Informing The Crew Part 2

Posted on Thu Jul 7th, 2022 @ 11:50am by Captain Bethsabée Leroux & Captain Stenn & Lieutenant JG Ethal Reade

Mission: Mission 6 - Memory
Location: Science Labs
Timeline: Day 300 21:15
1214 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Beth walked into the science lab and saw the person she was looking for still organising as she had been earlier before Beth had used the location for a meeting. “Sorry to interrupt again. This looks worse than it is I’m okay I’m just looking for your medical kit.” Beth explained quickly as she attempted to open up the medical kit to stem the bleeding that was leaking through the tissue and sleeve she was using to stem it. “I am here to talk to you… something… dammit. Little help.” Beth said holding up the medical kit that she could not open one handed.

Stenn patiently took the med-kit from Leroux, and put it down on a bench, he gestured for her to sit at one of the lab stools and opening the kit retrived some gauze and a blood clotting agent. Adding a small amount of the agent to the gauze he gestured for Leroux to raise her chin, then handed her the gauze to hold in position on her nose. He took the soiled tissue from her and disposed of it. "Give it a moment for the agent to work Captain and you should be able to remove the gauze"

He turned to Reade. "The Captain is here to infrom you that the Executive Officer, Lieutenant Leyton, has been found dead in Engineering. There is a concern that her death was not accidental or natural" He announced without emotion.

Beth opened her mouth twice in stunned silence as the man just put it out there without any prefacing or lead in. She shook her head finally looking to Ethal. “Starboard nacelle.” Beth corrected before any assuming could start about it being a engineer. “But yes Lieutenant Leyton has been found deceased.” Beth said slightly lighter in tone as she held the gauge against her nose.

Ethal had Put down what she was doing to listen to what both Beth and Stenn had to say, although it was a bit out of the blue, there was a lot going on at the moment so she was sure it was important. Ethal was quite worried about Beth's nose bleeding, since the meal it has seemed to continue with no signs of stopping. When Stenn came out with the news, she looked at him in disbelief. She went to reply but no words came out. She bit her lip as she tried to gather her words. "I apologise, I'm not sure how to respond. Is there any way I can help?"

“Yes, it was informed to you a bit abruptly,” Beth commented with a small glance to the man before she carried on. “Other than answer the questions when asked by Gethard correctly and make sure that nothing in the labs is going to cause issues with our extra crew to observe them. I am about to lock down the ship and return any non duty crew to quarters.” Beth admitted.

"It's not that, I just.. don't really know how to respond to death.." She looked a little sheepish at the fact she may sound crazy at this moment. "But I'm happy to answer any questions about my whereabouts and luckily there are no dangerous experiments happening in here at the moment so we should be all good." She did not respond to the announcement of lockdown. Confined to quarters was not for her she would much prefer to be confined to the labs as she would come here and work on things whether she was on duty or off.

Beth looked at the woman and moved to the communication array and clicked it on. It was not a long announcement but it gave enough information that Beth could hear someone in the next lab exclaim to whoever was there that it was an odd request. It was not something she did likely but quarantining everyone and getting some answers would be easier than tracking them down. It also limited evidence if there was any this long after the potential event.

"Where to next captain?" Stenn asked

"Lots of places," Beth said as she turned back to look at the Vulcan who had decided to be her personal bodyguard almost. Beth had no issue with that but she did not want to take him from anything he needed to do. "Are you sure you have the time to follow me? I can easily just take a gun." Beth said offering a smirk as she glanced around the science space again. it was not somewhere she came often but she knew that the previous Department Heads had all worked hard so it would be interesting to see what Reade did with the options available.

"My schedule is free for the evening Captain" Stenn replied dryly. He had learned Humans often resorted to humor during times of stress, it seemed a curious reaction but then much of what they did was sometimes curious."Although I do not believe we have any weapons which propell projectiles by explosive force aboard. Would you like me to draw you a phase pistol from the Armoury?"

"I have been offered a phase pistol already from Gerhard. I have turned it down in favour of not alarming the crew yet but if I do change my mind I will let you know." Beth assured trying to keep her amusement in check at the polite correction over her phrasing.

"Very good Captain" Stenn nodded

"Lieutenant Reade I will let Leiutentant Gerhard know that you are heading to your quarters as soon as you have left here," Beth said by way of goodbye as she moved into the corridor chucking away the items that she had been using to stop her nose bleed in the biological waste bin. She let several crewmen pass them by before "Captain question for you? Do we still seem to be telepathically connected?" She had not slept much since the experience ended in darkness so she was not sure if it was fading or not.

Stenn concentrated his thoughts and reached out ~Captain?~

Beth stared at the man intently. Normally it would have been rude to just stare at someone especially their lips for anyone else other than the Former Communication Chief but it was how she learn languages other than listening. She heard his voice but saw no lip moment. "Still got that connection." She said wishing it was more than a one way street whilst awake.

~It would appear so~ he thought back ~It is perhaps not quite as clear as before, but certainly we have contact. It was strongest when all of us who used the plinths were linked. I do not belive Vulcans have encountered this kind of telepathic link before. It will be interesting to see if it persists or fades in time ~

"Where to next Captain?" He asked in speech as they arrived at a lift.

“Bridge.” Beth said simply. It was where she was needed until she finally got some answers and some sleep. She had to be at the head of the ship to offer some balance and normality for those on duty. But also so that the crew knew she was in control of the situation to the best of her abilities.