TMI

[Cassie Granger 0]

<This log takes place a few days after the last sim.>

 

In Marine Warrant Officer Granger’s way of thinking, her injuries were minor, but the medical team didn’t seem to think so. She had no complaint about the several days of forced rest. It was the “observation and treatment” she took issue with. Measuring fluid intake and outflow, as important as it was with blood loss, was more than an inconvenience - it was downright invasion of privacy. But since when was there any privacy in sick bay?

 

Suck it up, Marine.

 

The strict cadence of a Marine footfall approached her bed. Though the latest copy of Leatherneck covered her face, Cassie’s left arm shot out to protect a vintage copy of Jane’s Gun Recognition Guide, the only one available in the ship’s library and coveted by every Marine aboard plus a few ‘Fleeters.

 

The screech of a chair being pulled up. Okay, so that’s different.

 

“Ah see your reflexes are as good as ever, Gunner.”

 

Two seconds before her eyebrows shot to her hairline, her right arm slid Leatherneck to the floor and she almost popped her stitches - figuratively speaking.

 

“Colonel Tigard, Sir!”

 

“As you were, Gunner. Wouldn’t want to disturb a... ‘seriously’ wounded Marine.” His tone was lighthearted, more easy-going than it had been for a while, and there was a slight twinkle in his eye. “How you doin’?”

 

“Oh, one foot in the grave, Colonel,” she began, a melodramatic expression accompanying a slip of one hand down her side. “One more glass of reconstituted juice and electrolyte replacement and I’ll be out the chute, bound for glory.”

 

“Ah figured as much,” he said, “so I guess that means you're up for a walk?”

 

Cass hazarded a glance at nearby medical personnel. “Guess it’s up to them, Colonel.”

 

“Already done. Looks like you’re due for discharge anyway,” he said with a handwave at her civilian sweats. “On your feet, Marine.”

 

“Sir, yes sir!” She grinned, ignoring the jealous look of her neighbor. Cass popped her legs over the edge of the bed and slipped on her boots. Less than a minute later they were out the door of sick bay and on their way to the officer’s lounge, where they eventually took a table well away from the other patrons. They ordered drinks - Tigard’s favorite vegetable/fruit concoction and a Coke. Cass’d had enough ‘bolstering of her metabolism’ for a while.

 

Several minutes passed, during which time Colonel Tigard’s expression slowly changed from lighthearted to serious. He twirled the glass in his hand and glanced out the observation port several times, taking slow sips, almost like he was trying to figure out how to say something. It made Cass a tad nervous, but she knew him well enough to wait, not to push. That he’d come in person said enough; whatever he had to say had to be important.

 

“I wanted to tell you before you heard anything on whatever feed you’re following now, Cass,” he began after checking the proximity of patrons nearby, then locking eyes with her.

 

First name? Damn... She froze.

 

“Thirty days ago a freighter passing through the Andorian system picked up a faint Federation transponder. They passed it on to Starfleet, who sent a recon team to investigate. They found the transponder, some depleted survival packs, and evidence of habitation. Nothing else. It was from the Ticonderoga, Cass. It was your dad’s.”

 

In total shock, she took a minute before saying, “My... dad’s.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“The transponder," she repeated, the words barely audible. "Nothing else.”

 

Tigard nodded.

 

She stared at him for several minutes before looking away to wipe a hand over her face.

 

“When I know more, you’ll know. You okay, Cass?”

 

“Aye, Sir,” she said, turning back to face him, “I just need a few, sir?”

 

“Take all the time you need. The Captain is aware.” He stood. “I’m a comm away. Got that?”

 

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

 

Cass watched him leave, but her mind was elsewhere. When she returned to sick bay, she knew it would take a while to get her head in the game. Knowing that her parents - or at least one - might be alive? Hard to ignore.