A lizard on an ice ball.

Posted on Sat Mar 25th, 2023 @ 6:02am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Commander Sthilg

Mission: Season 6: Episode 2: Survival
Location: Commodore's Tent
Timeline: MD1 10h00
1040 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Sthilg was cold. True everyone was cold on this nameless frozen ball of ice, snow and rock, but the ships's MD was clearly taking it harder than most.

Despite being clad in his spacesuit undersuit,two artic survival gear and his toes tucked into his oversized spacesuit boots the big lizard shivered as he made his way through the tents doing his rounds on the ships crew.

Despite feeling his blood running cold and his toes he trudged on till he stopped outside the tent belonging to the captain and her family. Pulling out the small pipe he gently tapped the top of the tent's main support pole indicating he wanted to come in.

Phoenix opened the flap and stared "Oh get in here Doc" she said hustling him into the tent. "You know you could have called me to come to you"

" And missssss a chance to ssstretch my legsss?" the gorn joked with a grin as he bent down to fit inside the tent. " How are you feeling captain?" he inquired

"I am fine, much better now. No headaches or anything,." Phoenix waved him to a chair. "I have just made tea if you want some?"

" Tea would be welcome." The gorn said as he carfuly waddled over to the chair.

Phoenix went to the small table where she had set up the tea pot and cups and made him his cup, handing it over to him with a smile. "So how are you feeling aside from the cold."

" Tired." the old gorn said weakly as he took the cup and began drinking. " I don't think I've sssleeped well sssince the accident."

Phoenix nodded. "Sleep is rare for a lot of people these days. And I have been through this sort of thing before and it is hard."

The gorn nodded as he took a sip of the tea letting the hot liquid warm his throat. " What about your twinsss how are they holding up?"

"They seem to be ok. We keep them in the tent where possible and Tristi has been great looking after them."

Sthilg artificial arm changed to it's scanner mod as he began running it over the captain. " How have you been eating?" he inquired.

"As the same as others around Doc." Phoenix said honestly "Though, lets be honest, everyone could do with a nice relaxing meal. Which once we get the ship repaired it will be easier."

"Wouldn't we all? I have a few barrelsss of sssalted pork in one of the cargo baysss. No idea if they sssurvived." the gorn added.

"I am sure when inventory is completed you will be able to see. I hope they did." Phoenix smiled.

" I hope ssso. No offence to the person who created the emergency rations, but the meat in them tassstesss like cardboard." the doctor replied with a chuckle.

"I believe there is a backlog of complaints about them." Phoenix smiled. "Several from me a few years ago."

" Well, they'll have a few more when we get home. " Sthilg replied with a chuckle.

"Maybe they will finally get off their behinds and create something better." She suggested. "Not sure it will happen but nice to hope." She paused "How many do you still have wounded?"

" Far too many." The gorn said after a long pause. " Sssome of them will need work at a major federation hossspital to heal properly."

They both knew that was not going to be possible. "As soon as we can get the life support systems working properly we will be able to get them back up to the ship and into medical proper." She said softly.

" Priority ssshould go on the medical replicatorsss online. If we run out of sssuppliesss than no one going to make it." The old doctor added having already ran through the list in his head.

"Let the chief Engineer know" Phoenix said softly. "He needs to know so he can organize things."

" Already have done captain." The gorn replied with a grin.

"I thought you would have." Phoenix admitted. "So do you have any news to share? Brighten my day?"

The gorn shook his head. " Other than that we have moved everyone off the ssship nothing I can think off."

"Well at least the survivors are safe enough here. Doc can you keep your ears open, I have heard a few grumbles around, aimed at our chief of Flight and I want to make sure things go smoothly. "

" Already doing ssso captain. I remember the training they had me do when I got my commissssion in the fleet." Sthilg replied.

She nodded. "Oh?" She asked curiously. "Because you are a gorn?"

The gorn nodded. " My people don't have given the galaxy enough reasssonss to be hated. Not that I have heard ssso much as a peep out of any of the Elysssium. "

"If you ever do, I want to know as it is not acceptable and the person or persons should be informed of that fact. Harshly." Phoenix did not tolerate any sort of discrimination.

" I know captain and you'd be the first I told if I ever heard anything." The gorn replied reassuringly.

Phoenix nodded. "Good. I never want to hear people accepting others bad behaviour. "

" You'd be the firssst to know if I catch anyone doing any bad behaviour." the gorn replied as he finished his tea.

Phoenix finished hers and placing it down, she said softly "We may never gey home" she said it to him because she knew she could express her doubts. "Another galaxy, the QSD is badly damaged, as are the warp nacelles. We may face the fact that this ship may never get home."

" We will. I want to build my family a home on earth and I'm going to do it even if I have to put on a ssspace sssuit and pull the ssship back myssself." The gorn replied confidently.

"Hmm that might be a bit out of your weight class but shall keep that in mind." Phoenix smiled.

" It probably isss." Sthilg said handing back his empty cup. " Now I hate to leave but I have to be off. More patiantsss to sssee."

She took the cup and smiled. "Good luck doctor" she said softly.