Glimmer of Hope

Posted on Mon Oct 19th, 2020 @ 10:31am by Petty Officer 2nd Class Corvus Hannah & Commander Nathan Hawkins

1,071 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Exodus
Location: Sickbay, USS Spock
Timeline: 2430-01-10, 14:35

While Luzol's plan was coming together relocating the diplomatic transponder onto the shuttle to lure away their unwelcomed shadow Hawkins wanted to check in on Hannah and injured Arbams.

Nathan knew of servility of his injuries, the lack power was hampering every effort to aid his recovery, without aid soon he'd become their first fatality. The Captain sighed heavily at the prospect of bearing that weight, the crew, delivering the crushing news to the family...

No, Nathan shook his head to clear the thought. It hasn't come to that yet, and with luck it won't.

Though, he doubt Hannah would share the optimism as he dealt with the injuries first hand in very difficult circumstances.

As like most areas of the Spock the sickbay was compact and filled with shadows in the gloom of the emergency lighting, when Hawkins arrived it took a few moments to locate Hannah slumped upon the deck.

Crossing quickly over the Captain assessed him momentarily before gently shaking his shoulders. The marine looked every bit as Hawkins felt - exhausted, anxious, sick to his stomach and clinging on by his finger nails. It felt like he'd met his younger self.

"Petty Officer," he called softly nudging his shoulder.

Still so very exhausted, Hannah realized he must have fallen asleep once more. How that could have been was unknown to him, considering the decision he faced. But, even as he wrestled with the ethics of it and asking for guidance, he must have fallen asleep. The gentle nudge on his shoulder brought him awake with a jerk and he looked up. Only to see the ship's captain standing over him, calling his name.

"Sir," he said at once both trying to stand and wipe at his face, removing evidence of his emotional struggle. He realized what a mess he must look - his clothes covered in the grime of his work, unbathed, exhausted to collapse several times now and...the inner turmoil. How the captain must view him at the moment!

Dropping to crouch Nathan resumed the pressure upon Hannah's shoulder to keep him seated. "Easy," he soothed. "Let us just seat here a while, I could do with a rest." He glanced sideways feeling guilty at Hannah's exhausted, unkept state. Being stranded with limited resources had taken a larger, detrimental toil than he'd realised.

Shifting his weight to seat propped against the wall with his legs stretched out in front of him Nathan studied the quiet sickbay as Hannah made himself more comfortable. The sole patient; Abrams remained sedated, a soft bleep emitting occasionally from his monitor. The cramped space around them bore evidence of the walking wounded Hannah had previously treated a wonder considering the dire situation that had befallen the Spock.

"Why didn't you ask for help?" he asked at length. "Someone to help with the lesser injuries, Cadet Porter perhaps?"

"Tony did...I mean, Cadet Porter did help out," Hannah protested, not wanting his friend to get in trouble for shirking duty. "I sent him to get some rest because he has to take the night shift. President Gruzy helped as well." Hannah shrugged, tired and exhausted, his tongue was perhaps looser than it should have been. "I don't know how he is as president, but he's not a very good nurse."

"He's not going to make it," Hannah whispered. "Once the last of the medication I gave him wears off, that'll be it. Unless we can get power back, I can't make any more. Or operate any of the tools to save him." He left it unspoken that it was a dire emergency that would cause him to attempt interventions that were generally above his position. But in emergent situations such as this, he did have some leeway.

A slight tug pulled at the Captain's lips at Hannah's comment of Gruzy lack of medical skills. It soon faded as the medic continue to explain Abrams fragile condition and a heavy silence befell between them. Tilting his head back to rest on the wall Nathan closed his eyes willing he had good news to offer instead of the opposite. He felt exhausted, constantly on edge, unable to rest and deep down afraid their number had been called. He was glad for the semi darkness which hid is dishevelled appearance as they sat in silence.

"How long till it wears off?" he asked.

Hannah checked his chrono, staring at it for several long moments while his exhausted mind attempted to do the math. "A few hours," he muttered, hating saying it aloud.

Twisting his head Hawkins explained the new predicament. "We're going to be launching the shuttle shortly with the diplomatic transponder aboard, since we cannot transmit a distress signal it will act like a beacon." He paused before containing bracing Hannah for the next part. "I hope it will draw away the Klingon vessel following us, right now under tow we're vulnerable."

Hannah only nodded while letting out a long sigh. It sounded like there would be more casualties soon. "I'd better-"

Hawkins spoke over him: "There's not much time. Take whatever you need from the shuttle before its launched, its taken minimal damage therefore the replicator should still be able to help you, bundle the med kit too."

"The shuttle?" Hannah asked, not quite understanding at first. The shuttle! his mind finally grasped what was being said. The "Spock" was such a small ship that it didn't register on the young medic that it contained a shuttle. The shuttle wouldn't have been damaged and, as the captain said, its replicator should still work. Ungainly and unsteady he still jumped to his feet and grabbed his pack, wanting the ability to carry back as much as he could. He stumbled forward several steps before gaining his feet under him. It took several more steps before he stopped and turned. His stance was sloppy and undignified - any MCO who saw it would smoke him on the spot for it - but it was the best he could do at the moment.

"Permission to be dismissed, sir?" he asked, the pack dangling from one hand while he worked to keep from twitching in his eagerness to race to the shuttlecraft and get the supplies he desperately needed for some time now.

The Captain waved at him wearily: "Granted, commandeer someone to help you if needs be. I hope it can benefit you."

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