Cart Runner

Posted on 18 Mar 2024 @ 5:27am by Ensign Shay Mitchell & Story Teller

1,170 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Return to Razmena
Location: USS Gaititithe || Sickbay
Timeline: June 17, 2390 || 0715 hours

Sickbay was the furthest from the flight deck. And, unlike the destinations the rest of the away team had been sent towards, sickbay was occupied by Starfleet personnel. Occupation, however, was a loose term. Four medical staff, including a nurse practitioner, and ten wounded were contained in a corner. Two Selubassari stood as guards, disruptor rifles ready to use should someone want to act on a crazy idea.

Shay made her way into sickbay and assessed her surroundings as quickly as she could. She couldn't speak for Camilla or John, but this was definitely a first for her. Helping pirates get their hands on goods they had no business having. Still, appearances were everything in this situation, and she needed to do what she had to.

Spotting someone that looked like they had a clue as to what was going on, she approached. "Where do you need me?"

The Selubassari didn't have to answer as an ape-like Glurone exited the back room carrying as many crates of medicine as he could. "Good, you made it," he told the woman with a sneer. He'd only learned of her arrival moments ago when the foreman had called ahead. "This ship's loaded to the brim with medical supplies. The medical transporter is down, so we could use an anti-grav cart. Being a human, you might have an idea where a Federation ship would keep one. I swear, not a single person from the Alpha Quadrant knows how to organize."

What did being human have to do with knowing where an anti-grav cart might be kept? As an officer in the Federation, she knew exactly where to locate one, but wouldn't be giving him any reason to be suspicious of her. She looked thoughtful for a moment and looked down at the PADD she held in her hand. After moving her fingers over the screen, she looked to him. "This says we can find what we're looking for in Operations."

The Glurone grunted. "Go grab one," he demanded. He looked to a Teplan that just exited the storeroom. "You! Go with her."

Isn't he just a ray of sunshine, Shay thought to herself as she pulled up a map of the ship, then looked to the Teplan. "We should be able to bring two back. We'll be able to get things done twice as fast." Without waiting for any further instructions, she turned to head out of sickbay with Operations as their destination.

The Teplan shrugged, his blue scars glistening for a moment in the low lighting. A moment later, he scurried out of sickbay behind the newcomer. "What the hell are we looking for?"

"Anti-grav carts," Shay answered, moving to the nearest turbolift. She stepped inside and moved out of the way so he could get in. "How'd you get those? If you don't mind me asking."

"What?" the Teplan asked, then realizing a moment later what she was referring to. "Oh. It's the blight."

"Apologies," Shay said before requesting their desired deck. She didn't wish to be offensive, but was genuinely curious. "Has it become painful?"

The Teplan shook his head. "No, it hasn't quickened. I have to be careful around technology, but I've got access to medication that helps combat that."

She nodded, feeling a bit relieved that he had access to medication to help. He might have been part of the group on the wrong side of the law, but no one deserved to live in constant pain. "That's a good thing, then," Shay said as the turbolift stopped on their desired deck. When the door opened, she stepped out. "Do you want to wait here while I go grab what we need?"

"Stay in an elevator on a ship I don't know where Starfleet survivors could surprise me at any moment?" asked the Teplan. "Hell no. Lead the way."

"I don't blame you. You never know who may be lurking," the young woman said as she led the way toward Operations. It would be much easier getting two carts with a second pair of hands. "We could run into Starfleet anywhere, so make sure you're aware of your surroundings. You're less likely to be caught off guard that way."

The trip to Operations was uneventful, despite the fact that there were several dead crewmembers laying in the corridor along the way. The room was disorganized, with tools, supplies, and parts everywhere. The antigrav carts were not obstructed at all, though they were definitely no longer in their stalls.

"Let's get these and head back," she said, moving to one of the carts. Not far off, she spotted something that looked like it could be used as a weapon. It was about a foot long, flat, metal and would fit in her hand. It could definitely be used as a weapon. She scooped it up and lifted her pant leg to stick it in her boot. "You never know who might be lurking."

"Yep," the Teplan said, grabbing a cart. Before he started pushing, he made sure his weapon was unholstered and pointing forward. "Can't be too careful with Starfleet these days. So many false promises behind that uniform."

Shay nodded her head and passed the first cart to him, then grabbed another. "I hate to break it to you, but the false promises come from those who might wear the uniform or those who don't. The only person you can truly trust is yourself. That's what's kept me safe out here."

"Couldn't agree more," he said, pushing the cart forward.

The journey back to sickbay was just as eventful as the trek from it, albeit a bit more lengthy as it was a struggle getting both carts into the turbolift. This earned a wide and toothy smile from the Glurone in charge. "Someone is earning her keep today."

Shay looked toward the Glurone who was in charge of their current operation. "What can I say other than I'm trying to prove my worth," she said, giving him a wide and toothy smile in return.

"Wanna prove your worth?" the Glurone grunted? "Get this medicine loaded and back up to the launch bay. I have no intention of staying here longer than we need."

"You got it," Shay said just before she began to do as she was told. Hopefully, they wouldn't need to keep up the charade too much longer, and life would go back to normal.

It did not take long for the carts to be loaded. When they were finished, the Glurone said to the Selubassari guards, "We'll take all of this to the launch bay. Stay here and make sure no one follows us."

As much as she wanted to stay and help tend to wounded, Shay had to keep up with things a little while longer. She moved behind one of the carts and began to push it out of sickbay. There was no way of knowing what was going to happen next, but the young woman needed to be prepared for anything.

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