Ensign John Kendrick - Notify Next Of Kin

[Jon Van Pelt]

((Indulgence of Chocolate-Coated Jama’haron, Medbay))

John glanced toward Matthews and Melville-Kilpatrick, gratitude flickering behind the exhaustion.

Melville-Kilpatrick: Thanks. Do your readings say what it was? I don't think he's got a dairy allergy, but it'd be nice to know what caused the reaction.

The Tellarite’s brow furrowed as data scrolled across the display.

Tellarite Nurse: His immunological markers are reacting to an alien compound - not something typical in standard Federation food synthesis. Whatever he ingested, it’s not a common dietary allergen.

Melville-Kilpatrick: Well, that's good. At least we won't have to update the whole ship. Not that I know what that would take. I'd have to ask Engineering.

Matthews: We really can’t update anything. We’re just passengers. The nurse will have to alert the captain of the situation. We can make a statement, though. 

Melville-Kilpatrick: You've got the right stuff to deal with an allergy of this type?

Tellarite Nurse: ::barely glancing over:: Of course.

With a dismissive snort, she turned and disappeared through a sliding partition. A moment later she returned carrying a compact device not unlike a hypospray - a faint teal glow pulsing along its spine.

She didn’t explain it. She simply primed it.

Matthews: Exnay on question the nurse in their own medbay. God, what are they teaching now a days in medschool?

John’s lips twitched despite the soreness.

Kendrick: ::hoarse, faint grin:: Apparently… “don’t antagonize the person holding the hypospray” is still… in the curriculum.

The Tellarite nurse gave him a sidelong look that might almost have been approval before pressing the device against his neck.

There was a sharp hiss. Cool pressure. Then warmth spread outward from the injection site.

Melville-Kilpatrick: Just had to make sure. ::looking over at Matthews and Kendrick:: Both doing okay?

Matthews: :: Reaching to slip his tricorder out of MK’s hand :: Hell of a way to kick off a vacation. I’ll be doing better later when I’m doing something safe like playing bingo. 

The medication began to settle into John’s system, the tightness in his chest loosening further. His breathing deepened, no longer labored. The ringing in his ears faded completely.

He pushed himself up slightly on his elbows.

Kendrick: I owe you both an apology. This wasn’t exactly the festive opening act I had planned.

He cleared his throat, his voice steadier now, though still textured.

Kendrick: When I’m cleared for release, drinks are on me. Somewhere without ice cream, preferably. 

A faint, genuine smile.

Melville-Kilpatrick: Response

Matthews: I’ll stick around here for a while. But, should we be calling anyone? I think you said, Katrina once, should we be reaching out to them?

The name hit harder than the injection.

His cheeks warmed immediately - whether from medication or memory, he wasn’t sure. He looked down briefly, jaw tightening for a fraction of a second before he schooled his expression.

Kendrick: ::hesitant, measured:: She was a nurse at Denali Station.

A pause followed. He could feel the weight of the unsaid. She was more than just a nurse. She was his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his son. 

Melville-Kilpatrick: response

Kendrick: I appreciate the thought, but let’s not escalate this into a “notify next of kin” situation. ::beat:: And please tell me this doesn’t end up in the shore leave recap slideshow.

It was a faint attempt at levity. He hoped it worked.

Matthews/Melville-Kilpatrick: response

TAG/END for Kendrick

((OOC: my apologies for the delay in response. I decided to wrap this one up so we can explore more of the ship.))

——— ● ———

Ensign John Kendrick
Operations Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
J239801JK3