80213.20
After Get a Charge Out of That
-=Engineering USS Alchemy=-
Rada stepped off the Turbolift to see Ensign Warren Dalca, Dr. Terasha and Lt. SG Avery Breaux all gathered around a collapsed Lair Kellyn. There were also several Engineers all just standing there longing to be able to do something to restore Kellyn to her former self.
Avery had managed to keep Kellyn from going past the point of no return thanks to his medical knowledge but to Rada's untrained eye her body still remained utterly bereft of life.
Breaux and Dalca carefully lifted Kellyn onto an anti-gravity unit, in the absence of transporters this was the quickest way to get her to Sickbay. It was clear there was nothing more that could be done while she was here.
Nurse Miller and an orderly followed the doctor's order to get Kellyn to Sickbay, moving the unit forward.Rada stepped aside so that they could pass. He turned away because he could not stand to see Kellyn like this.
Unfortunately this put his eyes straight onto the overloaded transwarp drive, there was no escaping what had happened. The worst thing by far however was a glance at Dr. Terasha's eyes which Rada realized did not look optimistic.
Dr. Terasha and Ensign Dalca fell into step behind the unit as it was pushed into the Turbolift, with Breaux still in tow.
"I'll come with you," announced Avery.
"Sir, can I speak with you first?" asked Rada.
"Alright," Avery reluctantly agreed. He turned to Dr. Terasha and told her, "You go ahead. I'll catch up with you in a second."
It was clear from Dr. Terasha's lack of acknowledgment that she was far too concerned with her patient to care. The Turbolift door closed and Kellyn was on her way to Sickbay.
"What is it, Ensign?" Breaux asked.
"Sir, you can't go with Kellyn to Sickbay," Rada replied quietly.
"I have to, I could be needed" replied Avery lowering his tone to match Rada's. Something in his voice clearly indicated that he was truly worried about what could happen.
"Sir, you already are needed. Here." explained Rada.
"I have full confidence in this department's ability to handle the repairs without me," replied Avery.
"With all due respect, Sir. This department doesn't need you to be an engineer. It needs you to be a leader. I can tell you're a caring person and I know damn well just how hard it is for you not to be there for your colleague at a time like this, but this crew needs to know that when one of us falls there's always someone there ready to take their place. I could keep this place running in your absence but as the acting Chief Engineer you'll be the one who this department is going to keep looking to for what to do next," explained Rada with determination.
Breaux digested Rada's words. He was most likely right. They all wanted Lair to be fine-he wasn't a damned doctor. Rada had a salient point. 'Well done', Breaux thought.
The Lieutenant reluctantly conceded and tapped his combadge.
"Breaux to Sickbay, be advised that I won't be coming. I am needed down here."
[Understood,] came the reply on the other end.
"I expect to be notified the nanosecond that there's a change in Kellyn's condition." Breaux stated strictly.
[We'll keep you informed, Sickbay out.]Breaux sighed and turned his attention to Mr. Rada. "Thank you...you're right of course..." He then turned around to the Engineering crew.
The crew stood semi-motionless, everyone was shaken by seeing Lair injured right before them. Something happens when one of your own is victimized. It's a watershed moment-you can either slump or rally, dependent on those involved.
Mr. Dengar had been excruciatingly insightful. Breaux's eyes met those of every one of the Engineering crew -they appeared to be waiting for some psychological jump start.
They had tried to return to work as ordered after Dalca had intervened, but in their state of shock most had remained simply frozen at their stations.Avery reached out and put his hand on Rada's shoulder, bringing his slightly nearer to his own position.
"This is damned horrible," Breaux announced "...Kellyn needs us to do our jobs to the best of our ability...once either Mr. Dengar or I have news of her recovery, we'll let you know-in the meantime, let's keep moving forward."
Breaux turned to Rada, "Mr. Rada...if you'll help me recover what we can of the transwarp..."Avery let his words hang in the air...for all to hear...and then the two of them moved toward the damaged console.
Engineering Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
USS Alchemy NX-53099
and
Ensign Rada Dengar
Engineering Officer
USS Serendipity/USS Alchemy