Station: New Life, New Face

Posted on Tue Aug 12th, 2025 @ 11:29pm by Ainkara "Kara" Ski'a {SIS} {SoB}

Mission: Stellar Problems
Location: M-69
Timeline: Current

ON:

After leaving Captain Green's office, and while wandering corridors as she thought on things, an epiphany hit Kara like a brick. Knowing there were private, civilian physicians on M-69, Kara knew one of them fairly well. Some people, usually alien species separate from Humans, did not fully trust Starfleet doctors for whatever reason. So, to offset species getting sick and not seeking help, there were those willing to aid them. If it was too serious then a message would be sent from the civvy doc to Dr. Williams to inform him of the illness or condition, just in case the patient got hauled into Starfleet Sickbay by security because he was collapsed somewhere. All that crazy thinking aside she kept going until she arrived at the private practice, the Doctor having set his clinic up in a VIP suite, the extra room being his treatment room and surgical suite for minor issues.

Walking in and seeing the Andorian man in his pristine white medical clothing, Kara gave a smile. "Doctor Zerahn. It's been a while."

Zerahn looked up from what he was reading, sitting on his sofa. His eyes widened a bit in surprise and his antennae went forward towards her even as he set the PADD aside and got up, coming in for a hug. "Good to see you, feisty. I had heard you were back. Took you long enough to come see me." His own smile matched hers.

"I know. Apologies. I had some things I had to see to before getting myself on track." Kara's smile was slowly fading. "But, I need a private physician. A Doctor outside of Starfleet's prying eyes. Would you be my physician?"

Zerahn placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I would, Kara. I am honored you thought of me for this. Thank you."

"I don't trust anyone else right now," Kara admitted. "I'll tell you about my time in captivity some time, but not today. I need those magic hands of yours for today. You up for some minor cosmetic surgery?"

"Of course, dear." Zerahn said without missing a beat. She had always been kind to him, and when Nazgul had been in port she always came to him for medical advice and counseling. She had been his patient for some time and did not seem to realize that. She just saw a friend. "What kind of cosmetic surgery are you thinking about?"

"These," Kara said, reaching her hands up and touching the plus-sign cartilege on her face. "I would like gone. Give me a smooth, Vulcan-looking face. Also, is there a way to change my hair color? I would like a dishwater blond color, I'm tired of this color." She grabbed a lock of her dark brown hair and shook it slightly. "And, if that change can be permanent, then I would be so grateful."

Zerahn listened as he stepped in closer and examined her face where the species traits were. His trained eye said that the procedure should be fairly easy to remove, and then healing the flesh would be even more so. "Your cartilege will be a simple procedure. Maybe a couple hours to complete. The hair, well, it's a procedure that may be uncomfortable for it to take hold."

"How so?" She asked.

Zerahn went on to explain. "Starfleet came up with a way to temporarily change the basic genome for other species into a specific species. Not genetic engineering, just a tweak to the genome that imparts outer appearance temporarily; skin deep only, so to speak. However, the morphing of your body into the other genome can be very painful. With changing the genome for your hair, and making it permanent, may cause a variety of side affects while it takes hold. Your scalp may feel like it's on fire for a while. For that I could put you under, or keep you under if you choose to be under for the cosmetic surgery."

"I'll go under," Kara said. "No need to bother you with conversation or questions, just let you work and get it done."

"Alright," said Zerahn. "Go into the bathroom and take off your tops. There are gowns on the shelf. Wash your face with a light soap, and rinse well, then come back out and come into my procedure room."

Kara did as instructed and not too long later was in the procedure room and laying back on the hospital bed which also doubled as a dental chair. She would have him clean and reinforce her teeth, as well, once the surgery was over. Zerahn came over with a hypo and injected it into her neck. Within a minute she felt her eyes go heavy and then blank.

***

"Kara. Kara. Come on, hear my voice and come out of it."

Laying there, now aware once again that she was laying there, Kara's eyes fluttered open. As far as she could tell he hadn't done anything because there was no discomfort or pain. "Are we..." her voice cracked with it being dry.

"Here," Zerahn said, stepping in and raising the head of bed and then lowering the legs into the chair style, with the armrests lowered in place. He handed her a water bottle which she drank from, several swallows. She handed it back. "Well, you look so much different, yet anyone who knows you, after a good look, will know it's you. I tool the liberty of lengthening your hair along with the color change. I found it more aesthetic to the new face. Anyway," he set the water bottle aside and took up a mirror. "Have a look." Giving her the mirror.

Kara took the mirror and held it up, her eyes going wide as she saw a different person looking back at her. Long, blonde hair, no facial cartilege, now smooth of cheekbone and temple like a Vulcan. But, that long, blonde hair was the kicker. She was glad Zerahn lengthened her locks because it did look awesome. "You are a credit to your profession!" Kara said, her exhilaration plain in her voice. "Am I okay to stand?"

"I don't know, are you?" Zerahn quipped, giving a chuckle. "Yes, you look wide awake now and the after effects have passed by now." Even though he said she was fine to stand, he still offered a hand of aid as any physician would, just to make sure.

Kara stood up after pushing herself out of the chair. No wooziness or euphoria. As a Vulcanoid her biology tended to recover quickly from drugs of any kind. She went into the bathroom and changed back into her clothes and came out, hugging Zerahn once more. "Thank you. I can't stop looking at myself in the mirror. It's perfect. A master of your craft, Doctor."

"It was my pleasure. I will bill you for this, of course."

"Of course." Kara replied. "I own the Bliss now, so your payment should come in short order, Zerahn. Again, thank you. I need to go re-up my ID's with the new look before I get locked out of everywhere and accused of espionage." She gave a giggle. They chatted for a few minutes longer and then she was off. As she had said, Kara went to the Federation office for citizenship, showing her old ID and telling them she needed a new set for her new look. Doctor Zerahn was contacted to confirm and then the ID's were created and her pictures updated. Giving thanks, and still grinning like a child in a candy store, Kara left the Federation admin section and headed for the Promenade.

OFF: