Not Paid Enough for this Shripnal
They got the call two hours before their upcycle was finished, of course. Their first shift with the rookie partner, of course. They were being called to respond to a quarantine situation on a ship in the outer docking area of course.
The outer docking area was where ships stopped before reaching the station, awaiting approach instructions or a tug. A cargo ship had alerted security procedures when they mentioned their captain was unable to on-screen due to illness. As per protocol, they were ordered to remain at anchor 36x5t until further instructed. Apparently the Second Officer was quite annoyed at the presumption he couldn’t bring the ship in himself. After a short time deliberating it was determined this was not a security risk, but a possible quarantine one. As per H+S protocol two medical personnel and two security detail were to board and determine the extent of risk.
Caretaker was thoroughly annoyed at the timing. Staring out the window at the looming ship, they sighed and turned to Rookie who was looking excited and nervous and trying to hide both. “Look these things happen all the time. We’ll go on, and no doubt it will be food poisoning or watch, their hydrator won’t have been cleaned for cycles and it’ll be a small miracle the rest of the crew hasn’t gotten sick either. They said only the captain is down, and captains being older are…?”
Rookie straightened in his chair “Xur! at increased risk for disease pathologies partly due to decrease in physical activity, increase in ability to over indulge risk factor food and drink, and age.” They relaxed a little “so you think it’s just like, the flu maybe?”
Caretaker shook their head but shrugged “no one else is sick so probably more likely a personal illness or medical problem. No need for the ‘Xur’ we’re not military, and I’m not that old yet.”
Rookie nodded and started to rattle off possible outcomes in his attempt to lower his nerves “like stroke, heart attack, blood clot, allergic reaction, respiratory disease, acute -”
Waving their hand Caretaker nodded “it’s good to keep an open mind but let’s not look for zebras either, yea?” They mused at Rookie looking up ‘Zebra’ on their HUD, remembering the confusion at the phrase themself. Relics of the past kept alive through language somehow.
Once their pod was attached to the auxiliary airlock of the ship the security personnel went first and did an initial sweep of the ship. The protocol was just in case of mutiny, though Caretaker didn’t think a cargo ship would warrant such an act, so wasn’t worried. It only took a few minutes before they had decided all was fine and gave the two medics clearance to come aboard. Caretaker took point despite their usual habit of letting rookies take the lead, there was just too many technical protocols to follow exactly to add to the kid’s stress. The pair was met by the Second Officer and the scowl that he wore, clearly annoyed at the delay and the ridiculous protocol. Caretaker had to agree, though they wouldn’t voice it.
En route to the Captain’s quarters they passed the security detail returning to wait in the pod. Caretaker spoke up, “so can you tell us what happened.”
The S.O grumbled back, “isn’t that a question you ask your patients?”
Undeterred and definitely not up for taking any shit, they fired back “I’m asking you right now.” The S.O deflected the question again and Caretaker pushed “are you saying you don’t know what happened to your Captain?” The S.O stopped and turned, looking Caretaker in the eyes in a challenge. ‘Jokes on him, I’m outside his rank’ they thought to themselves as they returned the glare.
“I didn’t say anything of the like.” He turned sideways a moment, a neutral end to the challenge that Caretaker would have found amusing if they weren’t already on overtime. “He failed to report to the bridge on time for our final approach. A crew member found him unwell and so we left him in his quarters.” He carried on walking through the ship, “there is no need to wake First Officer Shyker as I also hold my docking tickets and she is on her down cycle.”
Something wasn’t making sense, but this story was third hand account so that was probably the reason. Still….”Where are the rest of the crew?” Caretaker thought the ship was too quiet for normal operations.
The S.O rolled his eyes and sighed audibly, clearly annoyed “do you not have more appropriate concerns at this time?”
‘Ok he wants war? I will make war. Listen you piece of shripnal, this is my call and my patient and you don’t get to run - ‘ Caretaker smiled warmly “the health and safety of your entire crew is my concern. Have you accounted for everyone’s wellness? There are normally more crew on a ship this size and as you are awaiting docking instructions, should they not be hands on deck to prepare for orders? Do you have full command of this ship or do we need to bring aboard an Auxiliary ShipMaster to take it for you, if your crew is not following your orders?” They could feel Rookie stiffen behind them at the growing tension but he smartly kept quiet - technically nothing Caretaker was saying was false. There were always an Auxiliary ShipMaster personnel on call to guide a ship in for various reasons; it was a popular captain’s retirement position.
The S.O stopped and glared at them, practically shaking with rage and contempt. “Need I remind you of your duty? Just fix our captain or get him off our ship, we have a schedule to keep and cargo to offload.”
Something was definitely not right, but whether it was just the S.O’s shitty attitude or something more nefarious, Caretaker didn’t want to have to find out. “Don’t make me remind you of your rank and station, Officer. I will do what’s right for the patient and your crew WHEN it is right to do it. Now, let me speak with your ship’s medical officer.” This caused the man’s eye to twitch and a short inquiry to escape his lips; another challenge. “Because I need to know the Captain’s medical history, last known time well, what he ate and his baseline set of functionality and vitals.” On a hunch, Caretaker added the authority challenge “don’t make me ask again.”
Something snapped in the S.O’s face but he kept quiet, and quickly marched to the mess hall that was just down the hall, “wait here, I will fetch her.” He left the pair in the care of another shipmate that they had not been introduced to, and at this point didn’t care to. Waiting in silence for a few minutes, they saw S.O return with a nervous looking woman. This was not what Caretaker was expecting. “Answer their questions and be quick about it, we don’t have time for this.”
Caretaker asked the usual questions to the woman in a calm gentle manner. Maybe she was just new. A rock began forming in their gut as the woman competently answered their questions; the captain had been totally fine prior to going to his quarters for his downcycle. He was in good physical health and on the outlying age of heart and other older age diseases (not unheard of, but not of high risk yet). Everyone had eaten at the same time and no other crew were experiencing illness at this time.
“The Captain was not feeling great just before he retired” the S.O said with such authority that the medic visibly winced but didn’t dare turn to look at him. She seemed to use all her courage to object by clarifying she had seen him at his door just before he entered. Her voice so quiet Caretaker almost missed it.
Before S.O could jump down her throat, Caretaker held their hand up and interjected “well heart attacks often see someone come and go with symptoms. It’s not uncommon for them to have symptoms, get better and then get unwell again, you know how it is.” They hoped that convenient mostly-lie would placate the S.O and get him off the Medic’s back. Turning to Rookie, Caretaker said plainly “sounds like we’ll need extra equipment. Go back to the pod and have station send up another one with a #2 kit….and a #3 stretcher I suppose.” Turning to the medic, Caretaker continued “it will take time for that to get here. Carry on making sure the ship is safe for docking while we wait.”
The S.O bristled at the outsider giving his crew orders but the medic’s eyes held steady with Caretaker’s as they nodded, quickly ducked and turned to scurry out of the room as fast as she could. Rookie had stood but hesitated, looking to Caretaker who sighed, “it’s alright. Go tell one of the Security Officers what you need and they’ll handle the comms. I know you’re not trained on those yet.” Rookie slowly nodded, looking pensive. Standing and somehow managing to juggle the two bags and the oxygen tank that were standard equipment, Caretaker prayed to any of the dead deities that Rookie caught their drift about a Level 2 security breach, or that the Security detail that had come with them would clue in and act accordingly. Hopefully, they’d disconnect the pod and keep Rookie safe in accordance with a Code 3 - mutiny. Meanwhile, Caretaker tried to console themself with the thought that if they died here, they’d at least finally get some sleep.
Wordlessly following the S.O the rest of the way to the Captain’s quarters almost felt like an execution march. Caretaker knew they were going to be chewed out for this if they survived, it went against everything they were taught. Be neutral, your safety first then your patient’s and bystanders, etc. They should have gone with Rookie but something just didn’t sit right with them doing that…the look on their fellow medic’s face told them that the crew was also in danger and, even though they weren’t military, Caretaker had never really felt fully like a civilian either. Too much time around Security, military, mercenary and high rank they supposed, but they felt responsible to bystanders more than they should.
When they reached the Captain’s quarters they squared their shoulders in anticipation of how things would go down. Running through several scenarios, Caretaker regretted not signing up for even a basic hand to hand combat class, but here they were. Best to act quick before Rookie set things off and alerted the Mutinous crew that plans had changed.
“Captain the medic is here to assist you.” The S.O knocked and then opened the door, letting Caretaker inside and standing in the doorway. Caretaker did not like that one bit, but decided since their exit strategy was to wait for backup, they wouldn’t be trying to leave the room anyway. In fact, they’d prefer to lock themselves in.
“Alright officer, thank you. I’ll handle it from here until my partner arrives with the bags, if you could please escort him in?” They knelt down to open one of the bags and looked up to see him still standing there. “Xur, in accordance with patient confidentiality I must ask you to - “
“That’s right, ask. Not demand, not order, this is my ship. Understand?”
‘Well that’s not another point for suspicion or anything’ they pulled out some vitals machines and acknowledged the officer “yes Xur understood. Thank you for escorting myself and my partner in a timely manner, I’ll begin assessment while I wait.” They stood and saw that he wasn’t moving.
The officer folded his arms “I’ll make sure you don’t do anything to harm the Captain, and - “ his face scrunched as an emergency tone blared on the tone system.
“Captain Lekrownski! Captain Lekrownski! The medic pod has disengaged and -”
Caretaker took the opportunity to surge forward and with both hands hit the S.O square in the chest, unable to defend himself in time as he tried to uncross his arms. He stumbled backwards across the hallway and Caretaker quickly stepped back into the room and closed the door, hitting the lock button in the no-override function. Now, at last, they could actually assess their patient. “Ok Xur I’m the medic from Omlustan station and I”m here to assist. What’s happening today?” Nothing back, but that wasn’t unexpected. Caretaker pinched the man’s trapezius muscle and he groaned, raising a shoulder and turning his head towards it “alright Xur I see you’re really not feeling well but don’t worry. Help is on the way for your crew too, we’ve started our security protocol and while we wait for the mercenaries to take command you and I are going to hole up here.” They prattled on as they checked blood gases, levels and pressure, pulse and reflex assessments trying to find the source of the status change. Routine and protocols helped them concentrate over the sound of the door being pummeled from the hallway and obscenities being thrown at them.
“Captain Lekrownski! We have a situation on deck 4! The loyal side of the crew is holed up and fighting back! Somehow they’ve gathered together and the Medic is stating she speaks for all of them and that they are awaiting the security breach!” The person on the other end of the PA was frantic now.
Caretaker heard Lekrownski reply back “ready the ship to jump out of here, we can fight them later or they can starve.”
“Xur, that’s the problem, they’ve taken cover in the warp drive room and disabled the drive.”
Lekrownski stormed off shouting orders about getting weapons. Caretaker sent thoughts of safety and support to the crew, hoping that help would arrive in time.
They found the captain to be in poor shape, vital wise, but nothing was initially coming up in the blood tests; more were needed back on the station with full lab facilities. Now all they had to do was wait. Looking around for something to use for defense all they could muster was a fire extinguisher. Heavy and metal, but small enough to swing in the close quarters, they stood at the ready, off to one side of the door and waiting to swing it in the face of whoever would intrude.
It felt like 3 full cycles, but was probably only 45 minutes when the gunshots began, soft pops echoing through the hull and getting louder as they grew closer. Caretaker wasn’t sure, they’d never been in battle before, but they thought they heard some return fire as well. They focused on their breathing as the thunder of boots and gunshots, bangs of grenades and cries of wounded grew louder and closer to their door. Suddenly, despite all their bravado, they jumped at the pounding of the door. Their heart tried to mimick it by beating against their ribcage and they tried to take slow deep breaths to steady their hand, fire extinguisher raised as tears threatened in the corners of their eyes.
The door flew open and Caretaker swung at approximately head height as someone charged in; there was a loud clang as it hit the opposite wall. Caretaker had released it at the last second as the mercenary ducked, they had recognized the uniform mid swing and panicked. Both sets of eyes grew wide in recognition before Caretaker quickly turned to scrub at their face before anyone could notice; the merc turned his back to observe the Captain, pretending not to notice the tears. “Well, guess I’ve returned the favor.” He said.
“You’re on the job, it doesn’t count, you still owe me breakfast.” Caretaker quickly packed their medical kits, handing IV bags to the mercenary “where’s my litter?” They were surprised the man remembered them since he was so low on blood sugar at the time.
The man took the bags with amusement, not used to being ordered around “should be here any minute, your partner has been right with the rearguard the whole time. They seem pretty competent.”
Sure enough, Rookie appeared with the litter to carry the captain to their pod, “Xur, I brought the litter and a resus kit. Did you need anything else?” He really was competent after all.
The Captain made a full recovery and the loyal crewmembers sustained only minor injuries during the mutiny. Caretaker was relieved, but also annoyed: now they would have to go to trial. Probably on a day off. Definitely unpaid.
