Just a few hours ...

[T'aral 0]

T'Aral paused after exiting the turbolift, nodding to a Security officer before continuing on to Medical. Even at reduced speeds she was having momentary dizzy spells when it came to lifts; she'd have to investigate the matter further.

 

Security was tight on the Creek. The Captain was prompt in locking the ship down; it was likely that she was growing weary of casualty reports. T'Aral did not object to the Captain seeking to be cautious; that was advisable given the nature of the situation and the behavior of the creature in question. It might even be appropriate to terminate the creature, if its predatory nature was more characteristic than a reaction to desperate circumstances. However, as it was an inteligent life form it was only proper to offer an alternative before responding in a purely instinctive manner.

 

Upon entering the Medical bay, T'Aral examined the department report and greeted the new security officers. The extra eyes to watch for suspicious activities were welomed, after which she made her way to a recovery bay where Ensign Khora was sitting up, frowning at her slightly. "You said we needed to stay together - then you left."

 

T'Aral stepped in, her expression completely unaffected. "Under other circumstances I would consider your tone insubordinate. In this case, however, it is not entirely undeserved. I left because you had fallen asleep - understandable, as you had been on active duty for over thirty hours straight. I expect that you are still fategued."

 

Khora sat up, determined even though she was clearly still tired. "You've been up just as long. You need to take in rest as well, Doctor." A tricorder was swept up and Khora began scanning. "You're showing all the signs of fategue, and you're in no condition for that."

 

T'Aral looked at Khora briefly, then nodded. It was illogical to appoint her as caregiver and then not accept her advice. Stepping over to a wall panel, she activated a security field for the bay and then folded down an emergency bunk. "Very well, Ensign. I will rest for a while, under the condition that you do so as well."

 

"Yes Ma'am, only you get the bed. I'll be fine on the bunk." Khora stepped over to grab T'Aral's arm in a leading manner. It was little more than a gesture; they both knew that T'Aral could still throw her across the room if she was inclined.

 

Yet it was a gesture that T'Aral chose not to oppose. "This is unnecessary, Ensign. I would've been adequately comfortable on the bunk, and it is not necessary for you to, as the humans say, 'fuss' over me."

 

"Ma'am, 'fussing' is what caregivers across the galaxy do." Khora settled on the bunk as soon as she was certain that T'Aral had actually begun to rest. T'Aral folded her arms and relaxed, her body twinging slightly as she set the bed to an optimal position. While it was true that she needed to influence the search for the creature significantly, it was also true that she would be in no way able to do so if she did not rest at least for a while.

 

The room secure and the light were dimmed. T'Aral settled into a rejuvinating meditation, confident that allowing herself a few hours of recuperation would be to everyone's benefit ... even the creature, if it would allow it.