Ensign Alyndra Syrex - Final Preparations

[Freya Harrison]

(Sickbay Complex, Deck 10, USS Ronin))

 

Alyndra reported to Sickbay early, eager to begin the mission she’d been indirectly preparing for, for as long as she could remember. For her first mission, she thought it was unorthodox, acting as bait to allure a predator. Alyndra had only just arrived, in reality, she had no idea what the crew had been through, nor of the USS Ronin’s past. If this is what the captain thought was best to fight the enemies of the Federation in this region, she had no choice but to trust his judgment. In her own eyes, she was too junior and knew too little to form an opinion about this plan. She was trained as a healer, not a commando nor a diplomat, so heal she would do, and at the best ability she could give. Everything else was elementary.  

 

When the order came in to begin preparations for what was to come, Alyndra saw a shift in Doctor Beck’s attitude, he’d seemed more serious and focused than when the Ronin was docked at Deep Space 33. She’d supposed that it was the difference between being at work and being at rest. Alyndra felt an increased level of pressure on her, not that it was unwarranted, she knew the work here would be a level more challenging than the minor scrapes the crew had gotten themselves into whilst they were on shore leave, not that she was there for most of it.

 

When Alyndra arrived for the briefing by acting CMO Beck in Sickbay, the medical staff were divided throughout the Sickbay complex. Most notably: Chief Nurse Avae, Doctor Morgenstern and the orderly Exocomp (Beguiling Enigmatic Charmer). The whole system seemed to Alyndra to be a system of triage, something that she strongly approved of. Alyndra noticed that Doctor Beck seemed to be sticking close to her, hoping it was due to a sense of dependency rather than keeping an eye on the newly qualified ensign.

 

The complexes were staffed according to their need. Ward A, for simple and fast treatments, was staffed by Doctor Morgenstern. Ward B, for more advanced injuries, was being handled by Chief Nurse Avae. Ward C was for patients who would likely die without intervention, where Alyndra and Doctor Beck would both take extreme measures to prevent the use of ward D. Ward D was where the Exocomp orderly BEC would prepare for any of the dead.

 

In the meantime, Alyndra was occupying her time in the lab synthesising a known inoculation for sencha-wave radiation, which Alyndra recalled was discovered by one of the captain's previous hosts, which eventually resulted in their downfall. She knew Sencha radiation affects subspace, altering it to cause an effect in normal space, usually of an explosive nature. She knew from her medical training that it had a particular effect on telepathic species, as well as Andorian antennae, causing a sense of disorientation. Whether the affected species is inside the perimeter of a ship is redundant to its effects.

 

Beck: Good, good, that's the tenth batch we've managed. You're getting better at this.

 

Syrex: Thank you, it’s not too different from what I have done in the past. It’s just a different layout.

 

Beck: I'll grab the next pallet of vials. Once you're through with that set, let's load them on–

 

Before the doctor could finish his sentence, a chime came from the communications system.

 

Niac: =/\= Bridge to Sickbay...how are you doing on those arithrazine inoculations, Doctor?  If we get hit by one of those S-Wave weapons I want to have more than enough prepared for the entire crew. =/\=

 

Alyndra glimpsed as Beck turned to the panel, stabbing it with his thumb to answer the captain's query.

 

Beck: =/\= Steady going. Our new Ensign Syrex has almost completed the tenth batch of a hundred doses, and we're lined up to make at least ten more if all goes well. That'll leave us with approximately four doses per crewman once all is said and done. It's just time-consuming since we have to do a lot of this by hand. =/\=

 

Alyndra saw the doctor flinch and shake his head, perhaps the use of the word “Hand” caused him some pain, whether that pain was physical or mental, Alyndra did not know. However, she believed she would need to get used to the doctor's phantom pains.

 

Niac: =/\= I realize it's not ideal but it's the only protective measure we have at the moment.  Make whatever final preparations you can, I expect things will get busy up here in the very near future.  =/\=

 

Beck: =/\= Aye, sir. I'll get a couple more sets of hands on these if it comes down to it. We certainly have enough for the initial assault, at the very least. =/\=

 

Niac: =/\= Standby for action, Doctor.  Bridge out. =/\=

 

The doctor closed the comm line, Alyndra heard an audible sigh from across the room.

 

Beck: I like action as much as the next guy but that usually means we're gonna be stupid busy.

 

The doctor spoke as Alyndra prepared the next batch of the inoculations.

 

Syrex: Doctor, I would recommend we distribute these inoculations out to any telepathic species on board as soon as we can, they are more vulnerable to S-radiation, it may save us some time in the long run.

 

Beck: Response

 

Syrex: I know it takes more of our time, which we may not have, but it could reduce our workload when we are stretched thin and every second counts.

 

Beck: Response

 

Syrex: Yes, Doctor

 

Alyndra was able to hear the doctor move a hover cart loaded with vials next to the table. Coming back into her field of vision, he appeared to grab a hook from the pocket of his lab coat, fitting it over the stump where his hand would be.

 

Beck: ::under his breath as he looks through the hook::  For reasons of good form, I have decided that the so-called 'Pan' will return in three days to commit the arbitrament of the sword.

 

Syrex: Did you say something, doctor ::Turns to face his general direction::?

 

The doctor glanced in Alyndra’s direction, she couldn’t be sure but his face appeared to change slightly in hue.

 

Beck: You, uh… weren't 'sposed to hear that.

 

Syrex: Oh, I didn’t really :: Turns back to her work:: I only really heard muttering.

 

Stealing a glance, Alyndra saw the doctor wave the hook dismissively, shaking his head. He looked like he wanted to just forget the entire situation.

 

Beck: Just me being an idiot. Are you almost done with that batch?

 

Syrex: Yes, it shouldn’t be mu-

 

The machine helping Alyndra started beeping in a way that seemed insistent, even though she knew it was just a machine and wasn’t sentient, unlike the synthetic lifeforms that appeared as machinery.

 

Syrex: Urgh :: Slaps the top of the machine lightly :: I have an appreciation for this ship, but sometimes it just doesn’t work. Hang on…

 

Alyndra reached around the back of the machine, pressing a few buttons, until a green light begun to flash on the interface.

 

Syrex: There we go, as I said, different interface, sometimes they lock up, is all. I’d suggest running a diagnostic when we are out of this situation, doctor.

 

Beck: Response

 

Syrex: Right, that’s that batch done, should hopefully do us for now, whats next on your checklist?

 

Beck: Response

 

Syrex: Ok, that doesn’t sound too complicated, I’ll get right on that.

 

Alyndra moved to the other side of the lab to fulfil the doctor’s request. She was slightly annoyed at the machine breaking down, but it was a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things. She was sure it wasn’t the machine she was mad at; she was angry with the stress of her first mission. It was dangerous, but that is what she had signed up for. She just needed time to put things into perspective and get used to her new life aboard the Ronin. Just as the doctor would have to get used to living with a single hand, Alyndra would have to get used to the sound of her heartbeat and her sweaty palms.

 

Beck: Response

 

Tag/TBC

 

Ensign Alyndra Syrex

Medical Officer

USS Ronin (NCC-34523)

R240107AS3