Posted by Lieutenant Jasmine Wynter (Chief Medical Officer) in Mundai Colony - A need to get away

Original Post - https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf1/manhattan/notes/43195/

Snip

“So you are getting a gift for your wife because you miss her or to ease your conscience for spending a weekend with her,” Brexton stared at Max hard. None of this song and dance seemed to be making any sense.

“Brexton,” Ella snapped anger flooding her face. The look she gave him was no longer friendly but one filled with daggers.

“Now that was uncalled for,” Max retorted, anger flaring in his eyes. “You make a blind assumption that something is going on because we have been talking about dinner? I thought you knew Ella well enough to count her as a friend, but it seems you think she is nothing more than a common slapper. You owe her an apology. I’m going to look past your implication of my motives because you have no freaking idea how stupid you are, but I’m not going to let you get away with slandering Ella.” Pushing himself off the counter, Max squared his shoulders to Braxton and worked his jaw as the anger inside him began to flare.

“I am calling this in,” Brexton reached for his collar when a loud explosion rocked the south end of the space port. Ella screamed in shock as she covered her head and crouched down as if expecting another wave of explosions to tear through the area. Thick black smoke billowed towards the north end propelled but the force of the explosion. The sound of screams and crying fought to be heard over the klaxons blaring for emergency personnel to come to the location. “Do not move,” Brexton bellowed pointing to Max and Ella as he ran towards the scene of the commotion.

“What the hell is going on? Are you ok?” Max asked Ella as he glanced over at the man run in the direction of the explosion, then turned and reached down, helping Ella to her feet and looking her over quickly to see if she was hurt.

“We need to go now,” she said rapidly to Max. As fast at Brexton turned around, Ella reached out grabbing Max’s hand. “Do not let go of me,” she said heading down the far end of the hall along with everyone else in her and Max’s vicinity. It only took a second before they became pinned in the crowd desperate to escape the room. “Don’t let go of my hand,” she pleaded to Max fighting against the throngs of bodies shoving her and Max about. Whether it was her imagination or reality, Ella clung to Max elbowing people trying to get back to his side. Men hurled curses as women yelled and children sobbed all around them. In stark contrast was the public address system that began to give out instructions using a soft, calm, motherly tone.

Max clamped his hand down on hers, years of working with engineering tools meant that while he wasn’t a hulking meat sack of muscle, Max had a quiet strength in his shoulders, arms and hands that wasn’t always apparent at first. Very little would be able to pry Max’s hand from Ella’s once he decided not to let go, but the wave of people was adding a whole lot of problems to their situation. “Where are we going?” Max almost had to shout, “It doesn’t look like your announcer has much of an impact.” With the crowd threatening to split the pair, Max pulled her close to him and switch from holding her hand to sliding his arm around her waist so the throng would not separate them.

PLEASE REMAIN CALM. HELP IS COMING TO ASSIST YOU. Repeated over and over in a rhythmic tone meant to soothe and comfort those listening to it. For some individuals, it seemed to work but for others, it appeared to heighten their anxiety more.

Seeing the pair was drifting from where she needed to go, Ella became frantic. The crowd was becoming crushing as everyone raced to the small entrance letting people out of the area. She felt like she could not breathe as walls of people started to block off her line of site. “Max,” she yelled slightly falling forward. Someone in her section had tripped. It only took a second for Ella to understand it was over a body. The idea that one could be trampled fueled the need for escape. Her eyes and throat burned as the smoke followed them toward the point of exit. She blinked rapidly trying to clear them. While Max was not a security officer he would know the difference between smoke from a fire and what appeared to be surrounding them now.

PLEASE REMAIN CALM. HELP IS COMING TO ASSIST YOU.

“Do you people not have extractors on the roof?” Max asked, but he wasn’t really looking for an answer, just complaining about something he had no control over.

“No, they will want to process us,” she said louder than needed just to be heard over the crowds.

The more Ella inhaled the harder it was becoming to breathe. Her lungs felt like they were on fire and her eyes watered as if she were crying hysterically.

“Try and stay low, the air is fresher lower and we can go further.” Max didn’t add that lower down, they couldn’t see where they would be going and it would be harder to keep from being knocked over, but they had to breathe if they wanted to get out. “You need to tell me what is going on once we are out,” His voice was calm but still angry, as if he had no doubt they were going to get free. He was getting a sick feeling in his stomach that somehow, this was connected to Jasmine’s disappearance and he had to wonder what she had gotten herself into, and why she had lied to him. That was a conversation for another day, but he wasn’t going to let her avoid it.

“We need to go left,” she coughed hard trying to point to the small service entrance that no one appeared to be using.

PLEASE REMAIN CALM. HELP IS COMING TO ASSIST YOU. SECURITY FORCES ARE ON ROUTE. THE AREA IS BEING SEALED OFF FOR YOUR PROTECTION. STAND BACK FROM THE SECURITY DOORS

“What the hell are they doing?” Max growled and looked at Ella. “There is gas being released in here at people trying to get out, an explosion, and they are sealing people in? This feel more like a herding operation than attack.”

“I told you. The authorities will want to process us. We can’t let them get to you or you won’t find your wife. She is a doctor right,” Ella tried to not let her fear show. It would not help the situation nor create any trust between her and Max.

The new announcement caused the crowds to ripple like a wave as bodies were tossed around like a human tsunami. The security doors to the spaceport began to grind shut not stopping as it sensed human bodies in the way. The panic hit a crescendo as soft white gas began to pour from nozzles at the ceiling spreading down and out like a thick fog. As they reached the small service entrance Ella hacked and wheezed patting her pants frantically. “I lost my pass. I can’t get the door open. We have to get out. We can’t stay here,” she slide down the wall running her fingers through her hair.

PLEASE REMAIN CALM. HELP IS COMING TO ASSIST YOU. SECURITY FORCES HAVE ARRIVED. THEY WILL BEGIN TO PROCESS THE CITIZENS. YOUR HELP IS APPRECIATED

Ella

“We aren’t staying here,” Max told her and looked at the crowd a short distance away trying to get past the closing security doors before they closed, many failing and being stuck in the jam of bodies between the doors and behind, the press making more and more people get stuck and the crowd behind push more and more frantically. Reaching the doors was no promise of freedom, more people were falling injured in the crush of the crowd and the crush of the doors than were running free. “My god what the hell are they doing? Open the damn doors.” Max muttered through his teeth as his fingers ran over the security panel by the door.

“You said you were an engineer so engineer the door open,” she gestured frantically at the pad sliding down the wall. Sitting on the ground, Ella looked ashen and ready to throw up. She had always heard doing the right thing was not always easy. Right now she would just settle for getting out safely.

“It’s going to take too long to override it,” he told her, and gripped her shoulder. Pulling her to her feet and pushing her sideways slightly out of the way of the door, Max looked her in the eyes. “Hey, look at me ok. We are getting free now, trust me. When we are out you need to lead us where to go. I’m here and with you, right here.” Giving her a smile, he held out his hand to her once again.

Pushing her hair out of her face she gingerly placed her hand in his. “You haven’t lied to me. You are married. Jasmine is your wife who was kidnapped. You are not the Authority,” she said the last name not as a noun but as a title. Even asking this question if Max had lied would result in Ella’s life ending as she knew it. Leaving it as a rhetorical response she pushed off the ground to stand by Max’s side.

Looking at the door, Max noted the hinges that were showing but not accessible from this side. They were showing enough for something else though. Pulling the small Phaser from his pocket, thumbed the power selector up and pointed it at the top hinge, then fired. Watching it glow red suddenly he switch to the bottom hinge. Releasing the trigger of the weapon he lifted his leg and booted the edge of the door holding the hinges solidly, and with a crack the hinges broke and the door flew away from them, tearing away from the security lock at the same time.

“Out, now, fast!” Max said urgently and pushed Ella through the door, turning and holding the weapon at the crowd rushing at them, the opening, as he followed her. His thumb adjusting the Phaser to stun.

Lt Cmdr Wynter, CE

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Mundai Medical Building
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Jasmine drifted in the inky darkness of exhaustion and sleep. It had been two days of non-stop surgeries. It was like she was in a war and the casualties were coming in faster than she was able to stop. Heart surgery, nephrectomy, Vascular grafts, liver transplants: the list went on and on never seeming to stop. Jasmine had no idea how another doctors were in the same situation as her but there had to be more. Pressing her arm hard against her eyes, she physically tried to stop the tears from forming. The reality was this wasn’t a war. This was all voluntary by the individuals rolled into her operating room yet it wasn’t. Cade’s explanation made it more of indentured servitude and Jasmine was just prolonging their suffering. The idea of noble sacrifice only went so far before it crumbled like a sandcastle at the ocean. Rolling over she tried to block the memory that refused to be buried deep.

Thirty Six Hours Ago....

As Cade’s wife was rolled out of the operating room, Jasmine looked guiltily at the man across the room. He had to be worried about his wife yet his mannerisms and posture did not show any evidence of it. Jasmine watched as he cleaned the instruments, made some notes on a PaDD, and prepared the surgical bed for their next patient. Stripping off her gloves, Jasmine deposited them in the trash take a deep breath. “I am sorry this is happening to you,” her voice sounded louder in her own ears as it reverberated against the cold, hard surfaces of the room.

The sound of her voice made Cade turn around. For a long few moments the pair stared at each other not sure what to say. During her time in the medical profession, Jasmine had many situations where she was uncomfortable but never until this moment had she felt the urge to beg for forgiveness.

“Thank you,” the man said quietly, looking at her with his unnaturally bright eyes. There was a natural nobility about his people that was at complete odds with this situation they were in. “This is the world we live in,” he told her, looking down at himself, and raising his hands slightly. “Once we had so much more, we were so much more. That was long ago now, now we serve a purpose to the Mundain in return for promises we never knew would never be filled, or filled at a cost we never knew we would have to pay. There is still hope for us, for my wife and for the family we wish to have. I’d rather be here and take on this responsibility for their care myself, than let a Mundain do it. You are a good person, Jasmine, in an evil place. I am sorry this is happening to you.”

“I can clean up. Go to your wife in recovery,” she offered gently. It was a small, inconsequential gesture but the only thing Jasmine could control for the moment.

“That is not going to be possible,” a sharp and serious tone filled the room pulling Jasmine’s attention off her nurse and to the door. The man entering was dressed in a trim black suit with a white shirt. He had the air of someone in authority. “His job is here and your next patient is on the way. It is going to be tricky but we need a lung so I would suggest you get a ventilator or whatever you use for respiratory systems to keep the patient alive until the organ grows back. You don’t typically have a spare set of lungs do you,” he wave a stylus at Cade casually as if his question was about lunch.

“Lungs are harder to grow,” Cade replied, his voice had grown far more matter-of-fact. “We don’t do the transplants here, this is the growing division. We don’t have room or supplies for patients not on the contract, Hemdriks.” Cade’s voice was business and stony, but Jasmine would tell it was far from confident in addressing this man.

“Who the hell are you,” Jasmine instantly turned her ire on the man. “I am Lt. Jasmine Wynter of,”

“Of Starfleet previously assigned to the USS Manhattan under the command of Alex Cochrane,” he completed her sentence checking things off the PaDD.

Jasmine’s eyes grew large trying to process what the man was saying to her. The past tense verb and the fact he knew she was an officer but did not seem to care made her stomach drop. “What do you mean previously assigned.” Part of her did not want to hear his reply.

“We have sent a communique that your ship experienced some damage in an ion storm. By the time we tried to assist the engines imploded and your body was not able to be recovered. A delegation will meet with your captain and your husband....Max…Maxwell,” his tone was matter of fact and crisp. Raising a hand to stave off any questions he continued. “Unfortunately for you I know how confusing this all is but rest assured no one is going to come looking for you but we will ensure they do not have to live with the thought you just disappeared. We are not that cruel. I am Sarton Hemdriks and I will try to make this as easy as possible but as you will soon find out it is my way or …well no other way.” Sarton’s smile was cold and manipulating. His dark eyes appeared lifeless and dead. His expression spoke volumes about the cavalier way he approached his job and Jasmine.

“Sarton…may I call you Sarton,” Jasmine’s tone was just as smug as the man who addressed her. “I am not sure you understand the crap storm you have just unleashed on you and however you work for. My husband, my captain, and the Federation are not going to sit back and,”

“And let a thief and drug trafficker take up any more of their day than I am right now,” Sarton sneered tapping his stylus on the PaDD. “You have been a very very bad girl. Stealing a shipment of narcotics,”

“Antibiotics,” Jasmine felt her stomach lurching. It did not take her long to see that she was being set up.

“You say toe mat oh I say toe may toe,” he casually waved her off as the door opened and two patients were rolled into the room. We can talk later but right now you need to get to work,” Sarton tucked the PaDD under his arm and walked out.

In only an instant, Cade was beside her. His eyes looked down at her and the look on his face was one of understanding, almost pity. His body language and face for all the world seemed like he wanted to take her in his arms and hug her, like a friend does for someone they are close to that is in pain but he made no move to do so. Taking a breath, he looked out the door at the bed his wife lay on and then turned to Jasmine. “You need to come with me, now.”

Cade turned at walked, his walk smooth and direct as he led Jasmine to the opposite end of the warehouse where the storage supply closets lay and he paused, keying in a security code that Jasmine was familiar with to a room that she knew held only a basic amount of bandages and manual surgery supplies. “I had no idea what they wanted this for until now. Now it makes sense,” he told her cryptically. “I had to sign a non-disclosure contract, do you understand? If they find out I am showing you this they will take my wife away, but you need to see this.”

The door slid open and Cade did not wait, he walked inside and to a bare patch of wall between two of the shelving units. Here, he placed his hand on a bare patch of brick and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, a click sounded and the sound of a door whirred as the entire wall raised into the ceiling above it. Beyond was another room that was clearly a high tech lab unlike anything that Jasmine or Cade had to work with. Machines filled it from floor to ceiling and the bright white and silver colours of medical equipment gleamed. Blocking their way was a glass wall, this one with no opening for them to get through but a single console sat on their side. “Go ahead,” Cade told her, looking at her with what now seemed to be shame. “Look on the table,” he said, and motioned her forward.

Just on the other side of the glass lay a table, on which under the bright lights was a body. The medical equipment in the room was all connected to that body with a series of pipes and tubes, automated claws and syringes moved about faster and more accurately than any humanoids hand could achieve. The body itself was clearly being grown right there in that room, using the same technology that was being used in the warehouse, yet the difference was worlds apart. The warehouse was an operation to harvest organs on a budget using as little medical technology, drugs and money as possible. The technology being used in this room would have been the equivalent cost of a small starship, and clearly not something a small time crook like Rag could achieve or afford.

Taking the few steps forward, Cade stepped beside Jasmine once more and placed his hand on her shoulder. It was gentle, apologetic and understanding, emotions that somehow his touch alone portrayed. “I know now that they need more than just an exploded shuttle to send to your husband. I don’t know why you came here, or who sent you here to this place. I am sorry this is happening to you.”

Cade’s eyes travelled from Jasmine back to the body on the table. Both of them looking upon Jasmines own face staring lifelessly back at them as her body was being grown from the machines in the room.

Back in her room.....

Jasmine rolled over to her side clutching the pillow tightly to her body. The tears, once started, were hard to stop as she thought of Max and what he was enduring. The pain he must be going through having so many questions and no answers had to be unbearable. She would trade the rest of her life for a single moment with him to hold her so she could explain. Images flashed in her mind, some imaginary, some real, of Max pacing their quarters yelling at her and then holding her. Fighting to bear the reality of her situation, Jasmine focused all her energy on a single thought. Max holding her in bed after they had spent the night together. The way he brushed the hair off her face. The way he stroked her cheek and kissed the tip of her nose just before he said I love you was both painful and comforting at the same time. It was all that she had to hold on to however, until Max arrived to take her home. No matter what Rag or Sarton said, Jasmine knew Max would never stop looking for her, that he would see through their lies.

“Dr. Wynter,” Cade said gently opening the door to her room. “There has been an accident. We need your help.”

No matter the hell she was currently in, Jasmine could not fault Cade for anything. He was just as much a prisoner as she was. “What kind of accident,” she brushed the tears from her cheeks.

“There was an explosion in the arrival station on Mundai. Many people were hurt. We…I need your help,” he said averting his eyes slightly. Jasmine might not be Mundain but she was in a higher social situation than him.

“Get your tiny Hooman butt out of bed and to work, wooman,” Came the voice of Rag from further back in the warehouse. “No breaks today, there is a lot of work to do and very little time.” Behind him, workers began to unceremoniously move the beds of Cades people out of the way as many injured Mundain citizens began to be wheeled into the warehouse. Many of them were not moving.

“Profit,” Rag sneered and looked at Jasmine without a single care for the people that were hurt. “It’s simple. Take the parts you can out of the dead ones and put them in the living ones. The more living ones that leave here, the more we charge for saving them, their medical insurance will cover it and pays for each organ harvested and transplanted. Don’t worry, I have more stasis containers coming for the organs that you can’t use, we aren’t going to waste them. Make sure you record everything and scan the ID cards on them, we charge a funeral service to the families of the dead ones. If any of the living don’t have medical insurance, sedate them and put them into a coma. They can pay off their medical bill by entering our business as growing containers for more organs, it’s a win-win for all really.” Rag’s mood was unusually good today despite the tragedy of the explosion and the crying of the dying. It was clear the man had no concern about their wellbeing in the slightest.

Ignoring anything and everything that Jasmine said, Rag chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Listen wooman, you better get to work. They are waiting for you.” Raising his hand, Rag pointed his finger at a child in one of the beds. The child was crying and smeared in blood, with no sign of his parents anywhere. They were likely among the dead or dying lying in other beds. “You aren’t going to let it die when you can save it, are you Doctor? Do you want that child to suffer?” Rag looked at her, the look on his face smug and confident. It was clear that he expected Jasmine to do her job and clear that he knew she would. He began to walk to the exit and paused beside a body. It was still breathing, but along with the marks of being trampled by the crowd also showed a phaser burn from a weapon discharge that had stunned the person. “Savages,” Rag muttered. “When will they ever learn how to be civilized?” Looking back to Jasmine as he reached the exit, he called out one last time before he left. “Better move those recycled old timers out of the way and make room for the new blood. Nobody likes it when they out stay their welcome.”

Once again Cade’s hand fell upon Jasmine shoulder. “This is the world we live in,” he told her, “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else other than helping these people. I’m here.”

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Ella’s residence
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Jasmine Wynter CMO

Max stepped inside from the balcony and looked at Ella once more, for a while he had been watching the vehicles and sirens as they raced all over the city from the direction of the spaceport, his shirt laid over a chair and his phaser on the table as he worked on cleaning a number of small cuts on his chest and shoulders. Once they had cleared the service exit they had still needed to get through the crowds gates and fences and to the car park next door. The crowd of people hadn’t made that easy, and blows were given and received. “They are thinning out. There aren’t as many sirens now,” he told her and closed the door to the cold air outside.

Pausing in his work, Max picked up a cloth and wetted it, then picked up the sterilizing agent that Ella had in her medical cupboard. Walking over to her, he knelt down beside her as she sat on the chair, a cup of what passed as coffee in front of her and he began to clean the wound on her temple. He was an engineer, not a doctor and his touch was far from gentle or practised. If it had been for a different reason his touch would have been much different, but for this, the rough hands of an engineer would have to do. He was worried, about Jasmine and about what was going on here. “Ella, what happened at the spaceport? Why was there an explosion and why did you not want me to be known to the authorities?” His voice was calm, but it was firm. “Before we got out you mentioned something about me not being from the Authority. What is that?” Max kept working as he spoke, both of them had many small cuts and bruises.

Lt Cmdr Wynter, CE