Episode 216: Losses and Gains

Part 1. - Part 2

Present: Maer, Andy, Bobby, Jay, and Tony
Air Date: 17 Nov 2009

Wednesday, 26 Jun 2520
Tohoku class IAV Trafalgar
Somewhere in the Black
05:30 hrs, ships time

Stretched out on the floor of the Trafalgar's tram are Nika, Jake and Rick, bathed in pools of blood. Rina, Joshua and Arden also not unscathed, only Lem is unscathed, physically at least huddling in the corner. The waking crew, Rina, and Arden are frantically trying to keep the others alive, Joshua is watching Arden's technique with intense curiosity. Arden labors breathlessly trying to save the lives of his crewmates. Using standard triage, Arden ascertains that Jake may be beyond help, Nika and Rick could probably be saved.

With the hospital stop seconds away, Arden decides to focus his efforts on a last ditch effort to save Jake.

The tram opens to a fairly staid looking emergency where most of the people are either holding boxes or carrying equipment, clearly in the process of shutting down the facility. When the door opens revealing the bloody scene the medical teams stop and stare in disbelief for a second before springing into action.

Rina: Medic!

As the medics rush to check on the wounded crew, and haul them into the ER, Rina, Joshua and Arden follow them in. Only as the noise level reaches a plateau of shouting and bustling of equipment does Rina notice her comm-badge chirping.

Christian: Hey guys, why isn't anyone on the ship?
Rina: We're a little bit busy at the moment, we are in the medbay. We took some casualties.. anyway sit tight, I'll tell you more later.
Christian: Wait a minute! Did you take some damage or do you have casualties?!
Rina: It's a little iffy right now, talk to me later.
Christian: Crap.

Back at Summer's Gift Christian does a quick survey of the cargo crew loading the ship and decides that they can handle it without his presence. He signs off on the bill of lading and makes for the Med-bay looking for his crewmates.

Back in the ER, the room is abuzz with doctors, nurses and orderlies pushing moving boxes out of the way, laying fresh paper on the ER room beds, and prepping the injured for surgery.

Rina leads Lem to a small washroom off the ER and washes her hands of the thick blood - her clothes, hair and hands are saturated beyond measure, but she does her best to get her hands free enough of the blood to be of use. Then, with a little awkwardness at the intimacy she tries to wipe the blood from Lem's face and hands. His shoes are sopping with blood, he must have standing in a puddle of it on the tram. She coaxes him out of them and drops them into a waste basket. A nurse comes by and tries to urge her into another ER room.

Joshua scans the room for someone in charge, someone coordinating the operation, but finds them all without order or direction. Apparently they were not anticipating another emergency before packing up.

Joshua and Arden do their best to direct the staff into operation and deflect any questions about the cause of all this mayhem. Looking around, there are two ER doctors, but Arden is the only surgeon on deck. The three doctors divide up their patients with Arden continuing to try to save Jake and the other doctors working on Nika and Rick.

Rina finds herself cradling Lem when Christian, en route in the massive cruiser, calls back.

Christian: Just tell me one thing. Lem?
Rina: He's fine.
Christian: I'm coming down, somehow, as soon as I find it, this place is huge.

Trafalgar is indeed huge, it has two hospital sections, one military, one civilian. The massive civilian hospital stretches across several decks of the ship, they happen to be in one of those being decommissioned near the bottom decks.

Jake is dying, and there is little that seems can be done. Arden keeps bringing him back to the edge, Jake keeps sliding back into oblivion. After twice resuscitating him, Arden can't keep his heart rate going, and blood is simply moving too fast from his body. His body is getting cold on the ER gurney as Arden continues his ministrations. Eventually, Arden realizes that it is hopeless, and with cool calculation, he just pulls off his gloves, dons another pair, and moves to Nika to assist the doctor where he can.

The overwhelmed ER doctor facing Nikas deteriorating condition, sees Arden looming over the patient, and cedes control of the operation, sensing Arden's superior skills. Arden starts to dip his hands into the wound, and stops. He looks around and notices that the antibiotic drip is one that Nika is allergic too. He utters a single command.

Arden: Stop!

The nurses and other doctor seem perplexed.

Arden: Remove the AB drip, switch to 5cc of Lincomycin. Give me a saline spray over the wounds and lets start this again.

As soon as he speaks, the ER unit begins to work anew. Operating quickly and efficiently, they begin to clean wounds, mend ripped veins, and suture the many nasty cuts inflicted by the Reavers.

Meanwhile, the strange Joshua stands observing the third doctor administering to Rick. After about five minutes Joshua begins to nod and follow the movements with his hands, ten minutes later, he is anticipating the next moves. After fifteen the doctor looks haggard and tired, he looks up for someone to step in and either take over or assist. But with no surgeon on call, and the other two working feverishly on Nika, there is no one in sight. With too many clamps embedded in Rick's abdomen to handle he enlists Joshua to hold one. A nurse questions his calling on a civilian.

As if awoken from an trance, Joshua steps into the position and expertly takes hold of the clamps. He deftly pulls them gently aside exposing a severed artery to the doctor. He assists ably; in fact, about half way through the surgery the attending doctor slips up and doesn't notice that he sliced through an artery. Joshua grabs another clamp from the table and slaps it on the vessel saving Rick from a likely death.

The staff, including the doctor look at Joshua with amazement.

Nurse: Are you the new head of surgery?
Joshua: No, just work!

While this is going on, Christian eventually shows up and rushes to Rina and Lem and demands to know what has happened. Christian looks around for the rest of the crew. He spots Arden working on someone. He sees the station's doctors working on another, and a body with a bloody sheet pulled over it.

Christian: What is going on?
Rina:(quietly) Reavers.
Christian: Okay… one place, I want to go one place, one place in this entire 'verse where the Reavers don't come!
Christian: So wait a minute.. The Reavers….<he stops to think> this place is so big probably no one even knew about it, until...
Rina: Let me sum up. We found a deserted med bed scanner for Lem. Unfortunately someone else had designs on it. For some sort of secret op involving Reavers. They didn't know we were there, but we were discovered.
Christian: Wait, wait, we go to the med bay to get Lem scanned. One med bay in the entire 'verse where they could possibly bring Reavers to scan them, and it is there, When we are there.
Rina: Yeah.
Christian: My God!

He turns pointing at Rina.

Rina: Christian…
Christian: It's your fault!
Rina: My fault? How is it my fault?
Christian: I don't know… your paranoia, it attracts trouble. You're paranoid, so they really are out to get us.

He turns away shaking his head and looks back to the ERs where the rest of his crew is either working, or being worked on.

Christian: How bad is it?
Rina: Jake's dead… Nika and Rick are still with us.
Christian: So far.
Rina: Think positive.
Christian: I am thinking positive. Arden's there.

Rina points to the medical computers displaying vitals.

Rina: How many red lights do you see over there?
Christian: You're okay?
Rina: Yeah.
Christian: Why don't you take Lem back to the ship? He should not be here. I'll stay here and see what I can do, just in case they start to ask questions.
Rina: Stay in touch.
Christian: I will, just out of curiosity, because I want to know how badly screwed we are… who was looking at the Reavers?
Rina: There's a gentleman in that operating room.
Christian: Do we know who he is working for?
Rina: At this point…. I don't know.
Christian: Got it, Reavers. They were stupid enough to capture a Reaver and try to read its brainwaves.
Rina: I don't know, we didn't have a lot of time to ask questions.
Christian: (waving it off) I don't care, I don't care. All that matters is getting people back to the ship. Lem is going back, he doesn't need to see any more of this. Besides, it's past his bed time. A cargo will have already been loaded. A lot of files.
Rina: Do I need to prep for a quick launch?
Christian: No, we aren't being paid for speed, we just need to get it there to Angel. I will sit here and see what I can do.
Rina: Come on Lem, it's bedtime.

Rina returns with Lem to Summer's Gift, the doctors manage to save Nika and Rick. Rick is briefly conscious, long enough to know he is okay and to cradle a small package he had carried with him from the battle. As they cleaned up after the surgery one of the doctors turns to the Arden and Joshua and asks.

Doctor: So who are you? What happened here?
Joshua: Classified.
Doctor: Classified doctors?
Joshua: No, not classified doctors, the incident is classified.
Doctor: Uh…

The doctor seems uncertain about this.

Christian approaches the doctors.

Christian: Sometimes its better not to ask questions. If you don't ask questions, if you don't know…
Doctor: Well, we are going to have to file a report on the incident. And these patients are going to need to be hospitalized for weeks, given what has happened.

Christian: (ignoring the doctor and turning to Joshua) What happened?
Joshua: That is a long story, but...
Christian: Short.
Joshua: If you want to know...
Arden: We got attacked by bad things.
Joshua: Best laid plans, humped by Rebels.
Christian: So, apparently some Independents got on board the ship, there was an op, they were taken care of. Some people were hurt one killed. Once they are stabilized, we'll be transferring them to a civilian hospital to get them out of your hair.

The chief nurse is looking skeptical at all this. Something smells wrong. Christian senses her feelings and goes to persuade her. He smiles and turns on the charm. He works his magic and convinces her that she doesn't need to worry about this. Still she seems to be pretty dedicated to her job, and needs to be confident that she is doing her job. Christian changes tactics, and works to make it right.

Nurse: (resigned) All I need is the basic information, names, conditions, cause of injuries, kinds of injuries, treatments, etc...
Christian: I'll give you everything you need.

The screen fades to black as Christian and the Head Nurse walk into her office. The camera turns to reveal the rest of the crew present in the ER. A woman in a crisp uniform enters the Triage area holding a clipboard and looking like she means business.

Woman: Who's in charge here?
Joshua: (still wearing a Commander's Uniform, though this one partially covered in blood. ) That would be me.
Woman: Ah, Commander...
Joshua: Wise.
Woman: Commander Wise.. .hmm I don't see you on the crew roster, are you with another ship?
Joshua: Yes.
Woman: The name's Gates, I am with NCIS… I am investigating an incident which appears to be contemporaneous with your emergency here. Can you tall me what happened here?
Joshua: I didn't technically see what happened myself. I was not in direct sight of the incident.
Gates: Start with what you were told, then we'll get to what you saw.
Joshua: They were working on some piece of machinery. We were emptying out a medical bay, number 14C.

The NCIS officer looks at Joshua and seems dubious. SHe motions him over to one of the operating rooms.

Gates: Come here a minute.

She walks in and puts a datebook on the table. There is a gory image of a half dozen marines lying in a heap, blood streaming from their eyes, noses, mouths, and presumably, other orifices. Some of them also have wounds form hand weapons as well. "We've had an emergency report, and found quite a few bodies." She touches the pad revealing an image of the dead Reavers. "Some have gunshot wounds and other wounds as well, some appear to have sonic damage although we couldn't find any sonic weapons on the scene. This is the incident I am investigating. You were in this area? "

Joshua: I didn't want to talk in public about this, but….
Gates: These appear to be Reavers.
Joshua: They are, in fact, Reavers.
Gates: (whispering) How did Reavers get on the ship?
Joshua: They were being transferred.
Gates: You should probably give me your Ident. And then we might not have anything else to say, right?
Joshua: That's probably about right.

Gates scans Joshua's Ident card, glances down at the clearance and seems content with the results. She looks as though she s running through the various facts in her head. Then she appears to come to some resolution.

Gates: Okay, so you want me to make this go away?
Joshua: That would probably be a good idea.
Gates: Alright. You're probably going to have to talk to Captain Linder about this, but as I understand it, I'm not to investigate this any further.
Joshua: You are absolutely 100% correct.
Gates: Do you have your own cleanup personnel, because I can't make this disappear entirely on my own. If I put my people on it, it's going to show up in the records.
Joshua: We do.
Gates: Alright. I'll seal off that section. But...
Joshua: Discretion is appreciated.
Gates: Alright, I've talked to you, I've got your Ident, if I don't hear from the Captain, I'll assume this is a closed case.

She is clearly not thrilled with the situation, it runs contrary to her training and mission, but she knows how things work. She starts to look around at the carnage and as she turns off her datebook, she asks. "do I want to know what's going to happen to these people." She says gesturing to Rick and Nika. "I mean you can't just…"

Joshua: Do you really want to know? Will you sleep better at night if you know? I'm thinking you probably won't.
Gates: (mumbling under her breath) I don't know how you sleep…

And with that she storms out of the ER. Shortly thereafter, Christian exits the head nurse's office with a confident smile that his mission was accomplished there as well.

Arden: We need to get moving.

The rest agree, and figure that Joshua can write the transfer orders moving Rick and Nika out of the hospital.

Christian: Three of us, two of them. (pointing to Rick and Nika)
Arden: Should we take Jake's body?
Christian: We should put Jake in cold sleep to return him to his family.

Even still the idea that Jake is dead hasn't really set in.

Arden: (correcting him) Return his body.

Christian looks at Arden puzzled for a second, then stammers: "Yes, that's what I meant."

As Joshua forges signature to effect the transfer, Arden turns to him.

Arden: Just out of curiosity. Why are you helping us?
Joshua (a little taken off guard): Why, who?
Arden: Not that I'm complaining. I appreciate what you've done.
Joshua: I need a ride out.
Arden: Absolutely.

Arden seems satisfied in his classic no nonsense way. Christian watches Joshua intently, trying to make sense of this stranger's behavior. A career officer appears to be abandoning his ship and station, betraying the navy and fleeing with them.

Arden sneaks a couple of boxes of medical supplies under the gurneys. The crew maneuvers the gurneys into the tram, and takes it back to the loading dock where the Summer's Gift awaits.

Back on the ship, Rina keeps watch on Lem. He has retreated to the engine room and leans against the bulkhead for comfort. Rina understands it, but it still seems odd coming from a child. Lem's fingers appear to trace the circuitry behind the bulkheads. Rina isn't sure if it's true, or just her mind working in overdrive. She begins to feel her own energy reserves bottoming out.

Rina: Look, sometimes bad things happen, but you're okay.

Lem just looks away and continues to caress the engines.

A call comes from Arden telling her that they are on the way, and asking her to get the ship ready to go. Cargo is not yet loaded, the passengers are waiting to board, but the ship is fueled and stocked.

Rina: Lem, there's some things I need to do.

She hands him a grease pencil. "When I come back I want to see the power train traced out, with the relays. Wait here."

Rina heads out to check on the passengers and cargo. Looking out at the Exit Lounge, she sees several men in black pants, white shirts and 'festive' ties. They are accountants, and they look quite intoxicated. Rina summons them via comms, and they seem in good spirits. They grab their gear and start for the ship. They board the ship and drop their bags in front of Rina who seems nonplussed at the very idea. Rina instructs them to head for their berths in second class, and checks them off as they enter.

--

As they head for the hanger bay, Christian engages Joshua.

Christian: I'm curious, why don't you have your own ride off?
Joshua: I'm pretty sure I've pissed off my only ride off. And Janitorial Services has already been through here, they'll be even more pissed off if they have to make a stop here to clean me off.
Arden: I would have thought the janitorial services would have gotten rid of what the investigator took pictures of, before she took pictures of it.

Joshua attempts to explain his role and how little he knows about the full operation. They seem to expect that he is control or command, but he assures them that this is not the case.

As Rina is letting the passengers on board, she spots the blond Blue Hand woman watching the ship. She is entering something into a datebook. Rina looks about nervously and ushers the passengers in quickly shutting the airlock behind her. They bumble their way up the ship, clumsily trying to flirt with Rina and getting nowhere. Part way along they confess to their plight of being stuck on a planet with Sharia law and no chance of alcohol, women or any other sort of fun. This is going to be their 'last blast!' They are in no hurry to get there. At least they've paid up front. Rina orders them to strap in to the jump seats in the lounge, then lets them continue to drink in their harnesses. At least they won't be hurt falling down.

Rina then calls the crew and lets them know the passengers are aboard. She then warns them that "Blondie's back, and she's watching the ship."

Christian: Rick, I've got some good news for you. You might have final chance to get killed by your girlfriend before we get off the station. I've heard the sympathy ploy really works it the serial killers.
Rick: She's not a serial killer.
Christian: Why did no one mention, that THEY were involved too?
Arden: I thought it was obvious.

And he gestures to the little bits of dried blood caked to his ears. Christian looks it over and recognizes the tell tale sign of that strange sonic weapon used by the Blue Hand agents.

Christian: (to Joshua) Are the people looking for you people that wear blue gloves?
Joshua: Yes. They're Janitorial Services.
Christian: So they will be looking for specifically for you as well as you. (turning to Arden)
Arden: Why me?
Christian: You think they are done with you after the last time?

The crew enters the lobby, Joshua and Arden spot the Blue Hand Agent, she also spots them. Rick, stuck in the gurney and so unable to get a clear line of sight keeps asking, "Do you see her, do you see her?" She starts striding towards the crew with a serene confidence of someone who is rarely challenged and the crowd parts to let her go as if sensing this. The crew nervously plows ahead pushing their cargos towards the Summer's Gift open cargo container. It seems so close and yet so far away. The agent alters her course to intercept the crew and gets in between the ship and the crew.

Christian: Hello. Can we do something for you?
Hand of Blue: No one wants more bloodshed than necessary.
Arden: We just want to get on our ship.
Hand of Blue: Your ship won't get far. (casually)
Christian: Because?
Hand of Blue: It will be shot down, before it goes to pulse. You can get on it, if you wish.
Arden: Why would it be shot down?
Hand of Blue: Because I will order it shot down.
Arden: You who brought Reavers aboard a ship this size?
Hand of Blue: That's me. I will order your ship destroyed.
Christian: What do you want? Please.
Hand of Blue: There is a camera, that took some footage.
Christian: Who has the camera?
Arden: Jake died trying to get that camera. As far as I know it is still on the deck near the MedLab.
Hand of Blue: It was not on the floor.
Arden: It was, I saw it.

She walks over closer to Rick's gurney.

Christian: Rick, if you have the camera, hand it over. Do you have the camera?
Rick: I may have the camera. Maybe I can't remember with all the injuries. But if I did, I would exchange it for naked pictures of you. (leering)

The agent's face betrays a small smile at Rick's impertinence. Regaining her composure the agent turns to the crew.

Hand of Blue: You're a real puzzle this ship of misfits. Somehow you always manage to be in a place where you are an irritant, but it doesn't seem like you are really competent enough to do what you do.
Arden: That is the nicest thing said to me all week!
Christian: We just have horrible Karma. (turning to Rick) Camera please.
Rick: I want to give it to her myself.

As Rick hands her the camera he lets his fingers stray on hers. He feels the plastic of her strange gloves, but continues to try to break through her icy exterior. "What is your Cortex ID?"

Hand of Blue: If through some unfortunate series of events we are forced to encounter each other again…

She pauses, letting a finger stray into one of Rick's wounds causing him to wince in pain, and the sheet covering him to dampen with fresh blood. She withdraws her hand when the others start towards her. Rick, somehow manages a wink and a smile as she retreats a few steps - her intimidation apparently failing to impress the man on the gurney.

Hand of Blue: Enjoy your time on Angel, we'll be watching."

Then she steps back and lets the crew pass. As they do, she stops Joshua.

Hand of Blue: Right now, the film is more important. Are you coming with me? If you do not, this will be the end of your story.
Joshua: A short life in the open is better than a long one in captivity.
Hand of Blue: And a short one it will be.

She walks away. As she does, she may just have a little sway in her hips that wasn't there before.

The crew breaths a sigh of relief and quickly boards the cargo container. Injured persons are taken to the ward room, Jake's body is placed in the cold storage. As they enter, Joshua gets his first glimpse at the ship that will become his home.

Christian: Welcome aboard Summer's Gift. I'll show you toward your room.
Arden: (stopping him) What is your name?
Joshua: Joshua. (about time)
Christian: Is that what we're calling you, or is that your name?

Joshua shrugs.

Arden: Isn't that what a name is, what we call someone?
Joshua: Now we're getting into deep philosophical issues.

Joshua looks at his room and realizes he left all his effects back in 'his' room. He decides to go back for them, whatever the risk.

Joshua: If I'm not back in an hour, leave without me.

Rina decides to go with him, armed for bear. Together they make it into the officer's quarters despite the large sign specifically saying "No Guns!" The crew gets ready to take off. Lem is especially clingy to Christian.

Joshua and Rina cautiously approach his quarters. Inside Joshua gets the feeling that someone has been there, though the room appears to be almost untouched. The only thing out of place is a small cloth wrapped around something on his bed. Checking it out, it appears to be small handheld device with a luggage tag attached to it. It appears to be a medical device, but not one that is familiar to either person. The tag has the name "Rubicon" handwritten on it. The handwriting appears similar to the note that Joshua received before urging him to leave HR. They pocket the stuff, grab Joshua's small bag and get back to the ship.

--

Early in the trip Joshua approaches Arden with a request for pharmaceuticals: specifically, Flomoxipan, a powerful anti-depressant/sedative (super rufes).

Arden: I don't have any on board, and why would you want it?
Joshua: Because you won't like the results if I don't get it. Once a day. You won't want me on board.
Arden: You're like the third person I've met with this condition.
Joshua: Who are you talking about?
Arden: A guy who was running away from his father. He had to take it too, or he went completely crazy.
Joshua: Really, what kind of crazy?
Arden: I never really found out.
Joshua: What was his name?
Arden: Um.. I really can't tell you.
Rick: That one kid?
Arden: Yeah, but I can't tell you.
Joshua: I have a two week supply.
Arden: Next stop will make sure we have a supply on board.
Joshua: I appreciate that.
Arden: But other than that, no allergies, nothing like that?
Joshua: No, nothing that I know of.

During the voyage, there are several shifts in roles. Nika is stuck in the ward room or hobbling to her bed. So Christian flies the ship. Joshua spells Christian in the galley providing meals for the crew and passengers. Rick spends much time in Jake's room and in an empty container running hour after hour of Jake's footage and editing into a reel, for Jake's family. In particular stuff that Jake is in.

Eventually, after a short trip of four days, they make it to Angel and land in Jibril.

Continue to Part 2

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