Game Plan

Posted on Mon Feb 13th, 2023 @ 1:52am by Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Captain David Tonelly [Reece]

Mission: Season 6 : Episode 1: Circinus
Location: USS Elysium, Sickbay
1016 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

As soon as Baeryn had been given a bed and the scans of the baby showed things were all in the green, David kissed her gently, first on the lips, then on her forehead. He then told her that he had to go help his fellow Marines and shipmates. After promising her that he would be careful, he kissed and embraced her again. He then moved off and went in search of Naxea.

Naxea had been in Sickbay long enough to instantly recognize any newcomers. It didn't hurt that one new comer was her XO. "Captain Tonelly!" she shouted to get his attention, waving him over to her quiet corner of Sickbay.

David's eyes turned to the source of the shout. Locking eyes on his friend and superior officer, he nodded and made his way over, carefully weaving around the injured that currently filled sickbay.

Upon reaching her bedside, David's eyes first landed on the newborn sleeping next to Naxea's bed. "She's beautiful, Ma'am!" He turned his smiling face towards the Bajoran Marine. "Considering all that's happening, how are you feeling?"

"Not too bad," Naxea stated. "Still in a bit of pain and sore but I've endured worse. How about you?"

He nodded as he replied. "I'm doing okay. Baeeyn hurt her back in the toss. I just got her settled in a nearby ward." He paused, then asked, "Do you know what happened, Ma'am?"

"No," Naxea replied as she sat on the edge of the biobed. She needed to get back to her Marines, though the idea of climbing down throughout the ship to Marine Country in her condition didn't exactly appeal to her. She wasn't sure how S'hib would react if she asked him to watch Sle'anna. "But whatever happened, it did a number on the ship. We need to establish Communications with the Bridge soon."

David reached out with bracing hand on Naxea's left shoulder. "Ma'am...Naxea," he said quietly. "I feel the same as you about getting back to our unit and helping get the ship back on an even keel. However, respectfully, your place is here, for now. You need to finish recovering and your daughter needs you." He paused briefly, then continued, a rueful smirk threatening to cross his face. "If I need to, I'll have Sthilg deem you unfit for duty and assume command of the unit. I'd rather not, however."

He removed his hand from her shoulder and put his hands behind his back in a relaxed version of parade rest. "We have comms between our people. You can stay here and delegate to me and Sam. We will ensure you are kept up to date as we learn things." He took a breath, then continued. "As Sam is already doing a good job down below, I'll make my way up to the bridge and remain there to keep communications open."

Naxea sighed producing a lop-sided grin. She knew he was right that she needed to rest. It was hard for her to take a back seat as she had always been in the mix and led from the front ever since her first day as a Platoon Commander. "You better keep me in the loop with updates no later than every half-hour."

Now it was David's turn to grin. "Yes, Ma'am." He then considered his next move. "As you can't wear your armor at the moment, I'll first head down to Marine Country and see if I can get a new set replicated for me, as mine got uvked out of my quarters when the hull breached. Then I'll have a runner bring you some comms. Then I'll head to the bridge and coordinate from there."

"Sounds like a plan, Captain," Naxea replied. "The shuttlebays will also be important to getting people around the ship as we could use the transporters in the shuttles to aid with movement."

David nodded, the gears in his head turning. "True. However, until power is restored, I'd advise against using what energy we have for non-lifethreatening situations." He paused briefly, before adding, "That's the problem with you kids nowadays," he said with a grin. "You seem to be afraid to get sweaty and dirty. Moving through kilometers of tubes and corridors is good for the body."

"Don't make me have to force you to eat those words, Captain," Naxea teased.

David's grin grew broader. "You can't threaten me with a good time, Colonel." He winked playfully, relieved to feel something ose to resembling humor during this dark time. Then he nodded. "We'll get the job done, Ma'am. Too much is at stake not to."

Naxea nodded. "Alright, get to the bridge and begin helping out," she replied. So far she couldn't help but to be proud of all of her Marines. She only hoped Gami was holding up well as she hadn't heard anything from her.

David nodded. "Ma'am." He then turned and left her bedside. Before leaving Sickbay, he checked on Baeryn one more time and told her what was happening. He then kissed her tenderly, then reluctantly, left her side to carry out his duties.

Naxea heard Sle'anna wake up and walked over to her, picking her up into her arms and sat back down into a chair as she rocked the baby slightly.

True to his word, within the hour, one of the Spartans' junior enlisted members arrived in sickbay, dressed in full battle armor and carrying Naxea's armor with her. After depositing the armor next to the Colonel's bedside, the young private stood off to the side, waiting for any orders from her commanding officer.

Naxea sighed, looking at the armor. Putting it on was going to literally be a pain in her ass. Yet, it was more functional than the Patient clothes she was currently wearing. "Watch Sle'anna while I get my armor on," Naxea said.

"Aye, Ma'am!" The young private moved over to the crib and gently touched the infant. In all this chaos, she thought it was wonderful that a new innocent soul had joined them, bring some light to their currently dark world.