Medical Hub

The medical hub on Hecate Station was pristine but bustling with activity, especially since Hecate Command announced they would offer help to anyone in need, no exceptions. Bright overhead lights illuminated rows of biobeds and diagnostic consoles, each occupied by patients and medical staff rushing to address their needs. The sterile air carried the faint hum of equipment and the occasional chirp of tricorders. Despite its efficiency, an underlying tension lingered as reports of illness from the lower decks trickled in. Chaos brewed beneath the well-ordered façade of Starfleet Medical.

“Take a few days of rest. This hypospray will calm the tension in your body. You need to regulate your eating pattern, or it will impact your health again,” Kossaal instructed a civilian, who nodded as he pressed the hypospray to his neck. “If the symptoms return, report to us immediately.”

A nurse rushed past Theetika, who stood at a medical tray preparing treatments. Her eyes followed the young woman as she stopped by Kossaal’s side. “Doctor Th’shrithel, here’s the report on the lower decks, as you requested,” she said, handing him a PADD. “The numbers are increasing.” She acknowledged Theetika with a respectful nod. “Chief Kwaigno.”

Kossaal handed the PADD to Theetika and dismissed the nurse with a nod. “Thank you. Dismissed.” He walked to his office, Theetika trailing behind as she read the report.

“I don’t think we can ignore this any longer, Doctor,” Theetika said, glancing up from the PADD. “The respiratory illness in the lower decks is spreading too quickly.”

Packing a briefcase of medical supplies, Kossaal leaned on the desk and exhaled deeply, clearly burdened. “It’s not like I’ve ignored it, but since the announcement, this hub has been overloaded with people needing basic care.” He shrugged, his concern evident. “Chief Kwaigno, prepare for an investigation of the lower decks. We leave in 15 minutes.”

Theetika nodded, her face calm but her thoughts lingering on how much weight Kossaal carried on his shoulders. “Understood, Doctor. I’ll make the preparations.”

Lower Decks

The lower decks were a stark contrast to the orderly upper levels. Dim lights flickered above cramped, overcrowded quarters, where makeshift partitions separated families. The walls were grimy, and a faint smell of mildew lingered in the stale air. The occasional hiss of a leaky pipe echoed through the corridors, accompanied by muffled coughs from hidden corners. This forgotten part of Hecate Station was a world apart, where civilians lived in harsh conditions, wary of strangers in uniforms.

Kossaal and Theetika arrived to find unsanitary conditions and civilians watching them with distrust. Theetika swallowed the stench of garbage that lingered in some areas, her eyes scanning the scene. “These people have been neglected for too long,” she whispered, and Kossaal gave her a brief nod.

“This medical neglect is outrageous,” Kossaal said, frustration building. “Everyone deserves basic care, and the failures of the previous medical teams are unacceptable.”

They reached a small, abandoned medical facility. Theetika narrowed her eyes as she inspected the panels. “The supplies were looted, but I can get this operational. It’ll take a few minutes,” she said, setting up a temporary clinic to treat civilians too afraid to visit the hub.

Makeshift Clinic – Lower Decks

At first, few civilians came, but as Kossaal and Theetika treated the sick, more people began to gather. Kossaal smiled at a young man after finishing his treatment. “Get some rest. Either myself or my staff will check in regularly,” he reassured him. As the man walked away, Kossaal muttered, “I knew the previous staff focused only on Starfleet personnel, but I didn’t realize it was this bad.”

Theetika scanned a nearby filtration system. “Many air filters are broken or barely functional. Maintenance logs show they haven’t been replaced in years,” she said.

Kossaal sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair. “That explains the symptoms.” He tapped his comm badge. “Th’shrithel to Commander Deem.”

“Deem here. What’s the situation, Doctor?”

“We’ve linked the respiratory illness to defective air filters. Maintenance logs show they were last updated in 2397,” Kossaal explained. “Can you send a team to address this immediately?”

“2397? That’s shocking. I’ll send engineers to fix it. Give us a few hours,” Deem replied.

“Thank you. Th’shrithel out.” Kossaal glanced around the clinic, observing the coughing civilians. “This problem might be deeper than we suspected, Chief Kwaigno.”

Makeshift Clinic – Lower Decks

Hours later, the makeshift clinic became a beacon of hope. Civilians gathered as Theetika administered treatments, her patience, and kindness earning their trust. Engineers worked to replace the neglected air filters, though the outdated systems proved more challenging than anticipated.

“Doctor, update me,” came Fleet Captain Kobahl’s voice over Kossaal’s comm badge.

Kossaal rubbed his wrist and remained calm despite his frustration. “The situation is worse than I expected. Being here puts it into perspective. Neglect of civilian sectors from previous administrations caused this crisis, but fixing the filtration systems should help.”

“Understood. I’m allocating resources from the USS Ukiah’s recent supply drop to assist,” Kobahl replied.

“Thank you, Captain. Your support means a lot,” Kossaal said, closing the channel.

As the repairs finished, the lower decks showed signs of revival. Cleaner air hummed through the corridors, and civilians received the care they needed. Yet wary glances at Starfleet personnel revealed lingering distrust.

As the relief team arrived to take over, Theetika tried to reassure Kossaal. “We’ve made the first step, and that’s what matters.”

Kossaal nodded, the weight of the crisis still heavy. “We’ve got a long way to go, but we’ll keep fighting for the civilians. This is just the beginning.”