Lost in Space
Posted on Thursday 7 October 2021 @ 17:52 by Lieutenant JG Zirvell Khen
Mission:
First Contact
Location: Unknown
Timeline: approximately 12 years ago
649 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure
The runabout was under way for several days now, carrying medical supplies, a few stasis pod and only two crew: a Human physician and a Cardassian nurse, both wearing Starfleet uniforms. "We should be there in a few days," Zirvell said as he came back to the co-pilot's seat, carrying two steaming mugs of tea. He handed one over to the doctor, then settled back in his seat.
The Human nodded slowly, glancing between the console and his companion. "So, this is your first assignment out of the academy?" he asked, glancing over the brim of his mug at his young companion. "You're what? Twenty? Twenty-two?"
Zirvell smiled, sipping his tea. "Twenty-four sir, and yes this is my first assignment. I was a bit late to the party I'm afraid, having switched courses after two years. I feel this is my calling, helping people in any way I can. I actually graduated only a few days ago." His smile brightened a little. "My father...my adopted father I mean, he was so proud."
"Raised by a Human hm?" The older doctor smiled. "Of course I did hear of your, there aren't a whole many Cardassians serving Starfleet, if any others at all." He wagged his finger at the younger man. "You stay true to yourself ensign, and you'll come a long-" He was cut off when the runabout rocked violently, sending their drinks to spill across their fronts. "Oweee," he cried out, jumping up, "what the hell was that!"
Zirvell jumped too, as blinking lights caught his attention. "Ion storm," he called out, "oh how did we miss that one..." He ran aft. "I'm going to secure our supplies doctor, you keep us clear from the storm, insofar we still can." Lights in the shuttle went dark for a moment, before kicking in again.
"It's no use Zirvell.... we're adrift now.... that first wave knocked out our propulsion." The doctor checked their sensors, and ran a few diagnostics. "And I'm not sure we can do any repairs... our beacon is offline too, whatever that was, it wasn't an ordinary ion storm. We've got life support, but I can't tell for how long."
Worry creased Zirvell's brow as he returned to the cockpit. "Well...then I guess we wait until someone sees us? What other choice do we have? How much life support do we have?" He looked up as the lights flickered again. "How much power, and for how long?"
The doctor shook his head. "I don't know... could be days, could be only hours. We've got rations for a few days, but that's it." He paused, seemingly lost in thought for a moment. "We do have those pods...if push comes to shove, we'll find refuge there, and pray it won't take long to get discovered. We are expected at the colony though, I'm sure they'll raise the alarm when we don't arrive."
The Cardassian nodded, visibly anxious at the very idea of being locked in something. The doctor smiled, reaching out to get his attention. "They're perfectly safe," he reassured the younger man, "and it'd really only be for a short while. We don't really have a choice."
After a few hours of aimlessly being adrift, and getting pounded by the storm that raged through space, the doctor decided that it was indeed safer to get into the stasis pods. "Only for a few days at best," he reassured Zirvell as he helped him inside. "You won't even dream once you're safely asleep, I promise." Making sure his companion was comfortable, he closed the lid, then climbed into his own pod.
The doctor didn't close the lid until he was sure Zirvell's pod was fully operational. When he was, he programmed his pod to close once he was comfortable. Little did he know, that he would never wake up again.
Ensign Zirvell Khen
Nurse
pnpc Seklar
