Allergic Captain

Posted on Sun Sep 3rd, 2023 @ 8:42pm by Captain Bethsabée Leroux & Lieutenant Avira zh'Kenarh M.D. & Petty Officer, 1st Class Christian Tremblay

Mission: Sojurn
Location: Relea
Timeline: Day 340
2129 words - 4.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Beth cautiously made her way down the bustling Main Street of the Relea, her breath forming frosty puffs in the frigid air. Clad in her protective coat and borrowed hat, she marvelled at the otherworldly architecture and vibrant alien inhabitants. The street was lined with structures, their icy facades glinting under the pale light of a foreign sun.

As she strolled, a sense of adventure mingled with the frigid air, and she couldn't help but marvel at the sights around her. “I do not believe that I have ever seen snow so white before,” Beth said to her companions. They were here there to gather the last of the supplies from the market to provide some fresh supplies to what had been harvested from hydroponics.

Christian followed along behind her as they walked. His eyes took in all of the different sights as the market was abuzz with activity. "It certainly makes everything seem brighter ma'am," he offered in response to the captain. He had been sent along with her so that he could determine if any of the supplies would be compatible with the crew. The last thing they wanted to do was take on food that no one would be able to eat.

For the woman who had lived on an island that was sometimes as hot as hell, it was just beautiful. "I lived in the Mediterranean before Earth Starfleet so this is just stunning," Beth commented wiping her glove along the walk away taking it all in. "Though I am sure our Doctor here has seen better stuff."

"Nothing quite like fresh snow, no matter where it has fallen." Avira had spent all of the time she was on the planet torn between awe for the familiar and the painful reminder that she'd probably never set foot in one of the many ice caves of Andor.

"It seems so," Beth said relieved that her boots were keeping a sharp grip on the ground beneath them this time on their walk. It had been painful reminded the previous day of how lax they had become in different environments. The ship had made them far too comfortable in the sameness.

"I don't suppose you've visited the Canadian arctic doctor," Christian asked Avira. He knew that of all the places on Earth, she would at least enjoy the Canadian Arctic.

Avira shook her head a bit, "I've spent most of my time in San Fransisco. It was very warm I recall. There was a survival class in Alaska. It was a nice week out." She remembered her classmates complaining about the survival week in Alaska, but in her experience it was very nice. There was plenty of animals and vegetation, the waters were teeming with fish. She'd almost felt sad when the academy instructors circled back to pick her up, she'd had to leave her hut behind.

“I never liked San Francisco to be honest. The survival aspect was not my favourite.” Beth admitted. “I can speak many languages but the cold was not my friend. I used to suffer iron deficiency so it was a struggle.” Beth would never lie about something like that to make herself feel better about her academy experience.

"If it's any consolation ma'am, my basic Starfleet training was in Auckland. I never liked the climate. I was sweating as soon as I would wake up, though when the instructors let us relax the beaches were nice, but nothing beat home," Christian offered since they were trading war stories. He remembered stepping off the Transport in New Zealand, the tropical setting immediately through his internal thermometer out of whack.

“It is a small consolation Petty Officer.” Beth smiled at the group as they finally reached the location that Beth had been to previously and had seemed fortunate to have the supplies that they were looking for. "Quieter than the other day."

Avira didn't mind it being quiet. She had avoided the heavily packed areas and between exploring the snow dunes and ice floes didn't venture too much into the city. She kept telling herself and others that she was needed close to the ship in case of a medical emergency but Manishie had easily burst that little bubble. "Have you tried any of the local delicacies? I find there's a lot to learn about a culture through their food."

“Me and Michael went to this market actually how I stumbled on this.” Beth admitted. “They do like tapas meals so we had lots of different things to try. Wax enjoyable.” Beth assured quickly pointing to what could be classed as a food court further down. “Should not be long until the stores arrive.” Beth had arranged for them to pick up the supplies via the Minister for agriculture thanks to a conversation with the Princess. It had been fortunate that the Realians were as kind as they were offering so much support to get them back on their feet.

"I know I shouldn't be talking shop, but were we able to procure the medical supplies I requested?" Avira couldn't help but wonder when the topic of 'stores' were brought up. Aside from ready made medication she had also requested whether there were natural remedies they could grow and cultivate on the ship's arboretum or even in her small planter in the medical bay.

“Very much arranged. Crewman Jones lit up when I informed him that there was going to be something different in hydroponics going forward.” Beth said smiling back at Christian before the moment was interrupted by the arrival of the requested stores.

"Yes ma'am, Finn....i mean Crewman Jones...he's very appreciative of your help," Christian said before he turned his attention to the to the Prime Minister.

“This is eveything you requested Captain and we popped a few extra long term provisions in there for your crew as a thank you for all the wonderful things you have brought to our festival.” The prime minster annouced with a fourish as several more crates and pallets were dragged forward for them to set up Pattern enhancer that they were all wearing over there backs.

“We appreciate what you have secured for us Prime Minster.” Beth said gripping the man’s hand tightly.

“Come Come see this delicacy we have packed for you. It is something similar to something in your database called …” he opened the container to show the Captain something that looked similar to cookies that were covered in a white dusting of something. “Biscuits or cookies.”

Avira was intrigued, she'd always had a bit of a sweet tooth and alien delicacies were also something she was more than happy to indulge in. Her antennae angled forward, which was shortly followed by the rest of her body leaning in trying to see what was on offer.

“Oh they look yummy.” Beth said as one was placed in her hand by the prime minister.

“Please have them you are far too skinny for your species.” The Prime minister said passing them around.

Christian took one with a nod and took a bite. As he chewed, he tried to put his finger on what he was tasting. It was sweet but there was something more smooth behind it as well. He glanced around at the group as they all chewed before he swallowed.

Avira didn't need to be told twice, the cookies seemed like small mountains dusted in snow. She looked at it from all sides before taking a bite. The sweetness immediately spread in her mouth, with the crunch blocking out any sounds around her. Her antennae jumped up straight in curiosity and delight.

Beth nodded that they were indeed as delicious as they had looked. For a moment all was well then kie her throat started to tingle and itch. “They taste good.” Beth assured croakily.

When Christian had finished he also nodded in agreement before he swallowed. "They do leave your mouth alittle dry," he said before taking a drink of water from the bottle he carried in his uniform pant leg.

Beth suddenly let out a cough as she took a step back from the group. Something felt wrong her throat and she suddenly felt like she was not able to gasp enough air which showed on her face in panic.

Christian looked over at the captain with alarm. "Captain, are you alright," he asked before he remember his water bottle and removed the top and offered it to her.

The woman shook her head and gasped as she tried to take a deep breath to speak but it did not seem to work. She tried again but it did not seem to help her catch her breath other than let out a wheezy sound.

It took a moment for Avira to be stirred from her reverie of the cookies. She quickly stepped up to the Captain and "Commander, do you have a tingling or itching sensation in your throat?" She reached to grab Beth right below her jaw and wanted to feel if her glands were swelling up. "Does your tongue feel several sizes too big?"

Beth nodded as the Prime Minister looked on in terror that had given something that had such a reaction to a new species and one that was so far travelled.

"She's experiencing anaphylaxis." Out of reflex Avira reached for her hip where all those years in the Guard she had carried her medical pack. Since this was shore-leave and people had insisted that she should let go of her responsibilities she was just grasping at an empty void where the pack would've been. The doctor guided the Captain to a nearby bench and sat her down. She looked over her shoulder towards the rest of the group. "She may go into shock. There's a medical pack in the shuttle with a medkit. Specialist Tremblay, run and get it." Quickly she added; "Do not open it! Bring the whole pack!"

Christian looked at the doctor and nodded before giving one last look at the captain. He'd taken the Starfleet emergency medical training course, so he was familiar with what to do. The shock of seeing his captain in distress though quickened his pace as he turned and dodge onlookers back towards the shuttle. After making the short trip, he threw open the hatch and looked in the nearest footlocker as he desperately searched.

"Come on, where are you," he said in his native Quebecois as he turned to the other footlocker. Finding the kit on top, he grabbed it and lept out, but not before he secured the shuttlepod hatch. He quickly returned to the group and offered the kit to the doctor. "I took the Starfleet emergency medical training course doctor," he said in Standard as his way of offering assistance.

Beth looked up relieved as she could feel every breath becoming more and more laboured as her vision decreased. She knew if she gave in that would be the end of it.

As Avira put the Commander in a more relaxing position she was already scanning around if she could find a sharp enough knife should the medical kit not be brought to them on time. The lips and tongue were already swelling and there was a risk that even with the right medicine the swelling wouldn't go down fast enough. It had been a long time since she had conducted a tracheostomy, even then it was after trauma, not due to an allergic reaction. And on an Andorian no less. All of that was moot when Tremblay returned with the pack.

Popping it open on the ground next to her Avira very meticulously traced the content of the pack with her finger, her antennae strained in concentration. She grabbed the adrenaline auto-injector and prepared it for use. "Now, you're not going to like this, but I have to inject into a large muscle." She started to expose Beth's thigh. "I know it's cold." As soon as she had a good enough patch of skin she pressed the syringe against it, a soft hiss told them it had been injected. The effects would be near instantanious.

Beth had to agreed she very much did not like being helped out of her flight suit and left there in just her vest and shorts but the hiss made her throat relax and her tongue feel not quite as big as he had before.

"We're not out of the woods yet, the adrenaline is short lasting. We need to get you back to sickbay, asap." Avira closed the medpack back down, making a mental note they should restock the adrenaline.

“I know…” Beth gasped out and shook her head. “Let’s go.” She mumbled attempting to tug on her uniform against the freeze.