Umbri was admittedly caught off guard when they heard Kastarak’s plea. They didn’t expect that much emotion to come from him. But knowing that their brain and emotions were likely scrambled due to the head trauma, it made sense. Seeing that Kastarak was obviously in a lot of pain, Umbri took one of his hands in theirs and started rubbing small circles into it. “Don’t worry, Kastarak. I’m not going anywhere,” they said.

Lieutenant (j.g.) Umbri Zayne, Weapons Officer

Kastarak felt at peace hearing Umbri say they’re not going anywhere. All would be well. He closed his eyes, felt an urge to sleep, but remembered both Umbri’s plea with him, and some of his medical training, that he should absolutely not lose consciousness now. Even if sleep felt like a sweet release from the pain.

He had never experienced anything like this. Not even when he did martial arts. He had always been careful practising how to fall safely, and he ensured always to protect his head and vital organs.

“That you stay,” he said, and moaned quietly for a second, “brings peace to me.”

By that, Nurse Sutalo and Dr K’Laff (a Caitian crewmember – not a commissioned officer, apparently she is on an exchange mission from her home hospital) came running.

“Okay, boss,” said Sutalo, kneeling in front of Kastarak on the floor. “We’ve got you. Dr K’Laff and I are just gonna scan you a bit, and then we’ll take you to Sickbay.”

Sutalo turned to Umbri.

“Lieutenant Zayne, I presume? We spoke over the intercom. Would you help us lifting Kastarak up the stretcher?”

It was an anti-gravitation stretcher, so it sort of bounced off gravity, seemingly floating in the air once applied. But now it was offline, lying on the floor. They still needed to get Kastarak to it. He was not a lightweight, almost 100 kg and 2 metres. Sutalo was not a strong man, and Dr K’Laff was, according to her own words, tiny. It’d be a struggle. A third set of hands and arms would be helpful.

– Ensigns Kastarak and Sutalo, physician-patient and nurse-attendee respectively, with a cameo from Dr K’Laff.

Umbri nodded, standing up. “Where do you need me to lift?” they asked.

Lieutenant (j.g.) Umbri Zayne, Weapons Officer

After Umbri had helped Kastarak up on the stretcher, and the doctor and nurse took Kastarak away back to Sickbay, they examine him. Kastarak suffered a mild concussion, some bruises, and was off duty for two days. Nurse Sutalo forced him to promise never to put on the simulator goggles while on the treadmill. That was a strange experience, he had never seen Sutalo angry and sad at the same time before. Apparently, Sutalo valued Kastarak emotionally. For Kastarak, that seemed odd, but, after some reflexion, he interpreted the emotional display as a way for Sutalo to honour Kastarak. It was a curious way of showing honour, but all cultures have different rules for all kind of exchanges.

During his recovery, he thought of what had transpired, of how bad the situation could have become had not Umbri been there at the right time. What if no one had been there? While logically, he was sure he would have survived, with maybe some added complications, there was a small thought in the back of his head (using an Earth metaphor) that it could have been injurious or life threatening.

– Kastarak