Post 244: A Shave and a Haircut

Stardate: 70623.2144
Title: A Shave and a Haircut
Author: TC Blane
Scene: Various – USS Independence
Time: After “Have we Met”

“Biggs!” Salvek spoke to the away team as he exited the tent that held the Trill rescue contingent. He was followed closely by someone dressed in Starfleet medical colors. He had been meeting with them for the better part of an hour dissimulating the conditions and current status of the rescue operation thus far. Biggs responded quickly and approached the two.

"I'm here Commander."

"Please escort Dr. Trind aboard the Independence, she will be staying with us for a while." Salvek seemed relieved to get on with getting the others aboard the ship.

In the meantime the rest of the away team had basically set up shop outside of the tent. Many had taken up residence among the various crates and barrels of supplies that had now began to arrive in a steady stream.

TC had found a particularly comfortable metal container that in his tired state resembled a cot, and he was using it accordingly, napping on it top with his duty jacket over his head. Meanwhile the team’s newest member, Sunshine the collie, after loitering around Biggs and Dr. Trind looking for affection had jumped up onto the crate with Blane and rested his head on the officers leg.

“Away team prepare to return to the ship.” Salvek ordered.

The commander’s announcement stirred the team into motion. The thought of returning to the ship and away from the horrors of the past few days was more then welcome the all of them but not nearly as the thought of a hot shower and a soft bed.

TC sat up and put on his duty jacket pausing a moment to scratch Sunshine behind the ear before hopping off on the crate. The dog followed him down its brown eyes scanning and tail wagging behind him.

It took only a few moments for the team to gather up their equipment and assemble at the transporter site. Some minor conversation bantered between the team. The conversations centered on their return to the ship, no one wanting to mention the events of the past few days. Sunshine milled about the team stopping to receive a pat on the head or a scratch.

Once Salvek was assured the team was ready he tapped his badge.

“Independence this is Commander Salvek, the away team is ready to come home. Doctor Trind will be coming aboard with us. All present and accounted for..” He glanced down at the dog that looked up at him, tail wagging excitedly, then back to Lieutenant Briggs. TC was staring at him intently with his arms folded across his chest. “…plus one new member.”

came the reply from the transporter chief.

The brightness of the transporter beam caused TC to close his eyes instinctively during the course of the transport back to the Indy. When he opened his eyes he saw that N’Dura was standing as the base of the transporter pad. He smiled broadly.

“Welcome home Mr. Blane.” She greeted him a small smile creeping across her face.

TC stepped down from the transporter pad with Sunshine following close behind. “Thanks commander it is good to be home.” He glanced back at the rest of the away team. “But I think I can speak for all of us that it will be better to get a hot shower and some sleep.”

N’Dura nodded then glanced down as she heard a quiet whine at her feet. Sunshine sat at TC’s side, head cocked lazily at he looked up at the security chief. Noticing that the Klingon was looking at him his tail began to wag slowly.

She looked back to Blane with a raised eyebrow obviously questioning the dog’s presence.

TC smiled. “Consider him the ships new mascot.” He absentmindedly reached down and stroked the dogs head. “He is also a hero, rescued a woman that we would never had found.” He smiled. “Got a nose better then a tricorder.”

His demeanor suddenly got serious. “I promised him that I would take care of him.” He referred to his conversation with the animal as it floated on the door in the flooded field. “Dog or not I gave my word. I was not leaving him behind.”

The security chief studied TC’s face intently. She knew him well enough that there would be no other option acceptable to the man other then the animal staying on the ship. “Of course you wouldn’t” She said more as a factual statement then a conversation article.

TC sensed that she understood him and his mood lightened. “Besides, if I remember correctly I am not currently a part of your department.” He smiled.

N’Dura smirked as she turned to leave. “Ah, but you’ll be back and I have a long memory.” She called over her should as she exited the transporter room.

= Later =

Thankfully the debriefing had been short and to the point. All knew the away team was exhausted and had worked to get them back to their rooms to rest and clean up. TC now stood in the shower and simply reveled in the warmth and heat. Exiting the shower he wrapped in a towel and inspected his self in the mirror.

His body was covered with cut and scrapes. Reminders of the countless hours rummaging though the countless collapsed buildings looking for survivors buried under the rubble. His hands were mangled and tender and muscles that he had never knew he had ached. He found it amazing that he had not noticed the wounds until now.

Sunshine had actually been the first into the bath and after thirty minutes of several washes and rinses finally looked like a real dog. TC could now tell that he was indeed a Collie. Long gold and white silky hair flowed across his body. TC had taken care to clean the cuts on Sunshine’s feet despite the animal’s protests.

A bark and a whimper from Sunshine drew his attention away from his image in the mirror. “What?”

Sunshine wagged his tail excitedly and ran between TC and the replicator in his room several times. Suddenly TC understood. “Oh, your hungry.”

He walked over to the replicator. “Computer one plate of dog food, no wait cancel that.” He glanced down at Sunshine and smiled. “One T-bone steak, medium rare.”

There was a beep and a hum before a warm plate appeared. TC picked it up and served it to Sunshine who happily devoured the meal, tail wagging non-stop. TC watched him eat for a moment before heading over to his bed and sitting down. He mind went over the things that he needed to do now that he was back on board when suddenly the room began to spin before suddenly going black.

He never even realized that he fell asleep, falling backwards across the bed with his feet still hanging over the side. He did not even flinch when Sunshine, having finished his meal, jumped up onto the bed with him. Lying down next to his new master he soon fell asleep also, both man and dog slept and dreamt of the events over the past few days. Both lives had been changed by the events and both will carry the dreams, and nightmares, for the rest of their lives.

Lt. (jg) TC Blane
Acting Operations Chief
USS Independence