Planetside Mobile Medical Unit
Posted on Mon Mar 31st, 2025 @ 3:54pm by Lieutenant Amelia Johansen & Lieutenant Commander Alexander Coleman & Major Iria
2,035 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
The Campaign for Coridan
Location: Coridan
Timeline: 30th November, 2156
----Down on the planet----
Dr. Coleman just finished up with Major Iria, trying to get all of the people stabilized before moving them to wherever they could to get them recovered. While he walked out of the triage area, he heard one of the comms officer talking to their superior, telling them that there was another wing of Romulans coming into orbit, or at least into the system.
Coleman looked over at Iria and said, "We might want to grab some phaser pistols and some new gloves. It doesn't sound like we're going to be getting anyone fun for dinner tonight."
T'Ria raised a brow at the human's strange comment. What did dinner have to do with...ah. Idioms. Their communications were all but peppered with the strange, imprecise statements that often had nothing to do with the concept they were trying to convey. "I believe the phaser pistols would be a prudent addition considering the Romulan threat...however, I do not believe they have any desire to 'dine' with us, Lieutenant Commander."
Coleman grabbed two phase pistols and handed one over to T'Ria as he explained, "That's a human phrase. It's nothing to do with having a Romulan over for dinner as much as it means that we don't want them to come by anytime soon. Have you spent much time with Humans, Major?"
T'Ria took the pistol and checked the weapon in a well-versed manner before stowing on a clip on the side of her belt.
"I was born on Earth but spent much of my time at the Vulcan consulate. There is much about your culture and customs that are...quite alien, but also...fascinating. Your kind has a uniquely confounding way of conveying information."
"Well, that's part of the frustrating and fascinating part of Humans. We've learned to convey information in some of the most colorful ways possible," Coleman replied as he waited to see if he could hear anymore information coming in over the comms about what was going on in orbit.
"If by 'colorful,' you mean inexplicable, then yes, I agree with your assessment." T'Ria replied blandly, realizing she was engaging in 'illogical' banter...'tiny talk' was it?
Coleman couldn't help but chuckle as Vulcans always gave him a smile or two. Their...not aversion to emotion, but their way of burying it made it where Human emotion perplexed them. He just looked at Major Iria and replied as he chuckled, "Very inexplicable."
"CONTACT ON THE LINE!!!" A loud voice called over the camps speakers, air raid sirens blaring as the sounds of phase weapons and Romulan disruptors could be heard from the distance. Wounded were coming soon. A MACO Major came into the tent with several Privates and Lance Corporals behind him. A Security force, as the Major approaches Dr. Coleman.
"Doctors, I'm putting a Security Force with you, they'll keep you safe." The Major spoke, a strong German accent pierced the room.
"I don't care what they do, as long as they don't get in the way. We don't want to lose precious moments trying to save lives, Major," Coleman said as he listened to the Major explain the security force.
T'Ria dipped her head slightly to show support for her CMO as was considered appropriate...in her culture, at least. One always deferred to their superior in a public setting; any dissent could be discussed at a more appropriate time in the future. Not that she disagreed with what Coleman said, rather, T'Ria would have never considered saying that. To a Vulcan, the stipulation Coleman verbalized was something automatically implied. How would she ever become fluent in their language? It was indeed a challenge.
"I am certain they shall be consummate professionals, Commander Coleman. It is an honor to serve with you all as we perform the duties we were trained for." One thing she had learned early on was humans performed more efficiently when given positive reinforcement.
"Also, has any of your men been trained in paramedic medicine? While I hope it doesn't get to this point, if something were to happen, we could always use the extra hands around here in stabilizing people until Major Iria or I could get to them," Coleman said as he talked to the new group there to protect them.
"Limited. My men are attached to Bravo Platoon, 2nd Company, 12th MACO. Combat and Security Forces." The Major explained.
"Major, I'd like to introduce you to my new Assistant Chief Medical Officer, Major Iria. Major Iria, this is Major...Major...what's your name Major?" Coleman asked, as he hadn't caught a name quite yet.
"Franz Bernhard" he replied. He was a stocky German of broad build, wide shoulders and closely cropped hair, a soldier.
Coleman was on a mission of his own much like the Major was, so he turned back to him and said, "Well, it's good to finally get to know you a bit more. Major Iria, I'd like you to to get a few supplies for the Major and brush him and his men up on some basic combat paramedicine. Like I said, I don't want anyone dying on my watch because one of us might not be able to reach them."
T'Ria dipped her head in assent. "Aye, Commander." The supplies would be the easy part. How exactly to instruct non-medical personnel on how to triage and stabilize traumatic injury in a short period of time was going to be somewhat of a challenge. She walked over to a stack of crates that held a number of basic first aid supplies and lifted two of them and brought them back to Coleman and Bernhard and gently set them on the ground. "Inside are gauze, splints and tourniquets, alcohol pads, burn gels, thermal blankets, a number of emergent medicines, and the like. I will require assistance, but we should be able to create small, portable kits for your men."
Coleman walked over and said, "Most medicine are label with which CCs to administer. Just make sure to follow the label on the medicine and it should be alright."
Bernhard nodded sternly, understandingly. He picks up the kits passing one to each of his men before turning back to the two doctors.
"Ja, Herr Doktor. We will assist where we can, though if Der Feind engages with us, I will prioritize your safety."
"Thank you. But, I think that the next few steps are saying a prayer for those up there," Coleman pointed as he helped to hand out the medkits that Iria and the MACOs made up.
"I do not see how a solemn request for help to a non-corporeal object of spiritual worship will positively impact the outcome of this battle." T'Ria responded as she quickly continued making the impromptu first-aid kits for the MACOs.
"They say that Vulcans don't have a sense of humor, Major. But, they totally do!" Coleman said as he walked over and helped Iria make some more of the medkits.
The Vulcan woman raised a brow. Humor? T'Ria was not attempting to cause amusement with her statement. "You have obviously misinterpreted my comment. Vulcans do not engage in...humor."
Coleman continued his work on helping Iria out with the medkits as he said, "Well, Vulcans have emotions that they suppress through logic, correct? Well, while they might not actively partake in humor, Vulcans can still have some humorous moments."
T'Ria looked at Coleman with an unblinking stare. That was not something that was common knowledge or readily discussed. She was not about to bring attention to herself from the El-Keshtanktil for agreeing with the human's comment. "I am not human, commander. Please do not ascribe human characteristics to me. Any perceived humor is obviously a miscommunication between species."
Coleman had studied with several Vulcans and forgot that it wasn't common knowledge about their emotional control. He nodded and said, "It must've been. I do apologize Major. I hope that you can forgive my transgression into that aspect."
"There is no offense where none is taken, Commander." T'Ria responded diplomatically.
"When we get back onboard the Unicorn and have a few spare spare moments, I would like to get to know more about the Vulcans and their...philosophies about everything. You guys do have a unique way of looking at things," Coleman replied back.
"As you will, Commander. I am ready to answer inquiries about my species and culture. Of course, you will...reciprocate?" The back and forth was not something two Vulcans would engage in at such a time...but that did not mean in this moment it was not logical. It was helping to keep her mind occupied in the moment, and that was preferable than her own thoughts.
Coleman smiled as he continued helping them all out with the medkits before replying, "Of course, Major! I'd love to help answer any questions that you might have about humanity or anything else."
"Very well. I shall begin compiling questions."
"As will I! I'm...intrigued!" Coleman said with a small smile.
Amelia was walking with some enlisted personnel through the large area that they had used for triage, picking up dropped equipment and disposing of garbage when they were distracted by a bright flash light coming from the western sky. Amelia started to ask if anyone knew what it was when she saw a piller of smoke billowing up from the ground in the distance, toward where the city of Veridian might be. The sound from the blast reaching their ears just as the smoke fanned out creating what was unmistakenly a mushroom cloud.
"Let's go," Amelia ordered to the crew around her as she took off running toward base.
Coleman was working with Iria, the major, and several of the MACOs when he saw the flash in the distance for himself. He shielded the eyes until the flash dissipated and they could see the horror for themselves. "Oh, my god! There's no way! There's no freaking way that the Romulans would do such a thing...would they?"
T'Mara's head jerked toward the direction Coleman was staring. "It would appear the Romulans have detonated a thermonuclear device within the planet's atmosphere." It was said in such a dry tone, but inside T'Mara felt anything but relaxed. Her own planet once faced nuclear annihilation; it was the potentiality of mutually assured destruction that gave rise to Surak's teachings and changed the course of Vulcan's future. "We should prepare for thermal and radiation burns amongst the injured."
When Amelia reached the other two doctors she was out of breath, both from anxiety and the run. "We can prepare to take on wounded, but we need to gather who can and prepare to get out of here. Find better shelter. Have you heard from Unicorn?"
T'Ria shook her head negative. "I have not heard anything since we transported to the planet, but I do not believe I would be the best person to inquire about such communications..." She could not see how Unicorn would need to speak with her specifically about anything - especially since she held no sway or power over this particular mission. "Nonetheless, I cannot disagree with your directive, Lieutenant. The prevailing winds will send radioactive fallout in our direction."
"We need to get everyone inside, fortify the shelter the best that we can. We might have twenty minutes. I'll have officers raid the medical supplies for oxygen and water, make sure they are back inside in 10," Amelia suggested.
The usually friendly counselor was serious and all business as she turned around before getting confirmation from her boss and began putting people into action. Others were already carrying carrying the storage crates and stacking them around the walls of the pop-up treatment facility. Everyone seemed to know what to do, and knew that there wasn't time to wait for orders. The mobile unit seemed to be a flury of chaos, but there was a method to the madness as everyone rushed to work.
Lt. Commander Alexander Coleman
Chief Medical Officer
Unicorn NX-151
Major Iria
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
Unicorn NX-151
Lieutenant J.G. Amelia Johansen
Psychiatrist
Unicorn NX-151
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