Checking in on Brunel
Posted on Sun Jun 2nd, 2024 @ 4:37pm by Lieutenant JG Malcom Beckett M.D. & Ensign Charlotte Dawes & Lieutenant Commander Nash Winters & Lieutenant Eirly Andersen & Lieutenant JG Thivi & Civilian Brunel Winters
1,868 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Helping Brunel
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD 11, 2200 hours, After Brunel's Diagnosis P4
Dr. Beckett did not plan to go home tonight. He was checking on Brunel every hour, while the nurses monitored him even more closely. The computer continued to run more advanced scans. From what he was seeing, he knew he needed to run another set again in 8 hours, maybe nothing would even be noticeable for another 12 or so even, but he didn't want to miss even the slightest of changes one way or the other. What he was seeing mirrored a few conditions he was familiar with, but with the Ataran physiology, and complicated with the genetic mutations, there were so many variables.
Charlotte walked up to Commander Winters before leaving. "My shift is over, but I'll be back in the morning. Can I get you anything before I go?"
“How about a pot of coffee the size of the plasma coolant tanks? No, I’m fine. Thank you for what you’re doing. Sara and I……well, we think the world of that kid and to know he’s getting the best care means a lot.”
"Alright, well don't forget you and Dr. Winters should take care of yourselves too. If Brunel sees you both tired and stressed out, it may worry him," Charlotte said with care and concern in her voice. "Try and have a good night," she added before heading out.
Eirly had been wondering how Brunel was doing, even though she almost inadvertently tried to unalive him through the baking she'd loved so much and was still kind of beside herself. She also wondered how Nash and his family were holding up, if they now had any reservations towards her.
She tapped her commbadge, //^\\Lieutenant Andersen to Lieutenant Commander Winters, respond?//^\\
//^\\Nash here. What can I do for you, Eirly? Everything alright?//^\\
//^\\ I just wanted to check in and see how Brunel was doing, how you and the family were doing after everything that happened //^\\
//^\\He was doing well before he went to bed. We all got to see him for a little bit before he went to bed, he was up and asking for water. Sara and I are a little anxious as to what the future holds. The medical staff has discussed treatment, so we’re hopeful. You should come down and see him tomorrow. I’m sure he would like to see you. And NO ONE blames you. Please don’t feel bad about what happened. The bond between him and Alex is getting stronger by the minute. It’s very beautiful to see. Come and talk in person if you can. We don’t have to do this over comms. //^\\
//^\\I'll be down there soon.//^\\ Eirly responded, standing up from the lounge she was sitting on in her quarters and heading out.
//^\\Take your time. He’s still resting, but I could use the company. Nash out. //^\\
Eirly made her way into the sickbay and greeted both Nash as he outside to the side of Brunel's Brunel's room. She owed Brunel at least that much to be here to see him. "How's he doing?"
Nash was reading a PADD when Eirly entered Sickbay. He held it up and showed her. “Status reports and duty roster. Can’t help myself. To answer your question, he’s not out of the woods, but he’s stable for now. Still more to do in understanding his genetic structure and the mutation that caused his ability to speak….and the reaction he experienced. Time will tell.”
Eirly let out a breath of relief that she didn't realise she'd been holding. To know that he wasn't going to exactly die was always a good thing. Right? The thought still lingered in the back of her mind. "So has he woken up yet and spoken to anyone, asked for anyone?" She started reading through the status report in her hand.
“Before he went to sleep earlier? No, he’s still out. We’re just hoping he pulls out of it soon. He still doesn’t completely understand what’s happened to him. Neither do I, to be honest. Sara is better at that kind of thing. The best we can hope for is that he calls for Sara or myself. I wish we knew more about these Atarans.”
"It's only because they're such a newly discovered species that we don't have any more information on them." Eirly agreed as she handed him back the PADD, "Could Chief Kayto or anyone possibly get some more information on his kind so more tests can be run, and the genetic side of things can be determined so we can prevent more issues like this?" Medical wasn't her strong suit, so she left that up to her family and Malcolm. "I hope he does call for either of you though, so that he has someone here when he wakes up."
“We just want him to know that we’re here for him, that he’s not alone. We’re here his family now, for better, for worse. We have to keep him safe.”
Eirly smiled in reply, "He's a lucky kid then, to have you and your family."
“Goes for us and him. Luck seems to land in the least likely places, Lieutenant.” Nash spotted Dr. Beckett approach them and he nodded in his direction.
Dr. Beckett walked out of his office and spotted Eirly talking with Nash on his way to check on Brunel's vitals. HIs face showed a bit of surprise at seeing her there.
"Eirly! Did ye need something?" He asked.
She walked over and hugged him around the waist, knowing it was unprofessional but not caring because she needed it, before breaking away and saying, "It's my fault he's in here, so I had to come and see how he was doing."
Malcolm gave Eirly a comforting squeeze. As he pulled away, he rested his hands on her shoulders though one handheld a PADD, he made it work. "Now, it's no one's fault that Brunel is ill right now. We're dealing with a genetic condition that was going to rear its ugly head at one point or another. He's just luck that it was here and not with his own kind."
“Thank you, Malcolm. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her all this time. What happened just accelerated what would have been brought to light anyway. That doesn’t really matter at this point. Eirly has been very compassionate and supportive the last couple of days. It’s been…. nice having her around,” Nash said.
"I was just about to go in and check on him right now," Dr. Beckett said. "We're keeping an eye on certain numbers each hour, monitoring for changes."
Eirly nodded in understanding but quirked an eyebrow at the last part of what Nash said, "I know I'm probably just being overly sensitive about the entire situation; I'll get over it eventually." She shrugged her shoulders and then looked to Malcolm, "Are we allowed to see him, even though it's not visiting hours?"
"The nurses tucked him in a bit ago, and we were hoping he'd sleep through the night, but I'm about to walk in and check on a few things. If you want to step inside the door, I think that'd be okay," Malcolm said. "Thivi, if you want to come give me a hand."
“Thanks, Doc. Promise I won’t make any noise. Eirly, want to take a look in on him with me? I know that you’re worried about him, too,” Nash said.
Nash stood in the doorway to Brunel’s room and watched him sleep. Nash looked on and watched his chest rise and fall almost to the rhythm of the monitors flashing in the room.
“He’s so beautiful, isn’t he, Eirly? With the exception of Sara and Alexandra, I’ve never seen anything or anyone as magnificent.”
Eirly looked slightly confused for a moment, failing to see the beauty Nash was seeing, but could understand where he was coming from, so she nodded in agreement and gave a brief sideways glance across to Malcolm, "He's definitely not lacking in the looks department, if that's what you mean, he's going to grow up handsome."
Dr. Beckett left the door open as he and Thivi entered Brunel's room. Sickbay was relatively quiet at this time of night, and in this section, as they had transfered him to the intensive care ward that was away from reception and the triage center. The nurse's aide stood up and handed Thivi a PADD as they entered the room.
"Vitals have been steady," the aide said in a low voice in an attempt to not disturb the sleeping patient.
"Nurse Thivi, give me a level three diagnostic scan, would you please?" Malcolm asked softly.
"Of course." Thivi tapped on the biobed controls and watched as the device scanned the Ataran boy. "He definitely seems steady. Do we have an Ataran doctor on board which might know how to treat him?"
Malcolm shook his head in the negative. "No, I believe our medical technology are going to be his best chances. I'll tell you more later," Dr. Beckett said.
Dr. Beckett collected the data onto a PADD, and walked over to Eirly and Nash. "We'll be checking on these overnight. Nothing to be worried about just being extra cautious."
"I'd be happy to stay here and keep you up to date if anything changes, if you wanted to go spend some time with Sara and Alex, and get some sleep?" Eirly said to Nash before turning to Malcolm, "And I could keep you and Nurse Thivi company too, if you would like?"
“Are you sure? I couldn’t possibly ask you to do that. On the other hand, I need to get some rest and miss my girls. Eirly, your kindness and generosity knows no bounds,” Nash said as he took one her hands in his. “Thanking you is getting to be a habit around here. You’ll let me know if anything changes? We can talk in the morning. Take care of him, Malcom. Good night.”
"Of course, Nash, you'll be the first to know." Eirly nodded. "Now go spend some time with Sara and Alex, and get some sleep."
"Goodnight, Commander Winters. We will call you if there's anything," Beckett promised.
After Nash had left, and Malcolm and Eirly had stepped out of Brunel's room, Malcolm looked at her apologetically. "I dunna ken how much company I'll be. I'm tryin' to do as much research as I can to help the lad."
"I don't mind being here, maybe I can even help out with the research," Eirly offered, hoping to use the small amount of skills she'd learnt from watching her family. "Otherwise, I can at least keep the coffees coming, for everyone here."
Lt. Commander Nash Winters
Chief Engineer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant Eirly Anderson
Assistant Chief Tactical Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant J.G. Malcolm Beckett (& Nurse Dawes)
Medical Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant JG Thivi
Head Nurse
USS Astrea
Brunel Cal-Toren
Civilian, Ataran Refugee
USS Astrea
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