Usual disclaimers apply!

Chapter 73 - 45th Interspecies Medical Exchange (IME), Rigel, Stellale Tadina

The conference Sordd was attending, the 45th Interspecies Medical Exchange (IME), was being held during December 2230 on Lepus Base, Stella Tadina. The interstellar program involved several Alpha and Beta Quadrant governments, including Earth, Vulcan, Denobula, Tellar Prime, and Mazar. It was a medical exchange program that allowed doctors from each planet to volunteer their services on alien worlds with the intent to better their understanding of xenobiology.

Lepus, a Federation base administered by Starfleet, was located on the outskirts of Rigel, the capital city of Stella Tadina, a class M planet situated in the Rigel system, Alpha Quadrant. This once small community, dedicated to agriculture and holistic medicine, had blossomed into a mother city that boasted galactic connections and was now a centre of medical excellence in the Alpha and Beta quadrant.

On his journey to the planet Sordd had taken the time to familiarise himself with the layout of the starbase and its facilities. The base offered multiple services and amenities including, fleet and sector command and coordination, crew supply transfers, trading and commercial travel, shore leave and recreation facilities, diplomatic services, administrative and legal services, and sophisticated medical facilities offering biomedical and health care services, which was one of the reasons why the conference was being held here. There were also numerous shopping facilities, he knew Mimi would enjoy this aspect if she were here. As he thought of her he briefly tested the bond between them, it was very faint, due to the large distance currently between them, but it was there nonetheless. Sordd sighed contentedly. This was the first time Mimi and he had been apart for an extensive period of time and it was reassuring to know that the bond between them was strong. Sordd looked over his schedule for the coming days and allocated time to go shopping, he did need to purchase his family Christmas gifts, bowing to one of Mimi's many human traditions.

*'*

Sordd carefully manoeuvred his Vulcan cruiser into the docking bay that had been allocated for his use for the duration of the conference. After completing the routine shutdown procedures he collected his luggage and left the cruiser via the main ramp. As Sordd had memorised the base plan, while in transit from Earth, he did not need to ask for directions, so after completing a retina scan, the white door to the docking bay opened giving him entrance to the base. He descended onto a lower level via a flight of stairs and then took a short journey in a turbo-lift to the main reception area. Sordd stepped out into a large, white, bright and airy circular shaped room. Straight ahead there was a sign with 'Welcome to Rigel' displayed on a very large screen. Other screens displayed information regarding the amenities on the base, attractions, destinations on Stellale Tadina, and shuttle departure and arrival times. The room was teeming with delegates for the conference, Andorians, Bajorans, Humans, and Denobulans to name but a few, and with that came a low grade buzz of chatter and excitement. As the reception area was so busy Sordd decided to take a moment to check the Directory for any updates and room changes.

Lepus Base Medical Wing Beta Directory

01- 0-1000 Emergency Receiving

02-1451 Surgical Suite 1 (Emergency)

02-1452 Surgical Suite 2 (Emergency)

02-1453 Surgical Suite 3 (Cardiac)

02-1454 Surgical Suite 4 (Bionic)

02-1455 Surgical Suite 5 (General)

02-1456 Surgical Suite 6 (Cryo)

03-1470 Therapy Ward

03-1471 Zero Gravity Therapy Ward

03-1472 Stella Tadina Physiology Unit

03-1473 Exobiology Research Division

03-1474 Biomedical Imaging Services

03-1521 Phlesc, MD, DGA

03-1522 Les Watson, MD

03-1523 Robert Sinclair, MD, DGA

03-1524 Shras Th'erhethahr, MD, DGA

03-1525 Adele Sinclair, MD, DGA

03-1526 Unes Gezo, MD

03- 1527 Tela'at Hakausu Yuris, MD, DGA

04-1481 Conference room 1 - Seminar held by Shonnom Skak, MD

04-1482 Conference room 2 - Seminar held by Robert Metoyer, MD, DGA

04-1483 Conference room 3 - Seminar held by Hakausu Dvir, MD, DGA

04-1484 Conference room 4 - Seminar held by Hakausu Sordd, MD, DGA

04-1485 Conference room 5 - Seminar held by Brian Faul, MD

The only point to note was that Hakausu Divir's name was in place of Hakausu Salok's for holding the seminar on emergency medicine, which was interesting.

While waiting his turn in the queue he saw Hakausu T'Asil, from Vulcan, coming through the turbo-lift door which he had used to enter the reception area ten minutes ago. She was accompanied by Hakausu Dvir. As the reception area was so busy Sordd decided it would be logical to approach the Vulcan delegates, so that they could discuss the upcoming conference together, thus not wasting time.

Hakausu T'Asil, who was an obstetrician specialising in xenobiology, was a middle aged Vulcan, putting her at around 105 Vulcan years. She was wearing casual attire, a blue-grey outer robe with silver piping, made from a subdued fabric, which was cut in the traditional Vulcan style. Her inner robe was a beige-gold colour made from a mesh like material. She was wearing a gold IDIC brooch on her left lapel. T'Asil's dark brown hair, which matched her dark brown eyes, was cut into the most flattering example of the Vulcan pointy bowl cut of a hairstyle that you have ever seen, or ever will see. She did not have any grey hairs which made her look a lot younger than she actually was. T'Asil's natural grace and elegance commanded respect.

Hakausu Dvir, a specialist in emergency medicine, was closer to Sordd's age at seventy years. He was wearing a black outer robe, with grey piping, again cut in the traditional Vulcan style. His inner robe was a dark grey colour made from a mesh like material which matched his pepper coloured hair, which was cut in the traditional Vulcan style. He had deep blue eyes.

T'Asil and Dvir became aware of Sordd just as he became aware of them, and they turned to greet him on his approach, they all raised ta'al's.

"Dif-tor heh smusma, Hakausu T'Asil, Hakausu Dvir," Sordd said to them both.

"Sochya eh dif Hakausu Sordd," they replied. Hakausu Dvir then excused himself, to go and get a drink.

"It is agreeable to see you," T'Asil continued.

"As it is you," Sordd responded. Without saying anything they both silently agreed to not join the queue, but instead they would wait until the reception area was quieter.

"Is Hakausu Salok in attendance?" Sordd asked her quietly.

"Unforeseen circumstances have arisen and regrettably Hakausu Salok is unable to attend the conference," T'Asil responded, giving a particular look that only a Vulcan would understand. "Hakausu Dvir has stepped in to take his place."

"That is indeed regrettable," Sordd replied neutrally, knowing from the look that T'Asil had given him that Salok had entered his 'time', he enquired after the health of Salok's bond mate. "I trust that his mate is in good health?" he asked.

"Ha," T'Asil replied flatly, giving nothing more and nothing less away.

For the next thirty minutes they discussed arrangements for the days ahead, by that time the reception area had quietened down…

*'*

Sordd approached the reception desk which was under the welcome screen. It was manned by a native to Stellale Tadina. Stellale Tadina's resemble humans in appearance, with three main distinguished features, purple eyes of varying shades, purple hair of varying shades, and on their right forehead and cheek a spattering of star shaped spots, which were also purple in colour. As Stellale Tadina's age the purple colour deepens. Judging by the colour of the spots on her face Sordd could tell that the receptionist in front of him was in her mid twenties, she was wearing a crisp white uniform with silver braiding.

"Welcome to Rigel," she said enthusiastically, "my name is Jaggin, can I have your name please?"

"Healer Sordd," he replied in standard.

"Thank you, Hakausu Sordd," she replied as she typed the information into her computer. Sordd was inwardly pleased that she had used the Vulcan word for healer, and that her pronunciation was correct. He waited patiently while she did her job.

"Can I check that all documentation and information regarding the conference was transferred to your padd?" she asked.

"Affirmative," he replied neutrally.

"Excellent!" she replied, "Your room is located on Level 5, Epsilon wing. Access to your room is via retina scan," she said. "If you are in need of assistance at any point please contact the front desk which is manned 22/8 by myself or one of my colleagues. For your information there are no emergency drills scheduled for the duration of the conference. Is there anything you need to ask at this moment in time?" she asked.

"The information I have been given is adequate," he replied with a slight nod of his head. "Thank you."

Jaggin raised a ta'al, "Sochya eh dif Hakausu Sordd," she said.

Sordd nodded in acknowledgement and raised a ta'al in reply, "Dif-tor heh smusma, Jaggin. Your pronunciation of Vulcan is excellent," he said. At this a broad smile appeared on Jaggin's face.

"Thank you," she replied.

*'*

Sordd turned to the left hand door and left the reception area. He walked a short distance along a white coloured connecting corridor and entered another turbo lift which took him to level 5. It was then another short walk along another white coloured corridor to the Epsilon wing where his room was located. Sordd let himself into the room and the lights turned on immediately, it was too bright! He turned down the light until it was a more comfortable reddish glow and he adjusted the climate control so it was more comparable to Vulcan. Sordd took a deep breath while appreciating the heat.

His accommodation for the conference consisted of a medium sized living area, with two armchairs and a table, everything was either white or varying shades of light purple. The window was floor to ceiling, which was most agreeable. To the left there was a view of the outskirts of Rigel. The city of Rigel was built atop a breathtaking fjord, with a backdrop of waterfalls which brought the minerals required in order to make the land around so fertile. The skyline was packed with giant skyscrapers that had sleek, curved edges, each more impressive than the next. The buildings were solely built using reinforced alamhashek, a durable, strong, white stone quarried on the planet. Depending on the time of day the colour of the city changed from pure white to deep purple with all the shades in between. He continued to look towards Rigel, he knew from the guidebook that this multicultural city had hundreds of bars, bistros and coffee houses offering a plethora of culinary choices. The city also had a number of museums and other recreational venues. This would be an agreeable location to bring his family, he would discuss this with Mimi later. Sordd then focused his attention to the left, which afforded a beautiful view of the fjord, due to the time of day the water had a light purple hue to it. Yes, he would bring Mimi here. In that moment he quickly sent a message to Mimi on his padd to let her know that he had arrived safely, he had promised to do so, illogical though that was.

After messaging Mimi he looked over the remainder of the room. The en-suite bedroom was off to the left of the main room, it was adequate enough for his needs. He decided to set up his meditation mat in the living area and then he prepared himself a mug of Vulcan green tei. Before settling down to a short time of meditation. In the afternoon he had his first seminar to attend, on Xenobiology.

*'*

Notes

Tela'at Hakausu - elder healer

Sochya eh dif - peace and long lifebr

Hakausu - healer

Dif-tor heh smusma - live long and propser

Re Asil - imagine an older T'Rina from discovery. I used an article by Claire Little, Executive Officer (In Charge of Radishes) 2020/11/star-trek-discovery-review-unification-iii/br /

Credit where credit is due - wiki/Interspecies_Medical_Exchange#Members_and_assignments