An Interlude

Posted on Mon Aug 15th, 2022 @ 7:21pm by Lieutenant JG Briar Kendall & Commander Sorek & Lieutenant JG Zerin Rolfe

Mission: Episode 06: "Far From Shore"
Timeline: Day 1 at 0000

There was a brief lull in patients, just long enough for Briar to make her way to the back of main sickbay and replicate three cups of coffee. Even though she personally couldn't stand the taste, she drank it so infrequently that when she did, it did wonders to keep her awake. With the mugs on a tray, along with a plate of cookies, Briar carried the tray carefully to the small table, handing mugs to Sorek and Zerin. "Sorry, I didn't think to ask if everyone likes coffee. I can replicate something else if you prefer."

“Coffee is always welcome,” Zerin responded, taking the cup of coffee. He inhaled the steam coming off the cup, savoring the smell and taste before sipping at it. “Do we have word what happened?” He asked after another sip.

Sliding into a seat at the small table, Briar grimaced as she took her first sip. "One of the bridge staff that came through said that we dropped out of slipstream into the middle of an ion storm, we were caught by surprise. Extensive damage and injuries."

"I will not object, thank you." Sorek said, accepting the mug as well, "Curious that sensors did not alert to the presence of such a hazard. I do not admit to understanding the inner workings of the quantum slipstream drive or its effects, but a ship at warp generally can avoid most hazards because sensors alert us to such things."

Zerin listened while sipping his coffee. The warmth of the liquid was soothing to him mentally and physically. "Guess it matters more how we are going to get out of it. I can't imagine navigation in an ion storm would be easy."

Briar wrapped her own hands tightly around her mug and stared at the liquid as it swirled inside the container from the residual movement of the ship. "I'd just like the ship to stop shuddering," she finally replied. "I'm starting to feel quite yucky." She picked up her mug, took a sip, grimaced and set it back down, pushing it away with a look of distaste. "Really yucky."

"It is a normal reaction - your equilibrium is being disrupted by the constant movement." Sorek pointed out, "And unfortunately, there is a lack of fixed points to focus on. I believe the Humans had a term for it dating to nautical travel - seasickness. You may wish to keep a means to avoid creating a mess close at hand."

Zerin chuckled while sipping his coffee. "It's supposedly an acquired taste." He took another sip. "Commander, the Response Teams have been reporting back in. Sounds like everything so far triaged around the ship is minor and can be handled later. Based off the information we've probably seen the worst of it."

"Hopefully the crews of the little Spirits have fared as well as we have," Briar commented, keeping her gaze fixed firmly on the table in front of her as she ship rolled again. "They're so little and so cute, I can't imagine they'd be handling this well, but I could be wrong. I'm a doctor, not an engineer. I'm just guessing."

"That is indeed a question best left to the engineers." Sorek replied, deciding not to point out the illogical nature of considering the other vessels in this group as "cute" due to their diminutive size. "However, if there are significant injuries aboard the other vessels, resolving this matter will be a priority further as we may need to take on their wounded."

"The sudden impact of the situation likely did cause the worst of it, yes. But I still want to be prepared. As you both know, there are those who believe it prudent to suffer in silence as a form of bravado." Sorek took a sip of his drink, "As patently...illogical...as that is, in my experience and I'm sure in your own respective experiences, there is at least one person who does it."

The way Sorek used "illogical" here, others may have less tactfully used the word "stupid". Not so much mincing words as it was approaching the matter as a Vulcan, the intent was still the same.

Zerin nodded. "Once we have the majority of the charting done, I'll have a couple nurses help me pull up crew rosters and medical files for the Spirits. Most of them I believe have minimal medical training, so we should prepare to aid them once they can move crew between vessels again."

"We have to find them first," Briar replied simply, picking up the coffee cups to return them to the replicator, moving carefully across the room. "Well, I guess I should go check on patients. At least moving around I don't feel quite so queasy. That's something, right?" She offered a smile to the other two medical officers. "Small mercies and all that." With a sigh Briar's shoulders slumped slightly, an action that went against the bright smile fixed on her face. "Well, back to the grindstone. I'll see you out there."