Status Report (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 07 May 2024 @ 6:06pm by Commander Morgan Tarin & Petty Officer 1st Class Ember Locksley & Petty Officer 2nd Class Leon Inaros & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Rafe Caradec & Lieutenant JG Serran & Master Chief Petty Officer Toren Vral

3,294 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 19 - Tomorrow's Galileo
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 3, Sickbay
Timeline: MD 03, 2309 hrs

Previously, on Status Report (Part 1)...

Allyndra continued to move across the bridge, but she was fairly certain the worse injured had been sent off. She turned to Blake. "Commander, I should probably head to sickbay. Thus, I request permission to leave the bridge."

Blake nodded firmly to Allyndra, bringing her screen to life to scroll through any reports coming in from across the ship. "Granted. Send me a casualty report as soon as you can," she added, needing to know just how understaffed they truly were for the moment.

Allyndra hated to use precious resources but the faster she was to sickbay the better with the injured they had. "Computer site to site, me to sickbay." There was a shimmer and she vanished off the bridge.

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

Dr. Ember Locksley was already neck deep in patients - so to speak - when the shimmer of the transporter delivered Toren on to the bed she'd cleared down for him. Her jacket was gone, the impractical nuisance discarded early on, and her sleeves pulled up out of the way. She brought the arch up around him quickly, one hand setting off the scans as the other pressed a hypo to his neck to help stabilise him. It confirmed the handover from Allyndra and kept her by his bedside. "Toren? If you can hear me, I'm going to put you under for a little while so I can heal your chest, okay? When you wake up, you're going to be feeling a lot better," she said clearly and calmly, even as she readied the tray at the side of his bed.

Toren could hear her, though it felt increasingly distant. It wasn't his first injury in the line, and it wouldn't be the last. No time for nostalgia though, he had to put his mental energy into taking one laboured breath after another.

Pressing the hypo to his neck, Ember watched his vitals as he slipped into unconsciousness. She glanced across the crowded Sickbay, checking Inaros was okay before starting work at the arch around the man, having to realign and set the damaged sections of ribs before starting the osteo-regenerator going. If she could stabilise the area, then she'd be able to get started on the punctured lung that was labouring his breath so much.

Rafe slowly walked into Sickbay, holding his head, trying to nurture the huge pounding in his head due to the shattering of his left orbital bone. Fortunately, the nosebleed had almost completely stopped. Rafe looked up to the organized chaos before him and asked, "Where do you want me, Doc?", not necessarily addressing anyone in particular.

Nurse Inaros looked at the bloodied face of Rafe and the discolouration on the left side by his eye. "Come here," he went to his side and led him to a biobed, making him sit down. "Now, who started the fight...you or the heavy object your face collided with?" he gave him a small, almost playful smile as he took the medical tricorder to map the injuries the man had. And to engage him, and keep him talking. Quiet was bad. Talking and in full sentences was good.

"My face got acquainted with my NAV console. It was because of the wave. Waves from warp core explosions can be very exciting, but unpredictable at the same time.", Rafe said. "I held my ground and...", Rafe trailed off mumbling. He was already back at the conn, reliving that moment.

"Lieutenant," Inaros' voice was firm, to snap him back to the moment. To get him to pay attention to him. "We'll patch you up." The shattered orbital bone could easily be repaired, as could the damage to his eye. "How bad is the pain?"

"I'd say it's a stiff 7. It even hurts when I talk. The sooner you work your magic, the better.", Rafe said, exhausted. "Will this impair my vision?"

"When I am done with you, of course not," he took a hypo and pressed it to his neck. "You'll keep your baby blues and be able to see as well as you did before." He knew the hypo would take care of his pain, so now the first step was healing the orbital bone.

Rafe winced at the hypo but quickly felt the pain dissipate, much to his relief. He calmly sat there, letting the nurse do his job. He felt the bones move around and then he didn't feel anything, like anything. It was blissful. He smiled. Maybe Nurse Inaros gave him too much medication. He turned to the nurse with a goofy grin and said, "You're great!"

"You're a lightweight," Inaros said before he gave a small smile, clearly teasing, but also keeping a keen eye on his vitals. He was fine for the moment though, he'd counter the pain relief once he was done working on him. "Typical flyboy..." he finished his work on the bone, moving on to deal with the eye and concussion. "I bet you say that to all the medical personnel patching you together."

"Yes, I do.", Rafe laughed. "There are two groups you never, ever piss off, the cooks or the medical staff." He grinned again. "Cause they can make your life a living hell! So this flyboy at least has the sense to make the right people happy!" Rafe became quiet again and let Nurse Inaros work his wonders on him. No telling what was going up on the bridge. "How long am I going to be out of commission? I need to get back on deck!", Rafe said, even though he had come down from over two days straight of working, and on stimulants. He knew he needed the rest but he wanted to make sure the ship was good.

Inaros finished, reaching for another hypo to help the concussion. "You're not going anywhere," he finally said, meeting his eyes. "I'll need one of the doctors to release you from sickbay. I personally wouldn't let you back on duty for another 24 hours." He reached for another hypo, loading it with something to counteract the pain relief. He pressed it against the other man's neck, knowing he'd be achy but should be in pain. "You need to rest."

"Aye, Nurse Inaros. I understand. If it would be easier for you, I can promise to not return to duty for 24 hours and just go to my quarters.", Rafe said. "However, if you want me to wait for the doctor, I can do so."

"Hm...not do I trust you to keep your word..." Inaros' voice was light before he smiled, to show he was just teasing. "Deal. Let me just take some more readings, then you can go to your quarters and get some rest." He took the medical tricorder, scanning him again. Rafe was fine, although would be better with the rest. "And a meal. You need something proper to eat as well, Lieutenant."

"Aye, I do.", Rafe said in a sing-song manner. He just realized he was famished! With that, he stood up and turned to Inaros. "I think I'm going to replicate a bone-in ribeye with salt, pepper, and butter on top, with mashed potatoes, broccoli, carrots, baked beans, two rolls with butter, and a tall iced-tea! After that, I shall sleep for a very, very long time. Thank you, Inaros. I sincerely appreciate your work. I'll let you get to the other patients." Rafe started to walk out. That's when he saw the captain coming in and stopped dead in his tracks!

Serran carrying the still unconscious woman stepped inside the sickbay."I've got the Captain here," he called out. "Where should I put her?"

"Here..." Dr. Locksley cleaned down the surgical bed, having transferred Toren to a regular biobed to recover. "Do you know what happened to her?" she asked, but she was already setting up the scans she'd need to fully diagnose her.

"I didn't see it happen, I was busy at my station, but I'm assuming she hit her head. Given her symptoms; disoriented, hallucinogenic, pinpoint pupils, she has a concussion. How bad of one is undetermined."

A few moments later, there was the bluish swirl of transport, and Allyndra materialized within the sickbay. She took a breath and called out, "Where can I be useful."

"The results are just coming in from the Captain's scans," Ember motioned Allyndra over from where she tapped on the screen of the arch over the surgical bed. "If you take over her care I can help clear some of the backlog," she nodded firmly to her, already reaching for a full kit.

"Very good. Lieutenant Serran, if I may ask for you to stay with me here. Scans on the bridge indicated a concussion among other things. I need you to help keep her awake and she's already drifted off."

"She did not drift off. My apologies. She was incoherent and I thought she was a danger to herself and this ship. I put her under, but I can revive her."

"Not a problem. Still, if you can keep her from drifting off while I work. Talk, sing, whatever. I would be extremely grateful," Allyndra said. She got started. The swelling was the first to deal with. She could bring that down with some medication and then it would be some surgery. She knew she could only use local to work on the area. A general would put her down and could jeopardize the captain slipping off into a coma.

"Well," the Vulcan said, "this song is old, but I like it."

Rafe was concerned with the captain's condition. He walked over to her, careful to stay out of Warraquim's way, he gently grabbed the captain's hand and held it. Maybe this simple gesture could help her. He only hoped it would.

Allyndra went to work. This was not complicated enough from the scans to indicate that deep surgical intervention was warranted. Some work to relieve the swelling and make sure that none of the neurons had been impacted too much. A little bit of cortical stimulator to help the neurons heal. An injection to help keep the swelling under control and she was certain that everything should be fine with the captain's health. Looking at Serran she nodded, "Thank you and good job. Exactly what I needed. If you wish, you may return to the bridge."

"Very well," Serran replied., "I will go resume my duties there. If the need arises, call me and I will return."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Your help was very much appreciated." Allyndra nodded.

"Captain," Allyndra leaned over. "Everything is over, but you will need to take it easy. I know that won't be easy for you, but doctor's orders."

One of Tarin's eyelids fluttered open, quickly followed by the other as she regained consciousness. Her head pounded with migraine-esque sensations and she quickly squinted at the bright overhead lighting within the room. "...Turn the lights down..." she complained before gingerly moving her extremities and turning her head to take in her surroundings which soon revealed an all-too-familiar location within the starship. Sickbay.

Rafe let her hand go as she started moving. He could tell she was going to be just fine and moved out of the way. Better let the professionals do their job, he thought and left her in the capable hands of Allyndra. Now, about that steak!

Allyndra pushed the overhead out of the way. "Ah, good, your responding to stimuli and talking coherently. You had a nasty bump there. If you wish to sit up, you may do so, but slowly and let me help."

Sit up? Certainly. The captain raised her chin then torso, reaching out to clash the winged-doctor's forearm for support as she let out a soft groan and elevated her torso into a sitting position. Her mouth felt dry and her upper extremities tingled as the blood flow returned to them. "Water please, doctor," she requested. "How long was I out? What...happened on the bridge?"

"Let me get you some water and then answer your questions," Allyndra said. She observed Tarin for a few moments to make sure she was steady enough before fetching a cup and returning. "Now, slow, and sips, please."

The captain reached out with shaky hands then clasped the glass between both her palms and brought it to her lips. Her throat felt parched as she began to drink; it was difficult to refrain from gulping down the entirety of the cool and soothing liquid in one go. "...And the bridge?" she prompted after emptying half of the cup and taking a deep, refreshing breath.

"Unknown, you were in bad shape when I arrived from engineering. At least half an hour I would guess. Commander Blake is at the conn currently. I would like you to take time off but considering the situation and knowing your nature, you won't. A few simple tests, and if I'm satisfied, I'll certify you being fit for light duty."

Tarin again returned her attention to the water in her hand, this time tilting the glass all the way and gulping down the rest before wiping her lips and chin with the back of her hand. "You're right, doctor. I don't have the luxury of a full recovery period right now. I trust in your work as a physician so if you confirm I'm able to return to duty, then I must. Let's proceed." Her headache was still present, however, and throbbed against her temple.

"Easy gulping that the next time," Allyndra admonished. She then pulled a small light. "I want you to focus on the light and then follow it with both eyes."

It was painful to look at and didn't help her headache, but the captain's sharp hazel irises tracked the bright light which slowly moved from side to side while her dark pupils narrowed in size.

"Good. Now then, first the right hand and then the left hand. I want you to touch each finger in turn with your thumb, starting with the small finger to the index finger, then return as fast as you can." Allyndra watched closely and then nodded. She got a PaDD. "I am releasing you to active duty with restrictions that nothing is too physical. That means no more taking on Romulan or whatever warships and banging your head." She made one more mark. "No site to site, captain. We're operating under reduced power because I dropped the warp core. I'm getting plenty of dirty looks over that, but I understand the reasoning." She winked. "I would've done the same thing if it had been my call."

The warp core. Suddenly Tarin remembered that order she'd given to main engineering and then to Warraquim to authorize. It was a necessary and risky call to allow their ship to survive the battle, but now she would have to deal with the very real repercussions of that action. They all would. "You and Andrews saved us from certain death if we'd been pulled into that artificial black hole. We owe you our lives so I suppose it's only fair I abide by your orders. Just for a short while," she gave the doctor a rare and subtle grin before reaching up to rub the side of her head. "Can you do anything for this headache I have?"

Allyndra shook her head. "Coming off things. I would prefer that you don't take anything for a bit. However, I'll give you a hypo. If it gets very bad, you can use it. I trust your judgment."

Allyndra went to get the hypo. She returned and handed it over. "I know that we've had our disagreements. Again, captain, for whatever it is worth I trust your judgement."

The hypospray was a welcome relief for the captain who knew she'd probably have to use it sooner rather than later before her headache became a full-blown migraine capable of incapacitating her again. She tucked the slim silver device into her pocket then swung her legs off the bio bed and slowly stood to her full height. The doctor's reinforcement of her command decisions was certainly reassuring in the wake of their prior confrontation within the bridge not too long ago.

Tarin nodded curtly to Warraquim in acknowledgement while glancing around to the other patients and medical officers present. She hoped all of her bridge officers and NCOs would have swift recoveries and be back to their duty stations as soon as possible. "Keep me informed of any duty restrictions your staff might give to the crew. I'll be back on the bridge within the hour but first need to debrief with Admiral Saalm."

"Yes, captain. While I would prefer to keep you and many here off duty. I know the situation is not right. If anyone on the bridge or elsewhere appears to be having problems, please call me." Allyndra flexed her wings slightly. "I have ways to get around fairly quickly."

Ember made her way over to another bed, looking down at Toren, her brow furrowed with concentration as she took his readings in. Pressing a hypo to his neck to bring him back round, she touched his shoulder gently to help ground him. "Toren? Can you hear me? It's Dr. Locksley..."

"Mm," Toren slowly opened his eyes, the world a kaleidoscope of blurred colour, "Aye..." He blinked a few times, his vision slowly settling, "Aye, doc. Things are better than they were I think." He shifted his hand to touch where the console had made contact with his chest, "I can breathe at least."

Ember nodded with a gentle smile, glancing to his readouts in case of concerning changes as he came round. "The damage in your chest has been healed, but you need significant rest to recover fully. I'm going to beam you back to your quarters to rest, but we'll be monitoring you from here, okay? Absolute bed rest for at least six hours, I'll know if you're cheating..." she added with a playful note, pressing a hypo to his neck to help stimulate his recovery. "And you'll need a medical check-up before returning to duty."

Toren's antennae dipped as he furrowed his brow, "Six hours, doc? In the middle o' this crisis? I can give y' forty-five minutes maybe." His body felt completely drained of energy, but he knew he had the reserves to keep going if he dug deep, "I can worry about rest when we're back in '92."

Ember chuckled softly, her eyes warm even as she shook her head with a slight tsk at his persuasion attempt. "Nice try," she quirked an eyebrow to him as she reached to log his notes. But she tilted her head his way, lowering her voice. "I'll check up on you in two hours, and we'll go from there...deal?"

Antennae twitching, Toren managed a wry smile, he could probably just leave his combadge on his bed, "Two hours... alright, doc, I can promise I'll be in m' room then." He leaned back and gave a nod, the transporter beam taking hold moments later.

[OFF]

--

PO1 Ember Locksley
Medical Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Blake]

PO2 Leon Inaros
Nurse
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Rice]

CMDR Morgan Tarin
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo-A

Lt. JG Rafe Caradec
Senior Conn Officer
USS Galileo-A

MCPO Toren Vral
Chief of the Boat
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Vala]

CMDR Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo-A

LTJG Serran
Operations Officer
USS Galileo-A

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