Flashback: The Infirmary

May 16, 2019 3:53 pm
It's been a very stressful time. Ever since the Potential was removed from the Veron negotiations, Cass, as well as Darcy Jr., has spent almost all her time in meetings and conferences. She has just barely managed to put some time aside this afternoon for a different very important matter.

Captain Darcy has spent this entire time in the infirmary of the starbase, recovering from the gas poisoning he had suffered just before this whole matter started. He has been briefed on what has happened but because he was not actually involved in the matter and because his condition is still not completely recovered, he is being spared the meetings.

Cass arrives at the starbase's rather large infirmary and is welcomed by a tall woman with dark hair who introduces herself as Dr. Lambert. She leads Cass into the hospital wing and points her towards Captain Darcy's room. "He's recovering well", she explains while they're walking. "But he still has to rest and take it easy. You have half an hour. I hope that's enough."
She opens the door and allows Cass to enter while she herself stays outside.

The room is lit but the lights are dimmer than in the corridor. Cass immediately sees Darcy lying in a hospital bed. He is reading some book and looks up when he hears her enter.
While he looked almost peaceful and healthy while he was in the stasis tube, he looks much worse now. His face looks old and tired and his skin is sickly pale. His expression is lively, however, and he smiles when he sees Cass.

"Hah, I was worried, you wouldn't show up at all, Commander" His voice sounds almost like it did the last time the two of you spoke but there is just the slightest tremble in it. "Come in, sit down!"
May 16, 2019 4:26 pm
The change in Captain Darcy's appearance is startling, but Cass makes a concerted effort not to show that on her face. She enters the room and sits in a chair next to his bed, smiling. She once again notices no pulling or discomfort at all from the new skin grafts applied by the starbase medical personnel, who had been appalled at the state of her facial injuries. She'd been told that Spacefleet had ordered significant upgrades to the Potential's medbay equipment. "Sorry for the delay, sir. I'd have come sooner, but I've been sentenced to death by endless meetings. How are you feeling?"
May 16, 2019 4:33 pm
"It was your idea to go for command. I warned you. You could have just picked a nice career in Stellar Cartography or Science and you would never have to worry about those meetings because nobody who has the authority to call you into a meeting actually cares about or understands what you're doing." He puts his book to the side and sits up in his bed. "So, I've been told, you've managed to destroy my ship while I was knocked out. How is everyone? How are you?"
May 16, 2019 4:49 pm
"I figured it was the only way to get the Potential into a starbase for some badly-needed upgrades," Cass says breezily, even though she did flinch a little internally at the joke. She shifts to a more serious tone. "The crew's a bit shaken up. Zephyr went through something pretty traumatic. I'm told he's recovering amazingly well. I'm sure you've heard that Marbo went back to his homeworld. Belka is taking over as chief medical officer. We lost one crew member as a result of the attack from the Veron ship the Four. There were various other injuries of various severity, but all in all, we got pretty lucky."

She hesitates a moment, then decides that she's never lied to him before and won't start now. "Cassandra and I had a rough time at first, but she really stepped up and conducted herself admirably. The fact that she did so while she was worried about whether you were going to survive makes it all the more impressive."
May 16, 2019 5:03 pm
Darcy suddenly looks serious. "I heard about Zephyr. It's incredible that he is recovering so well. And for Marbo, he is such a gentle soul. I hope he will feel better soon."
He takes a deep breath, a smile forms on his face. "I always knew that if you and Cassandra were forced to work together like this, you would either jump at each others' throats or start getting along. You two are very similar in a lot of ways. To be honest, I would have thought this would end with one of you aiming a phaser at the other but I'm glad I was wrong."
May 16, 2019 5:07 pm
Cass cocks her head with a smirk. "Well, I can't say the thought didn't occur..." She leans forward. "And don't think I didn't notice that you didn't answer the question, 'how are you feeling?'"
May 16, 2019 5:20 pm
"I'm fine. The doctors say I'll have to spend another month in here, though. Something about microorganisms from the gas settling in my lungs. It's all very gross. It's a good reminder for why the captain is not supposed to go on away missions, though. Next time I will remember."
He looks uncomfortable talking about his condition and quickly attempts to change the topic again. "I hear you're getting some extra shore leave while the Potential is being repaired. Do you already know where you're going?"
May 16, 2019 5:53 pm
"I'm finally going to check out that Tallya Resort on Caspera-13. Most of the bridge crew is going. Apparently, I idly mentioned a desire to lie on a beach during a low point during the Veron thing, and somebody - probably Moira - latched onto it. Should be fun, I guess."
May 16, 2019 6:14 pm
"Caspera-13? I remember when they started working on that star. Commander Loris, I think the man in charge was called. People called him crazy and said it couldn't be done. That was when I was still at the academy I think. It was a big discussion point back then. I might go there myself one day." He sighs and closes his eyes for a second. When he opens them again, they're focused intensely on Cass. "I know why you're here, kid, and you did well. You made mistakes and people got hurt because of them, you included, but in the end, you managed to turn a violent first contact into honest negotiations, which is an incredible achievement. I made the right choice in picking you as my First Officer."
May 16, 2019 6:18 pm
"I'm here because my captain is taking a long vacation in the guise of bed rest," Cass says. Then, less flippantly, "But... thank you. I'm glad you feel that way, sir." Before he can say anything, she says brightly, "So, when can we expect you back on the bridge?"
May 16, 2019 6:30 pm
"As soon as those doctors let me go. I keep telling them I'm fine but you know doctors... It'll be another month, I think. Three weeks if I annoy them enough to kick me out sooner."
There is a knock on the door and the doctor who led you in opens the door slightly. She doesn't speak but her expression tells you that it's getting time to leave.
May 16, 2019 6:35 pm
Cass stands, reluctantly. "I'll try to hold things together until then," she jokes, putting a hand on his shoulder. "If you'll permit me to give you an order for a change, do what the doctors - and the nurses - tell you to do, sir. We need you back in full form."
May 16, 2019 6:47 pm
"Well, I guess you're in charge right now, so I'll do my best" He grins. "Anyway, thanks for checking in, Cassano. Keep up the good work while I'm gone."
You both say your goodbyes and then the doctor leads you back out, letting Darcy rest.
You won't have time to rest though. The next meeting is going to start in less than twenty minutes...

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