reacquaint myself with patient records."

The EMH

He left Dr. Williams' office with a frown knitting his brow. This was a Sickbay, not a kennel...

...The holographic doctor looked up to see the Nurse watching him. Oblivious to the conversation which had transpired between himself and the CMO, Nurse Kay smiled at him sweetly. He smiled back weakly and nodded on the way back to his console.

While he was reviewing a patient record, the hologram grew distinctly aware of little Millie. She timidly sniffed the carpet, nonchalantly making her way to where the EMH stood. He looked out the corner of his eye at the dog's progress, privvy to its intention of establishing him as territory. At last the moment came. Millie poked her nose against his calf - or tried to. The EMH willed his magnetic containment field to dematerialize that part of him, and the dog's snout went through his leg. She yipped fearfully and scurried off to the shelter of Nurse Kay's ankles.

The nurse looked at him. He looked back with a bewildered expression. "Perhaps she doesn't like the smell of photons." April wasn't entirely sure what that meant, and went back to her reports, perplexed.

The EMH continued to read patient records, wearing a smug grin on his face.

Nurse April Kay

April took Millie into her arms "If you didn't like dogs all you had to do is say so!" April turned and placed Millie into a rather spacous kennal that had been put aside just for Millie.

"There, she won't bother you and I'll make sure she doesn't bother you furher, and if your so up on your 'doggy' notes, take one more dogs mouths are by far more cleaner then humans, and a dogs noses is a thousands times more sensitive then humans! in fact they make great search and rescue dogs!" Suddenly it dawned on her and she got up and went to Dr. Williams office.

The EMH

The EMH raised his eyebrows over the tirade Nurse Kay made over her spooked canine. He said nothing. Instead, he looked over at the large container, where Millie stared back at him. She almost looked as though she were smiling as she panted with her tongue hanging out. A little drool formed a small puddle on the floor beneath her tongue. He shook his head and continued to read.

Dr. Micheala Williams

Micheala saw and heard the banter between April and the EMH. This was not a happy little working environment at the moment but if something happens to the away team this matter would have to be put aside.

"Dr.Williams I'm sorry to interup you but I just had an idea that may help the away team, may I explain?" April asked mostly politly.

"Yes April what's your idea?"

Nurse April Kay

Just as April was going to tell Dr.Williams her plan of action to help the away team, she was called to the brige for a medical emergencry.
April just looked at the doctor before following her out of sickbay, she grabed two medkitts and followed the doctor to the bridge.

When they got there Dayanair layed there, April went to her side and started to take readings.

"She's in nerogenic shock doctor, should I start lacatated ringers wide open?"April asked the doctor as she opened the kitts and prepared for whatever the doctor wanted.

The EMH

The EMH watched as the CMO and Nurse rushed out. He blinked.

The hologram was left alone in Sickbay with nary a nod or instruction, and wondered whether the circumstances would have been different had he been made of flesh and blood. A shrug and he was back to reading.

The hiss of Sickbay's doors broke him from his research. A familiar face greeted him, if not slightly pained.

"Well, hello, Crewman Morrison (NPC)!" the holographic doctor grinned. "How may I help you today?" He liked her. Racheal Morrison was among those few who treated the EMH like a real physician. They'd smalltalk about her interests and projects, crew news... He enjoyed listening to her and appreciated her attention.

"Hello, Doctor. I didn't expect to see you here... I must have held the hyperspanner funny," she said, "I think I twisted my wrist."

He called up her medical profile, gave it a glance, then left the console to help her to a biobed. "Well, let's find out for certain." He scanned her with the tricorder. "A slight sprain."

Morrison groaned. "Count on me to become wounded from handling tools." He chuckled.

She ahemmed while he trained a beam on her wrist. He turned off the regenerator and looked up.

"I'm just a little congested. Not to worry."

He raised an eyebrow and set back to work.

Morrison ahemmed more forcefully.

He eyed her. "I don't know what it is," she said, "Suddenly I'm having problems..."

He opened up the tricorder again and scanned her thoracic region as she started coughing. And with each cough, a wheeze became more and more apparent, until Racheal had a fullblown asthma attack. "I don't understand," she rasped, "I haven't had an attack in ages. I used to get it when I used to visit my aunt's home after she got a dog. I had to stop going there..."

Dog! She was getting an allergic reaction! She was also allergic Allerzine! His eyes widened as he barked an urgent command: "Computer: site to site Crewman Morrison to the civilian hospital, and transfer the EMH as well!"

In seconds, they disappeared, open tricorder and regenerator lying on the biobed.

The hologram bent over the LCARS readout. All this over a sprained wrist. He wasn't pleased. "Are you feeling better, Crewman Morrison?"

"Yes, thank you doctor." Racheal began to breathe more easily again. She looked tired; such an ordeal always took a lot out of people. "What happened?"

"They keep a dog in Main Sickbay," he said in a low voice. "They believe it's good for the patients."

"What? But isn't it-"

"-Against regulations? Yes. It is."

She pouted. "It wasn't very good for ME."

The EMH looked at her sadly. There was nothing he could do. "You rarely visit Main Sickbay," he said. "If your situation isn't urgent, and you can make it here or down to the Sickbay adjacent to the mall, I suggest you do so until you hear from me otherwise."

She nodded. "I will, doctor. "

"In the meantime, I'll look into an alternative treatment for you. You appear to possess sensitivities to many common medications, and you cannot always rely on avoidance. Try to take it easy for a few hrs in your quarters for that wrist to heal and to get your stamina back."

She looked fearful. "But we're on Yellow Alert."

He touched her shoulder with reassurance. "I'll notify your superior about your condition. Unless we go to Red Alert, you are allowed respite."

She smiled. "Thank you, doctor. You're the best. I'll bet they really value your expertise up there in Sickbay."

The EMH tried to hold his smile as he helped Racheal off the biobed...

Once transferred back in Main Sickbay, the hologram put away his equipment and returned to his console to compose a second grievance...

Dr. Micheala Williams

Seeing that Dayanair had lost consciousness again. The tricorder showed that this was not due to any neurological trauma.

"There is no neurological trauma evident that is causing her condition. She should awaken by herself." Micheala explained. Carlos breathed a sigh of relief, but by the look on Siit's face he needed Dayaniar Awake now.

" I can revive her without causing any damage. April I need a hyposray of Cortolin."

Setting a minimal dose, Dayanair was awake in seconds.

"Dayanair you need to try and talk it easy." Micheala said but knew it would be to no avail, "I'm going to send April back to sickbay but I"ll remain here." she reasured.

Standing back to give Day some space Micheala pulled April aside for a few words.

" I'm going to get you to go back to sickbay and finish thigns off there while I stay. Also, I think it might be best if Millie doesn't come to sickbay anymore. I've had a couple of concerns about her presence and this way it will prevent any future hassles. Maybe Tijo wouldn't mind dog sitting for you....he and Millie got along well together. " Micheala suggested.

April nodded and left to go back to sickbay. Micheala hoped that April wouldn't be too upset as she is very attached to the creature It was a similar to a "security blanket" for her and Micheala thought that a cold harsh talking to would be detrimental for her nurse.

Standing in the background Micheala started to wonder what was actually going on over on the other ship.

The EMH

The EMH continued to peruse recent medical logs, when the Sickbay doors hissed open. It was Nurse Kay. The hologram smiled at her, but there was no reciprocation. Instead, she glared at him in a rather hostile manner. His smile faded. The EMH turned his attention back to the console.