Chapter 84 - Sov-ret has-tal
Hakausu V'Mir looked over the data PADD in her hand. She scrolled up the screen while scanning the words on display. It was not often she had the opportunity to study human anatomy and the circumstances surrounding her current voyage to Vulcan were a quite fascinating change to her usual remit. Once satisfied with her analysis she turned to speak to Mimi, "Please take a seat over at my desk," she said in a straightforward and clinical tone.
Mimi followed her across the room and then took the seat across from her. She sat patiently waiting for the healer to speak again. Vulcans returning to the planet after considerable time away were required to undergo an extensive medical, specifically with a Hakausu whose expertise was in sov-ret has-tal or aerospace medicine. Due to her marriage to Sordd, Mimi was now classed as a Vulcan citizen and she had just undergone said medical and its accompanying vast array of tests: full body scan, blood tests, drug screening, bone density, fitness test, eye test, hearing test, balance test, blood flow, and cardiovascular health tests to name just a few. Sordd, T'Shahel, and Avarak had received their medical that morning. They had all passed with what Mimi would call flying colours. This was due to Sordd's diligence while staying on planet Earth; he had ensured that his family had followed a strict exercise and diet regime that enabled them to stay as fit and as healthy as possible.
Mimi took the moments of silence to study V'Mir more closely. She was tall and slim, with dark brown hair and large bright blue eyes fringed with thick black eyelashes. She was a striking young Vulcan, late 20s to early 30s and obviously incredibly intelligent. V'Mir continued to look at the screen in front of her, occasionally tapping then reading some more. Just as Mimi began to wonder if the Vulcan woman had forgotten she was sitting in front of her she looked up from what she was doing and spoke.
"It is customary on Vulcan to discuss test results and findings. Is that agreeable to you?"
Mimi felt quite intimidated by the healer. This was partly due to her stunning good looks and obvious intellect, but also due to the fact that she was probably the most cautions and guarded Vulcan she had met thus far. She was giving nothing away. Despite the feeling of intimidation Mimi managed to nod her head and speak in the affirmative. "Ha," she replied confidently, "that would be agreeable."
"Very well, T'Sai Margaret. I have analysed the results from your medical today as well as the fitness data that I have received from Hakausu Sordd and from your medical records on Earth. There is strong evidence that you will acclimatise well to Vulcan."
Mimi managed to suppress the smile although it did not go unnoticed by V'Mir.
"Hakausu Sordd has also provided me with your acclimatisation programme," she continued. "It is quite thorough, as would be expected. There are some aspects I would like to review with you. If you do not object?"
Mimi shook her head, "I have no objections, that is fine."
V'Mir nodded her approval. "Can you clarify the volume of water that you drink each day?"
"Well usually I go through two 750ml water bottles a day. Sometimes more sometimes less," Mimi replied vaguely.
V'Mir typed on the PADD. If she were speaking to a Vulcan they would be able to give her the volume to the exact ml. "Initially I advise that you increase this to 2 litres a day. There are dangers of drinking too much water in a hot climate as it can disrupt your body's electrolyte balance and lead to hyponatremia. It would be advisable for Hakausu Sordd or the clan healer, Tela'at Hakausu Sekla, to monitor this. Do you agree?"
Mimi nodded her head again. "Yes, of course. That makes sense..."
V'Mir pressed and swiped a number of buttons on her PADD. When she had finished she looked up at Mimi again. "I also advise that you begin to increase your calorie intake and decrease your level of activity as we journey to Vulcan."
Mimi looked at her with a shocked expression. She was unsure if she had misheard... "Increase my calories and decrease my exercise?" she asked with a note of uncertainty in her voice.
V'Mir inclined her head. She was slightly confused that she had to clarify a very clear statement. "Ha."
Mimi frowned. This went against everything she knew. "I will get fat!" she protested.
V'Mir raised an eyebrow, the first real sign of emotion Mimi had seen from her throughout the whole consultation.
V'Mir wondered why a conversation regarding calorific intake would garner such an illogical response and illogical conclusion... She was also fascinated with Mimi's unshielded emotions. She studied her silently for a few moments to see if they would heighten... they did not. "T'Sai Margaret, you are 1.65m and 57kg which is well within a healthy mass range for your height. Your records show that you lead a very healthy lifestyle due to your exercise regime and, on the whole, healthy balanced diet. It is illogical to be concerned about 'getting fat.'"
Mimi shook her head. "In the past when I have increased calories and decreased exercise I have always put on excess weight. I'm confused as to why you suggest this?"
V'Mir decided some reassurance was in order. "I can assure you T'Sai Margaret, you will not gain excess mass while residing on Vulcan. Your frame will have to contend with the higher gravitational pull of the planet. Although your mass will not change, your weight will. On Earth your weight due to gravitational pull is 558.97905N on Vulcan that will increase to 782.57067N. Your 57kg frame will 'feel' like it is 79.8kg."
Mimi's eyes nearly popped out. "So why do I need to eat more?"
"Your muscles will be using more energy in order to perform ordinary functions. You will require extra calories to compensate." V'Mir managed to maintain a neutral tone and neutral expression on her face. She was inwardly pleased at the opportunity to have to explain the reasons for her recommendations. Under normal circumstances she had consultations with Vulcans who had attended the Vulcan Science Academy, the majority of whom had taken advanced courses in Vulcan anatomy and physiology. Only on very rare occasions did she have to explain the reasons for her counsel.
Mimi nodded her head in understanding, she wondered if Vulcan carrot cake would be an acceptable choice for the extra calories. A calorie was a calorie after all.
V'Mir continued. "You may find that you are easily exhausted. This is to be expected as your heart will be working harder than it does on Earth. You will require more time than the rest of your family to adjust to the higher gravity." This was not said in a critical manner it was stated simply as a fact. "Once you have acclimatised you will be able to increase your exercise regime, but only once you have acclimatised. Before acclimatisation you will find that even small amounts of exercise will be too painful due to the build up of lactic acid in your muscles. In case you do end up over exerting yourself I have prescribed medication to counteract the effects. It would be advisable for Hakausu Sordd or the clan healer, to monitor this as well."
Mimi nodded her head. They were the experts after all!
"Do you have any questions, T'Sai Margaret?"
"I have been experiencing dizziness and balance issues since coming on board the ship. Is there anything more I can do to help prevent it?"
"Regrettably no," V'Mir replied. "These issues you are facing at the moment will resolve in a week. Please continue with the rounds of saline and continue to wear your G-suit... How is your body coping with the increase in temperature?"
"Well after I clarified with Sordd that the thermostat was not broken in our room I just decided I had better get used to it," Mimi answered in an upbeat tone. "At least it's a dry heat… My main concern is that the temperature on the ship is cooler than the temperature on Vulcan."
V'Mir nodded her head in understanding. "The temperature on the ship is set at 35.3ºC, which is the average inside temperature on Vulcan. Most activities take place inside. Those activities that do require an excursion outside usually take place either early in the morning or late at night. There will always be exceptions though... When you do go outside it is advisable for you to wear your acclimatisation suit, it will help with regulating your body temperature. It is also advisable that your wear ointment on any exposed skin. It is similar to those used on Earth to protect from UVA, UVB, and UVC rays."
"Will the sunscreen I have not work?" Mimi questioned.
V'Mir nodded her head again. "Ha, it will give you some protection but not all that is required. There are differences in the composition of the ointments. If you run out, you can use your Terran sunscreen until you have been able to replenish your supplies."
"I don't imagine Sordd will allow me to run out of anything!" Mimi replied with a small smile on her face.
"Indeed, statistically it is unlikely," V'Mir replied dryly.
V'Mir gracefully rose to her feet and crossed the room to the medical replicator. She pressed a few buttons on the control panel and one or two seconds later a small blue box appeared. She then pressed some more buttons. A few seconds later, a grey medium sized ultra-light packing cube with a carrying handle appeared.
She walked back to where Mimi was sitting and handed her the blue box. "These are contact lenses that you will need to wear when you go outside on Vulcan. If you do not wear them the glare from 40 Eridani A will cause your human eyes unnecessary and unhealthy eyestrain. They will also afford some protection if you happen to get caught in a sandstorm. They are self cleaning so you can also wear them when sleeping... You may find it preferable to wear them all the time."
Mimi opened the box to have a look at the lenses. They looked like normal clear contacts. She looked up at V'Mir. "Shaya tonat," she said in thanks with a slight nod.
V'Mir then handed her the packing cube. "This is a cool blanket. It will help with regulating your body temperature during nocturnal rest or indeed any time you decide to have a period of repose."
Mimi took the blanket from her hand, "Shaya tonat va'ashiv, thank you for your assistance."
V'Mir bowed her head, "I come to serve. I will forward your medical report to your personal PADD as well as to Tela'at Hakausu Sekla and Hakausu Sordd," she looked Mimi straight in the eye again, "unless you object?"
Mimi frowned, why on Earth would she object! "No, no I don't object," she replied. "Sordd knows everything anyway!"
V'Mir nodded her head; there was a hint of approval in the gesture as well as curiosity. It was illogical to try and hide things from a bondmate. "Do you have any further questions?"
Mimi shook her head. "No, I don't think so."
"If you think of anything later please do not hesitate to come and ask." V'Mir was aware that humans often thought of questions after the event. She looked Mimi directly in the eye again. "T'Sai Margaret, prevention is always better than cure!"
Mimi nodded her head in understanding. "Ha, yes." She gracefully rose to her feet. "Dif-tor heh smusma, live long and prosper," she said in her best neutral tone.
V'Mir raised an eyebrow, impressed with Mimi's pronunciation, "Sochya eh dif, peace and long life," she responded with a deep bow.
*'*
When Mimi left the medical wing, with contact lenses and packing cube in hand, she was a lot more upbeat than she had been in the morning. Everything had gone better than she had anticipated it would. She smiled, and was inwardly relieved, when she saw Sordd waiting outside. It meant she wouldn't get lost again!
*'*
Notes
I hope you found this chapter a little bit of fun. Next chapter we will be arriving on Vulcan :-) Thank you to my usual suspects.
Sov-ret has-tal - aerospace medicine
hasuk - medical
Hakausu - healer
T'Sai - lady
Tela'at Hakausu - clan healer
Ha - yes
Shaya tonat - thank you