Exit Stage Right

Posted on Sat Jun 13th, 2020 @ 9:34am by Lieutenant Seleya & Captain Taliserra Tigran

1,080 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: The science of stars
Location: sickbay
Timeline: 24th march 2395

ON:

Seleya waited in her office for the CO to arrive. She'd also called in one of the nurses. The medical exams of the returning crew were underway and the medical staff was working hard. So far...there was one problem. Hunter Payton.

As if on cue Taliserra stepped through the doors into sickbay. "You called doctor?" She said after seeing the Vulcan in her office.

Seleya sighed, "Indeed. We will have a fatality very shortly as a result of the away mission." She was to the point, blunt, but when life and death were involved she needed to be.

"What?" Taliserra asked sternly, no medical emergency or even minor scrape had been reported by either of the away teams when they returned to the ship. "Who?"

"Hunter." She simply said. "He was injured and did not tell anyone about it. I estimate that he has a day or two at best."

"Why didn't he report it?" Taliserra asked again, she knew his mind was a little troubled from Galatea's death but to get injured and not report it was crazy.

"It would not have mattered. Normally a wound like this would not be fatal but his half Bajoran heritage makes it a problem. The bite is fatal to Bajorans. He would have known. He made the decision to continue working and ensure he did what he could to survive to return to the ship. A....logical choice."

"A 'logical' choice..... to potentially drop dead in the middle of an away team mission with no warning, that does not sound logical to me." Taliserra retorted. "That's what would have happened if we'd not been forced to cut the mission short."

"My understanding is that it happened just prior to leaving."


=/\=Back Room Sickbay=/\=

Hunter lay on the bio bed staring at the blinding lights above. He'd known what was happened and oddly it was of no comfort. A sound drew his attention. He saw one of the nurses enter.

"Hey Hunter," Mike said as he approached Hunters bio bed. "boss asked me to check up on you, how are you feeling?"

Hunter smiled. "Mortal." He said honestly.

"Lets have a look at you." Mike took the scanner off his medical tricorder and wafted it over Hunter. "Your white blood cell count is down but other than that you're not too bad. Want any more pain relief?"

He smiled, "I could say yes but it wouldn't be the truth. Besides it's not that bad." He thought a moment. "How is the rest of the team?"

"Ensign Turell has a couple of minor radiation burns and her shoulder is going to be sore for a week or so longer." Mike replied. "A few scrapes and bruises but everyone else is alright."

"I'm glad everyone's okay." He studied the man. "Feel like helping me with one last task?"

"Name it Hunter." Mike replied.

"I didn't really write a will but I want Seleya to take care of everything." He smiled, "She'll hate it but maybe it'll give her perspective of why I was mad at her."

"I'll let her know but you should at least give her something to work with," Mike told him. "Maybe record a message of some sort."

He gave a nod. "Can you help me. I don't want to be laying down." He took Mike's hand. "It has been an honour my friend. I wanted you to know that."

"It has been an honour for me too Hunter." Helping Hunter up Mike adjusted the bio bed so he could sit up easier. "Hows that."

He gave a nod. "Ready."

Grabbing a Padd Mike set it to auto record and laid it at Hunters lap. "Go ahead." He said tapping the button.

Once Mike had given him the okay to start the recording he began, "Payton, Hunter, Chief Petty Officer. I hereby leave everything to doctor Seleya to dispose of with respect to my things. I know you are going to find it difficult but to hell with it. Dying man's request." He looked at Mike and smiled.

Mike motioned for Hunter to keep going, there was probably a lot more he wanted to get off his chest.

"Do not torpedo me. Something about being in space in a box. Just shove me out the airlock. I'm not particular." He looked at Mike. "There are a few things. I've given Edwards something to keep from my items. I collect things so I want all the nurses to look through my stuff and pick out what they want. Mike, he's been a good friend. He gets first dibs." He smiled at Mike. "I guess that's all for now. Captain, thank you for letting me be a part of the crew. I lived. That's what I want people to remember most. I lived." He nodded at Mike.

Ending the recording Mike put the Padd to one side. "I'm glad you consider me a good friend Hunter." He said smiling.

Hunter sighed. "I do." He laid back. "Can I ask another favour? Can you grab something from my quarters?" He rattled off the code. "It's childish but I have a blanket there that has always been a comfort. You'll see it bright orange." He smiled. "Can you get it for me?"

"Sure, I'll be right back, try not to die before I get back alright." Turning Mike quickly left sickbay heading for Hunters quarters.

Hunter lay back thinking about his life. There were so many thing that he'd miss. He waited for Mike as he thought about Edward. The man would be by to see him again soon. He was looking forward to it.

A few minutes later the doors opened again and Mike returned carrying the bright orange blanket. "I have it Hunter." He offered the blanket to him.

There was no sound from his friend. There was no motion. The bio stats had been turned off and Seleya rounded the corner. She looked at Mike. "He passed a few moments ago." She paused and then reached out for the blanket. "I see no harm in covering him with that. Will you see him to the morgue. When we reach the Starbase we shall have to take him over. Can you be in charge of that?"

"Sure Doctor." Mike simply said giving one side of the blanket to Seleya, together they covered Hunter with it.

OFF:


Captain Taliserra Tigran
Commanding Officer

Lt Seleya
Chief Medical Officer

Cpo Hunter Payton
Nurse [npc Seleya]

 

RSS Feed