error. “The computers have always done it,” he admitted.
“You weren’t taught that dependence in medical school any more than I was.” Beverly’s voice softened. “It’s every physician-surgeon’s responsibility to be sure the instruments are in perfect order. In my sickbay, that means the doctor personally examines them.”
Asenzi nodded. “You are correct. I have been remiss.”
“I’m sure it won’t happen again.” Beverly moved away toward a glossy vertical area on a nearby wall. “The L-CARS for sickbay are up to date, of course.”
On this, Asenzi could be proud of himself. The Library-Computer Access and Retrieval System for sickbay was his particular concern. A patient’s life could depend on the accuracy and thoroughness of the records in the L-CARS, and Asenzi spent considerable time keeping them up to date. “Everything is in order. If you wish to check them yourself. . . .”
“Thank you.” Beverly turned to the panel and spoke clearly. “Computer, show me the complete results of Captain Picard’s most recent physical examination.” The screen promptly glowed and began to flash up written information, followed by X-rays, dental records, full record of any medications prescribed. “Very comprehensive, Dr. Asenzi. And exceptionally complete. I am going to charge you with the continuing maintenance of these records, but if you have any questions or problems, please feel free to come to me on them. Computer, cancel.” The screen went dark, and Beverly swung around to face Asenzi. “I’m very pleased with the condition of the sickbay and all its equipment, Doctor. You’re doing an excellent job, and I’m sure it will continue. I’d like to arrange a staff meeting as soon as possible.”
“Would this evening be suitable? After dinner perhaps?”
“Very suitable. Thank you—” She broke off in mid-sentence, staring past Asenzi as the door to sickbay hissed open.
Jean-Luc Picard stepped through and stopped, looking at the two doctors. He hesitated almost uncertainly. “Excuse me. Am I interrupting?”
Beverly collected herself and found a smile. “Not at all. We were just finishing the grand tour of sickbay.”
“If you’ll excuse me, Doctor, I’ll arrange the meeting for you. Would 2030 do?”
“Fine. Thank you.”
Asenzi jerked a little bow toward Beverly and then Picard, slid past them, and glided out the door. It hissed closed behind him. Beverly and Picard stood a little apart, an uncomfortable silence resting between them.
She looks marvelous
, Picard thought—
almost as if fifteen years haven’t gone by
. He had never been able to forget the way she looked the first time he had seen her—nor the last, when he had had the unhappy duty of bringing her husband’s body home to her. Picard shifted his weight and cleared his throat. “I thought I should come down to see you personally, Dr. Crusher.”
“Am I late in reporting, sir? I had intended to see you formally when I completed my examination of the medical facilities.”
Picard did not immediately answer, and Beverly let the silence lie between them. Finally, he sighed and looked at her fully. “I want you to be aware that I protested your posting to the
Enterprise
. However, I felt I should explain my reasons to you.”
“Do you feel I’m unqualified?”
“Not at all. Your service record is enviable—in fact, it’s the best in the entire Fleet. I have no quarrel with your professional qualifications as chief medical officer.”
Beverly’s chin came up defiantly. She knew someone had tried to prevent her from taking this assignment. Until this moment, she never would have thought it was Jean-Luc Picard. “Then you must object to me personally,” she said acidly. “And you’re going to have to work very hard, sir, to make a personal objection valid enough to Starfleet to block my permanent assignment to this ship.”
“I’m only trying to be considerate of your
“You weren’t taught that dependence in medical school any more than I was.” Beverly’s voice softened. “It’s every physician-surgeon’s responsibility to be sure the instruments are in perfect order. In my sickbay, that means the doctor personally examines them.”
Asenzi nodded. “You are correct. I have been remiss.”
“I’m sure it won’t happen again.” Beverly moved away toward a glossy vertical area on a nearby wall. “The L-CARS for sickbay are up to date, of course.”
On this, Asenzi could be proud of himself. The Library-Computer Access and Retrieval System for sickbay was his particular concern. A patient’s life could depend on the accuracy and thoroughness of the records in the L-CARS, and Asenzi spent considerable time keeping them up to date. “Everything is in order. If you wish to check them yourself. . . .”
“Thank you.” Beverly turned to the panel and spoke clearly. “Computer, show me the complete results of Captain Picard’s most recent physical examination.” The screen promptly glowed and began to flash up written information, followed by X-rays, dental records, full record of any medications prescribed. “Very comprehensive, Dr. Asenzi. And exceptionally complete. I am going to charge you with the continuing maintenance of these records, but if you have any questions or problems, please feel free to come to me on them. Computer, cancel.” The screen went dark, and Beverly swung around to face Asenzi. “I’m very pleased with the condition of the sickbay and all its equipment, Doctor. You’re doing an excellent job, and I’m sure it will continue. I’d like to arrange a staff meeting as soon as possible.”
“Would this evening be suitable? After dinner perhaps?”
“Very suitable. Thank you—” She broke off in mid-sentence, staring past Asenzi as the door to sickbay hissed open.
Jean-Luc Picard stepped through and stopped, looking at the two doctors. He hesitated almost uncertainly. “Excuse me. Am I interrupting?”
Beverly collected herself and found a smile. “Not at all. We were just finishing the grand tour of sickbay.”
“If you’ll excuse me, Doctor, I’ll arrange the meeting for you. Would 2030 do?”
“Fine. Thank you.”
Asenzi jerked a little bow toward Beverly and then Picard, slid past them, and glided out the door. It hissed closed behind him. Beverly and Picard stood a little apart, an uncomfortable silence resting between them.
She looks marvelous
, Picard thought—
almost as if fifteen years haven’t gone by
. He had never been able to forget the way she looked the first time he had seen her—nor the last, when he had had the unhappy duty of bringing her husband’s body home to her. Picard shifted his weight and cleared his throat. “I thought I should come down to see you personally, Dr. Crusher.”
“Am I late in reporting, sir? I had intended to see you formally when I completed my examination of the medical facilities.”
Picard did not immediately answer, and Beverly let the silence lie between them. Finally, he sighed and looked at her fully. “I want you to be aware that I protested your posting to the
Enterprise
. However, I felt I should explain my reasons to you.”
“Do you feel I’m unqualified?”
“Not at all. Your service record is enviable—in fact, it’s the best in the entire Fleet. I have no quarrel with your professional qualifications as chief medical officer.”
Beverly’s chin came up defiantly. She knew someone had tried to prevent her from taking this assignment. Until this moment, she never would have thought it was Jean-Luc Picard. “Then you must object to me personally,” she said acidly. “And you’re going to have to work very hard, sir, to make a personal objection valid enough to Starfleet to block my permanent assignment to this ship.”
“I’m only trying to be considerate of your
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