Triage

[T'aral 0]

T'Aral unwrapped herself from the tight bundle she had made of herself. The position she had assumed was one she had run across during a study of human flight habits as they related to crisis situations. The 'Crash Position', while antiquated, was a fairly tested preparation which provided the participant with the greatest opportunity of survival with minimal injury. The experience left T'Aral with a few slight bruises and a hyper-extended shoulder muscle. It hurt, but it was far from disabling. She would be able to work through the pain for now, and have the injury and any subsequent damage treated later.

 

Part of her unwrapping involved releasing the grip Lt. Haruno had engaged with her hand. T'Aral did so with as much gentleness as she could apply to the situation, not wishing for Sakura to perceive her action as any kind of rejection or discomfort on the doctor's part. While it was clearly the act of an emotional being, Lt. Haruno's need did not offend T'Aral's need for logic - for it was a logical act. Emotional beings need the comfort of others in times of crisis, even if the other was one as cold and stoic as a Vulcan.

 

While securing and preparing the medical kit, T'Aral considered what kind of advantage could be made of this experience. She had, in fact, had a personal desire to develop an association with Lt. Haruno for some time. While she was focused on her duties both as a medical officer and as a Vulcan spiritual guide, there was a part of her which desired greater fellowship with other crew members in preference to being alone. Among the crew members T'Aral found Sakura to be particularly favorable ... as she would be able to challenge T'Aral's abilities in Suus Mahna.

 

As she looked about the cabin of the shuttle it was clear that she would have her hands full. The other officers had depended on crash webbing, and the results were plain. Ens. Akade was clear of speech, but was moving her head in a disoriented manner. Lt. Mrkath was incoherent, and Captain Caelstorm was spitting up blood and vomiting. It was likely that all three had sustained concussions, and they probably weren't the only ones. Neural regenerative treatment was the advised protocol, but the emergency kit only contained a neural stabilizer. At the moment she was only equiped to keep injuries from getting worse, and given the extent of the injuries it was possible that the stabilizer wouldn't have enough power to treat everyone.

 

T'Aral gripped her fingers absently, considering her options. There was another way to improve the condition of her crewmates, and thus aid in their recovery. This was desirable, as whatever force had brought the shuttle down was no doubt on their way to inspect their handiwork. T'Aral was an expert at neuropressure, with an insight and natural talent greater than many of her instructors. Much of her time alone was spent carefully studying the neural pathways of the various species she served with in case her talents would have to be applied. There was, however, one simple risk: neuropressure opened the paths between the minds of those involved, and when focusing on what she was doing T'Aral would have to keep herself open to her clerical training. Would her crewmates discover the secret that she was hiding? What would they say if they knew that the logical, analytical Vulcans included a deep spirituality ... and that their medical officer was in fact a Priestess?

 

While concussions were the most likely concern, T'Aral knew that her first focus had to be more immediate and life threatening injuries. Recussitate as needed, stop all bleeding, and splint all broken limbs. Bandage and sling as needed, then stabilize those with heat trauma. Looking over the situation, she noted that the Captain and Commander were both speaking coherently. This was good, for the last thing T'Aral needed beyond everything else was to be in charge.

 

Moving from her seat, she looked over Lt. Haruno to make sure she was not seriously injured. She was deeply concerned that Sakura wasn't hurt ... for they all needed their security officer. While it would be preferable to stay until rescued, T'Aral doubted that they would remain with the ship after being brought down. They would bandage the wounded as best they could and then move into a more secure location. Given that they were shot down, finding a more secure sanctuary to be rescued from would be the logical thing to do.