You’re supposed to be dead.

Posted on Tue Sep 26th, 2023 @ 5:32am by Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Lieutenant M'Tuuri Sh'iss [S'hib]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Episode 1: Circinus MD 5
659 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure

S’hib wasn't quite sure how long he had been here, standing at the foot of the biobed of another victim of this senseless disaster they had all found themselves thrust into. Though thankfully, this time... this one was still alive; but how she was still alive he did not know.

He frowned deeply as he looked away from her bandaged face and onto the glare of his PADD, the light from above reflecting into his eyes until he tilted the screen slightly to one side.

Deck 15 - crew confirmed deceased or missing

Ensign Thomas Hatsato - Deceased
Crewman Nathan Brid - Deceased
Lieutenant M'Tuuri Sh'iss - Deceased
Crewman Sarah O'Neil - Missing

After all, M’Tuuri had already been confirmed deceased, it said so right on his PADD. He’d even seen the section that had collapsed, nothing but stars where her quarters had once been.

Yet… here she was, her eyes wrapped in bandages and covered in monitoring equipment.

“You just gonna ssstand there?” She croaked, fangs catching against the tubes running down her throat and into her lungs.

His eyes shot up from his PADD, surprise strewn across his long face as he stared at the bandages that covered her eyes.

“I'm sorry for disturbing you Lieutenant, I uhh…” He paused, lowering his PADD to his side.

"I thought you were asleep."

"I wasss until you thumped over with those dinner purrlates of yours."

He snorted at this, rolling his eyes before staring back at her. "I see that bump to your head hasn't improved your attitude."

"What do you want." She growled back, her face grimacing in pain as her throat flexed against the foreign devices keeping her alive while her lungs healed.

“Well, honestly, you’re supposed to be dead.”

“Thanksss.” She replied with a laugh that instantly turned into a violent cough.

"I'm being serious M'Tuuri... I've read the reports, even seen the damage first-hand. You were also seen in the section that collapsed, stuck behind a forcefield?"

"What doesss it matter, I'm here aren't I?" She spat back before adjusting herself, attempting to lay more on her side.

"I just, wanna make sure you're okay."

He sighed silently to himself as he looked back at his PADD, watching as her name disappeared from the list.

"I'll let you get back to sleep, Lieutenant. But just know... I'm glad you're still with us."

The silence cut through at him like a Bat'leth as he stood there, he'd half expected her to hiss or shout at him, but to curl up and just entirely shut off.

It was just another thing on an ever-increasing list of things to worry about. And so he just nodded to himself and turned to walk away, trying his very best to be quiet.

it was then a nurse called out to him, ushering him over as she worked to refill hyposprays and reset any medical tricorders for their next task.

"Commander? May I have a moment please."

"What is it? Have you heard from the rescue teams? S'hib asked in a hushed tone as he moved towards her, stepping around and over the makeshift beds where dozens of the crew lay.

"Yes, reports are here, but it's not about that." She replied, tapping her hand gently on the small PADD sitting precariously on the edge of her trolly station.

"Then what is it?"

"That Caitian you spoke to, she won't tell us what happened either, but her injuries are consistent with rapid depressurization and exposure to the vacuum of space, yet she was found inside a sealed compartment..."

They turned and stared at the M'Tuuri as she lay there, a puzzled expression on both their faces.

S'hib then picked up the PADD, placing it together with his own. "Thank you for the report, Ensign, I'll see if they need any help." He said softly, looking back at M'Tuuri one last time before heading out of sickbay.