Uncertain Gifts

Posted on 27 Jul 2012 @ 10:16am by Lieutenant Theron Rhodes
Edited on on 30 Jul 2012 @ 9:11am

1,206 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: Engineering - Sickbay - Quarters
Timeline: MD 08 - 2330 hrs

ON:

The attack upon the Galileo had been severe. With the Klingon insurgence repelled, medical personnel and anyone who could help, came to the aid of the wounded and dying. The repair crews went to work to make the ship more stable for its duties. Ens. Theron Rhodes had been instructed to leave Engineering several times and go to Sickbay. Only once the other wounded were moving that direction, did he gave in and walk with assistance to the medical facility.

Theron's body ached as he walked. His left arm hung limp. His blood was beginning to clot his torn uniform to his skin. As he made his way the memories of battle flickered in his mind. It had been so intense and violent. He thanked the Guardians for his training. Without it, he would most likely be one of the unlucky ones. The security officer had not been a hero, but had just done his part. He was grateful for the other members of his team. Theron knew that he had lost at least two members of that security squad in Engineering. Theron also knew that the gift of life was very precious.

As he slowly made their way down the corridor, Theron's last memory was seeing the doors to Sickbay.

- - - - -
A taunting voice said, "Come on Ther'. Get up. I didn't hit you that hard."

Theron looked up from the ground to see his brother, Stephon, looking down at him breathing hard with his fist up to protect himself. His hair hung slightly in his face with sweat dripping off his nose and hair. Waving his fingers at Theron, Stephon said, "Come on. We are not done yet."

Theron felt the blood drip down his face from his nose. He could taste the salty warmness of it. He looked about and saw that he was sitting in the yard of their home on Tandar Prime.

"Come on Theron. I have beaten you up worse than this." Stephon dropped his fists to his sides. "Did I hit you too hard this time?" He asked with a touch of concern in his voice. "You know I do not mean anything by it." Putting his hands on his hips, "You are my brother. I love you."

Theron responded Cynically, "I guess it is a good thing that we like each other then." as he slowly began to stand, but was wracked with pain and fell to the ground upon his back.

- - - -

Ens. Theron Rhodes opened his eyes and saw a light above him and muffled noises and voices all about him. He turned his head to the side and watched as many in long coats walked swiftly about. The long coats reminded him of the dignitaries of Tandar Prime. But these coats were plain and not vibrant colored as the dignitaries would wear. He always thought it was funny for people that supposed to be important, dressed like Krookas from the Spectacle. The Krookas always made the children laugh and the adults too, most of the time. He recalled that Krookas were much like the clowns of Earth history.

As the sedation wore off more, Theron comprehended that he was in Sickbay, and it was the long coats were being worn by the many doctors, nurses, and technicians helping save people's lives. He also realized, looking down at himself that he was lying on a biobed, covered with a very small sheet. Just a sheet. He raised an arm to get someone's attention and felt all the aches and pains course through his body. He dropped his arm and closed his eyes from the intensity of it all. He swallowed hard, opened his eyes again, and craned his neck. "Nurse." He called weakly.

A man soon stepped up next to the biobed. A thin man with black skin and no hair on his head. He looked at the vital signs on the display, then down at Ens. Rhodes quickly, smiled, and then walked away.

Rhodes was stunned and frustrated and getting angry. He did not want to be ignored. He needed to get up and get back to his post. He tried to roll on his side, but again pains shot through his body. 'This is not going well.' Theron thought.

Theron again tried to get up on one elbow, but about that time the same male nurse walked up and said, "You really don't want to do that. At least not yet." He put a hypo-spray next to Rhodes' neck and activated it. The nurse looked at the vitals and said, "That's much better." Looking down at Theron he said, "You'll feel better in a minute, and then you can go."

Theron was again stunned. "Go?"

"Yes," the nurse replied, "Go. Get up. Get out of my bed. I need it for someone else." He then turned to walk away.

"But my injuries." Rhodes exclaimed.

"Oh yes." The nurse replied and looked at the patient chart and read down the list, "Bruising all about the body, cuts and scrapes on knuckles, arm, and legs, lacerations to right thigh and left abdomen, and stab wound to the upper left quadrant of the back." Setting the chart down he smiled and said, "Needless to say, you have suffered a bit." He then turned and walked away.

He looked down again at his very bare self under the sheet. This time realizing that the many cuts and bruises he had received during the attack had been treated and was no longer visible at the skin level. Theron was feeling a little better. "What about some clothes?" He asked quickly

The nurse turned back and replied, "Not my problem. I'm saving lives here." He then walked away saying, "You're a big boy. Go dress yourself."

Theron thought that the comment was very abrasive, but under the circumstances, probably appropriate. He realized that the nurse was very strong with his duties and had a gift in that respect.

So, Theron did exactly as instructed. He sat up finally. And took a deep breath. There was only a slight ache and he could breathe clearly. With the small sheet wrapped about his waist, he slid off the bio bed. He took a few slow steps uncertain on his feet. But in a minute he was hobbling back to his quarters for a change of clothes. He received several looks by crewmen and a couple whistles for some reason, Theron did not understand.

When he arrived at his quarters he walked in to find several belonging tossed about the room, no doubt from the shaking of the ship, as well as, the temporary loss of gravity. He would clean that all up later. He needed to find a uniform and prepare for duty. Walking up to his bunk, he stopped suddenly. There lying on his bed was a Klingon Bat'leth. The last he remembered was lying it down in Engineering once the gravity had been reactivated. He had no idea of who could have put it on his bed. Was this supposed to be a reminder, a trophy, or a gift?

End:


Ens. Theron Rhodes
Security/Tactical
USS Galileo

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