Aftercare

Posted on Sun Dec 17th, 2023 @ 5:31am by Cadet Third Class Aarfa Barakzay & Cadet First Class Pallas

Mission: The Goddess
Location: Shuttlecraft
Timeline: After "On the hunt"
926 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

The first thing Pallas did when she saw Aarfa back at the shuttles was to apply an adrenaline-cortisol stabilizer. She kept the dose very low; the high levels of fight or flight hormones rushing through her roommate's system right now were working as evolutionarily intended, keeping her from going crazy at the thought of what she had just been through. But Pallas had learned during her time working in Sickbay that it was also important not to let the "lizard brain" take over completely when treating what had a possibility of becoming trauma, or in the case of Aarfa, even more trauma. When she learned about that, she had wondered if Gorn found the phrase "lizard brain" offensive; now, however, her only thoughts were of her friend. "Hi Aarfa," she greeted her in the calmest voice she could manage, though seeing the Kainan's wound was actually causing her heart to pound out of her chest. "You are safe now," she attempted to comfort her the best she could manage.

"Pallas," Aarfa smiled, trying to focus, find some balance between the keyed up state she was in and the crash she knew was coming now that the emergency was over. "Thank you. I'm okay..." she moved experimentally, felt the reopened wound in her arm and newer wound to her side. "...mostly," she amended honestly. "But I'll live. Some of the others..." She craned her neck, looking for rescued crewmates and those who had been part of the landing parties.

"I know, I heard there were serious injuries. That is why you are stuck with the Cadet who is just on a training rotation," Pallas frowned. "I promise I will make sure a real Med officer takes a look at this, too, when we get back. Let me just make sure you do not bleed out, for now." The Ardanan began running a dermal regenerator slowly over the large opening. "Hold here," she said, taking one of Aarfa's hands and pressing it down on a sterile pad she had covering the far end of the wound. As Pallas tried to figure out what to say, she began to realize that the "bedside manner" she had read about was not so easy to come by. She wished she had Dr. Svidi's confidence and no-nonsense attitude right now. Instead, she tried as hard as she could to hide the shock on her own face as she examined the severity of Aarfa's injury."From what I heard, you sort of saved the day. Trying to get some medals in before you even graduate the Academy, Roomie?"

Aarfa obediently applied pressure, suppressing a wince - as adrenaline waned, she was becoming aware of pain again. "I know you won't let me bleed out. Too much 'paperwork'." It was a lame attempt at returning humor. Or she assumed an attempt at humor; in her exhausted state she'd nearly objected to being accused of trying for a medal before her sense of humanoid banter corrected. "And I doubt they give medals for just following your nose. Kanan did more, protecting me so I could track our missing pack..." her head dipped, thinking of the scents that had been missing, "...or at least those still alive."

Pallas guffawed at the joke, happy for the distraction from the rest what her friend had reported back. "You looking to bring that stand-up to the next open mic night at the Cantina?" She smiled, though her eyes bore the wet sheen of worry as they flitted over Aarfa's wound. "Anyway, Ensign Mishra could say the same about you doing more; all the phaser cover in the world is useless if you cannot find your way to where you are going. I imagine you two will have plenty of time to try to give all the credit to the other. The important thing is that you carried out a mission that no one should have asked of you in the first place." The medical tricorder showed that the Kainan's nociceptors were going hyperactive, confirming as well what Aarfa already knew, that her adrenaline was falling off. Pallas switched the hypospray to an analgesic and applied it topically to the wound.

"Mishra's a good man," Aarfa said as she expelled a measured breath. Everything seemed to be starting to hit her now - fatigue and pain, both physical and emotional. "No one asked us though. I volunteered. Those people were my pack; I couldn't have not gone after them."

The other cadet nodded in understanding. "I understand. I feel the same about you, Aarfa; you are my pack, too." Pallas put her hand on top of Aarfa's furry brow and wiped away some wetness, unsure whether it was blood or sweat, but not caring at the moment about anything besides her friend being safe. "So take your packmate's advice and just sit back now and try to rest." She looked over her shoulder as she heard activity in the cockpit. "Sounds like we are about to leave. We will have you back to the Gladiator in no time."

"Yes. Pack," Aarfa affirmed, smiling, albeit wearily. Waning adrenaline was beginning to take its toll, and with the analgesic kicking in, she began to feel herself drifting. She leaned back, closing her eyes. "It seems like good advice..."

"Rest, roommie," Pallas smiled. The medical tricorder was clear that there was no concussion, and the trip back to the Gladiator was long enough that it would be good for her friend to spend some time sleeping. "We are going home."