One day at a time

Posted on Tue Jun 16th, 2026 @ 12:50pm by Lieutenant Jane Belanger Dr

936 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Lines in the Vacuum
Location: Gatlin infirmary
Timeline: During "Repairs"

Upon the away team arrival on the Gatlin, Doctor Spencer Lane had just briefed their Captain. When Jane offered assistance, Lane took her to their infirmary at once, explaining on the way.

"We got more technical problems than injuries, thankfully. I don't think you'll find much amiss in the infirmary. We're used to taking care of our own."

Jane sensed a certain defiance and decided there and then, it would be better all around if she didn't mention growing up in a similar environment. Her own people had been good enough to her but it was a well known fact, leaving the fold was perceived, more of often than not, as defecting. A number of crew hands had joined Starfleet, a sore loss to any ship.

"I'm sure you are. This is not an inspection," Jane said lightly. "We received the distress call, indicating some people were injured. So the Away Team had to include medical personnel. In case we might be needed," she cast a glance and quick smile at Crewman Brown.

Crewman Brown was only a medic for the day, cross-trained in advanced First Aid and basic medical care. The Frontier only held a crew of 30 and their jaunt had been intended as a quick trip, a show of presence mostly. Nobody else than Jane had been assigned to Sickbay, with the understanding that she may borrow such help from another department, on a temporary basis. It would be good for Brown to get some practical experience.

The young woman certainly didn't seem to mind and Jane knew why her eyes kept darting around, taking in everything she could. She must have come to Starfleet with no prior experience in space. A lot of personnel didn't get to see much beyond their daily grind actually. A chance for an Away Team ranked high on the list of accomplishments for her. It would make for exciting news to report back home. Brown would be the center of attention in her group of peers, at least for a little bit.

The infirmary was organized efficiently, everything as neat as Jane had expected it to be.

"We got places to be and things to do, Doc" a man grumbled as they came in, waving his bandaged hand in the air. "Your next meal isn't going to happen all on its own, you know. I really need to check if those (colourful expletives followed) damaged my stores!"

"Then what are you loitering here for?" Lane asked, further deflecting the man's attention just before someone acting as a help sneaked on the man to inject something.

"NOW you're good to go Willy," the woman rolled her eyes at his belated protests, turning to Lane. "He's been giving us grief over his shot, you know it. Chased him around the place twice!"

"Fleeters aboard for one minute and you treat us like Paskanian pigs already! The captain will hear about it!"

Brown moved just in time to avoid a collision as Willy stormed out. Clearly she was trying hard not to laugh. Others in the room were not holding back.

Lane took the "Fleeters" to the two remaining patients. One had suffered burns to a leg and it would need some healing before the woman could return to her duties onboard. The other had taken his time reporting on what turned out to be a couple cracked ribs and a concussion. He had been projected against a bulkhead, then a piece of cargo come loose had fallen on him.

Eyes went back and forth, assessing Jane and Brown while Doctor Lane checked on exam results and ongoing status after treatment. Jane mostly stood back, observing, making a few comments to Brown in a low voice so she learnt something from the moment.

"I guess you'll be aboard a little while, what with the repairs," Lane told Jane afterwards, apparently reassured that she had not tried to find fault with them.

"I guess we will," Jane concurred, spreading her hands. "Anything we can do to help. We're not supposed to go twiddle our thumbs in the galley."

"We could use your medic standing by here while Holly does the rounds aboard. We probably have a few more like this one," he jerked a thumb to the concussed patient, "thinking they'll mend on their own."

Holly departed, Brown was given a few tasks and the only other helper was sent back to his normal duties on the ship. With the quiet restored, Lane gave Jane the short tour of the infirmary. She depleted her medkit from just a few extra supplies she had brought over.

Lane offered a glass of water while they had a sound conversation about some of the species they had treated and some of the latest, promising advances in medicine. When Holly came back, more or less dragging along a reluctant crew hand with a burn, Lane clicked his tongue.

"Why don't you show me that new treatment, Doctor?" he told Jane, emphasizing the title they shared. "I might just buy on your offer to give us some of that." His eyes went quickly to the other woman, whose leg burn was more serious.

It was a win. Jane made sure not to gloat, as they stood over the new, scowling patient. Crewman Brown assisted with the preliminary examination. The day was getting better for all aboard the Gatlin, one bandage, one repair at a time. A distress call had been sent; help had come. Something more had been exchanged too. It would stay with them for a long time.

OFF:
Lt Jane Belanger, MD
CMO
Sentinel Station

 

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