Triage

Posted on Wed Oct 12th, 2022 @ 5:51pm by Remal Kajun

Mission: Planet of the Dinosaurs
Location: Lower Decks - Cargo Bay
Timeline: Current

It was the shifting of debris which roused him from his state of unconsciousness. There were muffled shouts, the scuffling of boots and a horrible scent in the air he instantly recognized as fire.

He heard voices moving closer yet his eyes didn't want to open. "Look, there's one, under the bulkhead."

"It's crushing him, it's gotta be."

"No look, the wall caught most of the weight. Bring that torch over here!"

"You're going to cut?"

"We have too, unless you have a better idea on how to get him out."

There was a pause and then he felt a hand on his wrist. It was not a comforting touch but an old fashioned way of checking his pulse. "He's weak. Do what you have to, I'll get a hover cart in here."

The touch ended and Remal immediately wished for it to return. Minutes later an unfamiliar sound filled his ears as a plasma touch ignited. It was enough for his brain to panic. The adrenaline pumped enough for him to open his eyes and speak. "If it's all the same to you I'd like to keep all of my parts intact." His voice hurt and didn't sound quite like his own.

This garnered the attention of the torchee and whomever was there to assist. He felt the hand return in his, this time in a comforting way. "We're going to cut the bulkhead piece, you might feel some discomfort, as we brace it. If it becomes unbearable, just give my hand a good squeeze. Okay?"

He attempted to nod but found it difficult to move his head. His attendee noticed though and nodded to her companion to begin.

For the next several minutes there was mostly silence in the space, not even the normal hum of engines to keep him company. An old song fluttered in and out of his mind reminding him to be a lover of the light. He wondered how his personal light had fared in the crash and was only comforted by the knowledge she had people who surrounded her and cared for her.

The torch stopped. "Alright, you, grab this piece and you, grab it there." Someone dished out orders. "You're going to feel a pressure on your chest briefly as I finish, but the pieces should now be manageable. Stay with us, we're almost there."

Again Remal nodded the best he could then waited for the weight to drop before being lifted. The torch lit again and for thirty seconds continued cutting before someone said, "Now!"

It was as if a child had suddenly pounced upon his chest without warning. "Umph." He let out before they started removing the beams. The pressure remained, however and it was difficult to breathe.

Someone pulled out a tricorder, "I'm showing signs of a broken right arm, three broken ribs, a fractured larynx and a punctured lung. Be careful lifting him onto the cart."

The hand holding his release and moved up to his chest. "Try not to move or speak." They comforted. "Let's move him, on three, two, one…" Several hands grabbed him and lifted him up and over onto the hovering cart.

He was amazed at the resilient nature of everyone involved for simply being able to lift his heavy butt from the floor. It only felt like minutes and there was no lift ride involved so he was slightly intrigued when they entered a large room with other injured bodies.

He was about to ask "where" when a nurse walked up and scanned him. "Welcome to cargo bay three counselor. We've got a nice bed ready for you." She hesitated before continuing. "Move him to trauma level two, but keep an eye on that lung. Any shifting and we'll be dealing with a level one."

Remal understood. There were others, many others, with injuries worse than he. This was the triage nurse who assessed the incoming wounded. He had been there and he had seen the carnage. Performing triage was a position no one wanted as it meant making choices of who would live and who could die. He made a mental note to see her for a session when this was all over.

There was one thing that piqued his curiosity. There was light on the bay, natural light, and a slight breeze. He could feel the air bristle his whiskers. Somewhere the bay had been compromised and was now exposed to the climate of the world outside.

TBC