Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in side-sim: New Rhythms

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in side-sim: New Rhythms

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in side-sim: New Rhythms
Posted by… suppressed (12) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Her shift had been long. Storing all the confiscated gear they had taken from the Telerite freighter, plus the non Fleet issued weapons had taken awhile. Of course this new ship came totally loaded with supplies. The waiting for the infiltration team to do their thing was already putting people on edge. She had spent the majority of the day putting her department through drills for boarding techniques, repelling hostile, and then working with them on hostile take overs. The crew of the liner was not going to go down easily. Their first experience with the freighter had been far far too easy.

She disappeared from the ship for about an hour, walking the station and listening. Trying to determine what was being said about them and the new ship they had acquired. She also had a specific task in mind and it required access to a public computer terminal. She slipped back on board about an hour later and they started more drills.

Ridad was gone, but Gladiva was another good choice. She was also an excellent teacher Tactical bridge officer. “I think it went well Chief. A lot of the department has been making trips onto the station. It’s getting them used to the social nuances of our new job.”

Bethany grunted approval, “Good. As long gone as they don’t blow our cover while site seeing. They need more practice with the marine armor and weapons for the boarding party. I don’t want anyone guessing how to use it when the time comes.”

Gladvia set a hand on her shoulder. “We will be Chief. But you need to breathe. It’s not all on your shoulders. We are each responsible for making sure we do our job.” Bethany couldn’t quite agree with that sentiment. When Gladvia put a hand over hers in concern she looked down. Well crap.

“Are you that stressed, Chief?” The Lt asked at the red bleeding scratches Bethany had left on her amrs. Bethany sighed with a chuckle. “No, allergic reaction. A flare up. I’ll let the docs take a look at it later.” Bethany left Gladvia in charge of the target practice and made her way to sickbay. She walked in and told the nurse she was having trouble with her meds and needed to see one of the docs.

Bethany

The nurse nodded and asked her what the problem was, then got her situated on a biobed. Several minutes later, Aasrel came walking through Sickbay. He stopped just short of her bed and gave her a look. “What did I say about seeing you as a patient here?” He asked, somewhat playfully, but then he turned serious and his look switched to concerned. “What’s the problem?”

~ Aasrel

“I was careful and didn’t get hurt.” Bethany almost sounded defensive but the grin on her face said otherwise. “I don’t think the cocktail Ryley gave me is working anymore.” She rolled up her sleeves and held her arms out, palms up. There were deep scratches down her arms, following the arteries. Then she tugged on the neck of her shirt, and it was the same over her neck and chest. “My legs are the same. I didn’t even know I was scratching. Ryley said I was doing that in my sleep the night he kept me for observation.”

Bethany

A look of concern was quickly covered by his doctor face. “I’m going to increase the dosage of one of the meds in the cocktail Doctor Ryley was giving you. It might cause more side effects, but it should help stall your condition until I have time to finish analyzing the results of the tests we did.” He was worried. If the meds weren’t working, her condition could advance more quickly. He needed to find answers, and fast.

~ Aasrel

Bethany nodded. “Which side-effects? Will it affect me being able to report for duty?” Bethany was worried amd it flashed across her face for a moment, but was quickly hidden. She’d not been aware she was even scratching, much less itching until Gladvia had said something. At that moment, she was selfishly glad Aasrel couldn’t feel her emotions because she really hated her Betazoid half.

Bethany

“Cold sweats and light headedness when you first use it, within half an hour or so. And long term, it can cause fatigue.” Aasrel sighed. “Hopefully I find an answer before the fatigue starts happening.” Or before her disease caused other issues in her body. Some of the nearby medical staff were watching them. Aasrel had never acted as nice and friendly as he was now since he’d come to this ship.

~ Aasrel

“So don’t take it if I have to report immediately for duty.” That would be fun. Cold sweats…great. Good thing she wore a jacket anyway, and she supposed she could raise the temperature in her quarters and office a bit if need be. She was rubbing her palms up and down her arms, thighs, and across her abdomen. She was careful not to use her nails, but now that she knew she was scratching, the itching was driving her crazy. To the point she didn’t notice the looks they were getting. “Let me have it doc before I rip my skin open more.”

Bethany

Aasrel waved a nurse over. He told her the exact amounts to put into a hypo. “Go prepare it and then bring it back. I’ll need it ASAP.” He told the nurse, and she hurried off. It was clear from his interaction with the nurse he was his usual standoffish self, like he had been with Bethany before their talk and then their date. He turned to Bethany, “It’ll be a minute. Try not to rub it like that.” Then he nodded, “Not right before duty and if the lightheadedness gets too bad, you should rest. You don’t need to fall and hit your head.”

~ Aasrel

She gripped the edge of the biobed to stop from rubbing or scratching. “No, don’t want to hit my head. Might smack whatever is wrong up there and make it worse.” It was said flippantly and with a grin. Could that really happen? She had no idea.

The biobed on the other hand was registering an increased heart rate and palpitations, high histamine levels, and her temperature was spiking.

Bethany

The concern in his face became difficult to hide. “Lie back, Bethany.” He said. The nurse returned with the hypo and he gave it to her. He spoke to the nurse for a moment and she hurried off again. “That should help but I want you to rest for a bit. Until your heart rate comes down, at least.”

~ Aasrel

“Sure thing. After that workout today, I could use a nap.” She laid back on the biobed, hands clasped over her stomach. She could feel her diaphragm moving up and down as she breathed and it allowed her to focus on slowing her respiration and not scratch. The single minded focus also stopped her from worry over what was wrong with her now. She wanted to ask him, ask him if he could really fix what was wrong with her. But she couldn’t lapse into an emotional free fall. Not right now. No one on the crew needed to see the security chief panic. The scratches were starting to burn where she had tore the skin open. Not a new symptom just a consequence of the damage.

Bethany

“Looks like medical is getting a head start on the rumor train,” Aasrel muttered. Some of the nurses, as they went about their work, were pointing and then talking. The nurse from before returned with a little kit. A new hypo kit with the new medicine. She set it on the side table. Meanwhile, Aasrel was getting the dermal regenerator out. The nurse helped him set it up. “That’s your new meds. You’ll use it the same as you were before, just be mindful of the side effects.” He started using the regenerator to fix the scratches. Once it was set up and just a matter of waiting, the nurse left again.

~ Aasrel

“Ah, well they are late to the party then.” There had been plenty of rumor and speculation when she arrived to her office. Especially since the sign said the coffee maker was broken, but she had coffee with her. It had amused her all day. She turned her head toward the kit. “I’ll bring the other one back, and make sure not to forget to take it on time.” She set her head back down and closed her eyes, returning to focusing on her breathing. She tried to help by rolling up her sleeves and lifting the hem of her shirt, so he could get to all the scratches. There wasn’t much she could do about her legs. At least her pants legs had been between her nails and her skin there. Those weren’t quite as bad.

Bethany

Aasrel’s coffee had not lasted long enough. He’d finished it that morning. He had no idea how Bethany functioned on less sleep than him. He kept working on the scratches. “Good. I’ve been working on the test results but I’ll have to give some of my patients to other doctors so I can put more time into it.” And not because they were dating, because this progression of events was legitimately worrying and he wasn’t sure how quickly she might start to get worse. Aasrel met her gaze just before she closed her eyes. “Don’t forget your promise.”

~ Aasrel

She smirked behind closed eyes. “I won’t forget. I did promise.” That got attention. What did the security chief promise the doctor? And why???? She shook her head slightly. “Can’t neglect your other patients, doc. You’re as short staffed as the rest of us.” She sighed. She had no way to know if he was saying that because she was suddenly very worse, which was terrifying, or because they were dating. Which was sweet and not as concerning. If she had to choose, she’d pick the later reason. She doubted she was that lucky.

Bethany