A Surprise Visit

Posted on Sat Aug 26th, 2023 @ 5:42am by Lieutenant JG Miraj Derani & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 6: Episode 3: Far From Home
Location: Sick Bay
Timeline: MD02 1300
1651 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Hans had of course heard about the horrific attack on Ensign Derani and her slow recovery. He decided to visit her. Perhaps a friendly face would help the young officer. But he wouldn't come alone, oh no. He would come bearing a gift. A gift in the form of a triple layer chocolate cake. With a starship (undoubtedly the Elysium) In the center. A message, saying 'Keep reaching for the stars.' Underneath it. The cake in a word was decadent. He placed it in a covered cake dish. He also brought along some plates and a knife in case there were none in Sick Bay.

After arriving and being cleared by the medical staff and the nurse in charge, he was shown to Miraj's room. Before entering he took a deep breath and put the biggest smile he could. "Ah! Fraulein. Did you think you Hans had forgotten about you? I have something for you." He said as he put the cake dish on a nearby stand. Before he moved to the side of the bed. "My young friend, I have been worried about you."

Miraj put down her padd, where she was reading the black box data from the quantum filament incident for the hundredth time, hoping she'd see something new. She looked up, and squinted, trying to remember. With the crew so reduced she had met a lot of new faces. "Hans, right?" she asked. "From the igloo." She frowned as best she could with her arched orbital bones. That was the last place she had a clear memory of.

Hans nodded and his smile grew even bigger. "Ja, Fraulein. That is correct. I am from the Igloo. It is where we met, and you told me it was your birthday. I wanted to come see and check on you. Is there anything Hans can bring you? Have the doctors indicated when you can leave here?"

"I have to stay a few days, until they're satisfied everything's still working. Nothing's wrong on scans, but they want to be sure."

"A wise precaution to be sure." Hans agreed. "And then? Are you ready to return to duty?"

"Ready to fly the nearest thing with a propulsion system and an air supply." she said, "Though I'm prepared to negotiate on either of those things. I hate sitting here."

Hans studied Miraj for a few seconds before replying. "You are a free spirit my young friend and it desires to soar once again among the stars. While I agree sitting is not the best of options for you. It does not have to be unproductive. Put your time to good use." He pointed at her PaDD. "Ask for a blank PaDD and work on creating, designing a new and more efficient piloting, navigation system for the Elysium. With your piloting skills it would be doubly effective."

She shrugged. "I already have. Its going to be more important now we're looking at some long haul in QSD. Just need to get the helm rebuilt from the ground up." She slumped down a bit "so it has to wait until the rest of the poor baby is in better shape."

"Ah. You have been busy. What about tying in the shuttles and runabouts nav systems into the Elysium?" Hans inquired as he was trying to keep Miraj busy not becoming bored which judging by her posture and conversation she already was.

"Already done. Not that's its done much good because we have no start charts for this galaxy. At least we can see our metaphorical hands in front of her face." She pulled her knees up, and dropped her head onto them. "I hate waiting."

"Fraulein, it is for your own good. You will soon be released from here. However, in the meantime you must be patient." Hans smiled for reached for the covered cake dish. "Since Hans is not doing a very good job cheering you up with his conversation perhaps this will do better." As he handed Miraj the covered cake dish.

Miraj lifted up the lid, and saw the confection underneath. "oh!" she pressed her fingers to her mouth as she took in the beautiful icing and little fondant stars inlaid around the image of the Elysium. It was incredibly detailed. Even if the computer had done all the work, just conceptualizing and finetuning the art would have taken forever. "That's amazing. I... I don't know what to say." She could feel tears pricking at her eyes. "That's such a nice thing."

"Say nothing but thank you Fraulein. You deserve this and so much more. In addition, when you are released, you have a standing invitation to Das Alpine Haus. Where your meals will be free." Hans replied. "Now would you like a tiny slice of your cake?" He asked as he readied the knife to cut the cake.

"Please. Thank you. Yes." She couldn't say no to cake, even if cutting it would be a crime against against art.

As if reading her mind, Hans smiled. "Do not despair Fraulein. I have made an image of this cake and put it in my recipe book, in case the need arises to make one similar to this." With that, he cut a small piece for Miraj, put it on a plate with a fork and handed it to her. "I hope you find it to your liking."

It was moist and fudgy and the whipped cream sandwiched between the layer was laced with what tasted a lot like spiced rum. It was rich and divine. All she could do was sigh around the mouthful and try not to drop crumbs down the inside of her hospital gown.

Hans saw Miraj's blissful, contended smile as she savored the cake. However, he still needed to ask, "So, my young friend, are you satisfied with the cake? It meets your expectations?"

Miraj nodded, Cheeks bulged out like a gerbil as she stuffed more cake in, suddenly ravenous in a way she hadn't been since she woke up. She made a thumbs up as she hurriedly tried to chew and swallow.

Hans both smiled broadly and chuckled at Miraj's stuffed face. it was clear she was truly enjoying the cake. "Easy Fraulein. The cake is for you.it is not going anywhere. Though I am pleased you like it. It is good to see you have an appetite."

Miraj shoveled another forkful in, nodding vigorously. "..so...good.." she mumbled round the fudgy goodness. "...tankyouforthis...realkind.."

Hans chuckled and then laughed. It was loud, rich and full of good humor. "My young friend it does my heart good to see you not only eating but also enjoying the cake." He reached up and took the plate and this time cut a bigger slice for Miraj to enjoy as he handed the plate back to her. He also cut a slice for himself and took a forkful. "Hmmm. not bad if I say so myself" He winked at Miraj.


She grinned at him, and swallowed the last piece on her plate, "Delicious." She let her fork drop back down to her plate with a clink. Her stomach felt stretched to bursting on just the slice of cake. "It was so nice of-" she cut off as her stomach lurched. "I don't feel so good," she was distinctly green around the gills.

Hans was at her side in an instant, His face ashen as he helped her to sit up while looking for a bed pan at the same time. "Easy Ensign, take it easy. I'm afraid we may have over done it. Breathe through your nose." He offered helpfully.

She tried, but her inward breath brought the whiff of spiced rum and her stomach rebelled. Miraj listed sideways and threw up on to the floor. all the lovely cake came up, and bile stung her mouth and tears sprang into her eyes.

"it is okay, it is okay. Do not worry." Hans said soothingly as he jumped from his place and went and got a washcloth and wet it before coming back to Myne.
"Here Fraulein, clean your face and do not cry. It is Han's fault. I wanted to do something to make you feel better not worse. I am sorry." He said as he pressed the nurse's call button.

She took the cloth and wiped her mouth. "Your lovely cake. I'm so sorry!"

Hans shook his head from side to side, "Nonsense Fraulein. You are what is important. You, your health, not my cake. I will make another for you to hopefully enjoy. Please do not feel bad. In fact, I will let you tell me what type of cake you would like."

"this was lovely. Chocolate is my favourite." She found her water glass, trying to get rid of the bile taste. "But maybe, not for a bit. I think its going to be a while before i can stomach it."

Hans nodded dejectedly. "I am so sorry Fraulein. I had so wanted to make this a pleasant memorable visit for you, it is memorable for the wrong reason. When you are ready, you tell Hans what type of cake you want."

Miraj's heart pounded and her stomach flipped flopped in a way that had nothing to do with the rich cake, just gratefulness so intense it was embarrassing, that someone had made her a cake, and not she was getting teary. "It will always be chocolate. But I think right now, I want to sleep again."

Hans nodded and stood up, looking at Miraj. "Always be chocolate." He repeated. "Very good Fraulein. I will leave you so can sleep and rest. I will return another day to visit you if that is alright?" His usually cheerful countenance somewhat subdued by Miraj's unfortunate encounter with her cake.

"I'd like that." She tried to smile, even if it wasn't very convincing. "Good bye, Hans."

 

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