Visiting hours 2

Posted on Sat Jun 7th, 2025 @ 7:28am by Lieutenant Didrea Zade & Senior Chief Petty Officer Mason Malone

Mission: Pandora's Box
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD6 - Afternoon
1190 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Quietly, Mason approached the bed, lightly touching the blanket to alert the bed's occupant of his presence. He wasn't sure if she was conscious but he reasoned if she wasn't then the medics wouldn't have allowed him to come near.

He smiled politely though it couldn't hide the concern in his eyes. She was more than just his boss, he considered her to be a friend. "Glad to see you're still amongst the living ma'am," he offered quietly.

The gentle touch combined with a hushed voice prompted Zade to open her eyes. Seeing Mason, she gave a faint smile. Exhaustion still lingered in her features, though she didn't look as pale as before. Beside her was a PADD with some reading that she had set aside in favor of a nap, or at the very least a resting of the eyes. "Won't get rid of me that easily," she responded in a similar quiet tone.

Her smile faded as she looked him over, seeing his concern. "I read your debrief," she began, her eyes briefly darting to the PADD beside her. She didn't quite believe it when she was first told that Iska was dead, but reading it in the report and watching Ame visit the morgue a couple of times only confirmed it. It was frustrating to not remember what happened to him, instead relying on reports to tell the story. "Even if the raider got away, chasing him was the right call. I'd imagine it wasn't an easy decision."

"It wasn't," Mason confirmed, almost apologetically, "though I doubt he'll get very far. He's very injured, and from the trail I saw, he was losing a lot of blood." He did feel some relief at being told he made the right call, even if he felt different about it. "I'm surprised he was able to run and shoot to begin with," he added, idly rubbing his already healed cheek, "thankfully he's a lousy shot, and I'm a better shot. I got him before he got whisked away."

She lightly touched his arm, recognizing his efforts. Regardless of the decision, she would have understood. It sounded like she had been in terrible shape, and making a choice between duty and a person's life was probably one of the most difficult decisions to make. The news that he at least took down the raider was relieving. It showed his determination in the moment. "Raiders are about as stubborn as they can get. I'm glad you're safe, Mason."

Mason smiled. "I'm stubborn too ma'am," he answered, "and you had me very worried too. I'm glad you're going to be alright. Don't worry, I'm sure Kevan will keep us on our toes in your absence. You recover first, then we can have a proper service for Iska." His expression saddened. "I wasn't told about him until well after we returned. I'm sorry he didn't make it."

The frown that crept into Zade's expression conveyed her general detachment from the events that unfolded. The past day of her life was detailed in some report or another, between Mason's debrief and the medical analysis. It was like reading a story about someone else. "Yeah." What else could she say? Swallowing the lump in her throat, she stared pensively at her hand touching his arm. To know that Iska saved her life left her with a sense of guilt. It should have been her, based off the details in the report. "I'll make sure we send him off properly," she quietly said, after a short pause.

"You think of you first ma'am," Mason insisted, "I think Iska would make the same insistence if he were here. And we're all here to support you, don't worry, I promise we'll keep you in the loop of things." He smiled at her. "You'll be out of here in no time, you'll see." If was of course a small lie but he felt he had to say something.

The masked optimism made Zade give him a mildly serious glance. "I read the medical report, Mason, 'in no time' is ambitious." It still hadn't fully processed that she was nearly killed. Turning her attention to the ceiling, she sighed. Was it possible to have done things differently? At least nothing was taken as far as they could tell between sensors and officer statements, which satisfied the Pandora Protocols. They technically succeeded, but at a cost to several of the teams. "He was too young," she whispered.

"Perhaps..." Mason sighed softly. "Everyone who dies in the line of duty is," he said, "but we'll make sure he won't be forgotten. He saved our lives ma'am, so we'll make damn sure he won't be forgotten. You rest now, I should go or Doctor Solis will be very mad at me as I should be resting too."

While Mason's words were true, everyone who lost their life in Starfleet was arguably too young, Iska in particular was too young. All Zade could really do was give a slow nod, a silent promise that she wouldn't forget him. "You'll probably be able to return to duty soon, but make sure you take the time to properly rest, Mason." She'd been around long enough to know that he wasn't a fan of sitting still, much like her. "Find a book or holomovie. That's not an order, but a friendly recommendation."

"Of course," Mason smiled, "I'll find something... relaxing to do. You have my word." He gently squeezed her arm. "You'll be out of here in no time too," he added, " you'll see. And then we'll do some team building, I think we could use that. Perhaps have the whole department engage in something Iska loved to do, as a kind of memorial." He smiled sadly "I'll swing by later to get you the latest news, if any."

The touch to her arm felt familiar, but Zade couldn't identify the reason if she tried. With how exhausting it's been to simply exist, she didn't put too much effort into figuring it out, but that familiarity was still there, ticking the back of her brain. As such, her smile and nod to him was faintly distracted. "Could I convince you to refill my water before you go?"

"I don't need to be convinced ma'am, all you need to do is ask." He went to the replicator and returned with a pitcher with fresh water and, though unasked for, a bowl with several slices of fruit. "To add to the water to give it some taste," Mason explained, "or to consume, if you prefer." He smiled again. "I'll return later, and if you need company just call, okay? I'm sure I'll be able to come by."

Zade muttered a thanks, not really hungry but not wanting to turn it down. She gave him a slight smile, which faded as he left sickbay. Looking down at the fruit bowl, she leaned over and set it aside before settling back into a comfortable position. It frustrated her to be out of the loop, but there wasn't much she could do about it. Not until she was free of Sickbay.