Post 369: The Hikers Return

Stardate: 70808.2100
Title: The Hikers Return
Author: Ensign Simon Biggs
Scene: Shuttle/ Town Plaza/ Symbiosis Commission
Time After Hikearumba! Part Three
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Blane and Simon were finally onboard the shuttle inbound, headed for the Embassy district.

Simon considered their adventure carefully. "You know, although the incident with the fire beast was unwelcome, the rest of the trip, I really did enjoy."

"Me too." Blane replied. "Now that we're safely on our way back to town, I can tell you that I think my favorite part was your unscheduled swim."

"Ha Ha." Simon rolled his eyes.

"But seriously, Biggs, you likely saved my life from that flying flame-thrower back there. Thanks."

"Ah," Simon dismissed him with a wave of his still bandaged hand. "Don't mention it. I wouldn't be much of a security officer if I wasn't willing to take one for the team every now and again. Happy it all worked out as well as it did."

After an hour the shuttle landed on the platform near the Embassy courtyard. They'd only left here at dawn, but somehow it seemed ages ago.

"Transporter hub is over there," Biggs said, pointing due west. "We can beam to the Symbiosis Commission. See how Grace is faring."

"Do you think she pulled through?"

"I hope so," Simon replied, "I mean, I'd hate to have to find another guitarist to lead our band." He was trying somehow to lighten the moment, and both men knew it.

"Come on. Let's go find the others." Blane said, leading the way to the transporter hub.

------------Symbiosis Commission---------------

Simon and TC wandered for awhile through the monumentally huge Symbiosis Commission complex before finding their way to the hospital wing.

When they tried to inquire at the information desk as to the progress of the patient called Grace, the puzzled woman there told them they must be mistaken, there was no patient named Grace in the hospital here. The men exchanged suspicious glances, and thanked her for her time.

"I don't buy it." Blane's eyes narrowed.

"Me either." They noticed suddenly that there were security cameras everywhere, and they were being followed by them.

"Let's go somewhere a little more private," Blane quickly located the nearest men's room and the two stepped inside. Blane made sure it was empty, then nodded to Simon. They both looked up, down, and all around and were relieved to confirm that there appeared to be no cameras here.

"Biggs to T'Ana," Simon whispered into his badge.

[Go ahead Simon,]

"We're back at the Symbiosis Commission, but they're telling us there is no patient named Grace here. Where are you?"

[That's odd. We're on level ten, in section forty-two beta. Surgical waiting.]

"Acknowledged. We'll be right there."

They caught the nearest lift, noticing that everywhere they went, their uniforms drew stares.

"I think it is painfully apparent how out of place we are." Blane concluded.
"Maybe we should've drawn on some spots before we tried to enter the building."

"Maybe so," TC shrugged, and sighed. "Did I ever mention how much I hate hospitals?"

Without any further conversation, the two men waited for the lift to stop at level ten, then followed a long hallway until they finally reached section forty-two and found the surgical waiting rooms.

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Ensign Simon Biggs
Security Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791

and

Lt. February Grace
Helm/Flight Controller
USS Independence NCC-90791