Answering the call

Posted on 04 May 2020 @ 8:01pm by Lieutenant C'Tora Kuroka

Mission: Mission 4 - Race against the machine
Location: USS Europa
Timeline: MD 1 0500
1216 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Natasha, Nat for short, sat in the command chair, watching as the stars passed by like brilliant streaks of light. They were headed towards a planet in rendezvous with the USS Andromeda to take care of cataloging what seemed to be a collection or arsenal of weapons that would prove to be dangerous to everyone. This would allow the USS Andromeda to go on about their business of exploration. Her mind flipped over to her concern about Captain Keading, stubborn man, won't talk about what happened a few months back. Everything was all right, stiff upper lip and all that. Though, Nat knew better, the loss of Lily had hit the Captain hard. Her musings were interrupted by a gasp from comm.

"Commander, I've picked up a distress signal!"

Her eyes zeroed in at the beacon coordinates, tapping her comm, Natasha stated, "Captain you are needed on the bridge."

Vern came out of his ready room with a deliberate stride but if anyone who knew him looked closely they might see the familiar sleepy expression around his eyes. He twitched his head ever so slightly, banishing the rest of his attempt at an afternoon nap since that seemed to be the only time he could sleep soundly.

"Report," he said quietly but firmly.

C'Tora went toward the turbolift at a rapid pace. He was slightly angry and concerned at the same time. He stepped into the turbolift ."Bridge." As it whisked him off towards the location. He knew his friend and captain was hurting and avoiding sickbay. He was ready to have a nice little chat with the captain privately in the ready room to convince him to come to sickbay. C'Tora stepped of the turbolift and his demeanor changed in an instant,His ears perked up as he heard the unmistakable distress signal coming over the com channel. C'Tora walked over and stood next to the command chair. "Captain." C'Tora respectfully inclined his head. " What do we know of the situation and how many causalities are we expecting?" He then leaned down towards Captain Keading and spoke softly so others wouldn't hear. " Captain....Vern. I am your doctor and your friend,And I am concerned about your health. Once this situation is over I would like you to come down to sickbay....Please."

"For what purpose? I'm perfectly healthy?" Vern raised his eyebrows at the request. Honestly he didn't normally mind doctors but he'd had his fill of them since the incident, counselors mostly, just like his little sister. "And this is not the time doctor." He turned his attention back to the situation at hand.

C'Tora's tail twitched at the captains tone, keeping his voice low he continued. " I am aware you are healthy, but you don't appear to be getting enough sleep. I was simply going to suggest a programmed synaptic stimulator for proper sleep and some time on the holodeck with a friend or two so you can blow off some steam. The duties of command can get to the best of us at times."He placed his hand gently on the captains shoulder as he turned to leave, and in a normal tone. " Please keep me informed of the situation sir,I shall return to sickbay and prepare the medical staff for incoming causalities." He had kept his voice low enough so no one else could hear them, the last thing he wanted to do was embarrass the captain in front of the crew.

Nat acted as if nothing was going on with the quiet conversation between Dr. Kuroka and Captain Keading, feeling that there needed to be some sort of intervention on her part, giving an added glance of apology to Dr. Kuroka.

"We've picked up a distress signal." Nat giving the coordinates. "It is rather concerning." she added.

"On screen," Vern ordered, ignoring any of the chatter around him. "Or is it audio only?" He asked clearing his throat so that the talking settled.

"It is audio only thus far." was the report.

Nat looked at Vern, "There is a good chance other ships may have picked it up as well, one of them could be the USS Andromeda"

To the side she remarked to Dr. Kuroka, "Will sickbay be at the ready in case of injuries?"

"On Audio then."

Nat hoped that comms would be able to clear the distress call so that they would be able to determine just what was going on. As she mentally willed that it would happen, a beep on her PADD indicated that a message had been sent.
She looked at it, her eyebrows raising at its content, then she looked to Captain Keading.

Very frowned as he tried to make out what was being said. It was a bit hard to understand, some kind of background interference. He made sure that coordinates were recorded. "Set a course for the source of the distress call and engage at maximum warp."

"Captain, this just came in, of which I am certain you have gotten it as well." she walked over to Vern, showing the message. It was transfer orders for Dr. Kuroka to the USS Andromeda.

He looked down at his screen and spoke aloud what his operations officer was just about to do. "Looks like Andromeda is enroute as well. Belay that first order and rendezvous with Andromeda, perhaps we can both provide assistance." Vern sat back in his chair. He hadn't seen his sister in ages and now it looked like he was going to get to see her sooner than he'd planned.

C'Tora acknowledged Natasha's glance and gave a slight nod in return as they shared concern for their captain. " Commander Blackthorne,sickbay shall indeed be ready to receive causalities if needed and all medical personal will be on standby." He turned and walked towards the turbolift doors. he stopped suddenly and his ears twitched as he heard his name mentioned and about the transfer orders to the Andromeda. He looked over his shoulder towards the Captain and the X.O. " Well I guess I should get sickbay ready and do some packing of my own." He paused a moment before speaking again. " I'm not one much for saying goodbye. But I will say it has been a privilege and a honor to serve aboard the Europa and to work with one of the finest crews in the federation." He stepped into the turbolift. "Oh,Commander Blackthorne. After I depart the ship could you go to my quarters please? There is a bottle of Saurian brandy that I shall leave on the table. It was gifted to me, but since alcohol is poisonous to caitians perhaps you and the captain could have a few drinks for me." With that said the turbolift doors closed and he hurried to sickbay to get things ready.

Nat watched as Kuroka left the bridge, a bit of a bemused expression on her face. "To your health, Doctor." then looked at Captain Keading. "Looks like things are becoming even more interesting."


● “ Ensign Michael Hawkins“
Chief Operations Officer
USS Andromeda

○● Lieutenant JG C'Tora Kuroka
Chief Medical Officer
USS Andromeda



●● Lieutenant True Keading
Chief Counselor
USS Andromeda