Something wicked this way comes

Posted on Sun Oct 12th, 2025 @ 7:09am by Lieutenant Commander Oscar McDonald MD & Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami

1,058 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Vinyl and Void
Location: Lower Decks

Following the directions she had been given, navigating the maze of unfamiliar corridors with her belongings in tow, one thing was becoming very clear. She was lost. Dropping her kit bag to the floor she sighed, days of travel leaving her feeling frustrated - mostly at herself. Deep breath, she urged herself. Think...

She was on the correct deck, of that she was sure. So she definitely could not be too far away. Of course she could ask the computer to help yet that would feel like defeat or one of the crew but did she want to be that person? Earning a reputation as a helpless lost cadet before she had even really started? No, she could spare a few minutes of aimless wandering.

Picking up her kit bag, she took another couple of steps before she realised something. Since she left the Chief Petty Officer in the shuttle bay she had not actually seen many other people... and certainly none in the last few minutes. Where was everyone?

Pondering this questions she took a few right turns where the corridor branched off, relieved to find herself face to face with the rows of bunks lining the corridors, each one with an optional privacy screen to aid sleeping with adjacent lockers that were taller than she was. Which was good, as she had packed just about everything she owned.

Slowly she walked down the rows, checking and moving on as she saw names assigning bunks to various members of the crew - pausing now and then to make faces at some of the questionable decor some had opted for to make their space more personal.

"This crew must really like tribbles..." she whispered, slightly bemused as she continued on her way, realising that yep, she was talking to herself. Finding an unoccupied lower bunk she dropped her bag down on the mattress and slipped her back pack off her shoulders, setting it down before tapping the small display to claim this as her spot.

A distant noise made her look around, all too aware that otherwise it was deathly quiet. Was this some kind of hazing? God she hoped not... "Hello?" she called out.

Unable to hear anything but silence in response, she shrugged it off along with her jacket. Quickly finding the locker that corresponded to her bunk number she opened the door, letting out a startled yelp as she caught a glimpse of metal before something grabbed her and pulled her inside...

A few minutes later, Doctor McDonald stood on the far side of the corridor, eyeing the empty bay with suspicion. "I definitely heard someone," he said, sounding as if he was trying to convince himself more than anyone, "but as they say, all is quiet. I should have brought my damn tricorder. Knowing this lot they will be in the ceiling. Or I am truly going mad."

Adrianna had decided to help the doctor on this one. "Merde, I mean you would think they'd know better. Without that vaccine, they'd risk so much. Even being in contact with a Gorn artifact can cause-- I've seen it. First, the madness. If that doesn't kill you-- then you get itchy... Then... Cazzo, no one comes back from that..." Adrianna's voice sounded convincing, subtly, she put a speaker into one of the vents, and then some itching powder on a few bunks. "I will never understand why lower deckers think they will be immune to such things. If anything, they are more likely to get it, right?"

“Oh absolutely,” McDonald confirmed with a nod as they walked, “I was actually just reading that the younger crew members are more susceptible, the audible hallucinations especially… perhaps being a grumpy old grouch isn’t so bad, hmm? Although the itching and rashes… not sure what would be worse… although for the Caitians… fur everywhere…”

He sighed, “but I suppose we all think we know better, hm? As if I have not got better things to do than chase around children.”

"It's their loss, doctor," Adrianna sighed, leaving a fake gorn artefact on the floor whilst tying up her boot, "but you're right. Can't waste time on everyone. Still, we can still have fun and do a random inspection for contraband soon. I know that always cheers you up." Adrianna looked to the doctor with quite the evil smirk, "I suggest tomorrow, perhaps?

“What a wonderful idea,” McDonald agreed, planting a few replicated strands of hair around Ensign K’Nar’s bunk. “After my ex wife’s brief visit, my whisky cabinet needs some topping up…”

He paused beside the bunk with two very full bags lying in full view. He eyed the name displayed but it did not sound familiar. “Coming or going?” He mused, pointing to the find. If anyone knew if Cadet Zoe Carter was a new arrival or someone departing, it would be his companion. He doubted anyone sneezed on this ship without her knowledge.

"Merde, you definitely need whiskey," She grinned. Ade looked at the name, thinking, "coming. Poor bambina. Hopefully, she'll see sense and get this vaccine. Could be in touching distance of the Gorn in days. Oh, remind me-- how long does it take for the vaccine to work? Is it a few days like the flu vaccine, or instant? I'll come back with you and get mine topped up, now." Adrianna pulled out her PaDD and checked the CCTV was live before nodding to the doctor.

“Good, until the second dose it isn’t entirely effective,” he pointed out gravely as they walked. “But once you have that second dose you will be safer than …. Something very safe.”

With that they headed away, the plan in motion.

Adrianna followed him out and angled the PaDD in her hands so that he could watch it all unfold. It started with some young cadet finding the fake gorn artefact. From there, Adrianna knew it was only a matter of time. "Thank you for letting me help with this, Doctor. I've been missing being hated for some time," she smirked.

“Anytime,” he chuckled as they made their way into a turbolift, “although don’t say I didn’t warn you if Walker finds out!”

"I've got that one covered," Adrianna waved him off, "leave him to me."

OFF

 

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