EMH
Posted on Wed Jun 17th, 2026 @ 12:52am by Captain Elijah Rutherford & Lieutenant Lily Marlow & Lieutenant Commander Rafael Montoya
1,447 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Mini Mission-Adjustments [USS Orcrist]
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: MD 004 1400
There was a chime at the door, of the Ready Room. Elijah had gotten a request from Lily for a meeting with the two medical officers. He had no idea what it would be about but from the tone in Lily's voice it must be something serious.
The door opened revealing Raf and Lily.
"Come on in, what can I do for you?" Eiijah began, motioning towards the two chairs which were available.
Raf stepped in with a grin. "Thank you Captain, bet you didn't see me back in here so soon."
Elijah looked from Lily to Raf and back to Lily. He leaned back in his chair.
"You have decided to beard the lion in its den?" Elijah giving a bit of a smile.
"Well you see sir-" Lily began.
Elijah raised up an eyebrow hearing Lily being formal.
"Okay what's up?" looking at his long time friend/ACMO then back to Raf.
"Have a seat, please." Elijah motioning towards the two chairs.
Lily gave a glance towards Raf, then took a seat.
Raf watched from his seat as she tentatively took her own. She was surprisingly nervous given the length of time they had served together. Putting out a hand he touched her arm taking the pressure off her. "I discovered the EMH had been removed, admittedly later than I should have and that's on me, but I discussed the situation and believe it's in the crew's best interest to have the EMH reinstalled. I checked and the there is a brand new model coming out of Jupiter Station, so this would be the perfect time."
Elijah's glance flews to Lily, then back to Raf. "An EMH, yes it hadn't been included with the programming I had felt that it wasn't needed at the time, and we have had security issues. Security concerns from the Majestic. Tell me about this new model."
Lily gave a nod, her body language relaxing after the touch by Raf.
"Lily has made me aware of the previous....issues with an AI. However the EMH isn't an AI, technically it's an interactive hologram with diagnostic and behavioral subroutines. That's splitting a fine hair I know, but after the Voyager's return, EMH programs were updated to prevent self modification or enhancement outside their original programming. While they do have additional subroutines to allow for greater interactions with the crew they remain a medical program. The last thing Starfleet Medical wanted was the creation of other sentient holograms."
Elijah nodded, "I see, what are its specifications. And I hadn't heard about the updates as to the EMH modifications."
The Captain leaned back in his chair, giving a motion as to more explanation to come forth from Raf.
"Tell me a bit more." Elijah having a attentive expression.
"Well as I mentioned the EMH has evolved of the years. With the wide spread installation of holoemitters on stations and ships it allows the EMH to move throughout the ship in order to assist in emergency response, especially in situations were the situation prevents transport or other personnel are unable to access. On DS4 there were instances were this saved several lives. Additionally there are new safety protocols that prevent autonomous control by the EMH itself, unauthorized or external access of the program, and alterations or customizing enhancements of the program by anyone but authorized personnel...those on Jupiter Station. Even without these safety measures I would still be sitting. The known medical benefits of an EMH far out weighs any potential risks."
Elijah looked towards Lily, "What are your thoughts, Lily?"
After hearing what Raf had said, and the fact of the EMH having had helped to get to Elijah when the CMO had been killed.
"I am actually leaning towards having an EMH now. I remember being on the Nighthawk when we were attacked and the CMO had been killed. If it hadn't been for the EMH, I wouldn't have been able to help you when you were grievously injured." Lily stated firmly.
Elijah winced slightly at that memory.
"You make valid points there, the two of you. Do you have a name for the EMH?"
Lily looked over towards Raf. She was curious.
"It would need to be fitting with the name of this ship." Eljah stated.
Raf raised an eyebrow at the idea. He was good with the model default of Nina and a name change was really inconsequential, but if the Captain wanted to keep the theme going who was he to object. "Hmmm....It's been a more than few years since I've read any Tolken or Tolken themed stories but...let's see..." He pause as he tried to remember the names of the various heroines.
"What about Héra?"
Elijah thought for a moment then shook his head. "No, perhaps something more Tolkien in nature. How about Galadriel. "
Lily looked over towards Elijah, the captain seemed to be warming up to the idea of having an EMH.
Raf's expression wrinkled a bit. "Awfully long, and doesn't really give itself to an abbreviated version. Plus given the program's enhanced social capabilities...", he trailed off as he thought.
A smile sprang up, "Rosie would the quote unquote social choice but what about Loreth, the healer in Minas Tirath?"
"Ioreth" Elijah mused, "I like the sound of that name.
Elijah thinking back to what he had read about her.
"You know you have convinced me, Ioreth, as EMH" Elijah clapping his hadns together as to this decision."There will be monitoring, but I'm certain that in due time those who have some issues they will cease to have the issues- hopefully." having a slight smile.
Lily was a bit surprised at the way things were unfolding, they will now have an EMH? Will wonders never cease?
Lily looked at Raf with even more respect. She was impressed.
Raf was actually surprised, that had been easier that he had thought it would be. Nodding to the Captain, "Thank you sir. I will put in the programming request with Jupiter Station for the renaming and over see the installation personally." With Ryn's help of course.
"Very good, make it happen." Elijah responded with a smile. "Keep me apprised and is there anything else you would like to cover? Any reports to be made? Any issues?"
Raf looked to Lily, shaking his head. "Nothing out but the run of the mill preparations while in space dock."
"At the moment I've not run into any trouble either. Just we have been going through the cursory details of those who wish to have their onboarding of the ship doing the quick medical scans."
Elijah gave a nod, "That sounds about right, if there is nothing more then, this meeting is at an end. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."
Lily rose up from her chair as they had been in essence dismissed. She did want to talk to Raf away from the Captain's hearing.
With the Captain's dismissal Raf rose as well, "Thank you sir." Turning he motioned for Lily towards the door and they left the ready room.
Outside the ready room as they walked towards the turbolift, Lily commented to Raf,
"That was unexpected, though, he has been known to listen to reason. At least we didn't have to get Jasmine to intercede for us. That might not have gone over too well." Lily having a twinkle in her eyes.
"Oh?"
"I know that Elijah isn't someone who likes personal being mixed with professional. And doesn't like it when Jasmine gets involved. Even though there are times she has had to step in." Lily responded. "When it comes to medical."
"Well she's a counselor, not the Chief Medical Officer. Even so, hopefully she doesn't think we cut her out in some way." He paused, think of the best way to break the news. Since this is something that will impact the entire department.... "Let's break the news to everyone at once and schedule a meeting with the entire medical staff."
"I think that would be a great idea." Lily responded with a smile. "I hadn't gotten to do that when I was the CMO. and the CMO who had taken over, didn't do one either."
He chuckled a bit, "Well let's get that set up. Care to do the honors? ...since you never had the chance?"
Liiy's eyebrrows rose, feeling rather surprised at this suggestion. "Really? O-Okay thank you!"
Raf chuckled, "Don't be so surprise, you're up for it. Besides back on DS4 I regularly shared the spotlight."
Captain Elijah Rutherford
CO
USS Orcrist
Lieutenant Lily Marlow
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Orcrist
Lieutenant Commander Rafael Montoya
Chief Medical Officer
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