Needles and Lollipops

Posted on Fri Oct 18th, 2024 @ 10:15pm by Lieutenant Fang Lee & Lieutenant JG Zai & Lieutenant Commander Kelly Kerrigan & Lieutenant Commander Oscar McDonald MD

920 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Shuttle bay | Starbase 2

ON:

Fang was the first to arrive at the shuttle bay. He packed a bag with four days worth of supplies as was his habit. It was to be a short trip but one never knew. He would meet the CO and Doctor here. They were not on the ship's shuttle bay but the station's. When the door opened Fang looked up to find Zai standing there. He was not surprised. Things were still tense but Zai and he seemed to be linked by some unseen thread.

"The CMO and CO are on their way. I figured I would arrive early to get your final approval on the upgrades. The Starbase needed your signature on them."

Fang gave a nod. He walked over and took the clipboard signing off on it after giving the information a read through. He handed it back noting that Zai still didn't look at him. They were both still raw from all that had happened.

"Zai listen...I..."

Before he could say anything the bay doors hissed open.

Entering the shuttle bay, Doctor McDonald was far from a happy camper. He had parted company with Doctor O’Connor in the corridor, and he could practically feel her glare through the bulkhead. Still, time to turn his attention to the next distraction. “Two engineers, I trust our transport is in good shape for our trip?” He asked.

Zai turned and gave a bow. "It is. I was just getting final signatures on paperwork from the Chief. I hear that you are heading to pick up a VIP guest who needs to be up to date on all space shots. I hope you brought some lollipops, something tells me that this will be an interesting trip."

“Lollipops?! I’m not running a nursery,” McDonald grumbled. “And do you consider what candy does to your teeth? Bad idea, especially for children.”

Zai smiled. "Sometimes, doc. It's good to be bad. I'll have some cake for you later."

Fang shook his head. "Just ignore him doc."

“Must be something in the water,” McDonald grumbled, stowing his medical kit. Definitely something.

Zai got a briefly evil look on his face. "Fang hasn't booked his final space sickness shot doc so you might want to give him that."

Fang paled. "Zai!"

McDonald’s lack of amusement was almost palpable. “I am sure your superior officer appreciates your courage in speaking up,” he sighed, “I however fail to see the relevance….”

His voice trailed off as he moved further into the shuttle, muttering under his breath.

Lieutenant Commander Kerrigan came to see the shuttle off. He also had a data tablet to give to the Chief Medical Officer. "Lemon," Kelly said with a chuckle. "Doctor, I am afraid you are needed for this trip. You and any lollies, his favourite is lemon."

Handing the tablet over to Oscar McDonald, Kelly explained. "You and Lieutenant Lee are going to Planet Q to watch a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. My little brother has the part if Puck. You'll be picking him up and bringing him back to Arcadia, but he is behind on inoculations. He will need them to come aboard Arcadia, and continue with us as a passenger."

“I have a medical kit, not a confectionery store,” McDonald sighed. “He will have to get a sugar rush on his return.”

Kelly chuckled knowing how much of a handful his kid brother could be. "Good luck, Doctor. I know you've had some rowdy patients. I'm sure you can handle an eleven year old menace."

“I’m starting to suspect Doctor O’Connor put you all up to this,” McDonald grumbled. “Besides, I’m sure the Lieutenant will keep him out of trouble. Or there is always sedation.”

"Sedation would be advised," Kelly recommended. He smiled. "Callum has a tendency to explore everything and get into anything. While Lieutenant Fang is piloting the shuttle, I wouldn't take my eye off my brother. He can be a handful."

“Wonderful,” the physician groaned.

"Is your brother interested in how things work? How they are built?" Fang asked.

"How to destroy them is more accurate," Kelly said. "Good luck, gentleman. We'll be here waiting for you."

“Cannot wait,” McDonald uttered as he took his seat. “Ready whenever you are, Lieutenant.”

Fang smiled. He waved at the CO and Zai and closed the shuttle door. Within moments they were seated and the shuttle was on its way out of the bay.

Zai and Kelly stood by the windows watching. It was Zai who spoke first. "Well captain. When can I count on you to come see the new upgrades that Starbase has done to Engineering?"

That all settled Zai headed back to Engineering. Part of him was happy to be in charge but another part hated the idea. This was Fang’s gig not his. He had one purpose here that he’d…forgotten a long time ago. There were so many questions that needed answers and so many things that needed clarification.

He sighed and then as he reached the turbo lift that would take him to Base Engineering he paused. “Gods of all! That ass did it again. I have to go to the lecture instead of him.” He groaned. Fang was soooo going to get it when he got back. “I’ll tie him up and make him watch four years worth of those boring lectures! I can’t believe he got out of it again this year and stuck me with it!”

OFF:

 

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