Task Force: Gamma

Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

Qech awoke in sickbay around 0800 hours, long before Yeoman M'Rowl had specifically said she'd arrive to go down to the planet's surface. If there was one thing she knew about M'Rowl, it was that she was, above all else, incredibly punctual. She'd probably arrive to the second. This, at least, gave Qech plenty of time to finish up her report to the Captain, something Dr. Kiv had only agreed to as long as she didn't try to do it all at once. She intended to give the PADD to the Yeoman when she arrived. It was the only way she could make certain that it found its way to the Captain's desk.

He's going to think I'm being stubborn, she thought. But if I weren't being stubborn he'd really think that something was wrong. She smiled at the thought. Wouldn't want to disappoint him.

Putting the finished report aside, Qech moved on to a much more pleasant use of her last moments in sickbay. Dr. Kiv had provided her with a portable comm unit so that she could take advantage of the link that Calodan had set up to her brother's dig site on Alpha Holler II. She had to wait a bit once the link had been established, but without fail, the smiling image of her younger brother, Torin, appeared on the screen. His first words to her:

"Wow. You look like crap."

Davynn blinked. "You're covered in dirt, and you think I look like crap?"

Torin laughed, clearly missing the ever-familiar bickering that came standard with having a sibling. "Dirt is an occupational hazard in my line of work, Davynn."

"Well, looking like crap is an occupational hazard in mine." She smiled. Starfleet did have its rigors. "You've been keeping in touch with mom and dad, right?"

He nodded. ""They're a lot closer than you, after all. I offered to come home when I heard about what happened, but mom told me to stay put." He paused, a sorrowful look crossing his face as he looked at his sister. "I'm really sorry, Davynn. About Taj."

An awkward silence passed between the two of them. For her part, Qech wasn't overly used to such somber and serious discussions with the person she had once referred to as "the obnoxious brat." Torin seemed to be thinking along similar lines, and changed the subject quickly and eloquently....

...Well, as eloquently as was possible for him...

"So... Knocked-up, huh?"

Qech rolled her eyes and sighed. "Wow." She said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You are such a gentlemen..."

The conversation continued as normal, with Torin saying all of the wrong things, and Davynn pretending to be offended. It was a delicate dance that they had become accustomed to, and would not have any other way. When she finally said goodbye to her brother, Qech took a glance at the time and grabbed her report off the table by her bed.

0900 on the dot.
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:12 pm Post subject:

At 0900 on the dot M'Rowl stepped through the doors to Sickbay and made a b-line towards Qech. Lieutenant Ghan's soft snort-snore echoed across the room, forcing a smile from the Caitian. Her smile was still pressed across her feline face as she stepped up to Qech's biobed, her hands clasped behind her back. She wore her Starfleet Uniform, even though their group was heading planetside -- it appeared that M'Rowl's duty never slept.

"Commander, nice to see you're up and about. How are you feeling this morning?"
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"Commander, nice to see you're up and about. How are you feeling this morning?"

Qech nodded toward Dr. Kiv's office. "Well, according to the good Doctor, I'm free to go. Not for good, obviously, I'm still going to have to drop by here every day or so. But at least I'm not confined to a bed anymore."

Slowly she swung her legs over the edge of the biobed, flinching a little as her freshly healed injuries complained. She straightened her back, not quite ready to step down and experience the vertigo that comes with being bedridden, and held the PADD out to M'Rowl.

"Could you see that the Captain gets this, please? When you can. He's not going to be happy that I was working, but... He'll live. There are things in there he needs to be made aware of."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:49 pm Post subject:

"Could you see that the Captain gets this, please? When you can. He's not going to be happy that I was working, but... He'll live. There are things in there he needs to be made aware of."

M'Rowl took the PADD that Qech was offering and nodded, happy to help.

"I'd be happy to do that, Commander. I swear that there are times he needs to be shaken up just a little... you would know I suppose. Did you need my help getting to the shuttle or do you want to head down there while I deliver this to the Captain?"

Doctor Kiv stepped out of her office and approached the other women, medkit in hand. The look on her face spoke volumes about her current thoughts.

"I'll have one of the nurses escort the Commander down to the launch bay, Yeomen... I'm still a little worried about this trip you're taking, but a little fresh air may do you some good."

She took out a round metallic device from her kit, as well as a tricorder and began to calibrate it. From Qech's medical training she knew it was a cortical probe. The Doctor's eyes were focused on the device as she continued to speak.

"Having said that, Commander-Doctor, I'm sure you'll understand my trepidation as well as my desire to monitor you. If I can't do so myself then I'll just have to do the next best thing. This probe will monitor your life signs while you're on the surface. If anything happens we'll know right away and I'll have Chief Blair beam you back to the ship immediately. Understood?"
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"Having said that, Commander-Doctor, I'm sure you'll understand my trepidation as well as my desire to monitor you. If I can't do so myself then I'll just have to do the next best thing. This probe will monitor your life signs while you're on the surface. If anything happens we'll know right away and I'll have Chief Blair beam you back to the ship immediately. Understood?"

Qech eyed the device for just a moment, and nodded slowly, allowing the Doctor to apply it. She understood Dr. Kiv's reasonable paranoia; she was reminded of her reasons every time she moved, after all. And she didn't want to chance anything that might put her baby at risk, so, cortical probe it would be.

Slowly, she placed her bare feet on the floor and straightened her back. It felt good to be out of bed, even if the room was spinning. She'd get used to that. Just a few minutes...

Despite the buzzing in her head, Qech had a smile on her face. She looked forward to feeling the sun on her face again, a real sun this time. With a slight wobble, she turned to Yeoman M'Rowl. "I just need to stop by my quarters and change. I'm not sure I'm too keen on the idea of walking around on the planet in a medical gown. Wouldn't want to scare the locals." She grinned. "I'll meet you at the launch bay. I'm sure Lt. Calodan will beat us there."

As promised, Qech was joined at the door by a nurse who offered her a welcome arm on her way to the Officer's quarters.
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:18 pm Post subject:

Calodan was in Shuttlebay 1, prepping Shuttlepod Kent for their trip to the surface. He had had the Chef prepare a picnic lunch, including some favorites for all three of them and some lighter foods for Commander Qech just in case. He had chosen a nice meadowed area to set down on, with some trees and shade to break it up.

"Now where are the ladies?" He mused aloud to no one in particular as he heard the doors open.
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

Qech laughed to herself when she saw Lt. Calodan already in the launch bay, waiting and ready to go. Predictable. A smile passed over her face when she considered just how well she seemed to know him already.

The nurse who had escorted her there was watching her closely, almost as if she feared the First Officer may explode at any minute. At this point, Davynn didn't care... Well, maybe a little. She was being followed a little too close for comfort at times.

Qech was halfway to the shuttle when she heard the doors open behind her, and turned to see Yeoman M'Rowl stroll briskly through the entryway.

Looks like our party is complete.

When the nurse finally seemed satisfied that she was in good hands, Qech thanked her and bid her farewell before approaching Calodan.

"I checked the weather while I was in my quarters. Couldn't ask for a better day."
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:41 pm Post subject:

"24 Degrees Celcius and as sunny as it can get. I asked Chef to pack us a bit of a picnic. He said there is a surprise in there for you Commander." He handed Commander Qech a padd with their flight plans on it. "I picked out a nice meadow to set down in that is a bit out from the main city in the area. The Myosian liason said it was a great place to have a picnic and relax in some sun."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:58 pm Post subject:

The Caitian Yeomen smiled as she stepped into earshot just as the Lieutenant had finished speaking. somewhere along the way she had changed from her uniform into something more suitable for planetside travel, a light wrap suited for her feline form.

"That sounds quite lovely, I look forward to setting down!"

M'Rowl stopped outside of the shuttlepod and looked to each of her companions intently.

"At the risk of sounding insubordinate, we shouldn't keep all of that fresh air waiting, Sirs, let's get moving."
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:04 pm Post subject:

"No sir here, Jim or Arjim. I'm off duty." He helped Qech into the shuttlepod, even though she tried to wave him off and then settled into the pilot's seat of the small craft. "As soon as you're ready Commander, I'll signal for approval to depart."
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"He said there is a surprise in there for you Commander."

Qech laughed out loud. "Oh no. Tell me he hasn't gotten my favorite foods down already. I'd hate to think I eat that often." She shook her head. "I swear, ever since it became common knowledge that I'm pregnant, he's been using every opportunity to shove food in my face. Okay, so I'm eating for three. That doesn't make me his new taste-tester... Although when it came to the double-fudge brownies, I didn't mind so much."

"At the risk of sounding insubordinate, we shouldn't keep all of that fresh air waiting, Sirs, let's get moving."

With a slight chuckle she carefully boarded the shuttlecraft, careful to take it easy on her feet. The vertigo hadn't quite wore off yet, and she was still very sore from her treatments. "Sounds good to me. Let's get this bird in the air."
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:11 pm Post subject:

Checking one last time that everyone was strapped in, Calodan signaled to his replacement at Ops (that stung, to have some young Ensign manning his post) their intention to leave and received the green light. He lifted off and escaped the protection of the Hartington into the blackness of space. After a quick descent through the atmosphere, unmarred by all but the most minor or turbulence, the Kent set down on the surface of Myosia. He ran a quick shutdown sequence and opened the hatch.

The air in the shuttlepod was filled with a smell of fresh grass and wildflowers and a pleasant warmth that can only be achieved in a non-artificially created environment. "After you ladies, our shore leave awaits."
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

Qech breathed in the sweet air as the hatches opened, immediately feeling the warm wind on her skin. It was enough to make her want to leap out of her seat... Thankfully she wasn't quite that dumb. She undid her restraints and stood slowly, making her way down the ramp. The sun felt so good on her face that she had to close her eyes for a moment and take it all in. Compared to heaven, this place could be paradise... Compared to the hospitality of the Tal'Harton, it was pure rapture.

"I've got to hand it to you, Jim. This is one hell of a spot."
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:22 pm Post subject:

Calodan filled his lungs with the warm fresh air. "That it is. It's nice to be outside. No matter how long you spend on a ship, some primal part of you always wants for real sunshine and fresh air." He reached into the back of the pod and pulled out several folding chairs and blankets...general recreation gear.

"Dr. Kiv made me promise that I would make you rest, so if you feel the least bit tired, there is a chair. Other then that, I plan to find a nice quiet spot for a while and read a book and soak up this sunlight. If either of you two need me, I'll be in commrange. If not, I'll be back for lunch" After flashing a smile, he tucked his book under his arm, a real one with pages and a leather binding, and struck off in the first direction that struck his fancy. Making it just out of sight of the shuttlepod, he settled down on the ground and lay back, watching the skies. His thoughts were not of his book, but of other worlds and other skies...world's that no longer had people to look up at their skies.
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

Qech watched him go, a saddened expression on her face. She looked to M'Rowl with concern. "He feels guilty to enjoy himself." She sighed heavily. "I wish there was something I could say, something I could do."

She sat down on the cool grass, ignoring the chair for the time being, and looked out over the field. "We're losing too many people, M'Rowl. I just hope this shore leave does them some good."

With a heavy sigh, and a slight flinch of pain (however well disguised) she leaned back against the tree, letting her hand rest absently on her abdomen. Despite the heavy burdens that weighed on her, she felt a deep desire to help her friend. She just wished she knew how.
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