Emergence

Posted on Fri Nov 25th, 2022 @ 7:59pm by Colonel Matt Lane (Brennan) & Petty Officer First Class Hannah Matsson (Hayes)
Edited on on Thu Oct 30th, 2025 @ 3:22pm

Mission: The Rise of the Valkyrie
Location: McMurdo Station, Infirmary
1006 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

Vanessa and Hannah entered the infirmary’s quarantine ward after a fairly average lunch in the mess hall. The pair relieved the medical staff who had taken over care of Lu’car, who had been recovering well since his crash before lunch. The corpsman and medics had placed the Jaffa boy on a gentle course of potassium through an IV, though at this stage it was just another tube they’d stick inside the kid. No doubt he was starting to feel like a pin cushion.

“Hannah, Vanessa,” Lu’car smiled. The young man struggled a little to sit up. Consequently, a medic gently suggested he relax with a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

Hannah smiled as she moved across to Lu’car. “Hey Lu’car, How are you feeling? Have they been taking good care of you while we’ve been out?”

"They have," Lu'car smiled. "What-what happened to me?"

“You had another, for want of a better word...episode.” Hannah offered a reassuring smile. “We managed to bring your blood pressure down, but we do need to find out what’s causing it. Whatever it is it nearly killed you!” She looked at Vanessa, then back at Lu’car. “Lu’car can you help us? Is there anything you can think of that might be making you ill? You’re holding something back, surely you know by now that you can trust us?”

"I do not know if I can tell you," Lu'car said as hesitant as he was weak.

Hannah offered a curious gaze. “Why is that? Is there something holding you back?”

"You know what is making you ill?" Vanessa asked.

"Yes," Lu'car's debilitated form nodded. "My symbiont..."

Hannah frowned. “We tested your symbiont, didn’t we Vanessa?”

"The symbiont it... it is responsible for this." Lu'car said.

Hannah looked back at Lu’car “How is your symbiont making you sick? We need to understand so we can help both of you.”

"I am not sick," The boy started. He withdrew into himself, as if a deep shame had washed over him like a sea of obsidian. "The symbiont... it is not sick."

“Then what’s going on Lu’car?” Hannah looked at the young boy concernedly. “You’re obviously afraid, afraid of whatever it is, and what we’ll think of you. Don’t be...trust us to help you!”

The boy laid there, tears welling in his eyes in a way that his Jaffa masters could never tolerate. Inside him was a wretched feeling, one worse than he’d ever felt. He ached at what he knew, and what he was hiding from the Tau’ri around him. “This reaction, it is a biological response.” Suddenly, he began to weep like a war widow.

Throwing caution, and rules out of the window Hannah moved closer giving Lu’car a comforting hug. His symbiont wasn’t at a point of needing a host yet, so she was safe in that respect. “It’s okay, whatever it is we can sort it, just tell us, a biological response to what?”

"When my body senses a threat, I... 'know'," The boy said. He looked down again and sighed.

“You’re sensing a threat?” Hannah looked towards Vanessa, this wasn’t sounding good. She looked back at Lu’car again. “A threat from where? From who?”

"When I am near another symbiote," Lu'car struggled, as if there was something gripping his throat and stopping him from saying what he needed to say, "The proximity causes a... feeling. This feeling has been... overwhelming."

Vanessa immediately shot Hannah a worried look, one not only of concern for their safety, but a prompt for the Corpsman to press for more information. The MD was already working out how she was going to explain this to the base's leadership and security force, and how the hell they were going to make their next move.

Hannah offered a gentle touch, placing her hand on Lu’car’s. “It’s okay Lu’car now we know we can get security looking for whoever it is that’s harbouring this other symbiote.”

"I'll ring the Colonel," Gallo said apprehensively. She reached for the landline reciever, "Hannah, we don't tell anyone about this until leadership is briefed, okay?"

“Understood” Hannah nodded looking back at Lu’car, “Lu’car do you know who the host is?”

"No," Lu'car replied. "All I know is that we are all in danger, there is a good chance they are coming for me. I have put everyone in danger, I am so sorry."

Hannah shook her head. “You have nothing to be sorry for Lu’car, this isn’t your doing. Whoever it is we’ll find them, and we’ll protect you.”

Lu'car simply wept as he contemplated the damage he had already done. "What if he has already hurt someone?"

“I’m going to stay here with you for a while” Hannah smiled understandingly. “We’ll make sure you’re not alone here okay?”

"You haven't answered my question," Lu'car said quietly. "What if I'm responsible for someone being hurt?"

“Then I’ll be right here to defend you, it’s not your fault, you’re afraid.” Hannah offered a gentle smile. “I’m not going to let anyone blame you for that!”

"Thank you," Lu'car smiled.

In the quarantine bay, where Gallo was making her calls, Colonel Lane had arrived. The officer peered in and knocked on the glass window, gesturing for Matsson to join them in the small lab outside the room.

“Excuse me Lu’car” Hannah smiled warmly. “I won’t be far away, I promise.” With that she headed outside the room. She offered a polite smile and a salute “Colonel.”

"How's our patient, Corpsman?" Lane asked.

“To be honest Sir, he’s feeling as guilty as hell. He’s also afraid that he’s put others in danger.” Hannah looked back towards Lu’car’s room, then back at the Colonel. “He’s scared for his life.”

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