A Fools Errand Of Mercy

Posted on 09 Oct 2021 @ 9:30pm by Commander Amelia Fox & Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari & Lieutenant Xu Chang Lau & Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov & Lieutenant C'Tora Kuroka & Ensign Adam Morgan & Ensign Vince Stryfe & Ensign Gwen Leighton & Lieutenant JG Harper Matthews

Mission: Picking up the pieces
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Upon rescuing the traders
3376 words - 6.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

As soon as Jon was informed that the aliens from the distress call were safely onboard and their shuttle had been towed into the main shuttle bay, he issued the order,

"Take us out of the debris field to its outer edge so we can see if we can get some high resolution scans and piece together what's happened."

"On it, running scans," Aidan reported, "also recommend sending a small science party over to the alien vessel sir. Perhaps we can learn something from that as well."

" Course plotted and initiated for exit of debris field. Found a way to avoid the larger pieces and limit the amount of energy needed to the shields. Should be able to start running the high res scans anytime now," Vince said from the helm," Shouldn't be any need to wait on me."

"Matthews get a security team to sickbay, myself and Commander Fox will be right behind you."

Harper nodded. "Matthews to Leighton, meet me in Sickbay with a small security team." she ordered before heading towards the turbolift to head towards the medical bay.

"You got it Chief! " Gwen said with a cheery snap in her tone before the com beeped out.

Jon watched Harper disappear into the turbo lift his brain suddenly back to the other night admiring her backside. He shook his head pushing those unprofessional thoughts right back out his head again. This was NOT the time.

"Lieutenant Xu," he turned to the chinese lady, "can you organise guest quarters and work with Engineering to do what we can to repair their ship? And try find out what they were doing out here."

"Aye sir" Xu said from the Ops station.

Hawkins looked up from his station. "Aye sir, will be right on it." closing up his station in preparation to get to what he was looking forward to doing. Getting that vessel fixed up. He headed towards the turbolift already thinking of what else needed to be done.

"Fox you're with me, have our chief diplomat meet us at sickbay too," he said, "Commander Datari, the bridge is yours."

" Not that anyone asked, but I'm pretty good with my hands and fixing ships," Vince spoke aloud, not to anyone in particular," We had to be with our fighters, and this thing can't be any harder to work on than they were."

“Aye Captain but you’ll have to give me a minute to get mobile.” Amelia said with a sigh. “Once I’m down these days, standing up…”. Amelia huffed and puffed as she tried to get out of her seat. Only now she had decided that these bridge seats were a fraction too low, especially for a woman who was 6 months pregnant. After some choice words and some grunting, she finally stood. “I’m up… I’m up.”

A little apprehensive about being left in command, Aidan moved down to the CO's seat, offering an arm to the XO just in case she needed assistance in getting up. He didn't sit down until he was certain she was able to move.

"Thank you Commander."Amelia said as she accepted Aidan's help gratefully.

Still taken aback by the news she had received Xu asked before Jon stepped into the turbolift. "Captain if I may, would I be able to see you in private?"

"I'll catch you up number one, come on Lieutenant," he indicated his ready room.

"Aye sir!" Xu signalled for a relief officer to take Ops as she moved with the Captain.

Amelia sighed again. "Aye Captain but, at the speed I'm moving, that won't' take long." She said as she started waddling toward the turbolift.

"Your not a penguin yet Fox," Jon quipped after his XO. He led Xu to his ready room.

Jarzo had been reviewing the logs from the previous missions and meetings in hopes of gathering a better understanding of exactly what took place. He'd heard bits and pieces but he knew how much was at stake, he had to help in whatever he could. His only hope was that they avoid the same outcome as the last time. When the call had come through that his presence was needed in Sickbay, he merely tapped his comm badge, "on my way," he replied.

****SICKBAY****

The Security team made up of the Chief, Gwen and three other security officers made their way down to sickbay. The orders were to have two outside the doors and two inside the doors but just off to the side. There had been a game of rock paper scissors to determine who had to be inside of Sickbay and Gwen had been one of the two to lose. Damn those scissors always falling to the rock. She took her position just to the right of the door and moved into an at easy stance.

Amelia entered shortly after the security team and approached the Doctor. "Well Doc, Who do we have here?"

C'Tora didn't even look up from his work as he heard Amelia's voice. " Please stay back at least three meters until I'm done here. I Haven't had time to ask they're names as of yet. He looked at the two traders, and then continued his work. " Please introduce yourselves. This is Commander Fox our executive officer, I believe she has a few questions for you. "

C'Tora finally paused his work on the patients. " Alright Commander. Health wise they are out of the woods, but they were adrift in that radiation field for several days. But they should have adequate strength to answer your questions." He turned to face a nurse. " Nurse Able, Please assist me with a level one radiation decontamination for myself and the rest of the shuttle crew when they arrive." Nurse Able responded. " But of course Doctor. " He turned his attention back to the gathering group. " I'll be available in about two minutes commander. " As he turned to take care of the brief process.

Laying on the biobed, Kassie was tossing up whether or not to give them her actual name as she knew if they did a search her Starfleet service record would come up and she was sure that a dishonourable discharge would raise a few questions. After taking a deep breath, she figured what the hell, they’d probably find out sooner or later, “Commander, I’m Kassandra Mathews, unofficial Captain of the ship you just rescued”

Durke looked up at Kassie as he was laying on the biobed beside her and sat up quickly with a response of, "Like hell you are!!" after she stated she was the 'unofficial Captain'

Durke watched as the doctor came to his side but he chose to continue his little rant as he was feeling the pain of his sides from all the low oxygen levels within him but chose to ignore it, "We are both the captains of the vessel and i would like to know what we can do to get her underway again!?"

M'Tarra a pure white Caitian with green eyes, came walking in, carrying a PaDD. "C'Tora I've got something interesting to show you- Oh I am sorry, looks like you have some patients you are working on. I can show you this later." taking a good look at the traders he was working on. "Looks like you have your hands full." giving a feline smile towards her husband. "I'll go back to my research."

C'Tora glanced up and smiled warmly. " Not a problem, you can show me when we have lunch later. " He had heard Durke's question about being released and turned his attention to him. " You want to know when you can be released? Right now if you want. Just sign this waiver and leave. You'll be dead in under thirty six hours, Or you may stay and be treated and be released tomorrow and live many more years. Which would you prefer? " Holding his gaze with his unblinking feline eyes. " Choose now! If your going to leave, I'll stop treatment. No need wasting good medical supplies on someone who wants to die. "

Durke just sat there on the biobed as he kept a watchful eye on the doctor as he spoke his words. Durke couldnt help that he was the way he was and he somehow needed to make a change, possibly if he wanted to get off this ship alive. His thoughts of escape were inturupted with the continuation of the good doc.

C'Tora shook his head in disbelief. " You know we went to a lot of trouble and personal risk to rescue you and your companion, just so you'd have a chance to have a normal life. What's so damned important that you can't wait a single day to heal? Besides, with the condition your in I doubt you could make it out of Sickbay under your own power. Let alone the distance to the shuttle bay where your ship is being decontaminated. "

Swallowing hard, Durke spoke as the whole room was now centered on him and he spoke softly, "I understand doc. I apologize for my outbust." Durke then layed back down on the biobed and overheard the rest of the room go again in a conversation. He heard some of the medical insturments come to life and he closed his eyes as he heard all around him.

Amelia who had been watching this exchange stepped forward, speaking to both Durke and Kassandra. "Your ship is being repaired as we speak but it won't be ready for several hours. Could you tell us what you were doing in this system? Also, do you know what destroyed the planet?"

"our warp drive gave out near the system and the safety systems spat us out near the planet. As for the Planet itself, haven't got a clue what happened" Kassie replied as she sat herself up on the bed, "Oh and tell your engineers to stay out of my private stocks. I know exactly how many bottles are in there"

Amelia raised an eyebrow. "I can assure you that Starfleet officers are not in the habit of stealing other people property. Please enjoy our hospitality while you recover and your ship is repaired but I'm sure the Captain will want to speak with you."

C'Tora stepped between the two traders on they're Bio beds. " I'm going to explain to you what we're about to do. The treatment will be in three parts. First we'll scan and then regenerate and repair any damage done to the internal organs, Form there we'll repeat the process with the muscle group and then the dermal areas. This should take about two hours each, I'll start with the lady first since she seems to have absorbed a bit more damage. "

He moved the equipment cart next to Kassie. " I'm going to put you under at this time, Your partner can keep watch over you while I work and then you'll watch over him when it's his turn. Sound fair? "

Syvar approached from one of the adjacent rooms. "Need some help sir?" he asked as he glanced towards the patients.

"Ah, Syvar. Perfect timing!! Start with the gentleman here. They have just undergone a level three radiation decontamination. We need to do Repair and regeneration of the internal organs, muscle groups and dermal areas. We can get them done at the same time and get them into the recovery area quicker. " C'Tora stated. " They seem to be in a hurry to depart, I guess they have to get they're cargo to the delivery point on a deadline. Their cargo is most likely as irradiated as they were." C'Tora sighed. " Well let's get to work shall we? "

The younger doctor nodded as he moved over to the male patient. "Don't worry," he offered reassuringly while resting a gloved hand onto his shoulder. "You'll be alright, we'll make sure of that."

Durke looked at the new face and smirked a bit and layed down as he let the doctor do his work.

****READY ROOM****

"So what's going on?" Jon asked taking a seat on his sofa. He didn't see the point of sitting at his desk when he had to get to sickbay next. Part of him suspected. Xu had the same sense about her as .... Fox .... oh no something really was in the water on his ship.

"I won't keep you long sir, I know how busy you are" Xu offered a slight smile but did not sit, it was nice to be able to stand for a moment as her back was sore possibly just from the thought of what she had to come with her body changing shape. "Sir, I am pregnant!"

"Well congratulations. To both you and Oliver," Jon smiled. "How far along are you?"

"That's the thing sir... Yesterday the doctor thought only a week or so along but after my follow up this morning... He seems to think I am a lot further along and should start showing very soon" she was still in shock herself as she clutched her stomach reflexively and protectively. If it was as far along as the Doctor thought then she would have fallen pregnant the first night Oliver and she had spent together.

Jon took that in. "Well I'm lead to believe that even in todays world pregnancy can still surprise you. But Im sure the doctor can mare all that up for you. And remember every females experience of things is different. So if you want to eat fried bread and pickles at 2am, just do what your body needs. I remember Charlotte used to... well she craved everything. Maybe that was forewarning that Eddie would eat like a horse," he chuckled.

"I'm going to have to install a bigger creche on this boat at this rate aren't I?" he joked.

"Thank you sir... I won't keep you. I know you have a million and one things to see to!" Xu smiled, thankful that the Captain was as supportive as he was. She nodded as she started for the door.

Jon nodded following to get down to sickbay.

****SICKBAY****

Jon finally made it down to sickbay and was of half a mind to ask the doctors if there was something in the water. Another pregnancy of the senior staff. His eyes feel on Harper as he entered and he hoped neither of them had ingested that water. That was a further complication neither would be ready for.

"Doctors," he greeted the medical staff and approached their guests. "I am Captain Jonathan Reynolds. Welcome aboard the Andromeda."

Durke was sitting on the biobed as he watched the ending of the medical treatments to Kassie and he spoke as the Starfleet captain spoke his words, "Im Durke, captain of the transport ship Matagou." He looked back to Kassie then to the captain again, "We are.. greatful for the assistance. Im sure if you hadn't stumbled upon us, we would of been dead by now."

C'Tora stepped in closer. " My prognosis is that your both going to live, We'll discharge you around 1200 hours tomorrow. Give you a final check up and some lunch and send you on your way." He took a step away and turned back to look over his shoulder. " And a word of advice. Upgrade either your sensor package or invest in some internal shielding for that ship of yours to protect you from radiation. Had we arrived any later then we did, the only thing we could have done is notify next of kin. " He stepped away to allow the Captain to converse freely with the travelers, but sat at a nearby desk in case he was needed.

Swinging her legs over the edge of the biobed, Kassie looked to the ships Captain, “don’t worry Captain, as soon as your engineers have finished repairing our ship, we’ll be on our way and out of Starfleet’s hair. We have cargo to get to its destination”

Amelia picked up on his concert for their cargo, and not for the first time. "So what exactly is this cargo you're transporting?" She asked as she came to stand next to the Captain.

Kassie shrugged, “we don’t know, all we were told was it had to be at its destination as quickly as possible and we were promised a fair amount of latinum for the job not to ask anymore probing questions”

The Doctors ears perked up as he listened to the conversation. " Well whatever your cargo is, I hope the containers were shielded against radiation. If it's something fragile it might be inert or spoiled. You'll have to check it once they deem your ship to be safe. For your sake I hope not, you seem to be nice enough folks. "

Giving a friendly smile in response to the doctor’s words, Kassie looked over at Durke for a moment with a look that said ‘you say anything and I’m leaving you here’ before looking back to the Captain and his officers, “if you don’t mind me asking, what was a Starfleet ship doing out this way? Not that I’m complaining”

Durke kept the steady gaze on Kassie as she was talking and was hoping she wouldn't slip up in anymore of her words. But in the interim, he could take all for himself if she did slip up and he would defiantly leave her behind for Starfleet. He smirked as the Captain spoke up to Kassie's statement.

Clearly Jon thought they had not come across his species before and know he was empathic and there by knew they were lying. However for now he decided to play along. "We have been despatched to explore further into the Beta Quadrant and meet new civilisations out here. Like yours. We would love to find out more about you. Be friends hopefully. Do you know what happened to the planet?" Jon asked. "We were here not a few weeks back and well it was there and now its very clearly gone."

Durke looked at the captain and spoke at that statement, "Thats a very good question, but we did see the planet on sensors and did approach it with no trouble until everything happened at once."

Kessie shook her head, "not a clue Captain, we run cargo, we're not a science vessel. our sensors are probably outdated compared to those aboard this cruise liner"

C'Tora shook his head and sighed softly. " It is a tragedy. A whole planet wiped out along with it's cultures. " He said shaking his head once again. " I was looking forward to talking with their healers and doctors, and exploring the planet for medicinal herbs. Such a shame. " He looked down at the floor and pondered briefly before freeing himself from that certain line of thinking.

"Very much so," Jon said. "Not to mention all the history and science that was being run on that planet. Tell me what cargo are you ferrying?"

“They seem to be reluctant to divulge that information Captain. So far, we’ve detected nothing dangerous or harmful from their craft.” Amelia offered.

“Why are you reluctant to divulge what your cargo is? The Federation is new in these parts and a huge trading opportunity.”

Durke decided to hop off the biobed he was sitting on and spoke as he apprached the captain and the others, "Normally we dont like to trade with Starfleet, but maybe you might like to trade this cargo actually." Durke looked to Kassie and smirked a bit as he put another lie into his mouth, "I may be a trader at heart, but my Bajorian heritage comes in play when I say that this cargo we carry could be good in Federation stores." He paused for a moment and spoke breaking the anticipation, "Its a new herbal tea that we are transporting, could go lovely for any officer."

"I'll get my ops chief to come see you about the potential of that," Jon said. They were still lying. It was certainly irritating him.


OFF:

Commander Amelia Fox
XO
USS Andromeda

Lieutenant Michael Hawkins
Chief Engineer
USS Andromeda

Lieutenant JG C'tora Kuroka
Chief Medical Officer
USS Andromeda

Lt. Commander Aidan Datari
Chief Science Officer

Ensign Harper Matthews
Chief Tactical/Security Officer