Take a deep breath [Paula, Bones]
Private Message to Lt. Paula Collins
Re: Duty status
A physical examination is required before you may be returned to active duty. Please report to Starfleet Medical at 1300 tomorrow.
Private Message to Lt. Paula Collins
Re: Personnel status
The Promotions Board is pleased to inform you that you will be advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Commander prior to the commencement of your next post. Inquiries may be directed to the board or to Starfleet Command.
Congratulations.
Please do not reply to this automatically generated communication. Thank you.
The message was the same no matter how many times she read it. Paula stared down at the words on her communicator as though any moment another note might pop up, this time saying “just kidding!” But she had already tracked down one of the science officers she knew on the promotions board, who had confirmed that her name had indeed been included on the most recent list they had approved.
It wasn’t so much the promotion itself, or the generic tone of the automated message (though she hadn't been impressed by that, either). She’d been working hard and certainly had her eyes on that next step up the career ladder. But she hadn’t expected it so soon, and when Commander Sanchez had let slip that the award had been put on the fast track thanks to the Narada incident, she didn’t know what to think. Disappointment and anger were warring in her, leaving Paula confused and sleepless for most of the night. By 0700 she was stumbling out of bed, yawning as she went to shower and get ready for classes and her clinic appointment.
The physical was the last step before Paula could finally be placed back on active duty. She had been restricted first to rest and relaxation and then to light duty-classes, light workouts, nothing too strenuous-ever since returning to Earth. She’d felt restless the past week or so, knowing her body was recovered, and this last checkup would (she hoped) confirm that fact to Starfleet.
By 1245 she had left class and and headed over to Medical. Paula signed in at the clinic and was in the crowded waiting room, eyeing a coughing, sneezing cadet with an alarming blue rash dubiously as she sat down, glad the only available chair was on the opposite side of the room.
Re: Duty status
A physical examination is required before you may be returned to active duty. Please report to Starfleet Medical at 1300 tomorrow.
Private Message to Lt. Paula Collins
Re: Personnel status
The Promotions Board is pleased to inform you that you will be advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Commander prior to the commencement of your next post. Inquiries may be directed to the board or to Starfleet Command.
Congratulations.
Please do not reply to this automatically generated communication. Thank you.
The message was the same no matter how many times she read it. Paula stared down at the words on her communicator as though any moment another note might pop up, this time saying “just kidding!” But she had already tracked down one of the science officers she knew on the promotions board, who had confirmed that her name had indeed been included on the most recent list they had approved.
It wasn’t so much the promotion itself, or the generic tone of the automated message (though she hadn't been impressed by that, either). She’d been working hard and certainly had her eyes on that next step up the career ladder. But she hadn’t expected it so soon, and when Commander Sanchez had let slip that the award had been put on the fast track thanks to the Narada incident, she didn’t know what to think. Disappointment and anger were warring in her, leaving Paula confused and sleepless for most of the night. By 0700 she was stumbling out of bed, yawning as she went to shower and get ready for classes and her clinic appointment.
The physical was the last step before Paula could finally be placed back on active duty. She had been restricted first to rest and relaxation and then to light duty-classes, light workouts, nothing too strenuous-ever since returning to Earth. She’d felt restless the past week or so, knowing her body was recovered, and this last checkup would (she hoped) confirm that fact to Starfleet.
By 1245 she had left class and and headed over to Medical. Paula signed in at the clinic and was in the crowded waiting room, eyeing a coughing, sneezing cadet with an alarming blue rash dubiously as she sat down, glad the only available chair was on the opposite side of the room.